Graham Kendall says...
Very pleased with the trip. Professionally organized with great attention to detail. Good communication from online agents (lauren and Sara) and local ...
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Kythnos has all the extraordinary beauty and charm that we associate with the Greek Islands, but without the hustle and bustle of the popular tourist spots. Certainly, one of the lesser-known Cycladic Islands, Kythnos is one of the closest to the mainland and is renowned for its striking landscapes, golden sunsets, traditional architecture, ancient archaeological sites, and of course, its joyful community of welcoming locals. Fishermen provide the island with fresh fish every day and the lands are cultivated with care and love as the community provides exquisite products like the well-known thyme honey.
Full of exceptional walking trails, this trip will take you to the most beautifully sandy beaches with clear waters, across wild countryside, and past ancient settlements with uninterrupted ocean views. You'll visit the excavation site of a 2,500-year-old ancient city, the ruins of an intriguing Byzantine castle set on a spectacular headland, and even natural hot springs by the beach.
Naturally, Kythnos, a Cycladic Island, spoils visitors with its diverse seafood offerings. Among the local delights, stuffed squid stands out as a popular specialty, perfectly paired with the island's amber lager. Kythnos also treats guests to traditional delectables like crispy cheese croquettes, best enjoyed with local red wines such as 'Mavrotragano' and 'Psarosyriko'.
Your journey concludes in the mainland port town of Lavrio, where your last night is nestled just 150 metres from a sandy beach. Here, a charming hotel awaits, complete with an inviting outdoor pool and a delightful poolside restaurant. Take time to explore the nearby treasures, including the ancient Poseidon temple, as well as the enriching Archeological and Mineralogical museums.
Your accommodation on Kythnos is authentically Cycladic with beautiful white stone walls and a central courtyard to bask in the Greek sunshine. You have the option to upgrade to superior accommodation on Kythnos with stunning views and an outdoor swimming pool, please quote W06KP for prices.
Arrive in Athens and transfer to Lavrio port for an afternoon ferry to Kythnos (approx. 2hrs). Transfer to your accommodation in Chora, the capital of Kythnos Island, where you can enjoy dinner in a traditional Greek taverna.
Overnight Chora Kythnos Suites, Kythnos (breakfast included).
To begin your Greek getaway, your first walk takes you from Chora to Diassela where the two popular beaches of Episkopi and Apokrousi invite you in. But first, you walk up to Vryokastro, a 2,500-year-old ancient city where excavations have uncovered temples, public buildings, and a port! Head back to Apokrousi beach for a leisurely lunch break and a swim in the clear waters - there are also sea kayaks available to rent here. There's an optional 2km walk to the iconic crescent shaped Kolona Isthmus beach should you wish to visit. Your afternoon takes you through a lush valley back to Chora. Please note: a guide is required for the excavation tour which is included with your trip.
Overnight Chora Kythnos Suites, Kythnos (breakfast included).
Leave your hotel in Chora and head towards Loutra port up to Orias Castle. Here you can explore the remains of a Byzantine Castle with incredible views across to Kea Island. The castle was destroyed by the Turks in 1570, though some churches remain. You pass a 10,000-year-old Neolithic prehistoric site before reaching Loutra port with its hydrotherapy centre and hot springs running onto the side of the beach. Return to your accommodation in Chora.
Overnight Chora Kythnos Suites, Kythnos (breakfast included).
Today begins with a transfer to Dryopida, the second largest village on the island. Your walk begins at Katafiki cave, one of Greece's biggest caves which contains stalagmites and stalactites as well as the remains of iron ore mining activities from the last century. Continue through the pedestrianised village to Panaghia Stou Mathia with washhouses that were used up until the 1970's. Follow the coastal path to the religious site of Kanala and a nearby beach before transferring back to Chora.
Overnight Chora Kythnos Suites, Kythnos (breakfast included).
From Chora, you follow the path to an old monastery and across picturesque valleys to Aghios Ioannis beach, only accessible by foot, boat, or a 4x4 vehicle. Using a short unmarked coastal path, you can reach Aghios Stephanos for lunch, a swim, or even a snorkel. Follow a track uphill through oak trees and another valley before reaching your accommodation in Chora.
Overnight Chora Kythnos Suites, Kythnos (breakfast included).
Check out of your accommodation before transferring to Aghios Konstantinos towards the south of the island. Here, you can take a short walk to Flambouria beach along well-crafted stone steps built in the 1960’s for mules. From the end of the beach, you walk uphill and into the valley to Merichas port to try the island’s only professional producer’s wine. Take the ferry back to Lavrio where you’ll spend your last night in this lovely port town. You can visit the beach, have a swim, and enjoy a delicious dinner.
Overnight Hotel Saron, Lavrio (breakfast included).
Transfer from your hotel in Lavrio back to Athens airport.
This single-centre holiday is based at the following hotel. If you'd like to extend your stay here, or upgrade your room, just let us know at the time of booking.
To find out more call our sales team on 0044 1606 720199 or email sales@headwater.com
Find out more on the hotel website.
Read customer reviews on Tripadvisor.
NEARBY:
Extra nights: Please contact us for details.
Find out more on the hotel website.
Read customer reviews on Tripadvisor.
NEARBY:
Extra nights: Please contact us for details.
Call now to speak to our specialist team at 0044 1606 720199 or email us at sales@headwater.com for enquiries or to book your trip.
Everyone who goes on a Headwater holiday will be emailed a link to our post-holiday questionnaire where they can give us an honest assessment of all aspects of their holiday - everything from how quickly we answer the phone to how clean the hotels were - plus an overall rating and comments about their holiday.
Any feedback collected is posted to our website, so that people can make an informed decision based on past experiences before heading off on holiday. We don’t edit the reviews, the only thing we do is proofread them and alter any typos, where necessary, to ensure they are easy to read for everyone. All reviews will be published (except in certain extreme circumstances), and a member of the Headwater team will respond to any constructive criticisms/comments under the reviews, at their discretion. So, for the real tales, twists and turns of our holidays, look no further than the reviews from our previous travellers.
Very pleased with the trip. Professionally organized with great attention to detail. Good communication from online agents (lauren and Sara) and local Agent (Nigel Tutt). Hike was as described. Level of challenge was appropriate. Maps and navigation Aps were great. Transportation was flawless. Primary accommodation (Hotel Messaria in Chrora) was fantastic. Overall thr trip exceeded our expectations.
Kythnos is an beautiful island with good walking often along old mule trails/tracks. Unfortunately there is little local interest in maintaining these tracks, so they can be very rough, stony and in one or two places overgrown. Good boots are needed. We found walking poles very useful, and wore long trousers as the foliage can be spiky. Also it is a hilly island with some fairly steep ascents and descents, but the views make it worth while.
Although self guided, the support offered by Nigel Tutt, the local rep and only English man on Kythnos, is excellent. He had a guided group at the same time, but we never felt excluded. We stayed at the Hotel Messaria, which is very comfortable and run by a lovely couple, with excellent English spoken by the lady hostess. It is situated next to a small supermarket and opposite a delightful bakery and cafe. There are lots of other small shops / cafes / bars in the village which is mostly pedestrianised.
You can be confident that our pricing includes all the standard requirements of your holiday and many additional extras. Always ensure that you are comparing like for like when booking your holiday.
This 6 night self-guided walking holiday includes:
Single-centre accommodation in and hotels
All breakfasts
Briefing at the start of your holiday
Headwater navigation app for your smartphone
Guided walk of Vryokastro excavation site
Return private car transfers between Athens airport and ferry port, and between Kythnos ferry port and hotel
Return ferry between Athens (Lavrio) and Kythnos & car transfers as per the itinerary
How to book:
To book this holidays speak to our sales team on 0044 1606 720199 or click on the appropriate 'book now' or 'check availability' button below.
To book this holiday call our sales team on 0044 1606 720199 or click on the appropriate 'Book now' or 'check availability' button below.
| Departing | Tour only | Prices  |
Single supplement | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 29th Apr 2024 | US$1925 | US$1062 | Tour only: US$1925 Single supp: US$1062 |
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| Departing | Tour only | Prices |
Single supplement | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 13th May 2024 | US$1925 | US$1062 | Tour only: US$1925 Single supp: US$1062 |
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| 20th May 2024 | US$1925 | US$1062 | Tour only: US$1925 Single supp: US$1062 |
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| Departing | Tour only | Prices |
Single supplement | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3rd Jun 2024 | US$1925 | US$1062 | Tour only: US$1925 Single supp: US$1062 |
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| 10th Jun 2024 | US$1925 | US$1062 | Tour only: US$1925 Single supp: US$1062 |
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| 17th Jun 2024 | US$1925 | US$1062 | Tour only: US$1925 Single supp: US$1062 |
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| 24th Jun 2024 | US$1925 | US$1062 | Tour only: US$1925 Single supp: US$1062 |
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| Departing | Tour only | Prices |
Single supplement | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2nd Sep 2024 | US$1925 | US$1062 | Tour only: US$1925 Single supp: US$1062 |
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| 9th Sep 2024 | US$1925 | US$1062 | Tour only: US$1925 Single supp: US$1062 |
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| 16th Sep 2024 | US$1925 | US$1062 | Tour only: US$1925 Single supp: US$1062 |
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| 23rd Sep 2024 | US$1925 | US$1062 | Tour only: US$1925 Single supp: US$1062 |
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| 30th Sep 2024 | US$1925 | US$1062 | Tour only: US$1925 Single supp: US$1062 |
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| Departing | Tour only | Prices |
Single supplement | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 7th Oct 2024 | US$1925 | US$1062 | Tour only: US$1925 Single supp: US$1062 |
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| 14th Oct 2024 | US$1925 | US$1062 | Tour only: US$1925 Single supp: US$1062 |
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| 21st Oct 2024 | US$1925 | US$1062 | Tour only: US$1925 Single supp: US$1062 |
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The prices quoted for each individual departure supercede those published in our current brochures. Air prices are subject to change and we advise early booking to obtain the best prices. Please see our Planning your holiday and What's included in the price? pages for additional information.
Solo travellers
Please call for details and prices
Children
Please contact us for child prices.
Holiday type
Self-guided walking Managed by Headwater rep.
Departures
Mondays only from 29th Apr 2024 to 21st Oct 2024, for 6 nights. All dates are subject to availability, please contact us to check.
Meals
All breakfasts
This holiday does not include any flights or rail.
To book this holidays speak to our sales team on 0044 1606 720199 or click on the appropriate 'book now' button above.
If you need further information before you book simply complete our Holiday Enquiry Form and a member of our sales team will get back to you.
To book this holiday call our sales team on 0044 1606 720199 or click on the appropriate 'Book now' or 'Check availability' button below.
