Experience Overview
Kythnos has all the extraordinary beauty and charm that we associate with the Greek Islands, but without the hustle and bustle of the popular tourist spots. Certainly, one of the lesser-known Cycladic Islands, Kythnos is one of the closest to the mainland and is renowned for its striking landscapes, golden sunsets, traditional architecture, ancient archaeological sites, and of course, its joyful community of welcoming locals. Fishermen provide the island with fresh fish every day and the lands are cultivated with care and love as the community provides exquisite products like the well-known thyme honey. Full of exceptional walking trails, this trip will take you to the most beautifully sandy beaches with clear waters, across wild countryside, and past ancient settlements with uninterrupted ocean views. You'll visit the excavation site of a 2,500-year-old ancient city, the ruins of an intriguing Byzantine castle set on a spectacular headland, and even natural hot springs by the beach. Your accommodation on Kythnos is authentically Cycladic with beautiful white stone walls and a central courtyard to bask in the Greek sunshine. You have the option to stay in traditional Greek studios on Kythnos, please quote W06KY for prices. Your last night in spent in the port town of Lavrio on the mainland. Located just 150m from a lovely sandy beach, your beautiful hotel has an outdoor pool and poolside restaurant for you to enjoy. You can also visit the nearby Poseidon temple during your stay in Lavrio.
Highlights
— Explore the remains of castles, churches, and one of Greece's largest caves — Stay in the heart of the island in tranquil accommodation, eating at traditional tavernas — Immerse yourself in the authentic Cycladic way of life with astonishing beaches and architectureTrip Details
Product Code: 22746
Tour Type: Small Group
Accommodation: Moderate
Transport:
Guide Language: English
Tour Operator: Exodus Travel
Supplier Code: W06KP
Starts: Lavrio, Greece
Finishes: Lavrio, Greece
Duration: 7 days
Departures: Not Guaranteed
Physical Rating: Average
Includes
— 6 nights single-centre accommodation — All breakfasts — Management by your local Headwater-appointed agent — Headwater navigation app — Return private car transfers between Athens airport and ferry port, and between Kythnos ferry port and hotel — Return ferry between Athens (Lavrio) and Kythnos — Car transfers as per the itineraryAccommodation
Hotel Saron, LavrioYour last night is spent in Lavrio in Mainland Greece near to Cap Sounio. Just 150m from a lovely sandy beach, Hotel Saron also has its own swimming pool for you to relax in. Their poolside restaurant serves excellent Greek cuisine for breakfast and dinner.
Price
Price per person: (Double Occupancy) CAD $2,595 ($371 /day)
Itinerary
Arrive in Athens and transfer to Lavrio port for an afternoon ferry to Kythnos (approx. 2hrs). Transfer to your accommodation in Hora, the capital of Kythnos Island, where you can enjoy dinner in a traditional Greek taverna. Overnight Chora Suites, Kythnos.
To begin your Greek getaway, your first walk takes you from Hora to Diassela where the two popular beaches of Episkopi and Apokrousi invite you in. But first, you walk up to Vryokastro, a 2,500-year-old ancient city where excavations have uncovered temples, public buildings, and a port! Head back to Apokrousi beach for a leisurely lunch break and a swim in the clear waters - there are also sea kayaks available to rent here. There's an optional 2km walk to the iconic crescent shaped Kolona Isthmus beach should you wish to visit. Your afternoon takes you through a lush valley back to Hora. Please note: a guide is required for the excavation tour which is included with your trip. Overnight Chora Suites, Kythnos.
Leave your hotel in Hora and head towards Loutra port up to Orias Castle. Here you can explore the remains of a Byzantine Castle with incredible views across to Kea Island. The castle was destroyed by the Turks in 1570, though some churches remain. You pass a 10,000-year-old Neolithic prehistoric site before reaching Loutra port with its hydrotherapy centre and hot springs running onto the side of the beach. Return to your accommodation in Hora. Overnight Chora Suites, Kythnos.
Today begins with a transfer to Dryopida, the second largest village on the island. Your walk begins at Katafiki cave, one of Greece’s biggest caves which contains stalagmites and stalactites as well as the remains of iron ore mining activities from the last century. Continue through the pedestrianised village to Panaghia Stou Mathia with washhouses that were used up until the 1970’s. Follow the coastal path to the religious site of Kanala and a nearby beach before transferring back to Hora. Overnight Chora Suites, Kythnos.
From Hora, you follow the path to an old monastery and across picturesque valleys to Aghios Ioannis beach, only accessible by foot, boat, or a 4x4 vehicle. Using a short unmarked coastal path, you can reach Aghios Stephanos for lunch, a swim, or even a snorkel. Follow a track uphill through oak trees and another valley before reaching your accommodation in Hora. Overnight Chora Suites, Kythnos.
Check out of your accommodation before transferring to Aghios Konstantinos towards the south of the island. Here, you can take a short walk to Flambouria beach along well-crafted stone steps built in the 1960’s for mules. From the end of the beach, you walk uphill and into the valley to Merichas port to try the island’s only professional producer’s wine. Take the ferry back to Lavrio where you’ll spend your last night in this lovely port town. You can visit the beach, have a swim, and enjoy a delicious dinner. Overnight Hotel Saron, Lavrio.
Transfer from your hotel in Lavrio back to Athens airport.
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Tour Operator
Exodus Travel
It’s all about adventure That is what Exodus was founded upon 50 years ago, and what the company is still all about. Discovering countries, cultures, environments, cities, mountain ranges, deserts, coasts and jungles; exploring this amazing planet we all live on. At Exodus, we know what makes you tick when it comes to holidays. It’s a desire shared by so many others. A yearning to visit new places and come home with a real sense of what they’re all about. This means delving into local traditions, cultures, cuisine, lifestyles – anything that contributes to its unique identity. At the same time, we always remember that we are only guests. So we travel courteously and respectfully, in smaller groups to minimise our impact, to ensure that every Exodus holiday is a beneficial experience for everyone involved. This is a philosophy we take with us around the world, helping you reach some incredible destinations on 500 itineraries across over 90 separate countries. We also strive to provide as much flexibility and choice as we possibly can, making it simple for you to experience a very different holiday. Exodus started life on 4 February 1974 when two friends got together to provide an overland truck to travel to the Minaret of Jam, deep in the heart of the Hindu Kush, the most inaccessible of the world’s great monuments. See our history page for more details about how we began and how we have grown over the past 50 years. Never travelled with Exodus before? Visit our New to Exodus page for some useful, first-timer information.
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