Greece Sample Itinerary
Day 1: Arrive Crete
Pick up your rental cars upon arrival at the airport and drive to your villa near Chania. Have lunch along the way and go grocery shopping in Chania to stock your kitchen.
Day 2 - 6: At villa in Chania
Days to explore Crete. We recommend the following destinations. This mix of activities even allows you time to collapse on a beach at the end of the day. Iraklion is a must, with its archaeological museum and nearby Knossos. An excursion to Phaestos, its associated sites, and the caves at Matala can easily occupy most of day 2. If you don't have to see that second Minoan palace, we recommend you move on to Rethymnon -- it can fill another day of strolling. Choose your path: The old road that winds through the mountains and villages has its charms, while the coastal expressway offers impressive vistas and a "tunnel" of flowering oleanders. The walk through the famed Samaria Gorge requires 1 long day for the total excursion. Those seeking less strenuous activity might prefer a trip eastward to Ayios Nikolaos and its nearby attractions. With your car you can leave the overdeveloped tourist trail and explore countless villages, spectacular scenery, beaches at the ends of the roads, and lesser-known archaeological, historical, and cultural sites.
Day 7: Kos
This morning drive to the airport and drop off your rental car. After a short flight from Crete to Kos your driver will meet you at the airport and take you into town. Your baggage can stay in the car while you spend the afternoon on your own in Kos. In the afternoon board your gulet (traditional Turkish sailboat). After a welcome drink, introductions and safety explanation get settled into your cabins. Set sail to Pserimos Harbor, a 2-3 hour brisk sail, a nice easy start to your holiday. Pserimos is a charming little island, with a small town, beach and harbor all in tucked in together in the bay. The harbor can be a bit of a problem in the morning when the ferries come in and stir up a swell, so make sure your anchor is well dug in, whether you are in the bay or up against the keyside. Pserimos has a couple of good, friendly restaurants, and also a couple of bars on the beach. Tonight, dinner is on board.
Day 8: Kalymnos
Kalymnos is called The Sponge Fishers island. The scenery is wild
and dramatic with high rocky mountains sweeping down to the sea, very
friendly and very Greek. It is a terrific island for those who want
to do more than just lie on a beach all day. Though only 13 miles long
and about 8 miles wide, the island has a dramatic wild beauty as well
as several lovely uncrowded beaches and bays. On the wes
tern
side of the island lie the villages of Myrties and Massouri and the
very much quieter hamlets of Arginondas, Skalia and Emporios. On the
north east coast is the wild and beautiful bay of Palionisou where
it feels as if life has been standing still for a very long time. If
you go up the track to the 5-6 houses which form the village, you
will find Nicholas's house, where you will have the enchanting experience
of being in the middle of nowhere, but will be able to eat in his little
garden for a very small amount of money. Once or twice a week they
have a sort of concert, as various local people turn up and play their
instruments solo or together until late into the night. A very special
evening
to remember.
Day 9: Leros
Today, head to Leros, The main port is Aghia Marina, or Pandeli, a
pretty port, dominated by a huge crusader castle and six windmills
on a hill. Spreading up from the port is the area known as Platanos,
the social hub of the island, which sits astride the saddle of the
hill and merges with the picturesque, fishing harbour of Pandeli on
the other side. The harbor is very often full, but you can anchor in
the
bay
outside the harbor walls. The setting is very pretty with white houses
dotted around the bay. There are plenty of shops for provisions, tavernas
and cafes in the little town. Leros has plenty of beaches and secluded
coves. The lovely beach at Vromolithos is just a twenty minute
walk
from Platanos and is a long, gentle sweep of a bay with a small island
in the middle. The beach has a couple of tavernas. Xerocampos, in
the south, also has some lovely quiet beaches.
Day 10: Lipso/Arki
There is a small harbor at the village of Lipso. Yachts can go bow or stern to the quay on the West side. Alternatively, anchor in the bay. Most provisions can be obtained in the village and there are several good tavernas on the waterfront serving fresh fish. The village is attractive and unspoiled by tourism.
Day
11: Patmos
The Holy Island of Patmos is the northernmost island in the Dodecanese,
lying to the south of Samos and Ikaria. The island is famous, yet hardly
known at all. Famous, because of its renowned Monastery of St. John.
Take the time, if time permits, to visit the monastery and the cave
of the Apocalypse. Stroll along the lovely beaches, walk in the rolling
countryside, or just meander in the small lanes. The island's harbor,
Skala, is a lively place with its white houses, flowered courtyards,
fish tavernas, hotels, restaurants, cafes and shops. North of Skala
is the
village of Kambos, set among trees and greenery, and near it is what
many consider to be the island's finest beach. Patmos's indented coastline
conceals a host of lovely beaches. Among the favorites are Grigos,
Kallikatsou, Psili Ammos and Diakofti. Chora is wonderful - a maze
of narrow alleyways between the dazzling white cubist style houses,
mysterious archways and inner
courtyards,
flowers cascading from tubs and balconies, and everywhere the dominating
presence of the monastery towering above.
Day 12: Samos
You will sail to Samos, which is rich in Greek and Christian history. Aesop, of the famous fables, lived here, as did the mathematicians Pythagoras (remember your geometry?) and Aristarchos, the first person to place the sun at the center of the universe, and the philosopher Epicurus, who advocated that we dedicate our lives to the pursuit of pleasure and avoidance of discomfort because there is no afterlife (hence the word Epicurean.) There are few traces of these ancient men, but the island is beautiful, with towering mountains, lovely beaches, and picturesque villages.
Day 13: Kos
Today, sail back toward Kos, stopping along the way for swimming and snorkeling. Overnight in a quiet secluded cove near Kos.
Day 14: Disembark ship in Athens
After breakfast today, head into Kos Harbor and disembark ship. Your
private transfer will be waiting to take you to the airport for your
flight to Athens. Upon arrival, your driver and guide will pick you
up at the airport and take you to
tour
the
Parthenon. For the Olympics Athens had a major
makeover. The center is now a pleasant place to walk and sightsee.
There are now pedestrian walkways stretching from Hadrian's Gate past
the Acropolis on Dionissiou Areopagitou to the Ancient Agora, and on
to the Kerameikos. Athenians use the walkways for their evening volta
(stroll); the walkways have transformed much of central Athens from
a traffic-ridden horror to a delight. Cartolina Tours has hand picked
a boutique hotel in the center of 
Athens
that is in walking distance to the Plaka and all the wonderful sights
of Athens. The hotel is your oasis where you can relax and feel comfortable.
From the pool deck you can enjoy a fabulous view of the nearby Acropolis.
Day 15: Athens
Your guide will meet you in the lobby of your hotel to take you on a tour of Athens City Centre to include visits in the Plaka, the Acropolis, Theatre of Dionysos and Theatre of Herodes Atticus, Temple of Olympic Zeus and Hadrian's Arch. Also, during the tour you will have the opportunity to view Syntagma Square, the House of Parliament, the Memorial to the Unknown Soldier with the Evzones in their picturesque uniform and the Presidential Palace. Lunch is at a wonderful taverna in the Plaka. Enjoy some cold white wine and Greek specialties such as tzatziki, saganaki and delicious moussaka.
Day 16: Departure
Today your driver will pick you up at your hotel and transfer to the airport for your flight home or to your next destination.