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The Greek Islands: Undiscovered Paros & Naxos

with Crete & Athens extension

Duration: 11 or 14 days
Group size: 14-25

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Go where the feta is fresh and the locals embrace a laid-back lifestyle.

The Cyclades island chain is home to both Greece’s most beloved and most under-the-radar destinations. Travel from the ancient hub of Athens to the stunning islands of Paros and Naxos, where pristine beaches and traditional whitewashed architecture await. Indulge in delicious Greek cuisine, dive into history that traces back thousands of years, and island hop across the Aegean Sea—all while discovering a new side of the idyllic country.

Your tour package includes

9 nights in handpicked hotels
9 breakfasts
4 dinners with beer or wine
Guided sightseeing tours
Expert Tour Director & local guides

Included highlights

Acropolis
Parthenon
Church of Ekatontapiliani
Paros’ Kastro neighborhood
Marathi Marble Quarries

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Day-by-day itinerary

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Overnight Flight1 night

Day 1: Travel day

Board your overnight flight to Athens today.

Athens2 nights

Day 2: Arrival in Athens

Included meal: Welcome dinner

Welcome to Greece! Meet your Tour Director and fellow travelers at a welcome dinner this evening.

Day 3: Sightseeing tour of Athens

Included meal: Breakfast

A local guide introduces you to the highlights of this bustling ancient capital, home to the world’s first democracy.

Pass by the Olympic Stadium, Syntagma Square, and the Arch of Hadrian
View the sixth-century Temple of Zeus
See the classically inspired Old Royal Palace, home of the Hellenic Parliament, and drive through the Plaka district
Set off on a walking tour around the ancient Acropolis, site of the Parthenon, Temple of Athena Nike, and Erechtheion

Enjoy free time in Athens or add an excursion.

Athens Home-Hosted Dinner

Excursion (additional cost)

Paros3 nights

Day 4: Ferry to Paros

Included meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Take a ferry to the beautiful island of Paros. Enjoy free time to explore before sitting down for an included dinner.

Day 5: Sightseeing tour of Paros

Included meal: Breakfast

Join a local guide and uncover the traditional Greek architecture, multicultural history, and stunning ocean views throughout Paros.

Head to the capital of Parikia to visit the Byzantine Church of Ekatontapiliani, which dates back to the time of Constantine the Great
Walk along the charming, cobbled alleyways of the Kastro neighborhood
Visit the Marathi Marble Quarries to see where Parian marble is excavated
Head inland to visit Lefkes, the highest village on the island
End in the picturesque seaside village of Naousa and enjoy free time for lunch

Spend a free afternoon in Paros or add an excursion.

Paros Wine Tasting & Dinner

Excursion (additional cost)

Day 6: Free day in Paros

Included meal: Breakfast

Enjoy a free day on the island of Paros or add an excursion.

Delos & Mykonos

Excursion (additional cost)

Naxos3 nights

Day 7: Ferry to Naxos & sightseeing tour

Included meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Take a short ferry ride to the neighboring island of Naxos. Then, set off on a guided tour to discover everything the largest island in the Cyclades has to offer.

Walk along a causeway to reach the Palatia islet and view the Portara, a marble doorway that’s part of the unfinished Temple of Apollo
Pass by the many traditional whitewashed buildings surrounding Naxos Harbor
Stroll along the cobblestone streets of the Old Town to arrive at the medieval Castle of Naxos
Enter the castle and learn about the influence that the Venetian empire had over the island of Naxos

Sit down for an included dinner this evening.

Day 8: Free day in Naxos

Included meal: Breakfast

Spend a free day on the island of Naxos or add an excursion.

Naxos Olive Oil Tasting Cooking Class & Lunch

Excursion (additional cost)

Day 9: Free day in Naxos

Included meal: Breakfast

Enjoy a free day to explore Naxos at your leisure or add an excursion.

Apeiranthos Village & Tavern Lunch

Excursion (additional cost)

Athens1 night

Day 10: Ferry to Athens

Included meals: Breakfast, Farewell dinner

Board a ferry back to Athens today. Then, celebrate your trip with your fellow group members at a farewell dinner.

Flight Home

Day 11: Departure

Included meal: Breakfast (excluding early morning departures)

Transfer to the airport for your flight home or continue on to visit Crete and further explore Athens.

Extension to Crete & Athens

Haven’t had your fill of Greece’s ancient history and island life? Luckily, Crete has it in spades. Stay a little bit longer to put on your archaeologist hat and uncover the past (and plenty of sea views) in Chania’s Old Town alongside an expert. Then, catch a flight back to Athens for one more night in the capital.

Chania2 nights

Day 11: Flight to Crete

Included meal: Breakfast

Fly to Chania, a city located on the western end of the island of Crete. Then, enjoy free time to explore the area.

Day 12: Sightseeing tour of Chania

Included meal: Breakfast

Join a local guide who will introduce you to Chania’s Old Town during this morning’s walking tour.

Step inside the Chania Cathedral Trimartiti and Etz Hayyim, the only synagogue on the island and a symbol of the city’s ages-old Jewish community
Take a walk through the city’s indoor market, stopping to try local herbs, cheese, and olive oil
Pass the Mosque Yiali Tzami as you walk along the old Venetian harbor
See the famous Egyptian lighthouse Please note: Etz Hayyim and the indoor market are both closed on Sundays.

Enjoy a free afternoon in Chania or add an excursion.

Crete Olive Oil Tasting & Dinner

Excursion (additional cost)

Athens1 night

Day 13: Flight to Athens

Included meal: Breakfast

Fly back to Athens this afternoon. Then, raise a toast to your trip with a farewell drink this evening.

Flight Home

Day 14: Departure

Included meal: Breakfast (excluding early morning departures)

Transfer to the airport for your flight home.

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Hotels, flights & FAQ

Here's the nitty-gritty—where you’ll stay, how you’ll get there, and what to know about your destination before you go.

Hotels

We handpick every hotel to strike the balance of comfort, location, and local charm. Specific accommodations will vary based on your departure date, but these are frequently used hotels for this tour and we're confident you'll be satisfied.

Flights

Round-trip flights are one more thing we handle to make your journey as smooth as possible. Our team of travel experts will find the best flight itinerary for you at a competitive rate, thanks to our partnerships with top airlines.

Add our airfare package and you'll get:

Round-trip flight for your tour
Airport transfers at your destination
A great price locked in today
24/7 support from our dedicated service team
Options for arriving early, staying longer, or requesting an upgrade
Flexible rebooking options if your tour itinerary changes

Find out more about flights

FAQ

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Passport & visa requirements

In order to enter Greece, U.S. and Canadian citizens need a valid passport with an expiration date extending at least six months beyond the date of reentry.
We recommend having at least one blank passport page for entry stamps.
There is no visa required for U.S. or Canadian citizens.
If you are not a U.S. or Canadian citizen, you must contact each country’s consulate for your specific entry requirements.

Tour pace

You will walk for at least 1.5 hours daily across uneven terrain, including paved roads and cobblestone streets, with steep hills and stairs.
Travelers should be healthy enough to participate in all included walks without assistance. Adding optional excursions may increase the total amount of walking on your tour.
You should feel comfortable managing your own baggage at times, as well as getting in and out of ferries.
Go Ahead Tours and the Tour Director who accompanies your group are unable to provide special, individual mobility assistance to travelers on tour. The responsibility of the Tour Director is to ensure the group as a whole enjoys a relaxing and informative journey, and he or she cannot be relied upon to provide ongoing, individualized assistance to any one traveler.
If you have any mobility concerns or physical restrictions, please contact our Customer Experience Team.

Transportation & arrival information

Round-trip flights booked through Go Ahead Tours arrive in and depart from Athens. A representative from Go Ahead Tours will meet you at the airport and take you to your hotel. Please remain in the arrival lounge, as the representative might be escorting one of your fellow travelers to the bus at the time of your arrival.
Transfers to and from the airport at your destination are included for travelers who have purchased their flights through Go Ahead Tours. Travelers who purchase their own flights may request airport transfers with Go Ahead Tours for an additional cost.
Ferries from Athens to Paros, Paros to Naxos, and Naxos to Athens are included in the price of your tour. A round-trip flight from Athens to Crete is included in the price of the tour extension.
All other included transportation on this tour is by private motor coach.

Baggage allowance

Please note that our travelers are limited to one checked bag and one carry-on bag per person due to storage limitations on motor coaches and other transfers, which may include train connections or flights.
Contact your airline(s) for baggage size and weight restrictions for your flights, which may include on-tour flights in addition to your round-trip flights to and from tour. Please note that your included on-tour flights may have more restrictive baggage limits.
Some airlines may impose additional charges if you choose to check any baggage or exceed baggage size and weight restrictions. Be advised that you are responsible for any baggage fees incurred on all flights.
Make sure you label your baggage and keep valuables, medication, and documents in your carry-on bag.

Clothing & packing tips

We recommend packing lightweight, loose-fitting clothing that can be easily layered to accommodate varying temperatures, as well as a light jacket or rainwear.
A sturdy pair of walking shoes or sneakers is recommended for sightseeing.
You may want to pack dressier attire if you plan to visit a high-end restaurant or attend a special performance.
It is preferable not to visit churches or other religious sites with bare legs and shoulders (and entrance may be denied on this basis).

Health

There are no major health risks associated with traveling to Greece.
At least 60 days prior to departure, check with your doctor or healthcare provider for the latest updates and entry requirements, or visit the Center for Disease Control and Prevention website at cdc.gov.
If you have medication that you take daily, be sure you have enough for each day of the tour as well as any possible delays encountered.
If you have dietary restrictions and/or food allergies please notify Go Ahead Tours at least 30 days prior to departure by logging in to your account and updating your traveler info. To update this information closer to your departure date, please call our Customer Experience Team.

Cuisine

Greece’s warm climate ensures a constant supply of fresh, high-quality fruits and vegetables. Salads served with aromatic olive oil, feta cheese, and oregano are plentiful. Simple grilled fish and meat are integral to Greek cuisine, as well as squid and octopus. Don’t miss the spinach and cheese pies, called spanakopita.

Electricity & air conditioning

Greece operates on the European standard 220-240 volts and use Types C, E, or F plugs with two small, round pins.
We recommend packing a universal adapter, as well as a voltage converter if you plan on using your own hairdryer or other device without a built-in converter.
The strength of the air conditioning in European hotels is often not as strong or as cool as what you might be used to in the U.S. or Canada. When air conditioning is available, it is usually regulated seasonally and controlled centrally by the hotel.
Your hotels may provide hairdryers, irons, and other small appliances. However, these amenities cannot be guaranteed.

Connectivity

Wi-Fi is available in most hotels, though some charges may apply.
There is no Wi-Fi on any of the motor coaches.
Please contact your mobile service provider for information on roaming charges.

Time zones

Greece is two hours ahead of Greenwich Mean Time (GMT) and seven hours ahead of Eastern Time (ET).
When it’s noon in New York, it’s 7pm on tour.

Currency

You will use the euro on tour.
Better rates of exchange are usually available overseas, although it’s worth ordering some currency from your local bank to use when you first arrive.
We strongly advise that you take debit/bank cards and credit cards, which can be used to withdraw cash at local banks as needed.
You can use most debit/credit cards at ATMs on the international networks Cirrus and Plus, but make sure to check with your home bank about withdrawal fees.
Inform your bank and credit card company of your travel plans so that they won’t confuse your international purchases for fraudulent charges.
International banks and businesses primarily accept debit and credit cards that work with the EMV chip system. If you do not already have at least one debit or credit card with a chip in it, we strongly recommend requesting one from your bank prior to your tour.

Tipping

At the conclusion of your tour, it’s customary to offer your Tour Director and driver a gratuity in local currency. Please keep current exchange rates in mind.
We recommend tipping the equivalent of $7USD to $10USD per person per day for your Tour Director and the equivalent of $3USD per person per day for your driver.
If applicable, we also recommend the equivalent of $2USD per local guide.
Tips can only be paid in cash.

Purchasing excursions on tour

Most optional excursions will be available for purchase while you are on tour.
Your Tour Director will only accept cash (in USD only), Visa, or MasterCard as payment for excursions.
Please be advised that if you pay for an excursion by credit card while on tour, it may take up to three months for your card to be charged.
Some optional excursions may only be purchased in advance. See page four of your tour itinerary for more information.

Dates & prices

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202020212022

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2020

The Greek Islands: Undiscovered Paros & Naxos

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