Begin your journey through Greece by exploring the historical capital city of Athens. Visit the world-famous Acropolis to witness the ancient temples dedicated to the gods and goddesses, and the Parthenon where the statue of Athena once stood tall. Other highlights for the day include the National Archaeological Museum and the Plaka District, a beautiful neighborhood with picturesque streets, tavernas, and shops.
Spend the day walking through the hills of Delphi, home to the famous Oracle who once delivered prophecies to ancient Greek leaders. Explore the Temple of Apollo and the Theatre, which once housed plays, music, and poetry performances. Take in the breathtaking view from Mount Parnassus, where you can see the entire city embedded in the valley below.
Take the ferry to the beautiful and lively island of Mykonos. Spend two days soaking up the sun at the beaches, walking through the charming streets of Chora, and visiting popular attractions like Little Venice and the Windmills of Kato Mili. Enjoy the bustling nightlife and local cuisine at restaurants like Nobu Matsuhisa Mykonos and Cavo Tagoo.
Take a ferry to the beautiful Santorini, and explore the unique architecture, beaches and towns like the iconic Oia Village featuring whitewashed houses and beautiful sunsets to remember for life. Visit the ancient Akrotiri Archaelogical Site which is named as the 'Pompeii of Greece' due to nearby volcanic disaster depicting the life of ancient thriving city culture.
Tour the beautiful island of Crete where you'll find activities ranging from great food to beautiful white-sand beaches in Balos or explore the scenic Samaria Gorge trekking trail. See the ancient architecture from Knossos Palace to the historical site named after Ariadne — reference to the myth of the Minotaur is also a must-visit.
Travel above the clouds in Meteora, where you can see the stunning clifftop monasteries, including the Great Meteoron Monastery and the Monastery of St. Stephen. Enjoy the jaw-dropping scenery, along with a sense of tranquillity that will stay with you.
Wrap up your 10-day journey in Athens and visit any important landmarks and museums that you might have missed on the first day. It is the perfect time to go souvenir shopping or to have some coffee with a view of the Acropolis Hill.
For this itinerary, the best option is to rent a car to have flexibility and a smooth trip. The estimated cost will be around 300-350 euros per day, including fuel and tolls. There is also a possible option of using ferries, with the estimated cost of around 15-30 euros per trip, depending on the type/class of the seat booked.
If you have more time, you can add other destinations like Rhodes, Corfu, or visit some of the alternative sites across the itinerary. For those with a shorter trip, you may need to cut out some destinations altogether or remove a day from specific places. It may also be helpful to book accommodations in advance and to consider booking all transportation before the trip.
The main airport in Greece is the Athens International Airport (ATH). It's located approximately 20 miles from the city center of Athens and serves as a major hub for international flights from Europe and beyond.