The Cyclades
The Cyclades Southeast of Athens in the heart of the Aegean The word Cyclades comes from “circle” or “cycle,” and the islands circle the ancient religious center of Delos, a short boat ride from Mykonos and the sacred birthplace of Apollo. Its temple ruins lie silent now, watched over by a line of marble lions. Take your pick of one or more of the surrounding islands: lighthearted, cosmopolitan and beautiful Mykonos, whose facilities and night life are second to none: Paros, a lovely and lively island, full of domed churches and windmills: big and fertile Naxos, a favorite with history, art and beach buffs; Santorini, site of the lost civilization of Atlantis and ancient ruins, unspoiled villages and long black beaches, and Ios, believed to be Homer’s resting place.

• Mykonos

• Santorini

• Paros

• Naxos

• Ios

The Dodecanese
The Dodecanese In the southeast quadrant of the Aegean An illustrious list of conquerors — from Romans to Arabs, to the knights of Saint John — occupied and enjoyed the group of fourteen Dodecanese Islands. Rhodes was and is the dominant member of the group, and travelers still seek out its Crusader city capital, its ancient sites, its long beaches. Second in this island group’s fame is Kos, whose most famous citizen was Hippocrates, the father of medicine; its most sought-after attractions are its pretty mountain villages and glorious beaches. Wonderfully appealing are the picturesque harbor and neoclassical mansions of Symi, just a boat ride from Rhodes.

• Rhodes

• Kos

• Symi

The Island of Crete
The Island of Crete Greece’s largest island in the Mediterranean While all island groups served variously as crossroads of many civilizations, none is as old as Crete’s brilliant Minoan, which flourished between 3000 and 1400 B.C. and then disappeared under mysterious circumstances. Left behind were extraordinary artifacts, and visitors come to Crete to glimpse the remains of King Minos’ court at the Palace of Knossos. Here, and at the fabulous Archaeological Museum of Heraklion, you will witness the exuberance of Minoan life in the famous frescoes and pottery that portray the Minoan delight in nature, art, and sports. Epochs fly by when you find, on the same island, village church frescoes in one direction, painted during the Renaissance by El Greco and historic harbors and fine beach resorts in another direction

• Chania

• Hersonissos

• Elounda Bay

• Agios Nikolaos

• Heraklion

• Rethmynon

The Northern Sporades
The Northern Sporades In the Aegean, northeast of Athens These are the first and foremost relaxed and scientifically lovely holiday islands, with few historical sites to lure visitors away from the taverns, bars and informal nightclubs. Skiathos, closest to the mainland and most developed, is lively and sophisticated; its perimeter rimmed with an astounding 60 beaches, many of them literally golden. Skopelos is steep-sloped and pine-studded, long famous for its wine.
 

• Skiathos

• Skopelos

The Eastern Aegean Islands
The Eastern Aegean Islands Northeast of Athens At the Easternmost part of the Aegean sea are the islands of Lesbos (Mytilene), Chios, and Samos. These islands played an important role in the development and creation of the Greek State. They achieved prominence around the 2nd millennium B.C. and enjoyed great prosperity, cultural and commercial success as attested by finds from ongoing excavations.

• Lesbos (Mytilene)

• Chios

• Samos

The Ionian Islands
The Ionian Islands In a sea of their own off western Greece Seven principal islands, surrounded by hundreds of minor islets, make up the steep walled Ionians off the west coast of Greece. Lush, fertile, gentle and sophisticated, the Ionian islands can be dazzling and often seem to be more Italian than Greek. In fact, Venetian occupation left the more telling mark: on islands dotted with Italianesque basilicas, bell towers and artistic icons, and in local dialects filled with Italian words. Corfu is known for its delightful 18th-century town, lush landscape and magnificent beaches.

• Corfu

The Saronic Islands
The Saronic Islands Just south of Athens’ Port of Piraeus The Saronic Islands - Aegina, Paros, Hydra and Spetses - are a hop, skip and hydrofoil ride from Athens; close enough for a one-day excursion, but pleasurable enough for a longer stay. They are, in fact, the Athenians’ own favorite getaways. We know you will be at home on Hydra, whose lively little town rises from the harbor like an amphitheater and whose harbor is full of colorful boats and shops which hold all manner of crafts. You will certainly enjoy staying on Spetses, with fine beaches and like Hydra, with elegant mansions remaining from seafaring days. During your stay on either island, hop a hydrofoil to the Temple of Aphaia on Aegina or the few remaining pillars of the Temple of Poseidon on Paros.

• Hydra

• Spetses

Here’s How It Works

1. Select your travel dates

2. Choose your hotel in Athens

3. Select the island(s) of your choice

4. Select the hotel(s) on the island(s) of your choice

5. Add transportation from your home city to New York (please inquire for rates)

6. Add the Athens Basic Package cost

7. Add the cost for the Island(s) package(s) (transportation to/from included)

8. Add U.S. and Greek airport departure taxes