GAT Sifnos - Amorgos - Santorini (13 nights/14 days)

Day notes

Day 1: Arrival at Athens International Airport, transfer to the port of Piraeus. Ferry boat to Sifnos (highspeed vessel type). Arrival at Sifnos, rental car pickup. Arrival at the accommodation. Overnight.

Day notes

After breakfast starts your ceramic class. 

Pottery is perhaps the best-known product of Sifnos. The island, since ancient times, has a great tradition in pottery, an art which is still practiced to date. Many young Sifnians potters work the clay with excellent results giving a unique character in their creations. 

A true Sifnos experience definitely requires a visit to a workshop. The potters will take you through all the stages of the production and will offer you stories from the past, when the Sifnian potters would travel all over Greece to sell their work or would export their merchandise all over the Mediterranean. They will explain how little has changed in the process of production – an art that has remained largely intact for hundreds of years. And they will praise the soil of their beloved island, rich in argil and metals that make the utensils extremely fire resistant.

If you are really into finding it out more about pottery, chances are you are also ready for the next big step: take a pottery class, test your artistic skills and make a handicraft, your personal work of art.

You will spend two hours with an experienced potter that will be your guide in this wonderful procedure.

Also, don't forget to buy utilitarian items (cups, cookware, trays, etc.), or decoratives in soft or bold colors, with elaborate designs or leaner decorations.

Day notes

After breakfast start off and enjoy your hiking day!

Chose between proposed routes: 

Apollonia - Kamares

Starting Point: Apollonia (Main square – Post office) / Kamares (Bus stop at the Parking)

Hiking duration: 2 hours approx

Total trail length: 5,7 km

Level: easy

This trail is the old donkey route that connected Apollonia to Kamares. Kamares has always been an important port in Sifnos. Walking it downwards is easy and enjoyable, and the trail itself, as well as the view of the gorge, are very interesting. At about mid-way, you will pass by the church of Panagia Platanissa (or Platanou).

Kastro - Panagia Chrysopigi

Starting Point: Kastro / Monastery of Chrysopigi

Hiking duration: 2,5 hours approx

Total trail length: 5,8 km

Level: easy

Main Sights: Kastro citadel, Agios Ioannis Siderou church, Faros fishing village, Old mines, Church of Chryssopigi

The trailhead of trail 2 is located in Kastro village. Kastro was the capital of Sifnos until 1836. It is considered to be one of the best preserved ancient capitals of the Cyclades. It is definitely worth it to stroll through the narrow streets of this ancient settlement. You will be surprised by the amount of antiquities that are incorporated in the buildings, most of which were build back in Venetian times. Don’t forget to take a look at the views from the eastern part of the citadel.

The trail starts going downhill, until it reaches a small seasonal creek. Cross it over and you will soon find yourself ascending on an old donkey trail. After passing the junction where trails 1 and 2 split, you will keep going up. Turn around and you will enjoy one of the best views of Kastro! Walking among terraced slopes and olive groves for a few kilometers, the trail will eventually lead you to the asphalt road (be very careful while crossing it). You are in a place called “Portes of Faros”. You might notice there that some dry stone walls have an interesting system on the top stone line, where the flat stones are considerably adding to the height of the wall, posed in a way that they form a triangular gap between them!

You will walk now the gentle descent to the picturesque village of Faros, main port of Sifnos till 1883, through a large paved path. Toward its end, a little before the village, the design of the path is really impressive. Faros village is an ideal place for a break. From there, a coastal path continues to the beaches of Glyfo and Apokofto, right before the Holy Monastery of Chryssopigi that is considered to be the holy protector of Sifnos.

Apollonia - Panagia tou Niliou - Vathy

Starting Point: Apollonia (Main square – Post office) / Vathi (Last bus stop)

Hiking duration: 3,5 hours

Total trail length: 9 km

Level: easy - good physical condition required

Starting in Apollonia, you will walk all along the “Steno”, the narrow, principal street of the settlement. It is considered to be a cosmopolitan spot of Sifnos, full of shops, cafes and taverns. It is a pleasant walk with architectural elements to be noticed, as well as some interesting churches. The trail will eventually lead you to Katavati, the settlement right to the south of Apollonia, where you will pass past the church of Angeloktisti (it means “built by Angels”). At the end of the village of Katavati, the trail crosses the main road in an area called Fyrogia (a few meters away you can find the Holy Monastery of Fyrogia).

From there, a short ascent on a large path will bring you to a hidden valley called “Skafi”. Along the way, way-marks indicate a few junctions with other trails. At some point, a short (60 meters) junction to the north leads to the ruined monastery of Taxiarchis Skafis. It is definitely worth a visit and it is a good place for a break. You will keep ascending till you exit the valley, right after passing by the small cave of Vougnou. A few more meters to walk, and suddenly the view to the sea, toward Milos, Kimolos and Polyaigos islands will reward you for your efforts! Continue on trail 5, till the beautiful church of Panagia tou Niliou, with its amazing “Aegean balcony”. This is also an ideal spot to rest.

As you continue the hike, you will soon reach the wider area of Mavro Chorio (translated: “The Black Village”). You will notice old huts here and there, nice terraces with impressive gates. Some of the fields are still cultivated, especially the olive groves, and it is likely that you meet some locals, accompanied with donkeys or mules to carry the crops. Leaving Mavro Chorio behind, the trail will pass by the spring of Kalamitsi (called Flea Kalamitsiou). It is a small but inexhaustible source of water, that finds its way amongst huge boulders and dry stone walls. A few hundred meters from the spring, the trail passes through two huge crags, called “Froudia Baronas”. On top of the larger crag, the archaeologists have discovered a prehistorical citadel, but it is not in a state to be visited yet.

As you exit the trail between the crags, you will hit the last descent toward Vathy, enjoying the beautiful view. The spectacular shape of the bay will welcome you to walk faster on the last couple of hundred meters of the trail!

Day notes

Car drop-off at Sifnos port, ferry boat to Amorgos (highspeed vessel type). Arrival at Amorgos, rental car pickup. Arrival at accommodation. Overnight.

Day notes

After breakfast starts the tour that you have selected from our wide range of offerings.

Choose from:

Foodie Tour

An island of a living tradition, Amorgos offers the best chance to taste authentic recipes and local goodies, following their way from production to your plate.

Our Foodie Tour will take us through the village of Langada, stopping at selected spots of local production and offerings. We will learn about honey and olive oil production, taste the traditional liquor “psimeni raki” and wine, as well as other local delicacies such as cheese and fava. Our tour will end with a light meal based on local ingredients.

INCLUDED: Guide and all food & drink tastings arranged as part of the tour.

MEETING POINT: Langada

STARTING TIME: Upon consultation

DURATION: 3.5h approx

Olive Route

Olives and olive oil are the staples of the Mediterranean diet. Through the course of centuries, the techniques of olive oil production have been modernized but the importance of this basic ingredient in the lives and culture of Greeks has remained untouched. Enjoy a peaceful walk, following olives from the groves to your plate.

Walking around Langada village, we will first have the chance to see some small olive groves. Then we will head to an old olive press, where we will be introduced to the process of turning olives into oil. In continuation, we will head to a small traditional restaurant, where we will enjoy a light meal based on local olives and home-produced olive oil. An amazing opportunity: During harvest season, you can be part of the olive picking process, produce and take home your own made olive oil! (harvest season is from October to January)

INCLUDED: Guide, visit an old olive press and light lunch.

MEETING POINT: Langada

STARTING TIME: Upon consultation

DURATION: 2.5h approx

Hiking Xylokeratidi – Nera – Katapola garden (circular) route

An easy walk, ideal if you are located in the area of Katapola but wish to get the feeling of the farming hinterland of Amorgos. We will meet outside The Big Blue Café at Xylokeratidi and we will walk past this beautiful fishing village towards its exit to the west. Walking parallel to the coast, we will reach the small settlement of Nera, and shortly afterwards we will deviate towards the interior of the island, leaving behind us the bay of Katapola.

Pure Cycladic farmland lays ahead of us as we complete a circle around the hill, before heading again towards Xylokeratidi. Our walk will conclude with a visit to the organic garden, where our local producer will introduce you to his farm and work.

MEETING POINT: Xylokeratidi (Katapola)

DIFFICULTY LEVEL: Easy to medium

INCLUDED: Visit the organic garden.

STARTING TIME: 10:00

DURATION: 3h

Hiking Chora – Milies – Katapola garden route

This is an excellent opportunity to experience the local life in the villages as well as the fields. We will meet at the upper parking area of Chora, from where we will start a tour of the capital of Amorgos. We will stop by the main points of interest and enjoy a coffee break at the traditional kafenío on the lower side of the village before we follow the marked path downhill towards Katapola. This is a beautiful walk along the stream of Fonias that will take you through some unusual island scenery before reaching the valley of Katapola. We will then head towards the organic garden, where we will enjoy a lovely break tasting local products!

MEETING POINT: Chora, parking Kalogeriko

DIFFICULTY LEVEL: Easy

INCLUDED: Coffee break and a visit to the organic garden.

STARTING TIME: 09:30

 DURATION: 3.5h

After breakfast starts the tour that you have selected from our wide range of offerings.

Day notes

After breakfast head for a day full of fun participating in your chosen activity.

Chose one of Canoe, Paddle, Snorkeling

Paddling, canoeing, or even snorkelling, so many ways to make the most out of your day at the beach and enjoy active moments!

Choose between Canoeing and Stand- Up-Paddle (SUP) to explore the surrounding waters and beaches of Amorgos.

We offer Snorkelling excursions three times per day. Fun, safe and easy, snorkeling is ideal for people who can’t dive or feel better on the surface of the sea. Snorkellers will sail out on a zodiac boat to one of the many dive sites located around Nikouria Island.

You will get the chance to see more of the island and enjoy the beautiful underwater architecture. Ideal for families and groups.

Pick your favourite activity and get ready for a day full of fun!

Day notes

Car drop-off at the port of Amorgos, ferry boat to Santorini (highspeed vessel type). Arrival at Santorini, transfer to accommodation. Overnight.

Day notes

After breakfast, you start the tour of the day. Select 1 activity from two options below:

• Ordinary Santorini’s Experience Semi-private tour - 8 hours

Starting times: 11:30

Highlights: Akrotiri Excavations, Caldera View photo stop, Black beach, Prophet Elias, Winery, Oia
Inclusions: Transfers from/to Meeting points / Winery Entrance fees
Exclusions: Lunch / Akrotiri excavations Entrance fees

DESCRIPTION:
Our licensed guide will give you the chance to discover the prehistoric town which was destroyed by the huge eruption in 1612BC.
Caldera view photo stop at Akrotiri’s village.
Free time for lunch by the sea at the black beach of Perissa.
Photostop at Prophet Elias Monastery the highest spot of the island.
Visit the only Wine Museum on the island.
The tour ends with marvelous sunset views at Oia village.

• “Cheers” Caldera Night Tour ~ 5hrs semi-private tour (up to 10 people)

Starting time: 21:30

Highlights: Imerovigli, Heliotopos cave Bar, Firostefani Caldera Fira Momix bar
Inclusions: Transfers from/to Meeting points and Cocktails

DESCRIPTION:
Stroll around the sparkling lights of caldera between Imerovigli and Fira village.
Unforgettable tastings at Heliotopos Cave Bar and Momix Bar with the unique Molecular Mixology.

• Caldera Hike 4 hours

Inclusions: Experienced English speaking hiking guide, Snacks & refreshments, Transfers from/to meeting points

The path starts from the capital city of the island, Fira, which will lead to Oia walking through the villages of Firostefani and Imerovigli.

• Full day Volcano Cruise with Sunset ~ 9hrs

Highlights: Nea Kameni (volcano), Hot springs, Thirasia, Oia (by bus)
Inclusions: English Speaking Escort, Transportation from/to meeting points around the island
Exclusions: Entrance fee at the Volcano (2,50€ / person)
Starting time: 09:45 

​​​​​​​DESCRIPTION:
After the drive to Athinios port, you will board the boat and start our trip with the first stop of the Volcano, a distance of about 15-20minutes. Your stay there is for about 1 hour and 15 minutes. To walk up to the volcano to meet the active craters is about 20 minutes through a walkable path.
After the visit of Nea Kameni, the boat continues to the island of Palaia Kameni where the Hot Springs are located. The boat anchors a few meters outside the small bay of Agios Nikolaos, it lowers down a ladder in the water and from there you can swim a distance of about 20 meters to get to the famous mud baths of Palaia Kameni for which are believed to have beneficial abilities for the skin and other diseases. The water temperature is 30-35 degrees but it constantly mixes with seawater. The boat remains here for about 30 minutes for swimming. It's quite a time since there is no beach on the small island where you can stay for a while. Continuing the tour, the boat sails to the island of Thirasia.
You have 2 hours of free time to swim in the crystal waters of Korfos or eating in traditional taverns with different dishes on the island. You can go on foot or by donkeys in the village of Manolas, which is very picturesque with narrow streets and a nice view of Santorini and worth a visit. After the 2 hours pleasant break on the island of Thirasia, we start to return back to the port sailing near the volcanic cliffs of Oia to take pictures of the unique landscape.
When we arrive in the port of Athinios there will be our bus waiting for you to get you to the village of Oia where you will have free time to walk through the narrow streets, take pictures of the mesmerizing scenery and watch the famous sunset. Right after the sunset, our bus will be waiting for you to return you back to the starting point, where it also ends.

The activities are shared and will be scheduled within the time frame of stay, upon consultation.

Day notes

Transfer to Santorini airport for departure.