Greece: Athens, Delphi, Crete, and Santorini

Arrive in Athens at any time. Most international flights land by early afternoon, leaving enough time to navigate the transfer from the airport and settle into your hotel. Drop your bags and head out for a first look at the city before the main itinerary begins.

The morning is free to explore the city's ancient core. Good options include the Acropolis Museum, the Ancient Agora, or the National Archaeological Museum. In the evening, the plan starts with a stop at Shedia Home, a non-profit cafe, before a guided walk up to the Acropolis and the Parthenon itself. The day ends with a hands-on cooking class, learning to prepare classic Greek dishes like dolmades and spanakopita, followed by dinner.

A travel day north from Athens, first by bus and then by train, to the town of Kalampaka. The town sits at the foot of the Meteora rock formations and serves as the primary base for exploring the region. The journey cuts through the Greek countryside, with the landscape growing more dramatic on the approach to the immense natural pillars topped with centuries-old monasteries.

A full, unstructured day to explore the Meteora area. The main activity is visiting the monasteries, perched improbably on sheer rock pillars. You can navigate the winding roads between them by local bus or taxi, or for a more direct route, lace up your boots and follow the old hiking trails that connect the monasteries on foot.

The route turns south, heading overland towards the mountains of Central Greece. The first stop is the historic battlefield of Thermopylae to see the site where a small Spartan force held off the Persian army in 480 BC. From there, the road continues through the mountains around Mt Parnassos to Delphi. After a brief orientation walk, a 3-hour guided tour covers the Sanctuary of Apollo, the treasury buildings, and the stadium of the ancient site.

Continue south into the Peloponnese peninsula, with a stop at the Corinth Canal. The 19th-century channel cuts through 6.4km of solid rock to connect the Gulf of Corinth with the Saronic Gulf. The journey ends in Náfplio, a port town with a well-preserved Venetian old quarter. After a quick walk to get your bearings, the evening is free to explore the cobblestone streets or climb the Acronafplia fortress for views over the bay.

A free morning based in Náfplio offers a chance to explore the rich archaeological landscape of the Argolid plain. The ancient theatre of Epidavros, famed for its acoustics, is a short drive away. Equally accessible is Mycenae, the Bronze Age citadel of Agamemnon. In the late afternoon, a 140km overland transfer returns you to Athens for the night.

A short morning flight connects Athens with Chaniá, on the northwest coast of Crete. After dropping bags at the hotel, an orientation walk introduces the layout of the old town, a mix of Venetian and Turkish architecture. The rest of the day is free to wander the narrow lanes or find a spot at one of the many cafés lining the harbour.

An overland transfer crosses the island from north to south, followed by a ferry along the coast to Agia Roumeli. This small village, located at the mouth of the Samariá Gorge, is cut off from the road network and connected only by footpaths and boat. The afternoon is free to relax on the black-pebble beach, swim in the Libyan Sea, or rent a kayak to explore the coastline.

From Agia Roumeli, hike a 7km section into the famous Samariá Gorge. The trail heads inland from the coast, following the river upstream towards the narrowest and most dramatic part of the canyon, known as the 'Iron Gates.' After the hike, there's time for a swim before catching a late afternoon ferry along the coast to Loutro, another secluded, roadless fishing village, for the night.

A full day at leisure in Loutro. The village has no cars, so all exploration is on foot. You can swim at the local beaches, seek out a secluded seaside taverna for a fresh seafood lunch, or tackle a more strenuous hike into the nearby Aradine Gorge. The atmosphere is quiet and the pace is slow.

Travel from Loutro begins with a ferry to Chóra Sfakíon, where a vehicle waits for the 144km overland journey to Iráklion, Crete's capital. The day's main event is a visit to the Palace of Knossos, the sprawling Bronze Age complex at the heart of Minoan civilization. After checking in, the evening is free to explore the city.

A morning ferry makes the crossing from Crete to the iconic island of Santorini. After arriving and getting settled, an orientation walk in the main town of Fira helps with bearings. The main event is an 11km hike along the caldera's rim from Fira to Oia, passing through the villages of Firostefani and Imerovigli. The path, a mix of pavement and dirt track, offers constant views over the submerged volcano. The walk ends in Oia, perfectly timed to watch the famous sunset.

A full free day to explore Santorini. You can take a boat tour out to the volcanic islands of Nea Kameni and Palea Kameni in the center of the caldera, head to the black-sand beaches at Perissa and Perivolos on the east coast, explore the archaeological site of Akrotiri, or simply find a cliffside café and take in the view.

The journey concludes on the island of Santorini. There are no planned activities, leaving the day free for packing and transferring to the airport or ferry port for your departure at any time.