The "best"of Greece including the Islands of Hydra, Mykonos, and Santorini, Athens, and Central Greece including the ruins of Delphi and the monasteries of Meteora is what you will experience on this tour. Fall is a wonderful time in Greece. The weather is warm, the crowds are gone and
Athens still bustles with excitement. We will gather in our hotel in Athens, conveniently located on a quiet street on the edge of the Plaka (the ancient district), for a tour introduction and image show. A short stroll takes us to a local taverna where you will delight in small platters of delicious Greek food and perhaps some Retsina wine. Retsina is definitely an acquired taste!
The lively Plaka is sure to fascinate us, as we explore narrow alleys and plazas filled with outdoor tavernas, cafes, fabulous architecture,
old souvlaki stands, markets, shops, jewelry stores, and ruins everywhere you look.
The next morning after breakfast, we will be transferred by bus to the Piraeus for our short ride on a hydra-foil to the charming Island of Hydra known for its
photogenic crescent shaped port resplendent with donkeys, colorful fishing boats, reflections, fishermen, yachts of the rich and famous, and quaint, colorful homes with elaborate brass door knockers. Returning to Athens, after a rest, we will photograph the Parthenon all aglow at dusk. Dinner that evening will be at a taverna in the Plaka, where we will dine and listen to
bouzouki music in the Plaka. The next morning, a short walk takes us to the Acropolis and Parthenon, sparkling white by day and gleaming gold at night. Along with the theatre of Dionysos and the Odeon of Herod Atticus, they are truly the wonders of the Ancient world. Walking down from the Acropolis we visit an area
of white homes adorned with bouganvillea, blue doors and colorful painted pots brimming with flowers. From there, we visit the Roman Agora where you can get up close to the ruins and fabulous temples surrounded by poppies. Time allowing you can also visit the Monastiraki flea market where you can purchase just about anything from very photogenic street vendors, and the changing of the guards
in front of the Paliament building on Syntagma Square.
Our dusk shoot will take us up to a hill to for a panoramic view of the Acropolis and Parthenon illuminated in the distance.
The next morning we check out of our hotel and transfer to the Athens airport for out short flight to the charming island of Mykonos. A completely different ambiance will keep our cameras busy as we photograph the
incredibly pretty labyrinth of white washed buildings, cobble stone streets, blue doors, many windmills, 365 wedding cake churches and profuse bougainvillea. Cats snoozing in shafts of sunlight, old women
dressed in black crocheting their lace, 'little Venice' harbor (one of the best spots on the planet - where the curve of buildings literally rise from the water), and a great
sweeping harbor, are just a few of its charms.
Our lovely hotel in Mykonos (with pool) has views of the harbor and sea and is a short walk to the port. Not be be missed is the grand breakfast buffet which even includes chocolate mousse and champagne! We will shoot the morning market on the harbor, which teems with local life. If you like to photograph people, there is no better place on earth. We will practice how to engage and charm the local people to pose for pictures. Young and old Greek women that you never see during the day come down to buy
produce and freshly caught fish. The Greek widows dressed in black are seen through out the Island. Local fishermen come in with the early morning's catch and pound squid and octopus on the rocks to tenderize them. Cats abound looking for their breakfast, and old women and men lead their donkeys heavily laden with produce and flowers to the harbor.
Petros, the Island's pink pelican mascot struts through the market looking for handouts and a friendly pat on the head. For some odd reason he hates motorized carts and chases them down the port with much
squawking and flapping of his wings. Brilliantly colored fishing boats reflect in the water of the harbor and you can always find fishermen mending their nets, drinking coffee in the cafes, or sitting outside the harbor chapel with its simple stained glass window. From high on a cliff, we will shoot the
illuminated cafes and shops in the crescent shaped harbor at dusk, and the windmills silhouetted against the setting sun. The next day, depending on the seas, you make take an optional ferry to the sacred Island of Delos, birthplace of Apollo where everything is flooded with light.
Delos evokes the feeling of everyday life well over 2,000 years ago. Once the hub of the Cyclades, Delos was the spiritual and commercial center of the entire Agean as well as a prosperous grain
port and slave market. At times as many as 10,000 humans would be sold in a single day. Aptly known as the Pompeii of Greece, the extensive ruins of Delos provide many photo ops.
Gulls perched on marble pillars that still show the grain and color of the stone, 6th century BC mansions, temples, mosaic floors, stadiums, shops, statues and 5 marble lions that guard the sacred lake, are
amongst the many well preserved ruins. Of all the ruins in Greece, you can actually imagine how elaborate and magnificent Delos looked in its heyday. The 400-foot summit of Mount Kimthos affords a spectacular view of the surrounding Cyclades as well as the remains of other temples.
Please note that this excursion takes up the better part of a day and not during good photographic light. If you are a history buff however, it is something to behold.
We leave Mykonos and travel by a very comfortable ferry to the island of Santorini.
One of the most dramatic
events in the ancient world has created one of the natural wonders of the modern world at Santorini; an island called Thira ("the most beautiful") and the favorite of anyone who visits it. Part of the Cyclades group, a volcanic eruption
gave Santorini its spectacular shape-a sheer crescent of cliffs 1,000 feet high surrounding a lagoon of sea water, once the crater of the volcano. When Santorini blew its top around 1,500 BC it
landed enough ash and waves to destroy the Minoan cities on Crete 60 miles away. Santorini radiates spectacular colors, mainly reds, browns, yellows and black in layers, which makes a strong contrast
with green Eucalyptus trees along the roads and spotless villages spread like snow across the tips of the cliffs. We will spend three nights at our hotel in Thira town which has a wonderful pool and is a short walk to the caldera. During our stay we will photograph the amazing architecture consisting of sparkling white buildings and blue domed churches hanging from the steep
cliffs, donkeys and their tenders, plus spectacular vistas and sunsets from Thira town and the village of Oia. Church bell towers silhouetted against the setting sun makes for beautiful photography. We will photograph the villages as they light up at dusk from several spots.
Akrotiri, a 3,000 B.C. Minoan excavation, is close by. It is still in the process of being unearthed and you can see the remains of their ancient homes and artifacts buried under layers of volcanic ash.
No human remains have been found and it is believed that the people had some warning of the impending volcanic blast and somehow left the Island by boat.
Whether they survived remains a mystery to this day. The Akrotiri museum in Thira, is not to be missed. The riches, pottery, jewelry and frescoes showing monkeys and palm trees are incredible! Santorini is a magical and spiritual place where I once witnessed a shimmering star
reflected in the sea of the volcano. It is said that on a clear day when the conditions are just right, Atlantis can be seen submerged under the sea!
After 3 nights we fly back to Athens airport where we transfer to our bus for our continuation into central Greece. Note: If you cannot join us on this portion, you can depart for your connecting flight home.
As we leave Athens, we journey through spectacular and primitive scenery consisting of grasslands and mountains dotted by goat herders with their crooks and baggy pants. We pass many acres of cotton fields along our way and nomadic gypsy camps. Along the way, we visit the village of Arahova which is known for its carpets and leather goods.
You may seek your future in the vale of the most revered Oracle. Delphi is set in a grassy wild flower filled amphitheater looking down on white Itea, green olive groves and the blue Gulf. Our first sight is the 6th Century BC Castalian Spring, the gymnasium, the Athena Pronaia Sanctuary,
the circular tholos, the Sanctuary of Apollo and the Athenian Treasury. It is acoustically perfect with views down below that are spectacular.
Delphi is the place which - of all others in Greece -visitors find most memorable. We overnight in our very comfortable hotel in Delphi town.
The next morning we check out and we photograph the beautiful temple of Athena surrounded by fallen marble columns and wild flowers. We depart Delphi and along the way, we will see the lofty Dolomite peaks of Meteora from a distance of 10 miles away. Meteora derives its name from the verb 'meteorizo' meaning to suspend in the air. Perched on their crests are more than thirty of the most extraordinary monasteries in the world, four of them inhabited, and all defying gravity and the conventions of architecture.
Our hotel is situated at the bottom of the peaks and our sunset shoot is right from our balconies. The rock formations are also illuminated at night.
We will tour the Great Meteoro built around 1360, separated by an awesome gulf, but accessible by stone steps. It has a grisly memento of the monks that toiled for centuries to make these incredible monuments- a room full of skulls and bones lit only
by a candle. The monastery chapel is plastered with incredibly beautiful gold leafed frescoes. We visit the kitchen and dining room of the monks along with a museum filled with beautiful old black and white photos. If women wish to enter a monastery they must wear a long skirt, as pants or shorts are not allowed.
Always the highlight of every tour, Meteora is one of the most intensely visual places that literally defies description. We will rest and then shoot here until sunset. We spend two nights at Meteora.
The majestic rock chimneys of Meteora reflect the early sun with a lovely pink glow as we shoot our last sunrise.
Leaving Meteora we will stop at a studio and workshop where monks are sitting at easels painting and gilding with gold the beautiful Icons we see throughout Greece. This is a visual delight that tourists normally do not get to see. We also visit the workshop where workers are hand carving the wood that the Icons are painted on. We arrive back in Athens in the late afternoon and transfer to our five star Sofitel hotel at the airport for early morning departures on the next day. Yassou Greece!
"I have had a love affair and have been traveling to Greece for over thirty years. It feels like home to me. I love the warmth and hospitality of its people (their craziness too), the food, the culture, the music, the dancing, the traditions, the ruins, the jewelry, the art, the architecture,
the wealth of photo opportunities around every corner and bend in the road, and its amazing history. There is nothing that I don't love.
Meals are inexpensive, shopping is fabulous- (if you like gold, especially 18-22k, this is the place to be), leather, furs, sculpture, pottery and more await you.
Our tour is coordinated by Fanstasy Travel in Athens whose owner has been a friend of mine for 21 years. They are always in the background taking care of all our arrangements and they do a fabulous job!"
Physical activity level: Quite strenuous at times as you must be able to climb steps and hills in the heat without too much difficulty. The energy level of the group is always taken into consideration.
Inspiration:
Movies:
"Shirley Valentine" - one of my favorites and a must see.
"Summer Lovers" -shot in Santorini and a visual delight
"Zorba the Greek"
"Never on Sunday"
"Boy on a Dolphin"
"It Happened in Athens"
"Pascali's Island"
"My Big Fat Greek Wedding"
"Captain Corelli's Mandolin"
"My Life in Ruins"
"Mamma Mia"
"Dogtooth"
"Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants"
Click here to view photos taken by previous Greece Tour attendees on our Client Photo Gallery
"One has to go a long way to find someone who possesses such an enduring commitment as that which you bring to your photography. There was never a dull moment and your enthusiasm for Greece was incomparable to that of anyone whom I know, and I'm a Greek! Having spent all of my career in the hotel, restaurant hospitality business, I was full of admiration for how well you planned our complete itinerary.
You were so attentive to everyone's needs and dealt with all the complexities with calm and cool composure. Thank you for an unforgettable trip to Greece and photographically we returned with everything we wanted." Greece, Spring '02, H. & J. Nassikas, CA
"I took more shots that I am satisfied with than I have on just about any other trip. I really liked the small group and your relaxed leadership style. I felt more in sync with the whole program than I frequently do on photo tours." Greece '02, E. Jackson, CA
"On the road near Meteora. I will never forget the moment when you asked/told Yorgos to stop the bus and set about convincing him to go with you to convince an old lady herding goats to be photographed. My view, from a distance - The two of you, you determined, leading the way, Yorgos uncertain but game,
right behind you though a field (our view) of weeds to the waistline, approaching an old woman, dressed (head to ground) in black, staff in hand. And the ensuing interaction among the group as her story unfolded. (It was your 'seeing' of a possible great photo-op, and persevering to a great conclusion." Greece '07, R. Parker, CA
"It was fabulous from start to finish with one great photo op after another. I could have stayed for another month". Greece '07, S. Dahlkamp, IL
"You ran a wonderful trip. The organizational and creative aspects were both excellent." Greece '07, M. James, PA
"Excellent leader, congenial group and wonderful locations." Greece 2K, B. Price, MA
"Thanks for a wonderful trip--you are a great photographer and a wonderful hostess and that made the trip a very pleasant experience." Greece 2K, J.Dickerson, Ca.
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