Greece Family Journey: Athens To The Islands

Athens

Welcome to Athens-your arrival transfer to the hotel is included. Check in and get excited to meet your fellow travellers during a welcome meeting this evening where all families can bond before the Journey ahead.

We recommend arriving a day or two early to fully explore this lively city. There are no planned activities until an evening welcome meeting.

Exclusive Inclusions:

Welcome Moment - Meet Your Expedition Leader and Group

1h

Your opportunity to meet your National Geographic Expedition Leader and fellow travellers, and learn more about your tour. Opt to join the group for a local meal afterwards. Don't forget to see the notice in the lobby (or ask reception) for the official time and place to meet up with the group.

Athens

Following breakfast, step directly into history with a local guide at the Acropolis Museum, home to ancient relics and a full model of the citadel crafted entirely from LEGO bricks. Wander onward to the Agora, following stone paths where citizens once gathered to debate philosophy and everyday news. Stand beneath the towering marble columns of the Parthenon, looking up in awe at the sheer scale of Doric engineering. As dusk settles over the capital, gather around a long table at a lively neighbourhood taverna, passing shared platters of local specialties as a family.

Exclusive Inclusions:

Acropolis Museum Visit

Athens 1h - 3h

Visit the Acropolis Museum to see some of the artifacts and artworks discovered during excavations of the Acropolis. With over 25,000 square meters (82,020 ft) the museum is architecturally as interesting as the collection. The museum is built over an archaeological dig site and there is an impressive view of the Acropolis from the third floor.

Free Time

Athens Afternoon

Spend a free afternoon in Athens. Opt to visit the Temple of Olympian Zeus and Hadrian's Arch, or simply walk around and get to know the city.

Ancient Agora Visit

Athens

Explore the ruins, located in the heart of modern Athens, which were once the site of the marketplace in ancient times. It was the political, cultural, social and economic centre of the ancient world, where the likes of Socrates, Plato and affluent Athenians used to gather to discuss philosophy, political issues, exchange gossip and trade.

Guided Parthenon Visit

Athens 1.5h

Visit the Parthenon, built for the Goddess Athena in 447 BC with a local guide. This Greek temple, despite the gradual state of ruin and damage sustained over time, still symbolizes the key ideals of harmony and balance that defined the Classical style of Greek architecture.

• Meals Included:
• Breakfast
• Dinner

Athens/Santorini

Board a morning ferry and set sail across the deep blue waters of the Aegean Sea toward the dramatic volcanic cliffs of Santorini. Upon arriving, dive into the interactive Lost Atlantis 9D Museum, where multi-sensory exhibits bring island legends and ancient cataclysms to life for kids and parents alike. Head into Fira to sit down for a relaxed family lunch, sharing bowls of crisp Greek salads and hearty baked moussaka. Afterwards, join your National Geographic Expedition Leader for a scenic walk along the caldera edge promenade, taking in sweeping ocean views, sea breezes, and whitewashed homes clinging to the cliffside.

Exclusive Inclusions:

Private Vehicle

Athens - Port of Piraeus 0.5h 11km

Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.

Ferry

Athens - Santorini 4h - 5h

Get to the next spot on your route aboard a convenient and efficient ferry boat.

Lost Atlantis 9D experience

Santorini 1h - 1.25h

Bring the myth of Atlantis to life for the whole family at Santorini's Lost Atlantis 9D Museum. Perfect for all ages, this interactive experience combines ancient Greek history and philosophy with high-tech 9D simulations, holographic displays and special effects. Together, you'll travel back in time to explore Santorini's dramatic volcanic past and discover Plato's famous legend.

Expedition Leader Led Walk in Fira

Santorini 1h - 1.5h

Set out through Fira's cliffside pathways alongside your Expedition Leader as you trace the dramatic rim of Santorini's volcanic caldera, discovering how ancient eruptions shaped the island's unique geology and inspired timeless legends. Wander through narrow, whitewashed alleys past iconic blue-domed churches and bustling local artisan shops. Conclude near the scenic lookout above the Old Port, catching sweeping views of the Aegean Sea-a perfect spot for a memorable family photo.

• Meals Included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch

Santorini

Walk through Akrotiri, a Bronze Age city preserved under layers of volcanic ash, as a local guide shares stories of daily prehistoric life. Next, visit the family-run Koutsogiannopoulos winery for a hands-on grape-stomping session, laughing together as you crush fruit in traditional stone tubs. Enjoy a free afternoon exploring Fira's cobbled lanes or resting back at the hotel. Tonight offers a special evening for everyone: parents unwind over a quiet dinner at the hotel restaurant, while kids gather for a casual Greek meal and build a time capsule of trip mementos for future archaeologists to find.

Exclusive Inclusions:

Guided Tour of Akrotiri Archeological Site

Santorini

Rumoured to be the inspiration for Plato's Atlantis, the ancient ruins of Akrotiri are one of the most-visited attractions in Santorini for a reason. Buried under lava for centuries, many of the site's buildings, roads and structures present visitors an intimate look into Minoan culture from 1,650 B.C.

Free Time

Santorini Afternoon

Enjoy free time to explore Fira and the caldera walks on your own.

Create Your Own Time Capsule & Dinner

Santorini 1.5h

While parents enjoy a quiet, relaxing dinner at the hotel restaurant, young explorers have a special evening of discovery and dining! Inspired by their visit to ancient Akrotiri, kids put on their archaeologist hats for The Time Capsule challenge. Throughout the trip, they gather everyday modern artifacts-from ferry tickets and maps to sketches and postcards. Tonight, over a family-style Greek meal, the young travelers share their finds. Together, they select the ultimate modern treasures and seal them inside a time capsule box for future archaeologists to uncover.

• Meals Included:
• Breakfast
• Dinner

Santorini

Board a catamaran to cruise across the flooded caldera, gliding past the towering red and white sea cliffs. Disembark at Nea Kameni for a guided hike across black lava rock, tracing the ridges of active volcanic craters while learning about the forces that shaped these islands. Later, drop anchor at Palea Kameni and enjoy a relaxing swim in the thermal waters. Savour a freshly prepared Mediterranean barbecue lunch served right on board before sailing back to port, leaving you with a free evening to stroll village streets and watch the sun dip into the sea.

Exclusive Inclusions:

Sailing the Sunken Caldera of Santorini

Fira 6h

Set sail across Santorini's flooded caldera on an exciting family catamaran adventure! Together, dive into crystal-clear Aegean waters at Red and White Beaches to spot colorful marine life. Learn how ancient eruptions shaped these dramatic landscapes. Cruise past the historic Akrotiri Lighthouse, then enjoy a freshly prepared Greek lunch on deck while taking in sweeping views of cliffside Oia.

• Meals Included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch

Santorini/Dimos Heraklion

Catch a morning high-speed ferry for a voyage across the sea to Crete. Arriving in Heraklion, head straight to the Palace of Knossos for a guided walk through ancient stone ruins where the myth of the Minotaur was born. After checking into your hotel, team up for an interactive city scavenger hunt designed for all ages organized by the Mobile Children Museum, a G for Good supported project. Search through historic plazas and winding alleyways to solve riddles hidden by the 12 Olympian Gods, connecting with Cretan history and culture through friendly family competition. Settle in for a quiet evening in town.

Exclusive Inclusions:

Mobile Children Museum Project (The Hunt for the Olympian Gods)

Crete 2h - 3h

The Hunt for the Olympian Gods is operated by the Mobile Children Museum, a G for Good supported project. Heraklion acts as a stunning example of where history, culture, and modernity mesh perfectly. As part of an exclusive to National Geographic Family Journeys travellers - and part of our G Adventures for Good program. Your involvement in this unique service means the non-profit can continue providing income that supports the community directly.

Ferry

Santorini - Dimos Heraklion 1.75h - 2h

Get to the next spot on your route aboard a convenient and efficient ferry boat.

Knossos Palace Guided Visit

Knosos 2h - 3h

Enjoy a guided visit to Knossos, known to be the largest archaeological site of the Bronze Age on Crete. Knossos was a major city ruled by King Minos and is believed to be the oldest city in all of Europe. Explore the ancient palace and surrounding city, discovered in the 1900s by the English archaeologist Sir Arthur Evans.

The Hunt for the Olympian Gods

Crete 2h - 3h

The "Hunt for the Olympian Gods" is an interactive city walking tour and educational program set in the heart of Heraklion, supported by a G for Good supported non-profit. The almighty Zeus, king of the Gods, has arrived on the islands of Crete for a special mission: the Gods of Mount Olympus have gone missing! A powerful southern wind swept over Mount Olympus leaving all twelve thrones empty. Where could Athena be hiding now? Where has Hephaestus been working? In which Cretan waters is Poseidon swimming? Team up with your family and join Zeus on a thrilling scavenger hunt across Heraklion. With his guidance, solve puzzles, explore monuments, and search for the twelve Olympian Gods. Along the way you'll come across Pandora's box - will it help or will it hinder this wild adventure? Twelve Gods await, each hidden in a different spot throughout the city. Will you find them all?

• Meals Included:
• Breakfast

Dimos Heraklion

Head to Amnisiades Park Estate, a cultural park dedicated to preserving the traditions and heritage of Crete. Walk through the Minoan theater and explore the historical exhibits. Then, step into the kitchen for a cooking class, learning traditional techniques to prepare a Minoan meal together. Return to the hotel to rest before gathering with your fellow travellers for a farewell dinner, raising a glass to the shared laughter, new friendships, and lasting memories made across the Greek islands.

Exclusive Inclusions:

Visit to Amnisiades Park

Dimos Heraklion 1.5h

Step back in time together at Amnisiades Park, a living cultural estate dedicated to preserving Crete's rich heritage! Walk among ancient olive trees-some over 2,000 years old and rescued from destruction and wander through a handcrafted Minoan-style theater. Through interactive exhibits, your family will discover how ancient traditions and olive-growing history continue to shape island life today.

Minoan Cooking Class Lunch

Dimos Heraklion 2h

Get ready for a hands-on culinary adventure where your family doesn't just taste Cretan cuisine-you travel 4,000 years back in time to discover its roots in the ancient Minoan civilisation! From historic legumes seasoned with honey and wild herbs to the wholesome recipes cooked in local homes today, your family will experience how these ancient traditions have stayed deliciously alive across generations.

• Meals Included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner

Dimos Heraklion

Depart at any time.

Exclusive Inclusions:

Departure Day

Not ready to leave? Your Expedition Leader can help with travel arrangements to extend your adventure.

• Meals Included:
• Breakfast