Étapes 1 & 4
Santorini
Shaped by a volcanic eruption in the 16th century BC, this island in the Cyclades offers mythical moments amidst the thousand-colored cliffs, unreal sunsets and whitewashed villages of the Caldera.
Think you know everything there is to know about the Cyclades, Santorini, Amargos and Paros? Then prepare to be surprised!
We’ll take you off the beaten track to discover the secret treasures of the Cyclades! Beautiful Santorini shows you its hidden side, around its famous caldera and volcano and through its wild south.
Then take your time machine to Amorgos, the island of the big blue. You’ll find yourself a hundred years back in time! Immerse yourself in the extraordinary atmosphere distilled by the tangled streets of the capital! Taste the thyme honey and the Psimeni Raki liqueur for which the island is famous.
Finally, let yourself be seduced by the charm of Paros, a large island that is a perfect blend of Santorini and Amorgos, with its bars, restaurants, nightclubs, secret coves and timeless villages!
Regions visited during this trip to Greece: Santorini & Cyclades
N.B : Contact our greek specialists so they can customize this itinerary and adapt it to your needs and wishes.
Étapes 1 & 4
Shaped by a volcanic eruption in the 16th century BC, this island in the Cyclades offers mythical moments amidst the thousand-colored cliffs, unreal sunsets and whitewashed villages of the Caldera.
Step 2
Famous for being the filming location for The Grand Bleu, Amorgos is a volcanic, mountainous island with spectacular scenery and crystal-clear coves.
Step 3
Cette grande île est réputée pour ses belles plages de sable mais aussi ses spots de planche et de kite.
Étapes 1 & 4
Shaped by a volcanic eruption in the 16th century BC, this island in the Cyclades offers mythical moments amidst the thousand-colored cliffs, unreal sunsets and whitewashed villages of the Caldera.
You arrive at the airport of Santorini. After a 15-30 minute transfer, your journey off the beaten track in the Cyclades begins with an overnight stay in your hotel. Take the opportunity to get acquainted with Santorini’s capital city and the natural wonder that is the Caldera. And don’t worry: a more in-depth exploration of the island is planned for later!
Breakfast included – Lunch and dinner on your own.
Overnight in Santorini at Hotel Nissos Thera.
You leave Santorini and arrive at Katapola, the main port of Amorgos, after a 1.5 hour hydrofoil crossing of the Aegean Sea.
Pick up your rental car and head north to Amorgos. After a 40-minute drive, you’ll reach the beautiful town of Aigiali and check into your hotel room.
Explore the wild beaches of the north of the island and enjoy a refreshing swim in the sea! Then, if you feel like it, head to one of the traditional villages overlooking Aigiali (Tholaria or Lagkada) to enjoy their picturesque charm over an aperitif or dinner!
Breakfast included – Lunch and dinner on your own.
Overnight in Amorgos at Hotel Yperia.
Enjoy a leisurely breakfast and swim in the sea at Aigiali. Then pick up your rental car and drive 80 km to the beautiful beaches of the south of the island.
On the way, take a 15-20 minute hike to the mysterious wreck of the Olympia.
Continue on to the magnificent beach of Kalokaritisa, which resembles a tropical lagoon. Swim in its emerald waters or become an explorer and discover the small deserted island of Gramvoussa off the coast. A boat leaves every hour for a 5 minute crossing.
On the way back, don’t hesitate to stop in the village of Arkesini for a warm, typical meal.
Breakfast included – Lunch and dinner on your own.
Overnight in Amorgos at Hotel Yperia.
It’s time to head to Chora, the capital of Amargos and its castle, about 45km from your hotel. On the way, stop for a swim at Agios Pavlos beach. Offshore, the small island of Nikouri is accessible by swimming (but beware of currents) or pedal boat.
Then grab a coffee or lunch at the snack bar and continue on to the Monastery of Panagia Chozoviotissa. This extraordinary cliff-top monument was carved out of the rock in the 11th century to protect an icon of the Virgin Mary.
After a refreshing swim on the beach where The Big Bleu was filmed, you will arrive in Chora, a magnificent labyrinthine town. Get lost in its maze of winding streets. After dinner, don’t forget to taste the famous Psimeni brandy, made from grapes, honey, herbs and spices.
Breakfast included – Lunch and dinner on your own.
Overnight in Amorgos at Hotel Yperia.
You will have time for a last swim before returning to the port of Katapola after a 20km walk. Return your rental car to the port and board a hydrofoil to reach Paros after a 3h30 crossing of the Aegean Sea. In Paros, pick up a new rental car and drive 20km to drop off your belongings at your hotel. Then set off to explore the surroundings on the quiet and peaceful side of the island.
Breakfast included – Lunch and dinner on your own
Overnight in Paros at the Boudari Boutique hotel.
The bay of Drios awaits you for a beautiful swim in search of the caiques, dug into the rock and used to guard the coastline (especially in case of pirate attack). Then set off to discover the island’s picturesque villages and heavenly beaches for a 40-50 km drive (1-2 hours by car).
Lefkès is without a doubt one of the most beautiful villages in the Aegean. Dressed all in white, with its exceptional luminosity, it leaves no visitor indifferent. Stroll through the narrow streets and admire the whitewashed houses arranged in an amphitheater on the hillside. Cycladic architecture, neoclassical buildings, typical little churches: in Lefkès everything is harmony and serenity. If you can, visit during the Karavola (local name for snails) festival in August!
If you want to discover the Cyclades off the beaten track, don’t miss the villages of Marpissa and Prodromos. The beautiful village of Prodromos welcomes you with an arched entrance topped by a bell tower. Behind this gate, you’ll find yourself strolling through a white village typical of the Cycladic archipelago. In Marpissa, prepare to travel back in time. With its small churches and traditional mills, Marpissa seems frozen in the 16th century.
To round off this extraordinary day, don’t miss the heavenly beach of Kolymbithres. It’s a must on the island of Paros, a true land paradise with three rocky beaches.
Breakfast included – Lunch and dinner on your own
Overnight in Paros at the Boudari Boutique hotel.
This morning you will drive by car to the port of Pounda. Here you’ll board a boat to Paros’ little sister, Antiparos.
You can visit the island on foot, but once you’ve disembarked it’s best to rent a scooter or quad bike. A light vehicle will take you effortlessly to the south of the island, through unspoiled beaches and wild landscapes.
Don’t miss the famous cave of Antiparos. Descend the 411 steps to the entrance of the cave at your own pace without getting tired of the scenery. Take time to observe the extraordinary work of nature, which has created one of its most beautiful masterpieces. Once inside, feast your eyes on the magnificence of the site and have fun looking for the graffiti scattered on the cave walls. Some date back to the Stone Age!
End the day in beautiful Chora, the capital of Antiparos. Enjoy dinner in one of the picturesque alleys or at the harbor. If you like, extend the party at La Luna, one of the oldest and most famous nightclubs in the Cyclades. La Luna stays open until the early hours of the morning, giving you time to grab a coffee before catching the first boat back to Paros.
Breakfast included – Lunch and dinner on your own
Overnight in Paros at the Boudari Boutique hotel.
If you’re an early riser, you’ll have time for a quick swim before heading to the port of Paros, where you’ll drop off your rental car and board a hydrofoil for Santorini. The crossing among the beautiful islands of the Aegean Sea takes between 1h30 and 2h.
Take the road to the south of Santorini, where hidden treasures, wild nature and authentic villages await you. Allow 40 to 50 km for this day trip and 1 to 2 hours by car.
Your first stop is the archaeological site of Akrotiri, where 5 millennia of history await you. Akrotiri, an elixir for archaeologists and lovers of ancient civilizations, was frozen by a volcanic eruption in 1600 BC. The site is considered the Pompeii of the Aegean.
The Thera Archaeological Museum in Fira houses numerous works of art and artifacts from the Akrotiri excavations. Here you can admire the wonders of the Minoan civilization, such as the frescoes of the “Monkeys”, the “Spring” and the “African”.
You can then continue your journey to the tip of the island. The lighthouse of Akrotiri (inaugurated in 1892) offers a marvelous view of Santorini and the Caldera. If you wait until evening, you can also enjoy a magnificent sunset.
For something a little off the beaten track, why not visit a former cherry tomato factory? Santorini’s cherry tomatoes are world famous, and this visit gives you the opportunity to do a little shopping and take home some of the specialties.
Finally, set off to discover Santorini’s amazing beaches, formed by volcanic activity: the Red Beach, known for the red volcanic rocks that cover it, the Black Beaches (the sand comes from volcanic dust) and the famous Vlychada Beach.
Breakfast included – Lunch and dinner on your own.
Overnight in Santorini at the Abelonas Retreat hotel.
The island of Thirasia awaits you for a walk through time, either on foot or by electric bike. Pass through the island’s beautiful vineyards and villages with steep streets. Walk among troglodyte houses. Visit an old-fashioned bakery that still bakes bread in a traditional wood-fired oven. Enjoy a bread tasting, then dine in an old cellar for a totally exotic meal of local specialties. Walk or bike around the island to Riva Harbor and Korfos Bay. Visit the Aprilia Caves and the village of Manolas. Enjoy extraordinary views of the Caldera, a natural wonder created by the collapse of the volcano’s crater in 1600 BC.
After you’ve seen enough wonders, return to Santorini for a vineyard tour and tasting of the island’s famous red and white wines. The famous Vinsanto is made from a volcanic grape variety over 3,200 years old! Assyrtiko is a fascinating volcanic white wine, one of the finest in Greece.
To round out this wonderful day, head to one of Santorini’s few traditional and authentic villages: Pyrgos, the highest inhabited point on the island. First climb to the top of the village fortifications. Take a seat at the famous Café Franco and sip an excellent coffee or a glass of wine (Assyrtiko or Vinsanto, of course) while enjoying a magnificent view of all of Santorini. Afterwards, stroll through the winding streets of the village, lined with small white houses with blue shutters and ancient churches. Theotokaki Church dates back to the 10th century, but was rebuilt in the 15th century at the same time as the village’s Venetian castle, Kastelli. The imposing remains of the latter still stand on the hilltop.
Breakfast included – Lunch and dinner on your own.
Overnight in Santorini at the Abelonas Retreat hotel.
Enjoy a delicious breakfast before relaxing by the pool or on the beach. Enjoy a little more of Santorini’s wonders! If you have time, enjoy a typical lunch before heading to the airport. There you’ll return your rental car and board your flight. Return to France with a head full of memories!
Breakfast included – Lunch and dinner on your own.
From 1110€
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