Our overnight flight soars eastward, and the anticipation builds. Soon, the sparkling Aegean and endless golden skies will welcome us to the birthplace of myths, philosophy, and democracy—Ancient Greece.

Meals: In-flight

Kalimera—welcome to Santorini, the fabled “Black Pearl of the Aegean.” Sheer red cliffs rise dramatically from the sea, guarding secrets that some say belong to the lost continent of Atlantis. We meet our tour director and fellow travelers, then set out together on a walking tour of the town. Later, over a festive “welcome to the Greek Isles” dinner, we toast the beginning of our adventure. And as the day fades, we gather to watch the island’s crown jewel—the caldera sunset—spill color across the sky.

Inclusions:

• Transfer from the airport to the hotel is included with your purchased AESU group airfare
• Welcome orientation

Meals: In-flight, Welcome to the Greek Isles dinner

Few places rival Santorini’s iconic beauty—whitewashed, blue-domed villages perched high above the Aegean. Today’s journey takes us deep into its history. At Akrotiri, a Bronze Age settlement frozen in time by a volcanic eruption in 1613 BC, we glimpse the remains of a Minoan world. Then, carved into cliffs above Athinios, the Venetsanos Winery invites us in. Here we taste crisp whites, bold reds, a delicate rosé, and the sweet Liastos dessert wine, each sip infused with the island’s volcanic soil. Lunch at a local taverna fuels us for a ride to the summit of Mount Profitis Ilias, where sweeping views await. Our final stop is Pyrgos, a hillside village at the island’s highest point, offering panoramas as enchanting as the myths themselves.

Inclusions:

• Akrotiri excursion
• Admission to Akrotiri
• Guided tour of Akrotiri
• Island lunch at a local restaurant
• Mountain top views from Mount Profitis Ilias
• Visit to the hillside village of Pyrgos
• Tour and tasting at Venetsanos winery

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Santorini’s story was forever changed when a massive eruption around 1500 BC collapsed the island’s center, leaving behind the dramatic caldera. Today is yours to shape—perhaps a leisurely beach day, or a cliffside walk along the crater rim from Thira to Oia, past villages and vistas that seem painted on the sky. Adventurers may join an optional excursion: Hop aboard a catamaran for the ultimate Greek island experience —crystal-clear waters, swimming in hidden coves, and plenty of time to just chill on the beach. A delicious BBQ keeps the energy up while music sets the scene for a day that’s equal parts excitement and laid-back fun. Sun, sea, and good vibes—it doesn’t get more Aegean than this.

Inclusions:

• Multi-colored beaches of Santorini

Meals: Breakfast

Optional activity:

• Catamaran sailing excursion

This morning we set sail across the glittering Aegean, three hours of sunshine and sea breezes carrying us toward glamorous Mykonos—the island of legends, said to be where Zeus once battled the Giants. Our guide leads us through a labyrinth of whitewashed lanes, uncovering hidden corners that open into Little Venice, where elegant homes teeter at the water’s edge, and the island’s iconic windmills stand proudly above. We share dinner and gather for the show Mykonos never fails to deliver: a sunset spilling fire and gold across the sea, as timeless as the myths themselves.

Inclusions:

• Ship from Santorini to Mykonos
• Walking tour of Mykonos with a local expert
• Little Venice/Alefkandra
• Mykonos windmills
• Old Harbor dinner

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Mykonos is yours to enjoy. Stretch out on Paradise Beach, where sunbathers, swimmers, and water sports enthusiasts share the sands. Wander narrow alleys designed to foil pirate attacks or meet the island’s famous pelicans, who waddle freely among the crowds. Those seeking history can opt to sail to Delos, the sacred birthplace of Apollo. On this uninhabited isle, marble lions from the 5th century still keep watch, while archaeologists continue to unearth their secrets. Tonight, back in Mykonos, the music rises in a harbor taverna—perfect for trying your hand at Greek dancing, laughter and “opa!” echoing into the night

Inclusions:

• Mykonos beach time

Meals: Breakfast

Optional activity:

• Excursion to the island of Delos

Waves glitter under the morning sun as our ship carries us to Athens, the legendary cradle of Western civilization. By evening, we find ourselves in the heart of the Plaka District, Athens’ oldest and most enchanting neighborhood. Here, winding cobblestone lanes twist into lively squares where tavernas spill onto the streets, their tables glowing under strings of lights. The air is filled with the aromas of grilled souvlaki and fresh-baked bread, the sound of bouzouki music mingling with laughter and conversation. Jewelry shops sparkle in the windows, art galleries beckon with bursts of color, and cafés hum with energy late into the night. This is the Athens of today—vibrant, bustling, alive—just waiting to be explored.

Inclusions:

• Speed boat from Mykonos to Athens
• Transfer from the Mykonos hotel to the harbor
• Transfer from the Athens Piraeus harbor to the hotel

Meals: Breakfast

History surrounds us at every turn. A guided city tour begins with the grandeur of Parliament Square, where we witness the changing of the guard. We pause at the Temple of Olympian Zeus and the original Olympic Stadium before ascending to the Acropolis itself—the Parthenon towers above, offering sweeping views of the modern city sprawled beneath its ancient stones. The afternoon is free for wandering—perhaps along the philosophers’ paths of Plato and Socrates, or through Monastiraki’s bustling markets. That evening, bouzouki music leads us once more into the Plaka, where a farewell taverna dinner marks the perfect finale to our odyssey.

Inclusions:

• Guided tour of Athens
• Admission to the Parthenon
• Greek Farewell taverna dinner

Meals: Breakfast, Greek Farewell taverna dinner

With breakfast and one last Greek coffee, our journey draws to a close. Like Odysseus, we must return home—but the memories of dazzling sunsets, timeless ruins, and the endless Aegean will call us back to Greece again.

Inclusions:

• Transfer from the hotel to the Athens airport is included with the purchased AESU group airfare

Meals: Breakfast, In-flight