Greek Island Odyssey Tour Itinerary

2011 ’Greek Island Odyssey Tour’  details and itinerary

Join Master Photographer Nick Melidonis and SBS journalist Costas Demetriades on a remarkable journey to the Cyclades Islands nestled in the deep blue Aegean. These Iconic islands are renowned for the beauty of their expansive seascapes, whitewashed villages spilling down slopes, blue-domed churches, soaring windmills, and stunning sunsets. For over 7,000 years, mythology and history have shaped these islands—along their beautiful shores the legendary Odysseus once sailed.

Enjoy a complete Greek experience with two passionate tour leaders that will share with you the sights, tastes and sounds that has kept them coming back year after year for over a decade.

To see an audio-visual of Nick’s photos set to music of the Greek Island Odyssey Tour, please CLICK HERE  and then click on the icon to start show (you may need to download the small  ’Photodex Presenter’ file to play it once you log onto the Photodex site, you will be guided on how to do this) 

To view a PDF flyer of the tour from the University of  WA  CLICK HERE

To contact Nick Melidonis regarding the tour nick@nickmelidonis.com  or phone : 08 93364135,    Mobile: 0418 912156

Tour dates and costs
Day one is Monday May 9th, 2011 (Tour starts in Athens)

Land content only $6,890AUD#
Single supplement $1590AUD#

Special group airfare and airport transfers available please refer to our travel agent below

Please note: the tour starts and ends in Athens

Deposit: $480AUD# (land only); $650AUD# (land and air fare). Non-refundable. 

#all costs are subject to change:

Travel Insurance This is compulsory for this tour please refer to our travel agent.

Reserve your place on this tour and receive  your application pack  or for expressions of interest, contact our travel agent:
Nick Missikos, Harvey World Travel (LIC No. 9TA00049)

East Perth – Shop 1/113 Royal Street
Tel:  (08) 9221 9977 Fax:  (08) 9221 5577 
email: eastperth@harveyworld.com.au

HIGHLIGHTS OF THE TOUR

•  Visit the Monasteraki (flea market) and the ancient Agora of Athens
• Enjoy professional photography tuition to capture images from one of the world’s most photogenic destinations
• Marvel at the perfection of the Parthenon set on the imposing heights of the Acropolis
• Share a musical and cultural feast in an ancient castle with a descendent of the 13th century ruler of Naxos.
• Stroll through the vibrant streets of Mykonos and explore the sacred island of Delos, steeped in mythology with amazing archeological sites. 
• Explore the Cyclades Islands most charismatic port, Naoussa, on the magical island of Paros
• Visit Tinos, island of artists, also known as the Lourdes of Greece, with the imposing Church of our Lady and famous valley of the dove-cotes
• Wander along the awesome caldera’s edge in Santorini, one of the word’s most amazing landscapes.

 ABOUT THE TOUR LEADERS

 Nick Melidonis, award winning Master Photographer and three times winner of the Australian Landscape Photographer of the Year, will take you on a visual journey sharing his passion in creatively seeing landscapes and people. Photographic tuition will compliment his insider’s knowledge of locations, local eateries and island customs. Costas Demetriades, SBS journalist and Greek language teacher, will share with you a taste of contemporary Greek culture, cuisine, language, music and dance, and will provide a oicture of the epic history behind many of the locations we visit. Don’t miss this spectacular tour of a lifetime, now in its 12th year.

Included in the Tour

•  All accommodation, breakfasts and farewell dinner in Santorini
• Ferries, transfers  and day tours as per itinerary
• Pre-tour travel advice on travelling in Greece
• Greek speaking tour guides and presenters
• Photography, dance, language and other workshops on tour
• Greek travel reference material prior to departure

 NOT Included in the Tour

• Entrance fees to sites not mentioned in the itinerary
• Airfares to and from Greece and departure taxes
• Airport transfers for  optional group flight are available for $75 return per person
• Travel insurance (all participants MUST have appropriate insurance)
• Dinners and lunches other than those mentioned in the itinerary
• Personal expenses such as laundry and hotel phone charges

 ITINERARY

 Day 1: Athens May 9th 

Arrive in Athens and meet your fellow passengers at the hotel. We will have a short orientation session around the Omonia district and you have the afternoon at leisure to explore Athens or to relax and refresh yourself if your flight arrived today. This evening, we take a walk to Syntagma to see the changing of the guards at Constitution Square and then stroll through Ermou to Monastiraki with commentary and photo opportunities and dine in a traditional restaurant near the foot of the Acropolis. You will be given advice on some of Athen’s highlights options for tomorrow.  

Day 2: Athens May 10th   

After breakfast we will explore Athens on a guided half day tour including a visit to the Acropolis (included).  In the afternoon you may wish to join some optional visits to the Athens Museum or Cape Sounion. You will be offered a visit to the large Athens markets and a walk to the ‘Flea Market’ and Monastiraki for shopping and dining at a traditional taverna.

Day 3: Athens – Tinos May 11th  

This morning we transfer to the port and board our large ferry for the island of Tinos, also known as the ‘Lourdes” of Greece. We are invited to participate in an unforgettable lunch by the water’s edge on arrival. In the afternoon we will visit the Church of our Lady, the famous pilgrimage site.  Capture the waterfront sights of the harbour with an introduction to the old town and the history of Tinos.   

Day 4: Tinos May12th

Today we explore the island with our own bus, visiting the unique Valley of the Dovecotes and the picturesque villages of Volax (basketweavers) and Pyrgos, known for its School of Sculpture. A special stopover will be made for lunch at the pristine fishing village of Panormos, one of the Cyclades most beautiful ports. There are lots of photo opportunities that will present themselves with tuition and guidance.

Day 5: Tinos May 13th

Today you may wish to join in the first of our formal photographic workshops. Demonstrations and theory (beginners to advanced) will be followed by a practical, relaxed session in the port. As always, these sessions are voluntary and will be tailored to the group’s requirements. Enjoy a visit to the  nearby Cultural museum (included) and participate in a mini language and dancing workshop.  This evening, you may wish to catch a sunset over the harbour and then on to a taverna to practice ordering your food.  

Day 6: Tinos to Paros May 14th

Today we board our ferry for a short trip to ancient Paros in the central Cyclades arriving at the port of Parikia. Thyme-scented Paros was famous in antiquity for its pristine white marble. We are transported to our comfortable seafront hotel with its own private beach in the stunning port of Naoussa. After we settle in, we will explore the picturesque port for sunset photography and dinner at a seafront taverna.

Day 7: Paros May 15th

 A short bus ride will bring us to Paros’ capital, Parikia, and we will spend the morning exploring the old quarter and a visit to the Imposing “Church of a Hundred Doors” commissioned by the Roman Emperor, Justinian in the 6th century. This Imposing church is meant to have 99 doors and the   legend states that when the 100th door is found, Constantinople will revert to the Greeks. Enjoy lunch at a nearby trendy square shaded by elm trees. After lunch and some exploration, we will return to the beautiful port of Naoussa or stay and enjoy the shopping in Parikia. Afternoon at leisure.

Day 8: Paros May 16th

This morning we will offer another photography workshop with further workshops on dance and Greek language in the afternoon. You will be offered a visit to a nearby winery for tasting and a tour (included). The rest of the day is at leisure to enjoy this historic island.

Day 9: Paros May 17th

A free day to enjoy swimming and relaxing at the hotel’s private beach or join us in some impromptu photo sessions around the magic port of Naoussa and other attractions of the island.  In the afternoon enjoy a game of backgammon in a traditional Greek coffee lounge.

Day 10: Paros to Naxos May 18th

We enjoy a short ferry ride to the largest and greenest island of the Cyclades, Naxos, entering the port guarded by the ancient Apollo’s Gate. We transfer to our resort hotel near St Georges Beach. The Naxos port area boasts one of the finest old Venetian Castro quarters next to the historic Bourg market area. This labyrinth of ancient buildings with classic tavernas and specialty shops will delight all who visit. In the afternoon we explore the exciting old port and castle. Enjoy a cultural evening of traditional music and dancing with drinks tonight (included) at the Venetian Castle.

Day 11: Naxos May 19th, Mykonos and Delos Day Trip (day subject to 2011 ferry timetables)

This morning we board the ferry for our day tour of the trendy and magical island of Mykonos with its brightly painted balconies, geraniums and bougainvillea, Mykonos creates several photo opportunities. The ‘Little Venice’ area, the famous windmills and the historic church of Panagia Paraportiani, are featured on many postcards of Mykonos. This tour includes a visit to the sacred island of Delos, the mythical birthplace of Apollo to explore the ancient archeological sites. Delos is one big open-air museum, with many of the ancient monuments and buildings remarkably intact. If you are interested in archaeology and/or Greek mythology, this will be an unforgettable day. 

Day 12: Naxos May 20th

Today we take our own bus tour of the impressive hilltop villages and ports of Naxos, including Chalki, with its Venetian towers, and we may stop at the old family owned Kitron liqueur factory, alternatively, we will visit the hill town of Filoti. Our next stop, the impressive village of Apiranthos is made almost entirely of stone and marble from the nearby quarries. The road then winds through spectacular mountains to the attractive port of Apollonos for lunch. Photo tuition and guidance as well as cultural highlights of the island will be offered. Some stops on the way will be made to capture images of the amazing mountain scenery.    

Day 13: Naxos May 21st

After breakfast, we will conduct a further photographic workshop for those who wish to take part and later join Costas for a dance workshop. This afternoon you may wish to further explore the exciting old market quarter and port or visit the interesting museum near the Venetian Castle. The Castle has many evening musical programs during the week including jazz, classical and Greek music. A chance this evening to photograph the sunset from Apollo’s gate with tuition

Day 14: Naxos May 22nd

Day at leisure to explore this exciting island or to relax at the pool or the seaside near our hotel.  Naxos has many beautiful villages and spectacular mountain scenery and as it is the biggest island, an option today is to hire some small vehicles to explore and photograph on your own or join Nick in a small convoy of cars to some of the best island spots to capture some stunning Images.

Day 15: Naxos to Santorini May 23rd

We board the ferry for the most stunning island of the Cyclades, Santorini, and the legendary site of Atlantis. We are transferred to our resort hotel and explore the chic galleries, shops and charming Santorini architecture set on numerous levels on the caldera’s edge. Catch a Santorini sunset over dinner. 

Day 16: Santorini May 24th   

A highlight of our Santorini visit is a leisurely walk with stunning photo opportunities along the dramatic Caldera’s edge. View the unique architecture on the way to the capital, Thira, with its bustling shopping squares. Along the way your tour escorts will provide a history of the island and guidance in capturing the unique seascapes for that perfect shot. A visit to the pristine village of Oia; Santorini’s most photogenic icon; will be arranged this afternoon  and evening to catch a sunset and enjoy dinner before being transported back to our hotel. 

Day 17: Santorini May 25th

Day at leisure to relax and enjoy this stunning island. Optional activities can include a visit to the nearby volcano by boat, or a tour to the excavations of the ancient Minoan City of Akrotiri, devastated by the cataclysmic eruption over 2000 years ago. We will celebrate our time in the Cyclades with a buffet dinner at our resort this evening (included).

Day 18: Santorini – Athens May 26th

 As the scheduled ferry to the port of Piraeus leaves at 5.00 pm, you have a chance today to enjoy some final shopping and capture some more images of this unique island. We board our ferry for a leisurely trip back to Athens, passing numerous islands of the Cyclades group along the way. On arrival this evening, we transfer to our hotel.  

Day 19: Depart Athens May 27th  

 The tour concludes after breakfast. Some participants will connect with flights back to Australia while others will continue with alternative travel plans.  

Note: Itinerary based on 2010 Greek Ferry Timetables and local conditions and may be subject to change in 2011. Please note this land tour starts and ends in Athens and arrangements need to be made for your personal flights and airport transfers. Group flight and transfers offered by booking agent.