Naxos & Santorini

Introduction
Crete Greece
Discover two of the most beautiful islands of the Cyclades in one trip: Santorini and Naxos.

Santorini feels like no other place on earth: an ancient island that endured one of the largest volcanic eruptions in history. Here everything is brighter: the whitewashed cube-shaped houses, the lapis lazuli sea and the sunsets that light up the caldera.

On Naxos you explore the highest mountain of the area: Zas. From its summit you enjoy breath-taking views of olive-orchards around you that are in sharp contrast with the deep blue Aegean Sea. Naxos is an island of contrasts: on the one hand you have the lively town and beaches of Naxos town with its excitement and on the other hand there is the countryside where life is still very traditional. The steep cliffs of Santorini with layers in all colors are the result of an explosion of the Thira volcano thousands of years ago. In the flooded “caldera” of Santorini there is still volcanic activity, as you can see during your visit to the Kammeni Islands.

Highlights
Two beautiful islands in one trip
Visit the iconic cliff-top villages of Santorini perched high above the breath-taking caldera
Enjoy panoramic views of the Cyclades from summit of Mt. Zas (999 m)
Marvel at the Kouros statues on Naxos, 2800 years old.
Follow unique cobbled paths on ancient trails across the islands
Visit the ancient sites of Thira and Akrotiri on Santorini

Accomodation

All hotels of this trip are carefully selected because of their location, atmosphere and/or unique services. All rooms are en-suite.
Below you find the standard hotels of this trip. If a hotel is fully booked, we book a similar alternative for you and inform you about the alternative booked.

You will be staying at the following hotels during your stay:
- Nights 1 to 3: Hotel Anixis
- Nights 4 to 6: Kalimera Hotel
- Night 7: Acropolis Hill hotel

Hotel Anixis - Naxos
This hotel is located in the Old Town, only a few hundreds meters away from the sea. It offers simply decorated bedrooms equipped with A/C and heating, free WIFI access, ensuite facilities, satellite TV and great views. Guests can also choose to relax in the small garden.

Kalimera hotel - Santorini
The family hotel Villa Kalimera has very friendly and helpful owners. The hotel features a lush flower garden and a small pool. The Hotel is built very close to the archaeological site of Akrotiri and offers incomparable views to the Caldera and the sea. Kalimera Hotel features 22 rooms which offer all modern comforts. The traditional Cycladic architecture prevails at all spaces, while attention has been given to the last detail. Rooms are simply furnished.

Acropolis Hill hotel - Athens
The Acropolis Hill Hotel, which opened in 2010, is nestled in the serene green area of Philopappou, near the Acropolis. It is a contemporary comfortable accommodation near the historical center of Athens. The hotel has a small pool. Rooms are small but nicely designed and with a comfortable bath room. Wi-Fi is free and available throughout the premises.

Extra overnight:
You can book additional night(s) at any of the accommodations along the way. If your flight arrives later than 2:30 pm into Athens airport, you will need to book an extra night in Athens before your trip. In that case transfer from the airport to Athens center is not included. Instead you will be transferred from Athens center to Piraeus port the next day in the morning and you travel on the morning ferry to Naxos.

Room Occupancy:
Triple and Quadruple rooms are usually available and subject to discounts (please inquire).
It is mandatory to pay a single supplement fee if travelling alone.

Riding

Trip grade: Suitable for anyone in good physical shape. Moderate day walks are interspersed with more strenuous excursions, 4-6 hours per day (excluding breaks) on hilly to mountainous areas using well kept, sometimes stony paths.

Activity characteristics: The walks are mostly unsurfaced tracks; Cobbled mule-paths, footpaths, and some tarmac roads.

Itinerary

Sample itinerary - Subject to changes

Day 1: From Athens to Naxos
Arrival at Athens Airport and transfer to the port of Piraeus from where you leave per ferry in the late afternoon to Naxos. The ferry takes 5,5 hrs and you arrive around midnight on Naxos. In case your flight does not allow traveling to Naxos on the same day, you have to book an extra night in Athens and you travel to Naxos the next day in the early morning.

Day 2: Walk from Chalki to Melanes
You take a taxi or public bus to Chalki, located in the center of the Tragea plain. Today you explore this fertile inner land of Naxos with olive groves and rich vegetation. There are some olive trees that are over thousand years old! You walk on cobbled paths via the Venetian Fortress Ano Kastro to an ancient marble quarry where you find a 10m height statue of an unfinished Kouros from the 6th century BC! The walk ends in the nearby village Melanes from where you take a taxi or public bus back to the hotel.
Hiking: 10, 14 or 19 km (approx. 3.5 / 4.5 / 7 hours)
Elevation gain: 150m / 300m / 400m (positive) and 150m / 300m / 400m (negative)

Day 3: Walk to Mt. Zas
Todays walk starts from Filoti that you reach per taxi or public bus. From this village, built at the foothills of Mt. Zas, you start your walk to the summit of this legendary mountain. You may witness the cave in which according to the legend, Zeus, the father of all the gods, was nursed by an eagle. After your descend you optionally continue the walk to Apiranthos. From Apiranthos you may walk back via the saddle of Mt. Fanari to Filoti; a beautiful walk with breathtaking views!
Hiking: 13 or 19 km
Elevation gain: 500m / 900m (positive) and 500m / 900m (negative)

Day 4: From Naxos to Santorini
You travel from Naxos to Santorini. The ferry usually departs around noon and arrives 3 hours later on Santorini. In the morning you may visit the Castle in Naxos town (Chora) and visit the museum here. Or you can relax on the sandy beach of Agios Georgios. You enter the submersed crater of this old volcano by ferry boat and this is an unforgettable experience. You will be impressed by the steep colored cliffs and the whitewashed villages on top. It is said that the eruption, 3.600 years ago, ended the Minoan Civilization. Or was it the source of the legend of Atlantis?

Day 5: Walk from Perissa to Akrotiri
A transfer will take you to Perissa from where you start climbing via an old path to a windy saddle. This part is one of the very few places that exists from before the devastating volcanic outburst. You walk up to Ancient Thira: the capital of the island in Ancient and Roman times. The location is really fantastic! Then you descend via an old path to the quiet inner parts of the island. You walk through vineyards (Santorini produces top class wines!) and along picturesque villages. Through this landscape of volcanic ashes and along the black beach you walk back to Akrotiri village.
Hiking: 13 km (approx. 5.5 hours)
Elevation gain: 580m (positive) and 550m (negative) 

Day 6: Walk from Fira to Oia
You travel per public bus to Fira, the capital of Santorini. Here you can explore the narrow alleys of this whitewashed town, built on the top of the volcanic cliffs. It houses a couple of interesting museums, such as the museum of prehistoric Thira and the Archaeological Museum. In the afternoon you make the famous walk from Fira to Oia. This walk allows you fabulous views of the lagoon and the spectacular cliffs with its massive drops. Most of the walk is via a really nice wide mule-path. From Oia you will be picked up and get a transfer back to the hotel.
Hiking: 10.3 km (approx. 3 hours)
Elevation gain: 300m (positive) and 400m (negative) 

Day 7: Round walk from Akrotiri and travel from Santorini to Athens
A last free morning in Akrotiri at leisure and possibility to visit the archaeological site of Akrotiri: the Greek Pompeii that opened in spring 2012 after it had been closed for many years. Transfer to the port from where you travel comfortably per modern ferry to Piraeus. The journey last around 8 hours. Upon arrival you will have an organized transfer per taxi to your centrally located hotel in Athens.
Hiking: 5.2 km (approx. 1.5 hours)
Elevation gain: 135m (positive) and 120m (negative) 

Day 8: Athens and departure
Depending on your flight departure today, you may have time to pay a visit to the Acropolis and the Acropolis Museum before you travel per metro or bus to the airport. Here you take your outbound flight.

Note:  Additional nights can be booked at all accommodations of this tour. This is possible because there is at least one ferry between these islands and Piraeus every day.

Rates and Dates for Naxos & Santorini

Dates Note: Any start date from April to October

Other Info
Meeting: Athens airport
Airport: Athens
Transfer: Athens

Climate:
                                            Santorini area