Santorini & Crete Easygoing Multi-Adventure Tour
Dolce Tempo Journey among the Mythical Greek Isles
Couples, Friends & Solos
6 days 5 nights
Activity Level: 1-2
Premiere Hotels
From: $6,299 - $6,899 pp dbl occ
($1,850 - $2,250 for sgl occ)
Two ancient Mediterranean islands. According to Greek mythology, the birthplace of Zeus and the land of the Minotaur. Today they’re legendary for a different set of reasons. Sparkling seas and inviting beaches. Epic mountaintops and seaside villages. Incredible hospitality, fresh cuisine and sumptuous lodgings. Your fate is calling. Get ready for an adventure of mythical proportions.
Greece
Start Heraklion / End Santorini
Start/End locations may vary. Do not book flights until your trip details are confirmed.
Highlights
Refreshingly Active Adventures
Journey back in time through old-world villages and historical sites as you walk and e-bike through groves of olive trees and orchards of apricots, figs and pomegranates.
Immersive Travel
Explore the vestiges of ancient civilizations on these islands. Discover the mythology that lives and breathes in the hillsides and forgotten caves of Crete, and go beyond the beaches on whitewashed Santorini.
Unique Hotels & Delectable Dining
Celebrate the natural bounty of the Mediterranean with wine tastings, lingering terrace dinners and village tavern lunches on these two idyllic isles—and indulge your senses in our luxurious hotels with spa treatments and poolside afternoons.
Itinerary
6 Days Premiere Hotels
Begin your e-biking journey with a spin through classic Cretan landscapes of villages and olive groves | Cool off with a swim in the dazzling sea or relax in the pool at our palatial resort | Sip a glass of sparkling wine and learn a traditional Cretan dance | Pause for a coffee or cold drink at a local taverna | Explore the ancient ruins at Lato, a well-preserved archaeological site with extraordinary panoramic views of Crete’s mountains and valleys | Spend an afternoon on neighboring Spinalonga Island learning more of its layered history, or consider some beach time and testing your skills on a stand-up paddleboard | Be welcomed at the Areti Monastery in Karydi | Visit the enchanting seaside town of Elounda and enjoy lunch at a local taverna | Immerse yourself in village life and enjoy dinner and drinks at your leisure | Pamper yourself at the spa or find your balance with a yoga class.
Modern, eco-friendly design and Greek tradition harmoniously coexist in this luxurious retreat with multiple pools boasting sea views and menus curated by a Michelin-starred Chef. (pool, spa)
Cross the sapphire Cretan Sea and arrive to picturesque Santorini in style | Wander the white-and-blue alleyways of the postcard-perfect town and enjoy a coffee served with a sea view | Walk the path that leads to the island’s volcanic caldera, with no shortage of viewpoints for photos | Arrive to our chic home for the next two nights, Santo Pure Oia Suites & Villas | Sample local wines made from grapes grown in the island’s volcanic soil | Visit Thirasia Island | Take one last morning walk to say goodbye to this unforgettable island.
Overlooking the dazzling Aegean Sea, this chic oasis blends elegant style with the authentic feel of this enchanting Greek isle. (pool, spa)
Dates & Prices
The earlier you book, the more choice you'll have and the lower your price. And you can always change your mind — you won't be charged to transfer to a different trip before your final payment is due. View cancellation policy.
Click on dates for pricing, itinerary variations and to book your trip. Price is per person, double occupancy in USD.
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From our Guests
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Activity Level: 1-2
Our Dolce Tempo activities allow you to leisurely explore local hidden gems and to get away from the crowds, experiencing the essence of your location on your own terms and at your own pace. Easier than our other trips, but still wonderfully active, itinerary options typically include 2-4 hours of walking, e-biking or other excursions per day. On e-bike routes, our custom electric-assist bikes allow you to pedal effortlessly. Your trip is fully supported with dedicated Trip Leaders, vans, meticulously selected routes and downloadable GPS files available for use on your own device.
Route notes
This region’s landscape is characterized by constant rises and valleys; the continuously rolling terrain and varied road conditions (as well as summertime heat) can make routes feel more challenging than the mileage may suggest. While Crete can appear at first arid and unpopulated, the local encounters and the strategic stops we make along the way reveal a different and rich story. Bits of history are woven throughout the landscape and we have chosen paths and routes that highlight this heritage.
Daily Activity Options
What's Included
Available Bike Options
On this Dolce Tempo trip, most travelers choose to ride one of our custom titanium e‑bikes (shown below). If you prefer to enjoy the daily rides without electric assistance, you’ll have the option after booking to select a different bike in your Backroads account.
Included in your trip price
Keep pace or zip ahead, pedaling with an electric boost. This bike provides plenty of power to flatten the hills and more than enough battery range to cover the distance.
Min. age to ride e-bike: 16+
Also Included
- All breakfasts, 5 lunches, 4 dinners
- Expertise and services of our experienced Trip Leaders
- Snacks and beverages between meals
- Additional guides and experts from the region on many trips
- Van shuttles to support a variety of route options
- Comprehensive Travel Planner with detailed pre-trip information
- Private guided tours at museums, historic sites, wineries and other select attractions as noted in the Travel Planner
- All gratuities at hotels and restaurants
- Special events, including wine tastings and other select attractions as mentioned in the Travel Planner
- On biking and multi-adventure trips, use of fully equipped Backroads titanium bike plus helmet and accessories
- Trailercycles, carriers, and kid-sized helmets for Family Trips
- Equipment and experienced guides for kayaking, rafting, snorkeling, sailing and canoeing as described
- Park and other entry fees
- Fares for trains, ferries and other modes of travel as listed in the Travel Planner
- Select coach transfers
- Baggage transfers and porterage
Straight talk
We want to make sure you're on the right trip and that you have the best experience possible. Every Backroads trip is unique and this one is no exception.
Terrain & Shuttles
Crete is renowned for its spectacular mountain ranges and dramatic gorges. The routes on this trip take you through the best of this diverse landscape. Level sections of riding are few and far between, and extreme seasonal changes in temperature can leave the roads weathered and worn. Also note that some routes follow quiet winding roads with minimal shoulder and few guardrails.
Shuttle Time
In order to access the most scenic biking routes and significant points of interest on this trip, strategic shuttles are incorporated into several days of our itinerary. Most will be limited to an hour or so at a time, but on some days you can expect to spend a bit more time in the shuttle. Please note that we have planned our itinerary to make the most of our time on these spectacular islands. So sit back and relax, knowing that someone else is doing the driving, and enjoy the beauty of the journey.
Ferry Crossing
We travel by public ferry across the Aegean Sea to access the wonders of Santorini Island. Be prepared for the possibility of wet windy conditions and bring seasickness medication if you think you'll need it.
Summer Heat & Crowds
Crete and Santorini are popular tourist destinations with busy peak seasons, especially during the summer months and on national holidays. We've planned our itinerary to take you off the beaten path, but crowds are common on these islands. And keep in mind that summer heat can make biking and hiking more challenging.
We want to make sure you're on the right trip and that you have the best experience possible. Every Backroads trip is unique and this one is no exception.
Crete is renowned for its spectacular mountain ranges and dramatic gorges. The routes on this trip take you through the best of this diverse landscape. Level sections of riding are few and far between, and extreme seasonal changes in temperature can leave the roads weathered and worn. Also note that some routes follow quiet winding roads with minimal shoulder and few guardrails.
In order to access the most scenic biking routes and significant points of interest on this trip, strategic shuttles are incorporated into several days of our itinerary. Most will be limited to an hour or so at a time, but on some days you can expect to spend a bit more time in the shuttle. Please note that we have planned our itinerary to make the most of our time on these spectacular islands. So sit back and relax, knowing that someone else is doing the driving, and enjoy the beauty of the journey.
We travel by public ferry across the Aegean Sea to access the wonders of Santorini Island. Be prepared for the possibility of wet windy conditions and bring seasickness medication if you think you'll need it.
Crete and Santorini are popular tourist destinations with busy peak seasons, especially during the summer months and on national holidays. We've planned our itinerary to take you off the beaten path, but crowds are common on these islands. And keep in mind that summer heat can make biking and hiking more challenging.
Featured article
While biking and hiking and kayaking trips are at the core of popular adventure travel offerings, they are not for everyone. So Backroads, a company that has long been the leader in active travel trips, has come up with an array of softer adventures for 2021.
