Cyclades multi-activity adventure holiday

"Experience unique fun activities and adventure while exploring the Cyclades islands…"

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Itinerary

DAY 1: ANCIENT ATHENS & HIDDEN CORNERS
Today you’ll dive into the marvelous world of Ancient Athens and discover hidden corners rich in history and cultural significance. Starting from the Akropolis, you’ll walk through old neighbourhoods and picturesque narrow alleys to the Roman Agora, the Ancient Agora, the Temple of Olympian Zeus, Pnyx Hill and Mars Hill, from where you’ll enjoy an incredible view of all of Athens.

You’ll also experience a food tour around Athens’ old neighborhoods, central vegetables, meat and fish markets, where you will “taste” the true soul of the Greek diet by trying lesser-known delicacies and popular traditional dishes!
DAY 2: WALK OR SEA KAYAK TO TEMPLE OF POSEIDON
You’ll enjoy a coastal ride along the Athenian riviera to the spectacular National Park of Sounio. You’ll walk in the heart of the Park enjoying unique flora, sublime coastal views, geological and archeological wonders. You’ll end the day at the famous Cape Sounio where you can swim and watch the sunset from Poseidon’s temple! If you wish instead of hiking today, you can choose to paddle with a sea kayak to the temple of Poseidon.
DAY 3: ARRIVAL AND WELCOME AT NAXOS
In the morning you will take the ferry to Naxos island. Get settled at your hotel by the beach. Opportunity for SUP and other water sports. In the evening your personal guide will show you around the picturesque Naxos town with its medieval atmosphere, narrow alleys, archways and old houses. You’ll be guided around the ‘old town’ and the ‘Kastro’, the medieval fortress where the Venetian Catholics settled when they conquered the island in 1207.

You’ll continue your walk to Mitropolis square, where ruins from Naxos’ Mycenaean capital have been excavated dating from 1300 BC and end the walk at the islet of Palatia and the unfinished Temple of Apollo (6th century BC). This is the best place on the island to watch the sunset! Enjoy a lovely supper at one of our favourite local taverns and try Naxos’ famous local agricultural products.
DAY 4: WALK TO THE TOP OF ZAS, THE HIGHEST PEAK OF THE CYCLADES
Start your walk from the village of Filoti and walk to the highest peak of the Cyclades, Mt. Zas, which stands at an impressive 1,004m. The magnificent Zas mountain takes its name from the ancient Greek God Zeus, the father of all the other Gods, who supposedly spent his early life on Naxos. You will enjoy stunning, panoramic views of the surrounding land and the deep blue of the Aegean sea. You’ll first reach a shady spot by the famous water source of Arion, an ideal spot to enjoy the peace and quiet of nature and rest before starting the ascend. Stop on the way to explore the biggest cave on the island which will impress you with its stalagmite structures.

While at the top, in clear days, you can see all the Cycladic islands that surround Naxos. Zas is an important hideout and nesting place for many migratory and resident birds such as the Griffon vulture which we hope you will have the chance to observe! Take the downhill path at the other side of the mountain to reach the village of Filoti where you can have lunch at its picturesque square…

Distance: 8.8 km, 2.50h walking time, 5-6h actual walking time with stops to rest and lunch. Moderate.
DAY 5: SAIL & EXPLORE REMOTE BAYS & BEACHES
Enjoy a full day sailing towards the remote south bays and coves of Naxos which are accessible only by boat! Stop at a beautiful bay, swim in its crystal clear turquoise-blue waters and snorkel in a beautiful cavern. If the weather permits it, you’ll continue to the unspoilt island of Iraklia or Koufonisia for lunch. Time to sail back to Naxos before the sun sets. This promises to be an unforgettable experience…
DAY 6: REST DAY
Spend the day relaxing by the beach and soak in the sea, sun and atmosphere of the Cyclades.
DAY 7: CULTURAL & HISTORICAL TOUR OF NAXOS
Today you‘ll explore the whole island with your own personal guide. You’ll visit the impressive ancient temple of Demetra and its awarded archeological museum. You’ll then visit a traditional pottery workshop, where the owner will give you a presentation of his ancient art and help you create a clay masterpiece on the wheel! Next stop the ‘marble’ village of Apiranthos. After a relaxed stroll around the marble paved alleys to admire its unique architecture and little folklore museum, we’ll set course for the solitary bay of Lyonas to swim at its black-pebble beach and taste the home-made Naxian cuisine!

After a long break, you’ll continue to the pretty village of Chalki with its neoclassical architecture and Venetian towers. Your tour will end with a visit to the local distillery, a local cheese maker and a delicious desert at the traditional ‘kafenio’…
DAY 8: CYCLE ALONG THE COAST TOWARDS PROTECTED JUNIPER FOREST
The island’s varied landscape and topography of mountains, valleys and seacoast offers a unique experience for cycling aficionados, whether you are a beginner or an experienced cyclist. You will enjoy cycling along the beautiful coast of Naxos before reaching the Alyko peninsula; a protected area composed of sand dunes and a juniper forest with 200-300 year old junipers as well as lentiscs, heather, thyme, calycotomes and various wild flowers! Today you’ll swim at the most beautiful beaches of the island!

If you want a more challenging route, there are exhilarating trails to follow inland towards the more mountainous areas.
DAY 9: NATURE WALK ALONG A RIVERBED TO VERDANT VILLAGE & OPTIONAL COOKING COURSE
Start from the quaint village of Kinidaros, wonder through the village before taking a dirt road which zig zags downhill and enters a shady, lush path which leads to a verdant valley, a river bank, an impressive stone bridge and ruined watermills. Walking alongside the water channel you will observe butterflies, birds and tortoises and you will be accompanied by colourful wild flowers and herbs, oleanders, oak and plane trees. You will reach the village of Eggares passing through fertile farms, chicken sheds and orchards. End the walk with a visit to the renovated traditional Olive Mill and an exploration of the valley of orange orchards till you reach the village of Galini.

At Galini you will find one of our favourite family taverns on the island. The owner is an exceptional cook with a unique personality. They grow their own organic vegetables and have their own animals. You will go to their garden in order to collect the ingredients for the cooking course, which is of course followed by a delicious meal!
DAY 10: ISLAND HOP TO AMORGOS
Take the afternoon ferry and island hop around the Small Cyclades. Opportunity for dolphin spotting and bird watching! Settle at your lovely guesthouse by the beach.
DAY 11: DISCOVER THE MAGICAL UNDERWATER WORLD OF AMORGOS
Today is your chance to try scuba diving at the island where the famous movie “Big Blue” by Luc Besson was filmed! There is nothing like breathing underwater for the very first time. It takes a little getting used to but after a few minutes of awestruck wonder, most participants realize how easy scuba diving really is.

If you are an experienced diver, you’ll discover the magical underwater world of the Aegean by diving into a colourful cavern full of corals, sponges, starfishes, nudibranchs and tube worms, sea anemones, scorpion fishes and other ‘micro’ attractions…
DAY 12: HIKE ALONG THE SPINE OF AMORGOS
Start your day with exploring one of the most scenic ‘Chora’ in the Cyclades with its narrow alleys, pretty chapels, windmills, Castle and picturesque white washed houses. You’ll take the trail towards the famous Monastery of Hozoviotissa, built into the face of a cliff, providing breathtaking views to the sparkling deep blue waters of the Aegean Sea. It is the pride of Amorgos.

You’ll walk along the spine of the island, pass medieval hotels, deserted villages, breathtaking views and incredible landscapes till you reach the bay of Aegiali… our favourite hike on the island which is famous for its trails. You’ll be rewarded with a refreshing swim and lunch upon arrival at the beach!
DAY 13: PADDLE & EXPLORE SOLITARY BEACHES
Explore the bay of Aegiali with a sea kayak or canoe. Discover a unique coastline, explore solitary coves, swim, snorkel and relax on the stunning beaches of Amorgos!
DAY 14: BEACH DAY
Relax and enjoy your last day by the beach. Farewell supper.

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