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Tailor Made Family Holiday Greece & Croatia – 15 Days

Description

Duration: 14 Days

Highlights: Athens, Hydra, Santorini, Split, Hvar, Dubrovnik

This Greece and Croatia itinerary is ideal for families looking to combine both countries for an active adventure.

Day 1 - Arrive AthensDay 2 - Athens Sightseeing TourDay 3 - Athens - Hydra - AthensDay 4 - Athens - SantoriniDay 5 - SantoriniDay 6 - SantoriniDay 7 - Santorini - AthensDay 8 - Athens - SplitDay 9 - Split - Krka Waterfalls - SplitDay 10 - Split - HvarDay 11 - HvarDay 12 - Hvar - DubrovnikDay 13 - Dubrovnik Sightseeing TourDay 14 - Dubrovnik -Elaphite Islands - DubrovnikDay 15 - Dubrovnik
Upon arrival at Athens airport you are welcomed to Greece by your driver and transferred to your hotel.

Enjoy the rest of your day at leisure.

Ancient Greece was the cradle of Western civilisation, producing exceptional creativity in thinking, writing and theatre. Today Athens is a cosmopolitan and bustling capital city, set amongst ever present reminders of its long and glorious past, with graceful Greek temples, proud Roman arches, and ornate Byzantine churches. The city is dominated by the famous Acropolis with the Parthenon, set on the rock’s highest ground, which has stood for 2,000 years. The Plaka is the old Turkish Quarter of Athens and one of the most picturesque parts of the city. It was virtually all that existed of the city when Athens was declared the capital of independent Greece! One hundred miles northwest of Athens, lies Delphi, one of the most beautiful sites in Europe. Here you find the Temple of Apollo, built in the 6th century B.C. at the height of the Oracle’s importance – this significance stemmed from the belief that the Greek god spoke through her to predict the destiny of the temple’s visitors.

Overnight: Electra Palace

Enjoy a half day discovering the rich heritage of Greece’s capital with your expert guide. This morning’s tour introduces you to the complex of monuments that most symbolize Athens – the Acropolis. The highlight of your tour to the Acropolis is the Parthenon, one of the most important ancient monuments in the Western world, which was dedicated to the Goddess Athena and was conceived in 447BC. At the foot of the Acropolis Rock is the Acropolis Museum, which exhibits around 4000 articles in natural light, with special climate-controlled measures protecting them from sunlight. The most impressive part of the museum is its top floor, where visitors are able to view the famous frieze and then look out on to the view the Parthenon itself.

Afterwards, stroll through the ancient district of Plaka, one of the most picturesque and interesting parts of the city. (4 hours, driver and guide)

Enjoy the rest of the day at your leisure.

Overnight: Electra Palace 
Meal Plan: B

Today you are met and privately transferred to the port of Athens, where you board a public boat to the island of Hydra, located just south of the Peloponnese, where life centers on the small but busy port. As a vehicle free island Hydra uses donkeys for hauling luggage, food and supplies around the island. The small island village is shaped like an amphitheater around the clear blue waters of the port. Your local guide accompanies you to explore the Cathedral Church and other places of interest on Hydra.

Afterwards enjoy a tour of the The Temple of Aphaia located within a sanctuary complex dedicated to the goddess Aphaia on the Greek island of Aegina which lies in the Saronic Gulf. Formerly known as the Temple of Jupiter, the great Doric temple is now recognized as dedicated to the mother-goddess Aphaia. Time permitting you may also wish to visit the Monastery of St Nektarios on Aegina and the Island of Poros where you can enjoy time at one of the many waterfront Tavernas.

Upon arrival at the port in Athens you are transferred back to your hotel. (up to 12 hours, public boat and guide)

Overnight: Electra Palace
Meal Plan: B

This morning you are transferred from your hotel to the airport.

On arrival in Santorini, you will be welcomed to the Island by your driver and transferred to your hotel. Enjoy the rest of your day at leisure.

Truly the picture postcard destination, the island of Thira, also known as Santorini, is considered the most spectacular of the Greek islands. The formation of the island as it is today is essentially what remains from an ancient volcanic eruption in 1450 BC. Excavations began in 1967 to uncover an ancient city, which had been buried beneath volcanic ash for millennia. The buildings date to the late 16th century BC and some ruins are two to three stories in height! With its multi-colored cliffs soaring up over 300m from a sea-drowned caldera, Santorini’s beauty is no secret and attracts visitors throughout the year. The island’s intrigue reaches deep into the past, with the fascinating Minoan ruins of Akrotiri and the gorgeous traditional hilltop village of Oia. Yet it is has established itself in the present day with accomplished artists, excellent wineries, and some of the finest accommodation and dining experiences. Not to mention the unique multi-coloured beaches from which you can witness the most spectacular sunsets.

Overnight: Vedema Resort
Meal Plan: B

Morning at leisure.

Head for Fira this afternoon on your half-day excursion to visit the Prehistoric Museum, which houses frescoes and artifacts dating from 1,700 BC from the Akrotiri excavation. After a short stroll in Fira, and depending on where you are staying, you may like to drive north to Oia, the most picturesque little town of the island, with white-washed houses, windmills and caves perched up on the very edge of the cliff. Afterwards, a visit one of the three best wineries on the island is sure to convince you that this small island, with some the oldest vineyards in the world, produces truly unique white wines using the Assyrtiko grape. Red Wine connoisseurs, however, are very much impressed by the up and coming Mavrotragano variety.

Alternatively, art lovers may prefer to visit the Art Space, a unique gallery set within caves of pumice rock. (4 hours, driver and guide)

Overnight: Vedema Resort
Meal Plan: B

Enjoy today at your leisure by the private beach, pool and Jacuzzi or at the SPA.

Overnight: Vedema Resort
Meal Plan: B

This morning you are met at your hotel and transferred to the airport.

On arrival in Athens you will be transferred to your hotel. Enjoy the rest of your day at leisure.

Overnight: Electra Palace
Meal Plan: B

This morning you are transferred from your hotel to the airport.

On arrival in Split, you will be welcomed to Croatia by your driver and transferred to your hotel.

This afternoon, following on from a private transfer from your hotel, immerse yourself in the fascinating history of Split beginning with an exploration of the impressive Diocletian’s Palace. Built in 295 BC, this extraordinary structure lies in the heart of the city and today forms part of the old town and city centre, making Split one of the most unique cities in Europe. See Peristil Square where the Emperor made his speeches, as well as the mausoleum of the Roman Emperor, which was transformed into a Catholic church in the 7th century AD. Afterwards, wander through the many charming streets and “piazzas” immediately outside the palace. At the end of your tour, you may wish to take a stroll along the Riva, a chic coastal promenade lined with palm trees, where you can relax in the sun and enjoy a beautiful view of the port and nearby islands before being privately transferred back to your hotel. (4 hours, walking guide and private transfers)

Once a Roman province, Split is now the second largest city in Croatia boasting beautiful beaches alongside roman ruins. Split owes its place in history to the Roman Emperor Diocletian, who settled here in 303 AD in a massive and elaborate retirement palace. This vibrant city and living museum is full of character and history, with its chic apartments replacing what were once the barracks of Diocletian’s soldiers, and the vibrant piazza now where the grand entrance to Diocletian’s palace used to be. The palace itself owes its beauty to imports from Italy Greece and Egypt, and turned the city of Split into both a military fortress and fortified town. The cobbled streets are now filled with lively markets, chic cafés, cosy bars, and shops thriving amid the atmospheric old walls where the Split lifestyle has been enjoyed for thousands of years, surrounded by coastal mountains and turquoise waters.

Overnight: Hotel Park Split
Meal Plan: B

Your full-day tour takes you into the stunning Krka Waterfalls National Park today. Discover the natural beauty of this area, in particular its famous Skradinski Buk waterfalls. Notably, over 800 species of plant life have been identified here. You may also wish to take a boat to the tiny island of Visovac to visit its Franciscan Monastery.

Afterwards, continue to Sibenik, where you visit its 15th century Cathedral of St. Jacob, a masterpiece of Gothic-Renaissance architecture set in the most beautiful town by the sea. At the end of the day return to your hotel in Split. (8 hours, driver and guide)

Overnight: Hotel Park Split
Meal Plan: B

Transfer from your hotel to the port and board your motor boat. Your English speaking skipper will be at your full disposal to take you from Split to visit the best kept secrets of Hvar on this beautiful full-day sightseeing transfer. Explore some of the most beautiful Adriatic islands including Biševo, Vis, Ravnik and Hvar. The first stop is the island of Biševo, home to the famous Blue Cave. This cave is one of the most beautiful spots on the Adriatic due to the amazing glowing blue light that is produced when sunlight reflects on to the sea floor and bathes the entire cave in an aquamarine blue light. Take advantage of the special VIP entrance and skip the queue to visit this unique natural wonder.

Next, it’s time for a small coffee break at Komiza, an authentic fisherman’s village on the island of Vis. Afterwards, cruise to the southern side of the island to stop briefly in the unique bay of Stiniva and enjoy swimming in the magnificent crystalline waters before heading towards the Green Cave on Ravnik Island. When the sun is high, admire the rays of light that enter the cave through a large opening, which in turn creates a dazzling array of silver and green colours. As the idyllic town of Hvar gets closer and closer, enjoy stunning panoramic views of the amazing Pakleni islands.

Arriving at your final destination, Hvar town, disembark at one of the most beautiful harbors in the world, and continue to your hotel.

Hvar is one of the many idyllic Dalmatian Islands, lying just a short boat ride from the coast and frequently called the “new St Tropez.” The ancient cityof the same name is rich in history, gaining glory and power during the middle ages as an important port for the Venetian naval empire. It is a paradise of small beautiful beaches, colourful wild flowers and authentic wines, where 13th century walls surround beautiful ornamented Gothic palaces and traffic-free marble streets. Each year tourists flock to Hvar to explore its maze of cobbled streets and shuttered villas radiating out from the Renaissance harbour and central piazza. It is also the perfect starting point if you want to visit the stunning Pakleni Islands nearby.

Overnight: Amfora Hvar Grand Beach Resort
Meal Plan: B

Enjoy today at your leisure by the cascading pool or take in a massage at the privacy of the beachside or poolside open air cabanas, or take a stroll into the historic city of Hvar.

Overnight: Amfora Hvar Grand Beach Resort
Meal Plan: B

Travel along the island of Hvar this morning, prior to boarding your ferry for the short crossing to Drvenik. Your route to Dubrovnik then passes through the estuary of the river Neretva and briefly through Bosnia at Neum. Take a relaxing break in the small fishing town of Ston, located at the beginning of the Pelješac peninsula and home to some of Croatia’s finest wines. Ston is a small fortified town, celebrated for its medieval walls that circle the attractive historic center. The Ston Channel is famed for its salt works, where sea salt has been crystallized for centuries. The water here also provides the perfect conditions for oyster rearing. Revel in a private tasting of oysters on the oyster beds followed by lunch accompanied by regional wines at a typical Dalmatian restaurant owned by a local family (lunch payable locally).

Afterwards, continue along the Dubrovnik Riviera, taking in the stunning views of the sloping hills overlooking the Elaphiti Islands, which are covered with beautiful olive, carob and cypress trees, until you reach the spectacular city of Dubrovnik. (up to 8 hours, driver)

There is no denying that the jewel of Southern Dalmatia is the UNESCO city of Dubrovnik. With its picture of turquoise blue waters and striking orange roofs, Dubrovnik is one of the world’s most magnificent walled cities offering stunning panoramic views of the Adriatic Sea and surrounding islands. Dubrovnik’s greatest treasure is the charming Old Town, free of cars but packed with aristocratic palazzi and elegant Baroque churches, contained within sturdy medieval fortifications cut from the same lustrous stone. Throughout the centuries, the town has flourished due to its political candour, imposing geographic position, artistic contributions, and its long-lasting maritime traditions. Dubrovnik has continued to be prosperous, though not without the hardship brought on by a crisis of Mediterranean shipping and the catastrophic earthquake of 1667.  Since then its historic core seems to have frozen in time, and the Old Town represents a living museum of bygone years, even though the city’s culture and economy continues to thrive.

Overnight: Hilton Imperial Dubrovnik
Meal Plan: B

Take in Dubrovnik’s wonderful architecture today during a half-day tour. Start the day from the lobby of your hotel with a walking tour of the old city of Dubrovnik, proclaimed a city museum by UNESCO. The old city is surrounded by a circuit of city walls; over a mile in length, and with a tower in each corner, they are a masterpiece of medieval and renaissance architecture. Stroll along the centuries-old main city promenade called Stradun; at one end of this street you will visit 14th-century Franciscan Monastery whose cloister ranks among the most inspiring sites of the city. At the other end, see the church of St. Blaise and the Sponza Palace.

Continue to the Rector’s Palace and the Dominican Church and Monastery, constructed during the 14th century at the same time as the city’s walls were being erected. Finish your tour with a ride on the Dubrovnik Cable Car where you will have views of the city. (4 hours, walking guide)

Overnight: Hilton Imperial Dubrovnik
Meal Plan: B

Tickets have been included for a full-day trip to Elaphite Islands on a Karaka Cruise for you. Spend the day relaxing, enjoy the beaches of verdant Kolcep Island, and explore the island of Sipan (transfers included in excursion).

Overnight: Hilton Imperial Dubrovnik
Meal Plan: B

Meet your driver who will transfer you by private vehicle to Dubrovnik airport for your flight back to the USA.

Meal Plan: B

Pacific Destination Center Europe Specialists are here to help personalize your Family holiday for the Most Memorable Experience – Just give us a call at 800-227-5317, or email us at info@pacific-destinations.com with your desired destinations and focused activity wish list, or special occasion celebration and we will get started on your personalized dream holiday.

 

Phone one of our Europe Specialists at 1-800-227-5317 to start planning your Family Holiday now!

CST #2023415-40

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