Crete Holidays and Greek Islands Tours, Santorini Holidays, Luxury Travel Crete Tour Packages to Greek Islands

2009 TrueElegance Arrival Dates

with TrueAthens	TrueElegance
May 23	May 25
June 13	June 15
July 04	July 06
September 05	September 07
September 19	September 21
October 03	October 05

If you are interested in a 2009 tour, please outlining which tour and arrival date interest you and we will follow up with you promptly with pricing and other necessary information.

Note: The date denotes the start of your TrueGreece experience. Your transatlantic flight should depart one day in advance.

If you are interested in a more intimate experience please visit our customised trips section which will provide further information on how TrueGreece can design the perfect customised trip experience.

TrueElegance: Athens - Crete - Santorini

The TrueElegance package has been tailored for guests who wish to stay in luxurious accommodations and pamper their senses in an elegant manner. Our TrueElegance trip assures our guests a portal into the romantic, rich and enchanting world of the Aegean.

The Islands

Crete is renowned for its unlimited history and character that has been enriching the Greeks’ lives throughout the centuries with magnificent tales of mythical beasts and heroes. A thrilling mixture of mountain ranges, sandy beaches and lush valleys, Crete promises to satisfy every visitor’s wish.

Santorini, world famous for its sunsets, uniquely colored beaches, traditional Cycladic architecture and rich wine-making tradition, is without doubt one of the most distinctive and breathtaking of the Greek islands.

The Plan

The TrueGreece holiday packages include luxurious accommodations at exceptional hotels, traditional and distinctive culinary experiences as well as educating and exciting pre-planned excursions. This TrueGreece experience has a free and flexible structure allowing you to explore and venture off on your own.

Your TrueGreece Concierge will be with you every step of the way, providing you with a useful resource which we highly recommend you exploit. We encourage you to take advantage of your Concierge’s love for Greece and unique wealth of local knowledge.

As you review our trip descriptions please keep in mind that many of the described activities are suggestions and represent only an example of the many alternatives you may choose from. At the end of each day's description, we highlight the pre-packaged meals and activities that are included in the price of your tour. Please note that optional activities, as described below, are not included in the price of the tour.

DAY 1, Arrival in Athens

Welcome to Greece! Our TrueGreece representative will meet you at the Athens Airport and transfer you to the Electra Palace Hotel, where you will be spending your first night. This deluxe hotel is ideally located in the heart of Plaka under the grandiose shadow of the Acropolis. After settling into your room meet your TrueGreece Concierge and get acquainted with your fellow travellers.

Starting your exploration, why not walk through Monastiraki, home of the perpetual flea market or visit the National Archaeological Museum, the world’s greatest collection of the masterworks of Ancient Greece? If you have elected not to participate in our TrueAthens supplemental tour, this would be the perfect time to visit the Acropolis and admire a triumph of Ancient Greek engineering and art.

Meet your Concierge back at the hotel in the late afternoon for a guided walk through the ancient city streets of charming Plaka, ending at a local restaurant for a welcome dinner.

Included: Transport from airport to hotel, Guided walk through Plaka.
Meals: D

DAY 2, Fly to Crete

The Porto Elounda Hotel will be hosting you in its luxurious surroundings for the next few days. Check in and spend your day at leisure in one of the world's premier resort destinations, Elounda.

Directly connected with Elounda by a small bridge, the area of Spinalonga offers a fine opportunity for an easy and picturesque walk. If you are looking for a more relaxing activity, unwind with a Six Senses Spa TM treatment at the Porto Elounda Hotel. For the more adventurous, your TrueGreece Concierge will be able to provide suggestions for short day trips and exciting activities.

Included: Transport to airport, airfare to Crete, and transport to hotel.
Meals: B

DAY 3, Crete

Start the day with a guided visit to the palace of Knossos, one of the four main palaces of the ancient Minoan civilization still present in Crete. As you walk around the stone corridors and pass through the countless rooms of Knossos palace, you will quickly find yourself lost. No wonder the ancient peoples believed this was the labyrinth (maze) in which the Minotaur lived. Top off your rich cultural experience with a fine Greek meal at one of Heraklion’s best restaurants. You will then return to Elounda in the late afternoon for some additional leisure time.

Please note that the Archaeological museum of Heraklion will be partially closed for renovations during the 2009 season, hence only a limited site visit will be included in your TrueElegance Tour.

Included: Transport to and entrance fees for the Palace of Knossos and Heraklion Archaeological Museum, local guide.
Meals: B, L

DAY 4, Crete

Today you may relax in the gorgeous surroundings of the Porto Elounda Hotel or the beautiful sandy beaches lining the Elounda peninsula.

If you are feeling more energetic your Concierge will be more than happy to suggest fascinating day trips. We would recommend a trip to the Lasithi Plateau, an impressive and mystical location with rich vegetation and hundreds of windmills, situated among sharp peaks and mountains. In fact the nature is so dominating that according to tradition the mighty Zeus was born in a cave here, called Ideon Andron.

Relax and enjoy your last evening on Crete before heading off to breathtaking Santorini.

Meals: B

DAY 5, Off to Santorini

You’ve had an amazing time in Crete, but it’s time to visit Santorini, one of the top destinations in the Aegean. After a short ferry ride in the deep blue sea of the Aegean you will have the pleasure of seeing the crescent shape and lagoon of the Caldera. Sailing past the white washed houses perched on the cliffs makes for an awe inspiring experience.

Check into you room at the Kirini Hotel, one of the island's premier small resorts, nestled on the cliffs and boasting breathtaking views of the Caldera. The splendour of all the sights will wake up the need for some independent exploring. We suggest visiting the traditional Oia settlement, and topping off your day with a dinner in one of the wonderful Oia tavernas.

Included: Transport to ferry, premium-class ferry to Santorini, transport to hotel, wine and fruit upon arrival.
Meals: B

DAY 6, Santorini

Santorini is famous for its volcanic origins, picturesque vistas and crystal clear lagoons, and what better way to enjoy these naturally occurring masterpieces than with a sailing trip which will take you past the White and Red beaches, the Venetian lighthouse and into the crater where you can visit the Hot Springs. You will also have the opportunity to go swimming and snorkelling in the crystal clear waters of a secluded bay and after building up an appetite you may indulge in a delicious seafood and steak barbeque served with a variety of appetizers and salads.

Included: Santorini Sailing trip, Transport to and from the pier.
Meals: B, L

DAY 7, Santorini

Santorini is renowned for its dramatic volcanic cliffs and picturesque sunsets, but there's far more to this fascinating island for you to enjoy! Your Concierge will work with you to plan an excursion of your choice.

If a single archaeological site is to be singled out for a visit, it is that of Ancient Thira. Located on a peak abutting the southeast coast, its spectacular and dramatic vistas over the sea will provide an unforgettable experience. You may combine your visit to Ancient Thira with short stopover at the Prehistoric Museum in Fira. If you wish to wind down and some relaxation and pampering is required a trip to a local spa and the Perissa or Kamari beaches offers a leisurely day of sun and rejuvenation.

To finish your day, we recommend an early evening walk in the capital city of Santorini; Fira culminating with the magnificent Santorini sunset and a marvellous dinner we have arranged for you.

Included: Transport to and from dinner.
Meals: B, D

DAY 8, Santorini

By now you've comfortably settled into life on Santorini, and you've got one more day to make it your own.

Don’t forget that your Concierge is at your full disposal, so ask him some questions and take advantage of his suggestions. A trip under the cliffs of Oia to Ammoudi and Armeni is recommended for a different, quaint experience. While in Ammoudi you can find splendid family-run tavernas, with fresh fish that will surely not disappoint you. If an adventure is in order you might enjoy a tour of the underwater crater with the Atlantis submarine and marvel at impressive geological phenomenon.

For your last night on Santorini, we've arranged a wine tasting dinner, featuring local wines and a spectacular four-course meal.

Meals: B, D, Wine Tasting

DAY 9, Back to Athens

We are sure you will have fallen in love with Santorini and will not want to leave the luxury and elegance of this unique island; but unfortunately it is time to return to Athens and your final night at the Electra Palace Hotel.

In the afternoon, join your Concierge for some window or real shopping in Plaka, Monastiraki or Kolonaki. We've saved the best for last; celebrate the end of your amazing and authentic journey with a farewell dinner. Share memories with newly found friends as you're served a marvellous variety of gourmet Greek dishes.

Included: Flight to Athens, transport to and from airports.
Meals: B, D

DAY 10, Time to go home...but we hope to see you soon!

It will be hard to say goodbye to Greece, but the wonderful memories and the friends you have made will keep you company...until the next time we host you in Greece. We look forward to welcoming you back soon!

Included: Transport to Athens Airport.
Meals: B

Exchange Rate Conversion

Price: Starting from 3,215 Euro per person, based on double occupancy, includes:

High-end boutique hotel/resort accommodation and daily breakfast
4 dinners and 2 lunches (excluding drinks and alcoholic beverages)
Premium Class Ferryboat transfers to Santorini
Flight from Athens to Crete and from Santorini to Athens
Roundtrip transportation to the hotels, airports, and harbours, as scheduled
A chartered bus, for scheduled transport on the islands and Athens
A Santorini Sailing Trip and Lunch
A local guide for the Knossos and the Heraklion Archaeological Museum
A Greek wine tasting evening in Santorini
Wine and Fruit upon arrival in Santorini
Exceptional personalized services from your TrueGreece Concierge
Superb TrueGreece recommendations and guidance
All taxes

Optional:

TrueAthens, a 2-Day optional, highly recommended additional activity: From 323 Euro
Single supplement: From 1,407 Euro

Exchange Rate Conversion

TrueElegance 2009 Arrival Dates