WHEN SCHEDULING YOUR FLIGHTS…
This program is offered in conjunction with the Djoser, Netherlands office but must be booked through Djoser, in the United States. On this trip you will join Dutch & Belgium participants. So that all travelers in the group have the same point of reference, the days in the day-to-day descriptions below correspond with the program description for the Dutch travelers, taking into account their travel time from Amsterdam.
When scheduling your flights please use the itinerary above. The days are numbered based on the LAND PROGRAM, ONLY. Thus, our published trip dates are referred to as DAY 1 in the itinerary above. This is also the first accommodated night of the program. When you book your flight, please refer to the (estimated) times of arrival and departure of the Dutch participants. You should plan to arrive prior to the Dutch travelers.
DJOSER MEANS “FREEDOM & CHOICE”
Our day-to-day program is not strictly regimented but is determined by collaboration between the guide and participants. The guide will organize and accompany many activities but will also make suggestions so that you can explore and dine, safely, on your own.
PARDON OUR APPEARANCE
We are currently in the process of updating our Day-To-Day texts. Here you will still be able to get a good idea of the flow of the program, although there may be pending alterations.
Syros
Day 1 Depart USA
Day 2 Athens
Day 3 Athens – Syros
Day 4 Syros
After spending a night in Athens our first crossing will go from Piraeus to Syros. Syros, which is not very touristy, is the governing center of the Cyclades and is about a five-hour sail from the mainland. The island has beautiful patrician houses, neo-classical architecture and wide beaches. A specialty of the island is loukoumi, a nougat-like treat. Don’t forget to have a taste of this when you are sitting on one of the Greek terraces! The upper city Ano Syros exudes a medieval atmosphere. You can walk through the alleyways and enjoy beautiful views. It is definitely worthwhile to visit the medieval church Agios Georgios or Chalandriana, a prehistoric settlement with archaeological finds.
Mykonos
Day 5 Syros – Mykonos
Day 6 Mykonos
In about one and a half hours we sail from Syros to Mykonos. Mykonos is a picturesque island, with traditional windmills and photogenic white houses with small blue balconies. Further the island possesses a variety of beaches, from pebble beaches to long stretched-out sand beaches. You will find a series of shops where you can buy the specialties of the island: louza (a kind of smoked meat), the amigdalota an almond cake, and woven and embroidered rugs. The view of Mykonos City has a protected status because of the architectural character of little cube-shaped houses in white plastered alleys. The quarter Alefkantra, situated on the water, is a neighborhood of houses with wooden balconies and it has a Venetian feel to it. Further you can admire the various small churches that the city possesses. From Mykonos you can make a daytrip to Delos. Delos is an uninhabited island and is also called the “holy island”. According to the myths Apollo and Artemis were born here. Thus there are several archaeological sites to be seen here like the foundations of a large Apollo Temple and a Hellenistic residential area with unique mosaic floors. In the museum of Delos interesting finds are on display.
Naxos
Day 7 Mykonos - Naxos
Day 8 Naxos
After a boat trip of approximately one and a half hours we arrive at Naxos. Naxos is the largest and highest island of the Cyclades. As opposed to Mykonos, which is not overgrown, Naxos is very fertile and has a mountainous landscape with beautiful vegetation. Citrus and olive orchards are spread across the island and a part of the island possesses a rocky coastline with deserted bays. We will spend the night near Naxos City, also called Chora. Naxos City is a picturesque city with on top of the hill a castle that stems from the Venetian era. Near the harbor there is a magnificent remainder of a temple that especially at sunset is very photogenic. You can entertain yourself for many hours walking through the curvy streets with their stairs and you can for example walk by the entrance to a never completed Greek temple of Apollo. Further you can rent a moped to drive by the fishing villages on the island or to visit other authentic villages situated between orange and olive orchards.
Thira
Day 9 Naxos – Santorini
Day 10 Santorini
From luscious green Naxos we sail in a good three hours to the volcanic island Thira or Santorini. Ships sail into the flooded crater on their way to the harbor of Skala Thiras. The island is formed from the remains of a volcano that experienced a huge eruption in antiquity. High above the harbor the city Fira is situated. It is a steady climb along a winding path from the harbor to the city. Nowadays you can make use of a cable car, but you can also rent a donkey which is another option for reaching the top! It is possible to take a boat trip to the small island Nea Kameni, the remainder of the imploded volcano that in the meantime is again starting to peak its head above the water. You burn your feet on the hot, black lava. Another interesting sight is Akrotiri. This antique Minoic city was covered under a thick layer of ashes and is often described as the Pompeii of Greece. The island further has various villages with narrow streets, traditional houses and small chapels. You can also take a rest on the beaches with their black sand and grit.
Crete
Day 11 Santorini – Crete
Day 12 Crete
Day 13 Crete
Day 14 Crete - Athens
We continue our tour to the most southern island of the Cyclades: Crete. We then spend the night in Chania that is situated in the west and that has buildings that strongly remind of the Venetian rule. At the harbor you can have a gorgeous dining experience on terraces by the waterside, as you watch small boats bobbing up and down on the water. Crete is an island of authentic villages and beach-life. You can find cultural satisfaction by viewing Minoic palaces and monasteries and small churches. Those who love to take hikes can also get their fill here; if the weather is suitable you can make a 9.94 mile long hike through the Samaria Gorge. We then take the night boat to Athens. On this boat comfortable sleeping chairs have been reserved.
Athens
Day 15 Athens
Day 16 Athens – Arrival USA
In Athens we spend the night in a hotel on Omonia Square. Located within walking distance are the National Museum and the Plaka, the originally Turkish Quarter with restaurants and a rich nightlife. Here you can wander through the alleyways or stock up on your final souvenirs. And of course a visit to the Acropolis should also be on your program! After having enjoyed sun and sea on the Greek islands we fly back to the United States on Northwest/KLM the next day.
