Santorini, Greece
Backroads Santorini & Crete Family Multi-Adventure Tour - Teens & Kids
Family of cyclists on the beach in Greece
Santorini & Crete Multi-Adventure Tour
Cave and ocean view in Crete, Greece
Santorini & Crete Multi-Adventure Village Street
Backroads Santorini & Crete Family Multi-Adventure Tour - Teens & Kids
Santorini, Greece
Multi-Adventure
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Santorini & Crete Multi-Adventure Tour - For Families with Teens & Kids

Sun-Splashed Mythical Greek Isles

Best for ages 9+ (Ages 4+ ok) | Min. age to ride own bike: 9+ | Min. age to ride e-bike: 16+

Family — Teens & Kids

6 days 5 nights

Activity Level: 2-4

Premiere Hotels

From: $5,899 - $6,249 pp dbl occ

($1,500 for sgl occ)

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.

Walk/Hike
Bike
Kayak
Yoga
Greece Santorini & Crete Family Multi-Adventure Tour map
Greece Santorini & Crete Family Multi-Adventure Tour map

Greece

Start Heraklion, Crete / End Santorini

Start/End locations may vary. Do not book flights until your trip details are confirmed.

Highlights

  • 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 Akrotiri and admire the glistening turquoise bay from a new vantage point
  • Engage in a fun pasta-making experience and tasting at an organic olive oil farm (just for kids)

Itinerary

Accommodations may vary based on departure date.
6 Days Premiere Hotels
Accommodations may vary based on departure.
Days 1-3
Description

Start your Cretan journey biking past tiny villages and olive groves | 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 | Visit the Areti Monastery in Karydi, a fortified site still inhabited by monks | Kids learn to make pasta 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 sailboat and then dip in the sea and swim off the boat | 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 the pool at our magnificent hotel.

Accommodations
Exterior view of Cayo Exclusive Resort & Spa
Cayo Exclusive Resort & Spa
Plaka
| Premiere Hotel

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)

Days 4-6
Description

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 | A family game brings Greek history to life as you navigate the small alleyways of Pyrgos—the ancient former capital of Santorini during the Venetian Occupation | 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 morning walk for a perfect lasting memento.

Accommodations
Pool Vedema Resort Santorini
Vedema Resort Santorini
Santorini
| Premiere Hotel

Hidden in an ancient village, this bright and stylish family-friendly retreat features traditional Cycladic design and excellent amenities. (pool, spa)

Looks like you’re traveling with a smaller group

Our Private Trips are best for groups of 6 or more. We suggest joining a scheduled trip.

Please Select a Group Size

Group size is required to show per-person pricing. Your group size can be approximate and can change.

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

* Includes shuttle.
Day 1
Biking
Level 2 | 7 miles* | 900 ft. gain
Level 3 | 15 miles | 1500 ft. gain
Day 2
Walking & Hiking
Level 2 | 3 miles | 300 ft. gain
Level 3 | 4 miles | 600 ft. gain
Other
Lato Archaeology Site Visit (45 minutes)
Spinalonga Island Cruise & Walking Tour (1.5 hours)
Just For Kids
Olive Oil Farm Visit & Pasta-Making (1.5 hours)
Day 3
Biking
Level 2 | 7 miles* | 300 ft. gain
Level 3 | 18 miles | 1500 ft. gain
Level 4 | 25 miles | 2400 ft. gain
Yoga
1 hour
Day 4
Other
Ferry to Santorini (2 hours)
Walking & Hiking
Level 1 | 2 miles | 600 ft. gain
Other
Visit to Symposium Cultural Center (1 hour)
Just For Kids
Instrument Workshop (1 hour)
Day 5
Walking & Hiking
Level 2 | 2 miles | 400 ft. gain
Level 3 | 5 miles | 900 ft. gain
Kayaking
at Akrotiri (2 hours) | min. age: 7+
Day 6
Other
Morning Walking Tour (1 hour)

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! Please note that bike requests are subject to availability and prioritized based on the date they're submitted.

Click the arrow to see all bike options.

Backroads Performance Road Bike
Backroads Performance Road Bike
Performance Road Bike

Included in your trip price

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. 

Backroads Touring Bike
Backroads Touring Bike
Touring Bike

Included in your trip price

A proven classic, this 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.

Backroads Electric-Assist Bike
Backroads Electric-Assist Bike
Electric-Assist Bike

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+

Child's Bike
Child's Bike
Kids' Bikes

Included in your trip price

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.

Burley Kazoo Trailer Bike
Burley Kazoo Trailer Bike
Trailer Bike

Included in your trip price

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.

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.

Ask a trip expert

Have a question and need expert advice? Our team of Trip Consultants is here to help! You can also visit our Help Center.

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