Greece In Style - Athens, Mykonos, & Santorini for 9 Nights

About the destination: Athens is named after the goddess of wisdom, Athena, who is honored by the stunning Acropolis that towers over the modern, cosmopolitan city that Athens has become today. As one of the oldest cities in the world, Athens is the birthplace of western philosophy, democracy, and theater. To this day, the Greek capital remains a significant global hub of culture, with its historic center, iconic classical sites, and museums brimming with artifacts from ancient Greece. The Acropolis, topped by the symbolic Parthenon, has been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Cars have been prohibited from the historic center, which has transformed into Europe's most impressive pedestrian walkway. In this archaeological park, visitors can experience the contrasting nature of this ancient city by visiting the New Acropolis Museum, a modern, high-tech building with bright and spacious exhibition areas, as well as the National Archaeological Museum, Greece's largest archaeological museum, which was built in the 19th century and is dedicated to ancient Greek art. The Acropolis and Mount Lycavittos, the city's highest points, serve as landmarks as they can be seen from most locations in the Plaka, the old historical neighborhood. The Plaka is located beneath the Acropolis and extends almost to Syntagma, the location of the Greek Parliament. For a taste of the indulgent Athenian lifestyle, one should visit Monastiraki, where locals gather to eat, drink, and socialize. The night belongs to Psirri, a lively neighborhood known for its bars, live music venues, and thrilling nightclubs. Southeast of the city center, a beautiful stretch of coastline offers dreamy views over the shimmering blue Aegean Sea. Few European capitals can boast of having sandy beaches and clean swimming waters so easily accessible. Therefore, Athens offers the best of both worlds – an amazing city break and a relaxing beach vacation. Athenians are surprisingly friendly and outgoing, and their passion for life's enjoyable activities is so contagious that even the most reserved traveler will take time for endless coffees and evening walks, dine out late, and enjoy the city's nightlife, long after the rest of Europe has gone to bed.

About the destination: Mykonos is a favored vacation spot located in the Cyclades group of Greek islands, nestled in the heart of the Aegean Sea. In the 1960s, Mykonos emerged as a bohemian hotspot and has since evolved into one of the most glamorous holiday resorts in the country, proudly showcasing its vibrant style and reputation. For many years, this central Cyclade was the top Mediterranean destination for gay travelers, although recently Mykonos has been working to attract a more diverse crowd. Despite this, the nightlife remains very gay-friendly and the island is a haven for any party-goer with its loud and lengthy nights. The main town on the island is Chora, or Mykonos town, which is filled with narrow, winding streets, buildings painted white with blue accents, delightful restaurants, clothing and jewelry stores, a fish market, and a vegetable market. It is one of the most cosmopolitan and bustling towns in the Aegean. Apart from Chora, there is only one other town on the island, Ano Mera, which is quieter and less frequented by tourists. While visiting, be sure to see the Monastery of Panagia Tourliani, a traditional Greek Orthodox Church featuring a beautiful iconostasis. The island itself is arid and barren, but it boasts some excellent sandy beaches, the most famous of which are Paradise and Super Paradise. However, there are many other beaches to explore around the island. From the quaint port, you can take a boat to the beaches or to Delos, transitioning from the present to the ancient past, from one set of myths to another.

About the destination: Created by a massive volcanic eruption that is believed to have inspired the legend of Atlantis, Santorini is the most visually stunning island in the Aegean Sea. The island is essentially the outer edge of a submerged volcano, with its entire eastern coast consisting of a series of small towns situated on tall hills. Fira, the island's dramatically located capital, is perched on the cliffs overlooking the sea. Fira, along with the Parthenon, is one of the most recognized images of Greece. Its narrow streets are filled with souvenir shops, charming boutiques, and numerous jewelry stores. It is home to two beautiful churches, the Greek Orthodox and the Catholic Cathedral of St John the Baptist, as well as a small local museum. Fira also boasts a vibrant nightlife, with excellent restaurants and bars, and a few nightclubs. The city itself is a spectacle, especially at sunset. Another great spot to watch the sunset is the town of Ia, a small village perched on the rocky point of land at the northern tip of the island, 300m above the sea. The beaches in Santorini are unique compared to other Greek beaches due to their distinctive geographical features. Red and black volcanic pebbles cover the shores of Santorini's beaches, and steep cliffs create a scenic atmosphere. The most famous of these beaches is the Red beach, while Perissa, Kamari, and Perivolos are also very popular. Santorini is a truly magnificent destination. The placement of some of its main towns along the cliff-top edge of the caldera is one of the most breathtakingly beautiful sights in the world. The buildings seem to defy gravity as they cling to the cliffs and are stacked one on top of the other like a pile of sugar cubes. The sandy, multicolored beaches are just the cherry on top.