THE WOMEN’S TRAVEL TRIBE / BOOKING PAGE (OCTOBER 13th – 27th, 2023)

Prepare to embrace the differences of a culture that is thousands of years old and a passionate people with strong traditions. Greece is a country that has existed for centuries at the crossroads of Eastern and Western civilizations on our in-depth guided tour of Athens. Our licensed guide will deliver you into the world of Ancient Greece as we visit the Parthenon, the symbolic temple of Democracy built in the 5th century BC, and the modern Acropolis Museum housing the findings from this famous site.

We will have a traditional Greek lunch before we continue our walk which will include Zappeion, and learn about Evangelis Zappas, the building’s benefactor, and the instrumental role he played in re-establishing the Olympic Games as a cornerstone of the modern world. On to the spectacular National Garden of Athens and the Kallimarmaron Stadium (made entirely of marble in 144AD), and the Temple of Olympian Zeus. We’ll then return to our hotel where Tribe members will have time to rest before dinner.

Pace level: 3

Spend a relaxing morning enjoying your morning coffee while admiring the Acropolis from your balcony, or, maybe, shopping in Plaka, a picturesque neighborhood in the shadow of the Acropolis. After checking out of our hotel we will drive along the Athenian Riviera, stopping for lunch in a beachfront seafood restaurant. Our destination will be the Temple of Poseidon in Sounion — where sailors once came to offer animal sacrifices to the Gods before setting sail, hoping for calm seas. Upon our return to Athens, we will embark on the night ferry to the port of Chania on the island of Crete. We’ll have time to rest before feasting on a gourmet dinner on board.

Pace level: 2

We will arrive at the port of Chania in the early morning and lazily make our way to a small village. When we arrive, we’ll be greeted by Maria and Stelios. Maria will teach us how to prepare Greek coffee and then we’ll have our first Cretan breakfast while gazing out at a beautiful olive grove. Maria will guide us in our preparation of a traditional Cretan meal using ingredients we collect from the garden. Alternatively, let Stelios offer you a unique guided visit to a typical village home where our Cretan host will regale us with tales of Cretan traditions, past and present.

Upon leaving our new friends, we will stop at an olive wood workshop on our way to our seaside resort where we’ll have time to relax or take a dip in the pool before our dinner.

Pace level: 1

Today we’ll visit an ancient olive tree which is estimated to be at least 4000 years old. We will head up into the mountains to discover the secret cave of Saint John the Hermit that few visitors are lucky enough to find. We will continue with a tour of a Cretan Honey factory before we drive to Kissamos, a modern town, where another seaside Cretan lunch awaits us. We will spend the afternoon relaxing at the hotel before dinner. Spa therapies are provided and can be booked extra.

Pace level: 1

Checking out of our hotel after breakfast, prepare to have your senses delightfully awakened as we take a leisurely stroll to discover the botanical gems of the island at the Botanical Park of Chania. We will have lunch made with the freshest possible ingredients from the local garden before driving to Chania where we’ll check in at a modern hotel of Agii Apostoli beach.

Pace level: 2

Today we will visit the Venizelos Graves, the resting place of one of the most important Greek statesmen, to take in the best vistas of Chania town. Then, we will drive to Holy Trinity, an impressive monastery of the 17th century, before having lunch at Stavros beach, where the iconic scene of the movie Zorbas was filmed. After resting at our hotel, we will drive to the Venetian port of Chania, where we will have time to do shopping before our dinner.

Pace level: 2

We will check out after breakfast and drive to the Aptera Archaeological site. Ancient Aptera was once an important city-state of Crete, dating back as far as the 14th century BC. Aptera was significant because, with its two ports, it could control the circulation of ships and, thus, became a very important trading post in Crete and one of the greatest cities on the island. Aptera was destroyed in the great earthquake of 365 AD and only sparsely inhabited afterwards but a monastery dedicated to St.John the Theologian remained amidst the ruins. The site features impressive Roman cisterns, ruins of Roman bath houses, and a newly excavated theater. Then, we will drive to the beautiful Kournas Lake, the only freshwater lake in Crete, followed by a visit to the village of Argyroupoli, where we will have the chance to experience a live olive wood workshop. Then it’s on to the incredible waterfalls of the Springs of Argyroupolis, a true highlight of the area. Numerous small waterfalls dominate the village, shaded by ancient plane trees. There is also a very small church located inside a rock, called the chapel of Agia Dynami and the water which flows through is said to be miraculous. Onward we go to Rethymno, a city on the north coast of Crete, with one of the best-preserved old districts on the island with aristocratic buildings from the 15th and 16th centuries. The narrow, taverna-lined streets of the small Venetian harbor filled with fishing boats and an impressive Venetian Fortress are some of Rethymno’s must-sees. We’ll check into our hotel where you’ll have time to rest before our walking tour around the old port begins, followed by dinner with a special surprise.

Pace level: 2

Today will include a visit to the small but mighty Archaeological Museum with its many treasures from different ancient Cretan eras and Tribe members will discover the secrets of the Greek liquid gold (known as extra virgin olive oil) in one of the oldest buildings of Rethymno, where we’ll have the chance to indulge in χοχλιοί or Chochlioi – the Greek word for Cretan’s famous snails!

Our afternoon features stops at the Eastern Orthodox Monastery of Arkadi, and Eleutherna, another ancient city-state leveled by an earthquake in 365. We will then leave all things archeological behind us as we participate in a special pottery workshop in the village of Margarites before we head back to the hotel.

Pace level: 2

We bid farewell to Rethymno this morning to drive to Knossos where we will discover the palace of the Minoans, a testimony to the grandeur and the refinement of Minoan and Mycenaean civilizations. After our lunch, we will drive to Amoudara Beach and check in to our waterfront hotel where you can enjoy the beach or take a little rest before our gourmet dinner.

Pace level: 1

After breakfast we will get to the airport of Heraklio and catch our flight to Santorini! Upon our arrival on the island, known as the Aegean’s gem, we will drive to Imerovigli and check in to our hotel which “appears” to be clinging to the steep hillside of the village. This upscale village sits on a clifftop overlooking Santorini’s caldera and it is in this place with these views where we’ll have a dinner prepared using local recipes.

Pace level: 1

Our day begins with a luxurious breakfast by the pool overlooking the still waters of the Aegean. Our first stop this morning is Akrotiri, the ruins of a city dating back to the 4th millennium BC where we’ll have a tour of this magnificent archaeological site. From there we’ll head to a site of rare beauty for what promises to be the ideal location for an unforgettable group photo of our new Travel Tribe friends with the red volcanic sand of the Red Beach of Santorini behind us. After lunch we’ll drive to Megalochori, a peaceful and traditional labyrinth of a village with winding alleys, whitewashed houses, and blue-domed churches with ornate bell towers. In a former winery, we’ll be charmed by an exclusive, one-of-a-kind musical presentation that creates an interactive trip using mythological narration and fifteen hand-crafted wind and string instruments. Later in the afternoon we will visit Oia and, after strolling around the most iconic place in Greece, we will have a romantic dinner while watching the famous sunset. You’ll have to pinch yourself to be sure you’re not dreaming!

Pace level: 1

Today we will drive to the Black Beach. (And, yes, you guessed right…here the sand is black!). Afterwards, we will drive to Kamari and have a delicious seafood lunch on the waterfront before we head back to our hotel to relax, and later we will walk to Fira, the main town of Santorini. After you finish shopping we’ll have the pleasure of being guests at a Greek Wedding. A unique musical designed for travelers who want to engage with the local culture in an entertaining way. As with all weddings, we’ll dive right into the mix of this life-changing ceremony in a group celebration. We’ll seamlessly become part of the story. We’ll meet the families. We’ll eat, drink, dance, and break plates. While the customs are absolutely traditional rest assured that the experience is not!

Pace level: 2

After our breakfast we’ll discover the unique local grape varieties found there as we enjoy a winery tour and pairing. (Did you know that these vines actually grow on volcanic soil without water?) Then, we will catch our flight back to Athens and share our final dinner together, reminisce and bid a final farewell to all of our new friends. Afterwards, we will check in at the same hotel where we started our trip.

Pace level: 1

Hotel check-out is at 11 AM. Private transfer to the airport for your flight will be arranged according to your flight schedule.

Pace level: 1