Wilderness-Travel-2017-Catalog

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Greece casts a spell, with its honey-colored
isles fragrant with frangipani and encircled
by azure seas. In the stunning beauty of
the Cyclades, the archipelago named for
the circle it forms around the sacred island
of Delos, we’ve created a hiking journey
that explores Tinos, Naxos, and rugged
Amorgos, each island a tranquil realm of
bougainvillea-draped villages set above the
gleaming Aegean. As we hike on ancient
stone paths, past blue-domed churches, up
to cliff-perched monasteries, and through
tiny whitewashed villages, the good life of
sunny Greece surrounds us, with picnics on
wildflower-covered hills, swims in the sea, and
delightful local cuisine and wine al fresco on
the verandas of tavernas. At trip’s end, enjoy
our extension to legendary Santorini, with its
white villages clinging to the cliffs.
Days 1-5 Athens / Tinos From Athens,
we ferry to Tinos, an island of beautiful
beaches and traditional hamlets. We hike the
kalderimias, or cobbled mule paths, to
picturesque villages, up the old Roman road
to the great Venetian fortress of Exombourgo,
and from the charming town of Falatados to the
beach at Livada, with a stop to swim in inviting
crystal-clear waters.
Days 6-8 Naxos / Delos / Mykonos Crossing
the blue Aegean to Naxos, Lord Byron’s favorite
Greek island, we explore the twisting lanes
of Chora, the main town, and hike up Mount
Zas (Zeus) to a sacred cave with a marvelous
view. In Greek mythology, this cave is where
the mighty god Zeus was born. On Delos, holy
island of the ancient Greeks, we’ll stroll in a vast
open-air archaeological museum of wildflower-
covered ruins and return to Naxos via glamorous
Mykonos Island.
Days 9-13 Amorgos Easternmost of the
Cyclades, Amorgos is a gorgeous island of
dramatic mountain scenery. We hike traditional
stone-paved paths between villages, past
frescoed churches, and along spectacular
coasts. One ramble leads us to the 11th century
monastery of Chosoviotissa, set high above
the Aegean. Depart on Day 13, or extend to
Santorini Island.
FOR MORE DETAILS ON OUR EUROPEAN TRIPS, VISIT 59
Our insider’s hikes bring you to the most charming villages and spectacular coves on the dreamy isles of Tinos, Naxos, and Amorgos.
RENE MATTES
DON HRYCYK ANNA SERRANO
KHONDEH MIRSHEK
STEFANO BROZZI
HIGHLIGHTS
• Hike village to village on ancient pathways
of Tinos, Naxos, and Amorgos
• Visit sacred Delos, holy island of the
ancient Greeks, and cosmopolitan
Mykonos Island
• Charming hotels, delightful Greek cuisine,
from grilled octopus to ratatouille of
fresh summer vegetables
DETAILS
• 13-day trip begins and ends in Athens
• 12 nights hotels and country inns
• All meals included except 2 dinners and
1 lunch
DATES
May 19-31, 2017
Jun 14-26
Jun 29-Jul 11
Sep 1-13
Sep 17-29
TRIP COST
$4395 (8-16 members)
$4695 (4-7 members)
Single supplement: $380
Santorini Island extension: from $1050
Classical Greece extension: from $1650
TRIP LEVEL 1 2 3+ 4 5 6 7
8 hiking days on moderate to strenuous
trails, some steep sections, 4-6 hours a
day, van support