Home to some of the earliest examples of Western civilization, not to mention the antiquities contained within their ruins, cerulean seas peppered with picture-perfect islands and amazing cuisine served up in waterside tavernas, it’s no surprise that Greece is one of Europe’s most loved destinations. You can enjoy a true taste of Greece on our selection of small group tours.
From cruising the lesser-known Aegean islands aboard a traditional wooden caique, to walking the olive-shaded paths of Corfu or relaxing among the gorges and secluded coves of Crete, these are a few of our favorite Greek highlights:
1. Athens
Most tours on the Greek mainland begin in Athens, and for good reason. Often described as the ‘cradle of civilization’, the capital is as staggering now as it was 3,000 years ago. The area surrounding the city is a beautiful landscape of pine-blanketed mountains and coastline carved with natural harbors, but inside the city is widely varied. Colorful, quirky Psyrri is full of bright cafes serving traditional Greek cuisine, while Plaka’s twisting streets feel like a topsy-turvy Greek Island village. Our Peloponnese Explorer holiday starts in the city, with time to explore at your own pace followed by a tour of the top sights: Syntagma Square, vibrant Plaka, the majestic ruins of the Acropolis lording it high above the city.
2. Corfu
Often described as Greece’s greenest island, Corfu is lush, sprinkled with wildflowers and whitewashed buildings draped in fuchsia bougainvillea. Corfu may be known for its beach holidays, but the best way to explore is on foot. Immerse yourself in the sleepy way of life as you walk between pretty villages, rolling vineyards, shady olive groves and local tavernas. Corfu's longest-distance hiking route, the Corfu Trail, is a 137-mile stroll around the island’s hills, coastlines and tiny settlements. With Explore you can choose the Corfu Trail South to climb the second-highest peak of Agii Deka, visit isolated monasteries and a selection of beaches, or the quieter Corfu Trail North to cross the Karst Plateau and admire views of Albania. If you can’t choose, you can also do both trips back-to-back on our two-week Corfu Trail Explorer.
3. Crete
Crete is Greece’s southernmost and largest island and comprises the best of what Greece has to offer in one 3,100-square-mile dot of land. Crete is a feast for the senses: thousands of years of history, wild and unfettered natural beauty, beautiful Venetian towns along its striking beach-stippled coastline, plus a fragrant and surprisingly healthy cuisine packed with fresh Mediterranean produce. Our Walking in Crete vacation takes you through some of the island’s finest natural sights, including the White Mountains and the Samaria Gorge – Europe’s longest. In the lesser-known south of the island you can walk the coastal paths to peaceful Loutro and Chora Sfakion and replenish in seafood tavernas where you can savor the day’s catch served with peppery greens and glorious golden olive oil.