Minotaurs and Beach Days: Greece with Children
Private guides turn ancient Athens into a mythology treasure hunt, Knossos into the lair of the Minotaur and Balos Lagoon into the best swim of the trip. This is Greece for curious kids and adventurous families, with sweet stops, Cretan coastlines and sun-warmed Aegean days. Your Destination Expert curates the perfect balance of adventure and downtime for the whole family.
- Duration
- 10 days, 9 nights
- Route
- Athens · Chania · Elounda · Heraklion
- Style
- Private and tailor-made: your own guide and driver throughout
- From
- $6,310 per person, hotels, guides and transfers included
- Hunt Percy Jackson myths through Athens on a private mythology walk with a specialist guide.
- Sail to Balos Lagoon on a private motorboat and swim in some of Crete's most turquoise waters.
- Walk Chania Old Town with a local guide, tasting Cretan cheeses, olives and market sweets.
- Unravel the myth of Knossos then let Elounda slow everything down to sun, sea and family time.
- Your Destination Expert curates kid-friendly stops, reservations and island pacing in Greece.
Every day, already yours.
You’ve Arrived
Upon arrival to Athens airport, an English-speaking Meet & Greet Assistant will welcome you and escort you to your waiting driver. They will travel with you to your accommodations to ensure a smooth check-in and be on hand to answer any questions you may have about your itinerary or the destination.
- Private Airport Transfer with Meet & Greet Assistance
- Greece Arrival Welcome Package
- Dining Reservation at Tzitzikas & Mermigas
A Journey Back in Time
Walk into ancient Athens with your private guide, beginning at the UNESCO-listed Acropolis, where sunlit marble paths, weathered columns, and wide city views make the myths feel close. A short transfer brings you toward the hill, passing the Temple of Olympian Zeus, Hadrian’s Arch, and the Panathenaic Stadium along the way.
- Private Athens Acropolis, Museum & City Highlights | 5 hrs
- Athens Self Guided Souvlaki Evening Stroll
Mythology & Sweet Treats
Set out on foot with your specialist guide for a mythology treasure hunt through Athens, following clues, riddles, and creative challenges that reveal a city shaped by gods and heroes. Stories of Athena, goddess of wisdom, lead the way, while darker tales of Hades and the underworld add just enough suspense for young mythology fans.
- Private Mythology Treasure Hunt Walk with Percy Jackson Highlights | 4 hrs
- Athens Sweet Treats Evening Stroll at Your Own Pace
A Change of Scenery
Board a flight in Athens with direct service to Chania. Approximate flight duration is 50 minutes.
- Private Airport Transfer
- Air - Athens - Chania [Direct, 50 mins] - Economy
- Private Airport Transfer
- Dining Suggestion: Tamam Restaurant
Old Town & Seaside Rhythm
This morning, enjoy time at leisure to explore at your own pace, or simply unwind at your hotel and recharge for what is next.
- Morning at Leisure
- Private Walking Experience in the Old Town of Chania with Tastings | 4 hrs
- Self Guided Beach Day at Your Own Pace
Hidden Coves & Harbor Strolls
Sail into a paradise where turquoise waters, pristine white sands, and ancient legends come together on this private motorboat escape to Balos Lagoon and Gramvousa Island. Your expert skipper awaits at the old port of Chania, ready to navigate the shimmering Aegean as you glide toward Balos, a breathtaking natural wonder where pink-tinged shores and crystal-clear waters create a serene oasis.
- Balos Lagoon & Gramvousa Island by Motorboat: A Journey to Paradise (5 hrs) - Private
- Venetian Harbor Sunset Walk and Treats for Families
Across Crete Through Myth & History
Turn the transfer from Chania to Elounda into a full-day family journey through Crete’s myths, caves, harbors, and ancient palace ruins. Travel with your private guide and driver to Melidoni Cave, where shadowed chambers and local legends set the tone for younger travelers, then pause in Rethymno to explore the Venetian harbor and enjoy lunch at your leisure (meal cost not included).
- Chania to Elounda via Knossos Mythology Journey | 8.5 hrs
Seaside Living in Elounda
Settle into an easy family day by the sea, with time to swim off the beach or unwind by the resort’s pools. Younger guests can dip into the Kid’s Club and playground, with a mix of indoor and outdoor activities. For grown-up downtime, the Penthouse Spa offers wellness and treatments with sea views, and water sports are available nearby.
- Elounda Beach Hotel and Villas Day at Leisure
- Dining Reservation at Giovannis Fish Tavern in Plaka
Hidden Gems
Travel through Eastern Crete on a private, half-day journey from mountain villages to the Aegean shore. With your expert guide and private driver, explore Kritsa, one of the island’s oldest villages, where stone houses and weaving traditions reflect enduring rural life. Continue to Azoria, an early hilltop city-state where geography once shaped power and survival.
- Private East Crete Journey from Mountain to Sea | 5 hrs
Until Next Time…
Meet your driver for a private transfer from Elounda to Heraklion. Approximate transfer time is 1 hour.
- Private Transfer Elounda to Heraklion | 1 hr
Where you will wake up.
NYX Esperia Palace
NYX Esperia Palace Athens brings a bold, art-led energy to Stadiou Avenue in central Athens, just steps from Syntagma Square and within easy reach of the Acropolis, Ancient Agora, and Plaka.
Hilton Chania Old Town Resort & Spa
Hilton Chania Old Town Resort & Spa is a contemporary seaside retreat set just moments from Chania’s historic Old Town, with the Venetian Port and waterfront within easy walking distance.
Elounda Beach Hotel & Villas
Set along Crete’s northeastern shoreline, Elounda Beach Hotel & Villas unfolds across 40 acres of waterfront where sea breezes, olive groves, and quiet coves shape the pace of each day. Rooms, bungalows, and villas sit close to the water, some with private pools, offering a sense of space and privacy.