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Santorini & Crete Family Multi-Adventure Tour - Teens & Kids
Sun-Splashed Mythical Greek Isles
Beaches, deep mountain gorges and incredible history. Like a gift from the gods, Crete is a vacation paradise. Ride quiet roads on the outskirts of bustling port towns. Hike rugged island terrain and savor tranquil moments on the sea. Then journey across the Aegean to breathtaking Santorini. Ancient Mediterranean islands, world-class hospitality, luxurious coastal retreats. This family trip is legendary.
THIS ITINERARY: 6 days, 5 nights
ACCOMMODATIONS: Premiere Hotels
Greece
Start Heraklion, Crete / End Santorini
Start/End locations may vary. Do not book flights until your trip details are confirmed.
- Ride through a storied landscape and vestiges of great civilizations on the stunning island of Crete
- Hike and explore amid Santorini's iconic streets, then splash around or simply sit back at our exquisite hotel
- Kayak around Spinalonga Island, where Venetian ruins blend with remnants of an ancient acropolis
- Engage in a fun cheese-making experience and tasting at an organic olive oil farm (Just for kids)
6 Days Premiere Hotels
Start your Cretan journey biking past tiny villages and citrus groves | Visit the Areti Monastery in Karydi, a fortified site still inhabited by monks | Hike rugged paths through coastal gorges and an idyllic Mediterranean countryside | Engage with locals at a co-op where they teach cooking methods that have been passed down through generations | Kids learn to make cheese and olive oil at an organic farm | Grown-ups sip sparkling wine and other regional varietals | Bike quiet roads from the island's wild interior to the Aegean Sea | Sample regional dishes and enjoy Cretan hospitality at local cafés | Take in tranquil vistas of Spinalonga Island from a traditional sail boat and then explore on foot | Find your balance in a yoga class by the beach or pamper yourself at the spa | Cool off with a swim in the sea or in your private infinity pool at our magnificent hotel.
Luxurious bohemian atmosphere and private infinity pools with stunning views of the sea are just part of what makes this island resort feel so appropriately named. (pool, spa)
Ferry across the jewel-toned Sea of Crete to awe-inspiring and alluring Santorini | Wander through picturesque mazelike walkways, past the island's signature blue and white buildings that climb uphill like an architectural bougainvillea | Kayak the bays of the region's famously unique red-, white- and black-sand beaches | Hike one of Santorini's most scenic volcanic trails | Luxuriate in the elegant simplicity of our hotel in the Greek village of Megalochori | Listen to millennia-old instruments and mythological stories | Capture the beauty of the Cyclades during a sunrise walk for a perfect lasting memento.
Hidden in an ancient village, this bright and stylish family-friendly retreat features traditional Cycladic design and excellent amenities. (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.
Activity Level: 2-4
Every Backroads trip is designed to appeal to a wide variety of interests and fitness levels. Several routes and a range of levels are offered each day so you can choose how much or how little activity you want to do. Learn more about how we determine activity levels.
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.
Daily Route Options
What's Included
Available Bike Options
The key to a stellar day's ride is a bike that's perfectly in tune with your cycling style… Backroads has you covered with the best bike fleet in the world! Read on for your available bike options for this trip.
This custom-designed titanium bike is lightweight and responsive, featuring Shimano Ultegra Di2 electronic shifting, 11-speed compact gearing, a premium Mavic Ksyrium Pro wheelset and a full carbon fork.
A proven classic, our most popular custom-designed titanium bike is suited for a wide range of cyclists. It features a comfortable ergonomic seat and a long wheel base that add to the bike’s control and stability.
Our newly redesigned titanium e-bike is a lightweight yet powerful machine unique in the world of e-bikes. It provides plenty of power to flatten the hills and more than enough battery range to cover the distance.
Backroads is the only travel company to manufacture its own line of kid's bikes. While the wheels might be small, the performance is big—it's the perfect choice for kids. On our Family Trips, you'll find 20" and 24" bikes.
The Burley Kazoo trailer bike, for children up to 85 pounds, attaches to an adult bike with your child providing some of the pedal power for a real team effort! It's ideal for kids who aren't yet ready for bike touring.
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.
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, with some steep ascents and descents. Level sections of riding are few and far between, and the winters can leave the roads weathered and worn. Also note that some routes follow quiet winding roads with minimal shoulder and few guardrails. We'll flatten some of the hills with strategic shuttles to give you a boost (and to bypass some busier areas), but you should be comfortable with some long downhills or hopping in the van for a lift.
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. Rest assured that we have planned our itinerary to make the most of our time on this spectacular island. 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 sea sickness 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 small islands. Keep in mind that summer heat can make biking and hiking more challenging.
Santorini is a Greek island like no other. Stunningly beautiful and distinct from its neighbors in the southern Cyclades, its overwhelmingly gorge...
