Tour Code: 15280 SIFNOS AND MILOS Grade 4 Holiday Duration: 15 days Islands of the Western Cyclades HOLIDAY DATES 26th Sept 2018 - 10th Oct 2018 Sifnos and Milos, on the westernmost edge of Greece's Cycladic islands, offer visitors spectacular sunsets, sand beaches and sparkling azure seas. HOLIDAY HIGHLIGHTS Discover the island where the Venus de Milo was found. White washed villages, golden beaches and ceramics of Sifnos. Spend time with a Greek farmer, learning about the land, the vineyards and the wines. Exploring the western coastline of Milos by yacht with lunch on board. Verdant valleys, olive groves and endless trails. SIFNOS AND MILOS As the pathway contours the hillside, our yacht comes slowly into view, waiting gently in the blue sparkling waters below. Descending to the water's edge, we take in the views and climb aboard; we're ready to set sail. Sifnos and Milos, on the westernmost edge of Greece's Cycladic islands, offer visitors white cubist villages, spectacular sunsets, wonderful coastline, bleached sand beaches and sparkling azure seas. These quiet, unassuming islands offer a wealth of well trodden pathways, ancient castles and quiet churches. Enjoy the idyllic coves and empty beaches, explore volcanic terrain and wander through tranquil countryside. After spending a night in Piraeus on the Greek mainland, we take the ferry to Sifnos, a mountainous island with fertile green valleys. Cobbled footpaths link villages of white-washed houses with pretty churches and ancient towers. Endless dry-stone walls line the trails, and breathtaking views await us at every turn. The island has a long history of potters, and its ceramics are to be found in all corners of Greece. Making the short ferry journey to Milos we discover a completely contrasting island. Volcanic in origin, many visitors don't realise that Milos has perhaps the most extraordinary terrain of any of the Cyclades. Our walks take us past colourful rock formations, into caves and catacombs, along volcano craters sheltering rare cedar trees. We cross for a day to the small island of Kimolos where we'll see the geological phenomena of ‘Skiadi', rocks weathered into the shape of enormous mushrooms. The beaches are beautiful and often deserted. Our day spent on a private yacht allows us to venture along the island's west coast, with lunch on board, and is certain to be a highlight. Our day spent on a private yacht allows us to venture along the west coast of the island at our own pace with lunch on board. 16 May 2018: Please be advised that the stay in Sifnos will be at the Hotel Smaragdi. The boutique Hotel Smaragdi has just 11 rooms and is nestled in a quiet part of the village amongst elegant homes, byzantine churches, restaurants and local markets. Next door to the hotel you will find the Smaragdi coffee shop, and the hotel offers a breakfast room, bar and quiet garden. Once the hotel is full, guests will be accommodated at the nearby Myrto Bungalows with breakfast taken at the hotel. WHATS INCLUDED Return flights from Heathrow to Athens returning Milos to Heathrow via Athens (Aegean Airlines) Airport transfers Ferries and flights between islands B&B en suite accommodation Dinners at local tavernas Local walking guide on Milos All local transport costs. HOLIDAY GRADE This Grade 4 moderate holiday includes full and half day walks at a moderate pace over hilly terrain and is likely to include an element of sightseeing as well. Half day walking will probably include about 3 hours of walking, with full days having around 5 hours. Expect ascents and descents of up to about 600m. See the Walks & Excursions section for more information. Day: 15 - - (B) Leaving Milos today, we fly to Proposed Itinerary Athens where we connect with our flight to London. Whilst every effort will be made to adhere to the outlined itinerary and advertised programme, local conditions can change due to weather or other Walks & Excursions unforeseen circumstances. This may mean that An example of some of the walks we may include in routes and timings need to be amended or the order our programme on the islands of Sifnos and Milos of days may change, sometimes at short notice. (dependent on weather conditions and the ability of the group) are as follows: Key to Meals: B - Breakfast, L - Lunch, D - Dinner. Sifnos - a walkers' island with a network of well In flight meals, if appropriate, will be advised in maintained hiking trails throughout the island. your final travel documents Artemonas and Kastro: A scenic walk with some fine Day: 1 - Piraeus (D) On arrival into Athens coastal views and a chance to explore the former airport, we transfer by coach to Piraeus where we Venetian capital of Kastro. overnight for 1 night. Dinner this evening will either be at the hotel or a local restaurant 6 miles / 10km, Ascent & Descent 250m, 3½ hours Day: 2 - Sifnos (B,D) After an early breakfast, we Apollonia to Plati Gialos: Undulating ancient paths walk to the port to board our ferry for Sifnos. After and hilly countryside walking with coastal views and check in at our hotel, there will be time to relax and ending at the beach resoirt of Plati Gialos. explore our surroundings. We stay on Sifnos for 6 nights. 5 miles / 8 km, Descent 260m, 3 hours. Day: 3 to 7 - Sifnos (B,D) Our time on verdant Milos - different terrain, a must for those interested Sifnos will be spent following cobbled footpaths in geology, where we'll explore the coastal linking white-washed villages, pretty churches and landscape, volcanic ridges and catacombs from both ancient towers. Dry stone walls line the paths and land and sea. breath-taking views can be seen from many vantage points. The island's long tradition of potters means North Coast Hike: A superb walk from the that ceramics are available in every shop. prehistoric site of Phylacopi following a dramatic coastal route through the fishing village of Ag. Day: 8 - Milos (B,D) We make the short ferry Konstantinos to the spectacular lunar landscape of crossing to Milos today, where we stay in the main Sarakiniko. town or "chora" for 7 nights' accommodation. 5 miles / 8km, Undulating terrain, 3-4 hours. Day: 9 to 14 - Milos (B,D) Milos is a volcanic island and has the most extraordinary terrain of the Volcanic Hike: A walk though one of the few active Cyclades islands. Some say the sunsets here are volcanic craters in Greece, taking in the active better than Santorini! Our walks take us past fumaroles atop Kalamos and the sandy beach and colourful rock formations, into caves and catacombs, geothermal springs at Kiriaki. and along volcano craters. We'll sail over to nearby Kimolos, where the beaches are often deserted and 5½ - 8miles / 9 - 12km, Undulating terrain, 3 - 4 enjoy a day on a private yacht with lunch, enjoying hours. the west coast of the island at our own pace. Note: It may be necessary to take a smaller boat to Optional Excursions the yacht, depending on where it is moored. A range of local excursions and activities may be available to book in your destination through a local operator. We have no involvement in such activities or excursions which are not run, supervised or controlled in any way by us. Your contract will be with the local activity supplier and we accept no responsibility for their actions or omissions. Leaders Evening Briefing Each evening, your tour leader will discuss with you the programme for the following day. If you do not wish to join the organised group programme, please let the leader know. Local Transport Costs All local transport costs, in conjunction with the advertised activity programme, are included in the holiday cost. Personal Expenditure You will need to consider drinks, any meals not included in the holiday price, possible non-included entrance fees, any optional excursions you may choose to participate in locally as well as any souvenirs or additional services such as laundry when budgeting for your holiday. Small Groups Group Size Coming from all walks of life your fellow travelling companions will share your desire to discover great things and have a wonderful holiday. Enjoy their infectious enthusiasm, cameraderie and great dinner conversation. These small-group guided holidays usually have a group size of 10 - 20 people. Tour Leaders Your tour leader makes the world of difference to your holiday and ours are as passionate about discovering the world on foot as you are. They're resourceful, organised and widely travelled. They will handle all the local administration and other needs that might arise to ensure that you don't have to worry about planning your days and you can enjoy your holiday. Although leading group holidays, they won't forget that every group is made up of individuals. Each tour leader has their own individual style, talents and professional backgrounds and all are trained, qualified, experienced and dedicated to making your holiday as enjoyable, interesting and inspiring as possible. On most holidays of 7 nights and over, the tour leader will have one day's break a week, enabling you to have a 'free' day too! group transfer. We also need your flight number, Travel Details arrival time and departure point so that the group We fly from London Heathrow (LHR) to Athens leader is able to meet up with you. (ATH), returning from Milos (MLO) to London Heathrow (LHR) via Athens (ATH) with Aegean If you wish to organise your own flights from a non- Airlines. UK or provincial airport or travel by rail or car to your holiday destination, 'no-travel' reductions are On arrival the transfer from Athens Airport to the often available.