Nancy's 50th Birthday Holiday Your vacation of a lifetime

Nancy, you are about to take your trip of a lifetime!

May 4, 2017 Depart JFK for Athens Greece. You will be transferred to your first hotel, Divani Palace , where you will stay at the foot of the Acropolis.

Evening view of the Acropolis from your hotel
DIVANI PALACE ACROPOLOS

May 6th, enjoy a 4 hour Athens sightseeing tour including the Acropolis Museum. This half day tour gives you an excellent introduction to the highlights, both old and new, of a truly fascinating city, including a visit to the New Acropolis Museum. This tour gives you an opportunity to observe the striking contrasts that make Athens such a fascinating city. Our expert guides take you to see the centre of the city including Constitution Square (Syntagma), the Parliament, the Memorial to the Unknown Soldier and the National Library. On your way to the Acropolis you will see the Panathenaic Stadium (where the first Olympic Games of the modern era were held in 1896), the Temple of Olympian Zeus and Hadrian's Arch. At the Acropolis we visit the architectural masterpieces of the Golden Age of Athens: the Propylaea, the Temple of Athena Nike, the Erechtheion and, finally, the monument that 'puts order in the mind', the Parthenon. You will also pay a visit to the fantastic New Acropolis Museum.

Acropolis

May 7

Sightseeing tour and romantic dinner on top of the Lycabetus Hill. We will pick you up from your Hotel Lobby and head down to the main Greek port of Piraeus, passing by the most important points of the city like City Hall and the picturesque yacht's harbour of Microlimano. Following the principal avenues and passing by the Temple of Olympian Zeus, National Garden, Parliament, Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, Catholic Cathedral, Academy, University, National Library, Old Parliament we arrive at the hills of Lycabettus. Here after we take the gondola that will lead us to Orizontes Restaurant which offers its guests a journey of colors and a plethora of aromas of the Mediterranean cuisine as seen through the eyes, while maintaining the Mediterranean gastronomic traditions and friendly staff. It has proudly added a minimal sense of modernization harmonically combining the past with the present. The renewed menu draws inspiration from numerous Greek recipes using only the finest of ingredients together with a distinctive sophisticated service. The hill of Lycabettus is the highest peak of Athens, which overlooks the capital from 277 meters. Suitably it is considered as one of the most romantic places while it certainly stands out for its panoramic view of the beautiful city. The most beautiful images fill the eyes of every visitor, facing the Acropolis to Piraeus and the Saronic Gulf.

View from the Orizontes Restaurant

May 8 Depart your hotel for the Athens Airport, where will board your flight for your first Greek Island experience, Mykonos, where you will stay at the Mykonos Princess Hotel.

MYKONOS PRINCESS

Welcome to Greece's most famous cosmopolitan island, a whitewashed paradise in the heart of the Cyclades. According to mythology, Mykonos was formed from the petrified bodies of giants killed by Hercules. The island took its name from the grandson of Apollo, “Mykonos”?

In contrast to other Cycladic capitals, the capital town (Hóra) of the island is not built in the shape of an amphitheatre but instead spreads out over a wide area. It is one of the best examples of Cycladic architecture and a spellbinding attraction for visitors. Stroll around its narrow marble streets and admire whitewashed houses with colourful doors and window frames, bougainvillea trees in purple bloom and hidden churches. Pay a visit to the church of Panayia Paraportiani, the Town hall and the castle situated above the harbour. Don’t forget to visit the Archaeological, Folklore and Maritime Museums to take in a little history. Wander around the pedestrian shopping streets of the Hóra, always colourful and busy. The most glamorous of all is Matoyánni Street, lined with brand name stores, charming cafés and stylish restaurants.

Soak up the atmosphere along the lively waterfront and admire a fleet of fishing boats casting colourful reflections in the azure waters. This is where you will find the Kazárma building, which served as accommodation for the soldiers of Manto Mavrogenous, a heroine of the Greek Revolution. The first floor served as her personal residence. While you’re out strolling, don’t be surprised if you come across the official mascot of Mykonos, which is nothing other than a... pelican! Pétros the Pelican was found by a fisherman after a storm in 1954, and eventually became the locals’ companion. When he died, the grief for his loss was so deep that a replacement was soon found. In honour of Pétros, the locals have established a long tradition of pelicans wandering around the waterfront as an essential part of everyday life. So, whatever you do, don’t forget to take a picture with the successor of the famous pelican Pétros!

One of the most scenic corners of the island is Alefkántra or “Little Venice”, an 18th century district, dominated by grand captains’ mansions with colourful balconies and stylish windows. With balconies perched over the sea, pictures of the famous Italian city spring to mind. Relax at a waterfront café and admire the view of the quaint windmills standing imposingly on the hillside above, set against a luminous blue backdrop.

The second traditional settlement of Mykonos is Áno Merá, situated around the historic monastery of Panayia Tourliani (a 16th century church with a brilliant carved wooden iconostasis). To the north, in Fteliá, lies an important Neolithic settlement, and a 14th-13th century BC Mycenaean tomb.

Using the Hóra as your base, set out on a trip to discover the beauties of the island, in particularly its sun-kissed beaches. Along the southern coast you will find a great selection of the most cosmopolitan ones. Here, wild parties keep the crowds rocking day and night. Paradise and Super Paradise may already be familiar to you. Órnos and Psaroú are favorite spots for families. Try a visit too to Platis Yalós, with a well-organized beach where you can soak up the sun lazing on a sun lounge. However, if you are looking for a serene beach to unwind with a book, pick a less organized one on the northern coast of the island, like Ayia Ánna, Houlákia, Kápari, Agrári and Ayios Stéfanos.

May 13 Board a ferry for a ride to beautiful Santorini, where you will stay for 5 nights!

SUNROCKS HOTEL SANTORINI

Crescent-shaped Santorini (or Thíra), the precious gem of the Aegean, is actually a group of islands consisting of Thíra, Thirassiá, Asproníssi, Palea and Nea Kaméni in the southernmost part of Cyclades.

Santorini is considered to be the most sought after place for a romantic getaway in Greece, since there are not many places in the world where you can enjoy exquisitely clear waters while perched on the rim of a massive active volcano in the middle of the sea! The island has a growing reputation as a “wedding destination” for couples not only from Greece but from all over the world. A trip to Santorini with the other half is a dream for anyone who has seen at least one photo of the island’s famous Caldera and exchanging kisses beneath Santorini’s famous sunset is the ultimate romantic experience!

Firá is the picturesque capital of the island; perched high up on the edge of the Caldera, it looks like a marvellous painting. Firá, together with Oia, Imerovígli and Firostefáni located high above on a cliff, make up the so-called “Caldera’s eyebrow”, the balcony of Santorini, which offers an amazing view of the volcano. Other famous smaller villages are Akrotíri and Méssa Vounó, with their famous archaeological sites, Pýrgos, Karterádes, Emporió, Ammoúdi, Finikiá, Períssa, Perívolos, Megalohóri, Kamári, Messariá and Monólithos: some of the villages are cosmopolitan some more peaceful; they are surrounded by vast vineyards; whitewashed cliff-top towns with castles affording amazing views out over the Aegean. Soaking up the villages’ distinctive traditional atmosphere is a very rewarding experience.

A visit to Santorini is the ultimate gastronomic experience, as the island is a true culinary paradise! Treat your taste buds to some famous traditional products like cherry tomatoes, white egg plants, fava, caper and “hloró tyrí”, a special kind of fresh goat cheese found on the island, or why not try some of the exceptional wines produced from grapes grown in the volcanic soil of the island! Assyrtiko, Athyri, Aidani, Mantilaria and Mavrotragano are just some of the distinctive varieties that you can taste at the island’s famous wineries (some of them operate as a museum as well) or at restaurants.

May 15 Enjoy a full day of sight seeing: Depart by coach to visit the Prophet Elias Monastery built on the highest point of the island in 1711 AD. This location offers breathtaking views. The picturesque village of Pyrgos is close by for you to capture some magnificent photos. Then depart by bus to Athinios port to board the King Thiras, a traditional Greek boat, which will take us to the Volcano. After visiting the active crater, we will continue sailing to the Hot Springs where we can swim in the green sulphur waters. After half an hour the boat will sail to Thirassia island. There you can swim at the beach or you can visit the traditional village Manolas by the winding steps, either walking or riding a donkey. Back on board again and sail to Oia which is our last destination. Oia is built along the rim of the caldera wall. You can walk in the village, enjoy the magnificent panoramic view and the spectacular colourful sunset.

May 18 You will bid farewell to the beautiful island of Santorini and Greece and head back to home!

I hope you love your birthday gift! This is completely customizable. If you wish to make changes or additions, please let me know.

Happy Birthday with love from your love!

Credits:

Created with images by michelmondadori - "santorini greece white houses" • PublicDomainPictures - "athens greece acropolis" • Edgardo W. Olivera - "Atardecer en Oia, Santorini, Grecia" • byrdiegyrl - "Veggies" • robertpaulyoung - "Santorini"

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