Island Hopping in the Aegean: Exploring Athens, Milos, Folegandros, and Santorini with Onyx Cube

DAY 1 – Welcome to Athens

Welcome to Greece, where the sun shines 250 days in the year!

Upon your arrival you will be warmly greeted and received by your own private driver who will take you to the heart of the city where you will spend your first night in Athens before you head off to your destination on day 2.

The centre of Athens has plenty to offer by way of ancient monuments, wonderful tavernas, and cobblestoned streets to wander through and explore. The areas of Plaka and Monastiraki are treasure troves waiting to be discovered, you can wander the cobblestoned streets and find great shopping, bars and tavernas as well as plenty of artisans selling their wares.

There is also the option of an Athens Orientation tour which will be available to you should you wish to partake.

And of course, there is always the option to stay in your luxurious hotel and unwind after your journey or take a short relaxing walk in your neighbourhood and explore the heart of the city at your own pace.

DAY 2 – Welcome to Milos

Today is the day you head off to the beautiful island of Milos! A short flight or a high-speed ferry will take you there. Upon arrival you will be met by our representative and be chauffer driven to your luxury boutique hotel of choice. Once you settle in it is time to seize the rest of the day and head off to begin exploring Milos. Milos is a volcanic island in the heart of the Aegean Sea known for its breathtaking volcanic landscape and stunning beaches. The islands volcanic past has resulted in some unique and singular rock formations, numerous hot springs and geological formations making it one of the most exotic islands in the Aegean Sea. It is also where the famous statue of the Venus of Milo was discovered. Be prepared to be blown away by the beauty of this island!

To end your day, we recommend a traditional Greek meal in one of Milos’ many authentic tavernas to slowly get you into the groove of the Greek spirit.

DAY 3 – Milos sailing adventure

Today you will have a chance to discover Milos through a delightful sailing adventure. You will depart from Adamas port and sail along the coastline of Milos. You will sail past the stunning villages of Skinopi, Klima, Areti and Fourkovouni known for the ‘Sirmata’ or colourful houses that dot the seafront.

You will go past ‘Arkoudes’ ,(the Greek word for Bear), a stunning geological sight of complex rock formations one of which strongly resembles a bear, hence the name.

We will sail past Cape Vani and stop for a refreshing swim or snorkel at the wildly beautiful and charming beach of Kalogries, which is only accessible by boat.

Enjoy a full lunch with traditional Greek dishes curated to suit your needs  on board along with local wine and refreshments before we head off to the cave of Sikia, the majestic beach of Geraka, where a mixture of volcanic and geothermal activity has resulted in small thermal springs.

Finally we take you to the abandoned sulphur mines of Milos and to swim in the bay of Galazia Nera , a natural lagoon of stunning azure blue, before we sail past the islands of Kimolos and Agios Eustathios and eventually head back to Adamas port.

We are sure that you would have soaked up enough sea and sun on this sailing adventure and that you will have a restful night back at your hotel.

DAY 4 – Discover Milos tour

Another day of adventure beckons! After a delicious breakfast at your luxury hotel, gear yourself up for a day of discovery and wonder as you head out to continue exploring the magical island of Milos. Your tour guide will meet you and accompany you on today’s adventures especially curated in order to offer you a truly incredible experience.

First stop is the natural fjord-like wonder, Papafragkas cave and beach. This unique geological wonder is a rectangular cove with crystal clear water surrounded by tall cliffs and natural caves waiting to be explored by you. Giving it an added element of mystery is the fact that it was believed to have once been a shelter for pirates.

Then we head to Sarakiniko beach. This stunning beach is considered the islands trademark. The combination of lunar-like white rock formations surrounding the natural pool of turquoise blue water is sure to blow your mind away and offer you an otherworldly experience. This happens to be the most photographed beach in Milos so don’t miss out on the opportunity to capture some memories of your own here!

Next stop is Plaka, the capital of this beautiful Greek island. This is a typical Cycladic village with cobblestoned streets, whitewashed houses, bright bougainvillea and a Venetian castle. What makes it truly stunning is that it is built up on a hill offering you incredible views of the Aegean blue. A leisurely stroll here is highly recommended to soak up some of Milos’ breathtaking beauty.

Now we head to the famous Catacombs, one of the most important archaeological findings of Milos discovered in 1844 and believed to have been built towards the end of the 1^st Century.

And then, the ancient town of Klima, believed to be where the statue of Venus de Milo was discovered. This is one of the smallest villages on Milos but the combination of whitewashed boat sheds on the seafront with brightly coloured doors in all shades of the rainbow makes for a truly enchanting sight. On a rocky slope just above the harbour of Klima you will see the Ancient Theatre of Milos believed to have been built by the Romans during the Hellenistic period dating back to 1100BC.

To end you day of discovery we recommend visiting one of Milos’ beautiful beaches such as Palaiochori or Provatas for a relaxing swim and a meal at one of the many seaside bars and restaurants. A perfect way to end your last day on this stunning island.

DAY 5 – Welcome to Folegandros

Today you say goodbye to Milos and hello to Folegandros, an island of incredible natural beauty and one of the Aegean’s best kept secrets. A short ferry ride will get you there, you will be met by our driver and chauffer driven to your boutique hotel. Once you settle in you may head out to explore the untouched beauty of this small but stunning island. Folegandros was named after the son of king Minos, the King of Crete, son of Zeus and Europa. The best way to start exploring this island would be to take a stroll through the ‘Chora’ or main town which is perched precariously on the edge of a high cliff offering you stunning views of the Aegean Sea! The Chora is closed to car and motorcycle traffic and is a truly pleasant experience guaranteed to take you back to the days of yore.

End you day with a traditional Greek meal at one of Folegandros’ many authentic Greek tavernas while you enjoy being embraced by the stunning vistas of the Aegean blue.

DAY 6 – Discover Folegandros tour

After a delicious breakfast at your luxury hotel, you will be met by a your guide to begin a deeper exploration of this unique Cycladic island.

You will begin with the ‘Themonies’, a complex of agricultural houses in the form of rectangular stone structures that completely harmonize with their environment as they were built along the principle of minimal environmental intervention. These structures were autonomous agricultural and animal breeding units that represent the strong agricultural and farming history of the island.  The picturesque village of Ano Meria is barely populated, and you will find that the age-old traditions and heritage of this Greek island is still intact giving you an opportunity to glimpse into the traditional Folegandros way of life. Stop by the bakery with its wood fired oven, visit shops with local products decorated in Folegandros’ unique traditional style and enjoy a meal or stop for a coffee in one of Amo Meria’s many cosy tavernas or cafes.

Upon completion of the tour, you have the option to either return to your hotel or be driven to Agali, a beautiful beach in a protected cove with golden sand and crystal-clear azure water embraced by huge rocks, for a refreshing swim and a delicious meal at a local taverna.

DAY 7 – Welcome to Santorini

The time has come to say goodbye to Folegandros and hello to Santorini, a truly unique Greek destination. Intriguing history, awesome volcanic landscape, cosmopolitan atmosphere, breathtaking sunsets, stunningly deep blue sea and the volcano are just some of the reasons that make Santorini the most popular holiday destination in Greece. As your ferry sails into the rim of the Caldera you will see the steep cliffs and be engulfed by a metaphysical energy that is unique to the island of Santorini.

The Cyclades Style houses with cave style architecture, with traditional whitewashed houses dug into volcanic rock, blue domes churches and paved paths, and of course breathtaking views of the rocky cliffs and the Aegean Blue promise you an ethereal experience.

On your first day on this magnificent island, we encourage you to explore the cobbled streets and breathtaking views of your village and sample the amazing local cuisine in one of Santorini’s many incredible restaurants and tavernas. A must-do is to dine at a restaurant atop one of the steep cliffs overlooking the majestic Caldera for a truly otherworldly experience.

DAY 8 – Santorini Catamaran Cruise 

After a relaxing morning at leisure, it is now time to experience the volcanic beauty of the Aegean and an unforgettable Santorini sunset on this afternoon on a catamaran cruise.

Santorini is famous for the unique scenery its sunsets offer. It adds to the rare beauty of the island and there are some amazing viewpoints where one can relax and enjoy the breathtaking scenery of the sinking sun, sea and sky merging into one in an explosion of unimaginable colours!

A catamaran cruise is undoubtedly the best experience one can have in Santorini. You will swim in crystal-clear waters of its most iconic beaches – the Red beach and the White beach, as well as in the therapeutic waters of the volcano’s hot springs.

Either on a private or shared basis you will travel in style and enjoy terrific views of the Caldera Cliffs and the volcanic islands that will take your breath away.

A Greek barbecue along with soft drinks, beer, and local wine will be served onboard to add to your incredible experience of cruising in the heart of the Caldera.

DAY 9 – Santorini – Wine tour

Today is a day dedicated to the Drink of the Gods – Wine!

Santorini’s signature Assyrtiko wines are rare and distinctive. They are born from the indigenous Assyrtiko grape, cultivated in some of the world’s oldest vineyards, some of which are around 3500 years old, sown and grown in the rich volcanic soil of Santorini.

Assyritiko-Santorini world class still dry white wine can be drunk young or aged. Under the guidance of an expert Sommelier you will be led through the entire wine production process starting with the selection and variety of grapes and ending with the bottling of the finished product. You will be able to sample and savour these precious, truly age worthy wines, including one of the most renowned ones – the sweet Vin Santo.

Since no wine tasting would be complete without food, all the wines are expertly paired with meze style bites, making this tour a memorable experience and indulgence for all your senses.

DAY 10 – Back to Athens

Board a short flight back to Athens, where you’ll enjoy the last memorable day of your Greek experience with White Cube. The best way to end your epic trip with us is to visit the most Iconic archaeological site of Athens – The Acropolis, and the Acropolis Museum.

The rich, deep-rooted history of Greece has been preserved in the form of several iconic monuments and museums across the country. The most important of all is the Acropolis of Athens – a Citadel built atop a massive hill. It comprises of the ruins of several historic buildings including the Parthenon, A white marble temple built between 447 and 432BC (making it 2,406 years old), dedicated to the Greek Goddess, Athena.

Next, we will take you to the new Acropolis Museum where nearly 4000 artifacts are on display, providing you with a valuable insight into the everyday life of Ancient Greece.

Finally, we recommend that you dine at one of the many traditional tavernas in and around the area overlooking the Acropolis, as you prepare to bid goodbye to Greece.

DAY 11 – Goodbye Greece!

Today we bid you farewell as you head back to your homeland. We hope you leave with a full heart and refreshed spirit after you epic White Cube holiday.