Feel good about booking your tour today. Enroll in AutoPay or pay in full when you book and if you change your mind, you have 60 days to receive a full refund of your payment.
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
3 sightseeing tours
Expert Tour Director & local guides
Read more
Included highlights
Acropolis
Parthenon
Church of Ekatontapiliani
Paros’ Kastro neighborhood
Marathi Marble Quarries
Read more
Start planning today
An expert specializing in tours of this region is here to help.
Welcome to Greece! Meet your 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
From $85 per person
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
From $135 per person
Day 6: Free day in Paros
Included meal: Breakfast
Enjoy a free day on the island of Paros or add an excursion.
Delos & Mykonos
From $175 per person
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
From $159 per person
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
From $109 per person
Athens1 night
Day 10: Ferry to Athens
Included meals: Breakfast, Farewell dinner
Board a high-speed ferry back to Athens. Then, celebrate your trip with your fellow group members during a farewell dinner at a local restaurant
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 Trimartiri 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
From $105 per person
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)
Based on 10 authentic and unedited traveler reviews
Sort by
Featured
09/03/21 by 4th-time traveler Anonymous
Great Trip
09/17/21 by 17th-time traveler Eric
This was a great tour of two undiscovered Greek Islands. The guide for this tour was fanastic---able the blend hospitality, storytelling and efficiency.
EF Go Ahead Tours replied on 12/15/21
Thank you for your positive review, Eric! We're so...
Read more +
A Memorable Trip to Athens and the Cyclades
09/17/21 by 2nd-time traveler Galin
This tour was so enjoyable! The ancient sights in Athens are amazing, and obviously not to be missed. Paros was our favorite of the three islands, with so much character. On Naxos, we especially enjoyed the walking tour through the Venetian Castle. The Naxos cooking class excursion is a must-do ...
Read more +
EF Go Ahead Tours replied on 12/08/21
Dear Galin, Many thanks for taking your time to po...
Read more +
Show more reviews
Traveler photos
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.
Athenaeum Eridanus Luxury Hotel
This classical styled hotel is located in the heart of Athens. Guests enjoy the gym, spa and garden terrace. Nearby you’ll find the Acropolis, the Mon...
Read more +
Paros Agnanti Hotel
This beachside hotel is located in Parikia, the capital of Paros. Guests enjoy stunning views of the sea, complimentary shuttle service and pools. Nea...
Read more +
Porto Naxos Hotel
This elegant hotel is located in the heart of Naxos Old Town. Guests enjoy leisure and fitness facilities, the pool and terrace. Nearby you’ll find Ag...
Read more +
Kydon Hotel
This comfortable hotel is centrally located in Chania. Guests enjoy free Wi-Fi, a restaurant, and a bar. Nearby, you’ll find the Agora, or covered mar...
Read more +
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
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.
You can see the most up-to-date entry requirements for the destination(s) you’ll visit on tour by going to goaheadtours.com/entry-requirements and searching the code GRI.
Tour pacing & mobility
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
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.
You can see the most up-to-date entry requirements for the destination(s) you’ll visit on tour by going to goaheadtours.com/entry-requirements and searching the code GRI.
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.