Speedy Greece

You’ve made it to Athens, cradle of Western civilisation. And what could be more civilised than, once you’ve checked into your hotel, taking an evening stroll through the buzzy city streets, led by one of our expert Local Insiders? Cap a magical first day with an authentic Greek mezze dinner and drinks, accompanied by dramatic views of the lit-up Acropolis.   

After a fresh Greek breakfast, it’s time to hit the streets to see first-hand what makes Athens one of the graffiti capitals of Europe. You’ll be met by our local street art expert, who’ll take you on a tour of the most extravagantly decorated neighbourhoods in Athens, such as Gazi, Metaxourgio and Psiri, where towering murals tell stories of the city’s struggles and perseverance. You’ll get a 24-hour metro ticket, which you can continue to use for the rest of the afternoon, once the tour’s over, cutting across the city to visit unmissable sights such as the Acropolis (and its museum), the Ancient Agora and the Temple of Olympian Zeus. Or, if you forgot to pack a swimsuit, now’s the time to hit the shops – you’ll need it tomorrow.

Don’t skip breakfast at your hotel this morning, as you’ll want to fuel up for the voyage over to Serifos. After catching the metro to Piraeus port, hop aboard the morning ferry, which takes around two and a half hours to reach the tiny, jewel-like island – overlooked by the crowds that amass on Santorini and Mykonos. Take a minute to drink in the views of the horseshoe-shaped bay of Livadi, and the village of Chora, climbing in a cluster of sugar-cube houses up the mountainside. You’ll be champing at the bit to explore, and you can, just as soon as you’ve checked into your hotel in Livadi. Race down to the beach for that first delicious dive into the Aegean, or catch the local bus up to Chora just in time to watch the sun set behind the island’s rocky peaks. 

You’ve had a glimpse at the beauty of Serifos, today is all about basking in it. After breakfast at your hotel, transfer to Kalo Ampeli beach – a fingernail of spotless white sand, sloping into the luminous blue sea. After you’ve had your fill of sun and sea swimming, you’ll continue to Koutalas village, a small coastal settlement seldom visited by tourists. From here, you can hike to the romantic, windswept remnants of Gria Castle, before returning to Koutalas for an optional lunch. You’ll have time to sleep off the souvlaki before being transferred to the other side of the island, to round off an unforgettable day with a sunset wine-tasting experience at a vineyard. As the moon rises over the mountains, return to your hotel in Livadi for a deep, restful sleep. 

It’s the last day of your trip, so make the most of it. After breakfast, you’ll have time for one last swim or hill climb to take in the views, before catching the afternoon ferry back to Athens. This trip concludes when you reach Piraeus port, but you may wish to continue on - once you’ve had a taste of Greek island life, it’s hard to let go.