Athens, Crete & Santorini
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Group Leader: Nicolas Sawicky
Requested Return Date: 4/23/2027
ABOUT EF
For over 55 years, we’ve dedicated ourselves to one global mission: Opening the World Through Education. Our programs help students expand their knowledge of the world around them, discover more about themselves, grow more confident and independent, and understand new people, places, and cultures.
History, mythology, and natural beauty collide on this breathtaking Athens, Santorini, and Crete tour.
First, explore Athens, Europe’s first capital and the birthplace of democracy. Then, marvel at Crete’s architecture and ancient ruins as you explore the island where European civilization began. Finally, get your fill of natural splendor as you take in Santorini’s stunning cliffside towns and famous Perissa Black Sand Beach.Due to national and/or religious holidays, some sites may be closed and your itinerary may be modified on the following dates in 2026: March 25, April 12, May 1. These dates fluctuate each year—please contact us for more information.
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Day 1: Fly overnight to Greece
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Day 2: Athens
Meet your Tour Director at the airport -
Day 3: Athens
Take a guided tour of Athens
With your expert local guide you will see:
- Olympic Stadium
- Syntagma Square
- Acropolis
Visit the Acropolis:
- Parthenon
- Temple of Athena Nike
Visit the Acropolis Museum, home to ancient ruins and prehistoric artifacts
Take a walking tour of Athens
With your Tour Director you will see:
- Plaka district
- Athenian Trilogy
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Day 4: Athens • Heraklion
Fly to Heraklion on the island of Crete
Take a day trip to Agios Nikolaos
Enjoy a short, scenic boat ride from Agios Nikolaos to Spinalonga Island, where you will:
- Learn the history of the former leper colony
- Admire the old Venetian fortress
- Explore the island's other paths and historical buildings
Enjoy lunch when you return to Agios Nikolaos
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Day 5: Agios Nikolaos • Spinalonga island
Take a walking tour of Heraklion
Take a guided tour of Heraklion
With your expert local guide you will visit:
- Knossos Palace
- Heraklion Archaeological Museum
Free time to explore Heraklion
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Day 6: Heraklion • Santorini
Travel by high-speed ferry to Santorini
Visit the archaeological site of Akrotiri, known as the Greek Pompeii
Take a walking tour of Santorini's capital, Thira
Explore Thira on your own
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Day 7: Santorini
Explore Perissa Black Sand Beach on your own, renowned for its deep, dark blue water and black lava sand
Tour Pyrgos and Megalochori with an expert local guide
Travel to Oia village
Take a walking tour of Oia, one of the most photographed places in Greece
Enjoy free time and take in one of Oia's world-famous sunsets
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Day 8: Santorini • Athens
Fly back to Athens
Explore on your own orAdd this in-depth excursion
Greek evening
Friends, feta, and fresh Mediterranean flavors—opa! Stuff yourself like an olive during a traditional Greek dinner. Then, link arms for a night of music, dancing, and smashing plates. This time-honored tradition brings Greece’s theatrical culture to life in all the best ways.
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Day 9: Depart for home
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Day 1: Fly overnight to Greece
-
Day 2: Athens
Meet your Tour Director at the airport -
Day 3: Athens
Take a guided tour of Athens
With your expert local guide you will see:
- Olympic Stadium
- Syntagma Square
- Acropolis
Visit the Acropolis:
- Parthenon
- Temple of Athena Nike
Visit the Acropolis Museum, home to ancient ruins and prehistoric artifacts
Take a walking tour of Athens
With your Tour Director you will see:
- Plaka district
- Athenian Trilogy
-
Day 4: Athens • Heraklion
Fly to Heraklion on the island of Crete
Take a day trip to Agios Nikolaos
Enjoy a short, scenic boat ride from Agios Nikolaos to Spinalonga Island, where you will:
- Learn the history of the former leper colony
- Admire the old Venetian fortress
- Explore the island's other paths and historical buildings
Enjoy lunch when you return to Agios Nikolaos
-
Day 5: Agios Nikolaos • Spinalonga island
Take a walking tour of Heraklion
Take a guided tour of Heraklion
With your expert local guide you will visit:
- Knossos Palace
- Heraklion Archaeological Museum
Free time to explore Heraklion
-
Day 6: Heraklion • Santorini
Travel by high-speed ferry to Santorini
Visit the archaeological site of Akrotiri, known as the Greek Pompeii
Take a walking tour of Santorini's capital, Thira
Explore Thira on your own
-
Day 7: Santorini
Explore Perissa Black Sand Beach on your own, renowned for its deep, dark blue water and black lava sand
Tour Pyrgos and Megalochori with an expert local guide
Travel to Oia village
Take a walking tour of Oia, one of the most photographed places in Greece
Enjoy free time and take in one of Oia's world-famous sunsets
-
Day 8: Santorini • Athens
Fly back to Athens
Explore on your own orAdd this in-depth excursion
Greek evening
Friends, feta, and fresh Mediterranean flavors—opa! Stuff yourself like an olive during a traditional Greek dinner. Then, link arms for a night of music, dancing, and smashing plates. This time-honored tradition brings Greece’s theatrical culture to life in all the best ways.
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Day 9: Depart for home
Feel confident helping your child see the world
Visit our parents’ page for everything from payment plans, scholarship opportunities, safety protocols, and more.
Are you the “print it, scribble notes on it, stick it to the fridge” type? You can download a printable version of our Parent Guide, too.
¿Quiere leer la Guía para Padres en español?
What’s important to you is important to us
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Health standards
We’re actively helping to innovate on new global standards for cleanliness & safety.
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See your tour come to life
Your experience includes
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Airfare & transportation
Round-trip flights on major carriers; 2 internal flights; comfortable motorcoach; high-speed ferry
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Hotels
7 overnight stays in hotels with private bathrooms
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Regional-style meals
European breakfast and dinner daily (lunch instead of dinner on day 7)
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Guided sightseeing
3 sightseeing tours led by expert, licensed local guides; 4 walking tours led by your Tour Director
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Entrances
Acropolis; Acropolis Museum; Spinalonga boat ride; Knossos Palace; Heraklion Archaeological Museum; Akrotiri Excavations
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Full-time Tour Director
Your culturally connected Tour Director is with your group 24/7, providing deep local insight while handling all on-tour logistics.
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Expert Local Guides
Your expert local guides are natural historians, adding cultural insight and global perspective on your sightseeing tours.
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Continuous Support
Your dedicated EF team helps you every step of the way—from recruiting and enrolling travelers to planning and managing your tour.
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Worldwide Presence
EF has over 500 schools and offices in more than 50 countries worldwide so wherever you go, we're there too.
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24-hour Emergency Service
Travelers and their families can count on EF's dedicated emergency service team.
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Peace of Mind Program
Feel secure knowing your group can change their destination or travel dates due to unforeseen circumstances. Learn more about your flexible options at eftours.com/peaceofmind.
Have questions about this tour? Give us a call at 800-665-5364
