Signature Greece | Songs of the Lyre

Where myth hangs in the sea breeze and sunlight gilds marble and olive, discover Greece’s ancient, living soul

Where myth and memory entwine, Greece’s story unfolds. Guided by your hand-picked Signature Guide, you’ll journey through the ages, starting among the sacred temples of Athens and ending on Crete, the birthplace of Zeus. Along the way, it’s our encounters with mortals – lyre players, wine producers, and gifted artisans – that bring the true Greece to life. A story etched into marble and passed through time.

Venture to the very heart of each destination on our Signature Collection, where every journey is shaped by our unrivalled local connections and insider expertise. Step beyond the ordinary with private invitations, rare encounters, and experiences few will ever share. So when someone says, “I’ve been there,” you’ll simply smile, knowing you’ve experienced it differently.

Signature Experiences:

• Cook alongside a Naxian family, preparing cherished island recipes in their home kitchen, each dish paired with local wines and stories of the land
• Dine and dance at Elaiolithos Estate during a private folklore evening, where live music and seasonal dishes celebrate the rhythm of island life
• Explore ancient Eleutherna, uncovering layers of myth and archaeology, before shaping your own ceramic piece in a hilltop studio in Margarites
• Spend a day at Veggera Farm, a haven of Cretan hospitality. Join your hosts in harvesting, baking, and cooking over wood fire; depending on the season, learn the art of beekeeping or gathering grapes from the vines

Signature Day: Experience our distinctive Signature Day, choosing between included activities such as a full-day catamaran cruise, marble or mosaic carving, e-biking along Naxos’ coast, cheese making with local farmers, or a traditional loom weaving class

Signature Stay: Experience elevated Cretan hospitality at Kapsaliana Village Hotel, a boutique retreat within a restored 18th-century village

Signature Guide: Let your hand-picked Signature guide lead you to the country’s soul — sharing their home, heritage, and heart

Sustainability and Impact

As a certified B Corp, we’re on a mission to improve our social and environmental impact across all our adventures.

We do this through our innovative Thriving Nature, Thriving People plan.

This ‘nature positive’ approach is designed to help nature and communities thrive in harmony through practical solutions, such as reducing carbon and waste on our trips, supporting conservation projects through the Exodus Adventure Travels Foundation, and rewilding 100 square metres for every Exodus traveller.

We also weave Signature Legacy moments into your itinerary, so the positive impact of your trip lasts long after your stay. These are moments to remember which help people and nature thrive, ensuring you build a harmonious, positive connection with the places you visit.

On this journey, you can:

• Join a local family at Veggera Farm to harvest, cook, and share traditions that sustain rural livelihoods and preserve Crete’s agricultural heritage.
• Participate in traditional Greek workshops celebrating music, craft, and culture, supporting generational artisans and preserving Greece’s timeless craftsmanship for future generations. 

Is this trip for you?

We have graded this trip Activity Level 2 (Easy & Moderate). For more information on our trip gradings please visit the Activity Level Guidelines page.

Driving times:  The longest journey takes place on Day 5, with a combined ferry and road journey of around five hours from Naxos to Kapsaliana village in Crete.

Prebooking activities: An immersive adventure of your choice awaits on the Signature Day. This activity is included – all you need to do is prebook your chosen experience at least 60 days before departure through our Signature Collection travel experts. Additionally, an optional guided mythology walk can be prebooked for Day 1.

Hikes: On Day 3 we hike for around two and a half hours, covering a distance of 2.5mi (4km), ascent 1,310ft (400m); descent 980ft (300m). On Day 7 we hike for around two hours, covering a distance of 2-3mi (3-5km).

Vaccinations and Health

Greece

There are no required vaccinations. However, you may want to consider vaccinations for tetanus, rabies and tick-borne encephalitis. Please confirm with your doctor or travel clinic.

Visa

Greece

Travellers from the UK, US and EU normally do not need a visa to enter Greece. Please note, visa requirements often change and it is your responsibility to obtain any required visas for this trip. Therefore, we recommend that you check with the nearest embassy or consulate of your chosen destination(s), including any countries you may be transiting or transferring through.

Some local governments provide guidance on what visas their citizens need. To help, we’ve gathered a selection of useful links below.

• Australia: www.smartraveller.gov.au/destinations/europe/greece
• Canada: www.travel.gc.ca/destinations/greece
• United Kingdom: www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/greece/entry-requirements
• USA:  www.travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/international-travel/International-Travel-Country-Information-Pages/Greece.html

Food & Drink

This journey is designed to deepen your connection to the country through its food and drink. Meals celebrate provenance and seasonality. From artful rooftop dining in Athens to home-cooked feasts on Naxos and Crete, food becomes a thread that binds this journey together. Dine beneath the glow of the Acropolis, enjoy a souvlaki picnic after a private archaeological tour, and gather in family kitchens to prepare recipes passed through generations.

Weather

The regions of Athens, Naxos, and Crete share a classic Mediterranean climate with long, warm summers and mild winters. Spring (April to June) brings pleasant temperatures and blooming wildflowers. Summer (July to early September) is hot and dry, with refreshing sea breezes across the islands. Autumn (September to October) is beautifully temperate, the sea still warm for swimming. Winter (November to March) is cooler and quieter.