Greece
Athens, Kalymnos, Milos & Santorini
Athens starts with ancient ruins and a rooftop dinner facing the Parthenon, then Kalymnos brings destination rock climbing on crags that draw climbers from around the world. Milos adds cliff jumping off its lunar volcanic rock, and Santorini its whitewashed caldera towns at sunset. The route stays long enough in each place to get to know it rather than just pass through, with culture, adventure and the Aegean woven into one trip.
Four stops chosen to deliver the Greece their son had always pictured, with Kalymnos and its climbing as the anchor of the planning.
With extra time before his summer job and a high-school graduation on the books, our youngest had long admired photos of the classic blue and white Greek architecture and dramatic Aegean scenery. My husband and I had backpacked Greece in our twenties and understood the appeal immediately, particularly Santorini. Researching which islands to hit, however, also uncovered Kalymnos: a world-class rock-climbing destination that we planned the trip around. While our son is not an expert climber, he enjoys the activity on trips, and it seemed like a great spot for me to also fulfil that Mamma Mia-like fantasy. We would also be having my husband's brother and two of his kids join us partway through.
Ages in group: Tweens (8-11), Young Teenagers (12-15), Older Teens and 20s, and Adults (30-65)
That’s the first look. Members see the rest of this route.
The stays and the day-by-day, the transport, tours and restaurants they booked, and what they’d do again.