Tours in Greece

Sunset Meteora Private Photography Tour

When Noah from our BugBitten team caught this tour, we climbed to the stone monasteries of Meteora during that sweet window before dark, when the light turns amber and everything softens. You're driven to prime vantage points high above the plains, then stationed with a local guide as the sun dips. Four hours door-to-door from your hotel, it's a focused play for light and landscape—not rushed, not overstuffed. The rock formations themselves are genuinely dramatic, rising like ancient sentries, and shooting them as day fades is exactly what this tour banks on.

Private Mountain Bike,Trail Ride Tour of Mount Ymittos, Athens.

When Jake from our BugBitten team rode Mount Ymittos just outside Athens, he found proper single-track terrain without the tourist crowds. This is a private mountain bike experience tailored to your skill level — whether you want flowy descents, technical rock gardens, or jump lines. The mountain sits right above the city, so you're pedalling with views of the Acropolis and urban sprawl below. Rides run 3 hours and the area stays rideable year-round thanks to the Greek climate. It's the kind of local gem that makes you realise Athens has serious riding within spitting distance of the Parthenon.

3 hoursfrom AUD $134

Private Half day - Best of Santorini and Wine Tasting tour

★ 5.0 (20)

Private Half day - Best of Santorini and Wine Tasting tour

When Noah from our BugBitten team booked this private half-day tour, we got the full Santorini experience without fighting tour groups. It's a 6-hour circuit in a comfortable air-conditioned minivan with your own English-speaking driver-guide, hitting the island's showstoppers: Oia's white-cube villages clinging to cliffs, Akrotiri's Minoan ruins, and the volcanic black sand beaches. You'll stop for photos at every turn and finish at a local winery for a tasting. The whole thing feels bespoke — your driver steers toward what interests you, and the pace is leisurely rather than frantic. It suits couples, small families, and anyone wanting to see the highlights without the cruise-ship crush.

Organic and Vegan Indigenous Wine Tasting Private Experience

When Alex from our BugBitten team booked this organic and vegan wine tasting in Greece, we got six Greek wines guided by a certified sommelier in a private setting. The experience zeros in on biodynamic and vegan-certified drops from local wineries — think Assyrtiko, Xinomavro, and Malagouzia — with winery presentations thrown in. It's a tight one-hour session that cuts straight to the wine without the dinner theatre. You'll walk away with tasting notes and a cheat sheet to decode what you've just tried. The setup suits wine nerds keen to explore Greek viticulture on their own terms, without a big group hanging over your shoulder.

Akrotiri: Couples’ Massage & Pool Day Relaxation Experience

When Sarah from our BugBitten team tested this Akrotiri couples' package, she found a solid option for travellers with an evening flight out of Santorini who want to dodge the airport lounge shuffle. You get a side-by-side massage in a private spa setting, plus pool and lounging access — the kind of setup that lets you relax genuinely rather than kill time. It's pitched at couples wanting to unwind before departure, and the whole experience runs 1 hour for the massage itself (with prep and shower time built in). The Akrotiri location means you're off the main tourist drag, which felt like a genuine escape rather than yet another poolside scene.

Captivating Morning Meteora Monasteries Tour-up to 9 people

When Charlie from the BugBitten team tried this four-hour morning run around Meteora, the sun was still low and the sandstone pillars were catching it in shades of orange. Meteora sits in central Greece, where monasteries perch on top of enormous rock columns, and the early hours are the calmest time to see it before the bigger crowds arrive. This tour loads you into an air-conditioned minibus with a small group, then moves between viewpoints where you can see all six monasteries from a distance. A local English-speaking leader fills in the history as you go, and you step inside three of the monasteries. Entry fees to each monastery are separate, so budget a little extra. Charlie found it a good balance of scenery and stories, and it suited anyone who wanted a proper look at the site without rushing through a checklist.

Spearfishing in Chania, Crete (price is per group)

When Lily from our BugBitten team joined this Cretan spearfishing adventure, we got a proper taste of how locals actually work the Aegean. Panagiotis, who's been diving since childhood, teaches you freediving basics then takes you out on a RIB to hunt fish together — or if you're less keen, you can watch him do the heavy lifting while you snorkel nearby. Either way, you're cooking and eating your catch on the boat afterwards. It's six hours of salt water, real skill, and food that couldn't be fresher. Suits anyone with a reasonable fitness level and a curiosity about how Cretans have fished these waters for generations.

6 hoursfrom AUD $1419

From Heraklion-PRIVATE Kourtaliotiko Waterfalls-Prevelis Beach

🌿 Nature & Wildlife

From Heraklion-PRIVATE Kourtaliotiko Waterfalls-Prevelis Beach

When Ben from our team ran this private tour out of Heraklion, we got a proper taste of southern Crete's rugged side — gorges, waterfalls, palm-fringed beaches, and old villages all in one 8.5-hour loop. The day kicks off with coffee overlooking Agia Pelagia, then down into Kourtaliotiko Gorge for a swim under the falls, across to Prevelis Beach with its palm forest, and back via a local lunch stop (your shout). It's the kind of flex-your-own-pace tour that works best with a driver who knows the back roads and the cold-water spots worth hitting.

8h 30mfrom AUD $584

4h private tour of Santorini's sights

When Em from our BugBitten team booked this private 4-hour Santorini tour, we expected the classic island highlights—and got them, delivered efficiently in a comfortable Mercedes with a driver who knew the island well. You'll cover Fira's bustling centre, Oia's famous sunset-watching crowds, the caldera views, and the volcanic landscape that makes Santorini unmistakable: the contrast of white-washed buildings against deep blue sea, red and black sand beaches, and lava-sculpted rocks. It's a solid introductory loop for first-timers who want to see the major sights without the hassle of public buses, though the 4 hours means you're moving through each spot rather than lingering long.

4 hoursfrom AUD $334

7 hours – 8 hoursfrom AUD $417

Private Day Trip to Nafplio from Athens

When Tom from our team did this private day trip to Nafplio, we drove south through the Peloponnese — ancient, mythologically charged, and worlds away from central Athens. You get seven to eight hours in a comfortable air-conditioned car with a knowledgeable local driver, meaning the pace is yours: linger at viewpoints, skip bits that don't grab you, chat properly with someone who knows the landscape. Nafplio itself is genuinely striking — Venetian fortresses perched above the waterfront, steep cobbled laneways, and that sea-light that makes photos look unreal. It's a solid escape for history buffs and anyone keen to see the Peloponnese without wrestling with public transport or tour-bus crowds.

Olive Oil Tour & Tasting with sommelier -Kalentzi, Athens daytrip

🍜 Food & Cooking

Olive Oil Tour & Tasting with sommelier -Kalentzi, Athens daytrip

When Ben from our team tried the Olive Oil Tour & Tasting in Kalentzi, just outside Athens, we got a proper education in what makes Greek olive oil tick. You're paired with a sommelier who walks you through nose and palate work—sniffing for fruitiness, tasting bitter and peppery notes—while picking up tricks for spotting quality oils and pairing them in the kitchen. The 2-hour session covers Mediterranean diet basics and health angles too. It's the kind of small-group thing where you leave understanding why locals treat their oil seriously, not just grabbing a bottle off the shelf.

2 hoursfrom AUD $134

8 hours – 10 hoursfrom AUD $673

Photo shooting session in Mykonos town

When Jake from our team booked a photo session in Mykonos town, he got the full guided tour treatment — but with a camera in hand. Ioanna and George walk you through the old town's most photogenic corners: the harbour, the iconic Paraportiani church, whitewashed laneways, and Little Venice with its famous windmills. The 90-minute session wraps with at least 50 polished shots delivered online within two days. It's a smart move if you're travelling with family or mates and want proper shots instead of phone snaps, though you're paying for professional photography rather than a sightseeing tour.

Aegina town walking tour

When Em from our team ran this three-hour walking tour through Aegina town, we got the feel of how locals actually move through the place — past the port, through narrow streets, and into the rhythms of island life. The guide steers you toward genuine spots rather than the obvious postcard angles, and the highlight lands at a proper traditional café where you stop for ouzo, tsipouro, wine or beer with meze. It's pitched as a cultural primer, not a sprint, so the pace suits anyone keen to absorb rather than tick boxes.

Private Transfer from Thessaloniki Airport to Sani Resort

When Em from our BugBitten team used this private transfer from Thessaloniki Airport to Sani Resort, it was a straightforward 50-minute ride that beat the airport queues. You get a modern, air-conditioned car with a driver who tracks your flight, so they'll be waiting when you land—no guessing, no delay. It's the sensible option if you're heading straight to the resort and want to skip the faffing about with shuttles or taxis. One suitcase and carry-on per person, plus bottled water included.

Paul's Missionary Journey Athens-Corinth Full day Tour

When Ben from our team took this full-day tour, we traced the Apostle Paul's footsteps across Athens and Corinth—stepping back to 50 A.D. with a Christian driver-guide who knows the Bible inside out. The tour is flexible; you set the pace, stopping for photos, beach time, meals, or shops as you like. We're picked up from our hotel and driven in an air-conditioned van through Greece's classical heartland, with bottled water and onboard WiFi included. It's a solid blend of history, faith, and local context, though you'll need to budget separately for food and the Ancient Corinth entry fee.

Santorini Private Catamaran Cruise and Therasia Island

🐠 Water Activities

Santorini Private Catamaran Cruise and Therasia Island

When Tom from our team booked this private catamaran cruise out of Vlychada, we found ourselves with the kind of flexibility that makes a real difference in Santorini. You're given your own boat and crew for five hours, steering the itinerary around your mood — swim at Red Beach or Mesa Pigadia, soak in the volcanic hot springs, island-hop to Thirasia, and eat Greek lunch on deck with local wine flowing. It's packed with tourists in peak season, but sailing your own rig beats the ferry-boat cattle market by a country mile. The crew handles navigation and lunch; you handle the relaxation.

5 hoursfrom AUD $807

Athens & Eleusis Full Day Private tour

When Charlie from our team booked this Athens & Eleusis full-day private tour, we got a solid driver-led introduction to three heavyweight historical sites without the group-tour crush. You'll hit the Acropolis district, detour to Dafni Monastery (a stunning Byzantine gem), then push out to Eleusis where ancient Greeks once practiced their secret religious rites. It's eight hours door-to-door, with your own vehicle and knowledgeable driver — though here's the catch: the driver stays in the van once you're at the sites themselves. This works best if you're happy self-navigating or springing for a licensed guide separately. Athens traffic shapes the day, so flexibility helps.

8 hoursfrom AUD $309

4 hours – 5 hoursfrom AUD $649

Santorini Private Tour

When Charlie from our BugBitten team did this private tour, we got a solid five-hour spin through Santorini's standout spots without the usual coach-load crowds. You're collected by a driver who doubles as guide, whisking you through Oia's whitewashed lanes, up to Profitis Elias for sweeping caldera views, and down to the volcanic Red Beach. The Aegean sprawls below you most of the way. It's the kind of pace that lets you actually linger—snap photos by those three famous bells, take in the red cliffs—rather than racing between checkpoints. Works for most fitness levels.

Santorini Volcanic Wine Tour – Private Tasting with Local Expert

When Ben from our team did this Santorini wine tour, we got a proper insider's look at how volcanic rock and sea wind shape the island's wines. You're driven to three working vineyards in a private car, tasting up to a dozen wines with a local expert who knows the story behind each pour — from the quirky basket-shaped vines to the winemaking traditions that make Santorini distinctive. It's a four to five hour experience built for couples and serious wine nerds, with tastings, light snacks, and the kind of pace that lets you actually absorb what you're drinking rather than rush through.

Palace of Knossos - Early Morning Ticket and avoid crowds

🛕 Culture & History

15 min – 1 hourfrom AUD $42

Palace of Knossos - Early Morning Ticket and avoid crowds

When Noah from our team did this early-morning skip-the-line tour at Knossos Palace, we beat the crowds that swarm the site by midday. You get a licensed guide walking you through 90 minutes of Bronze Age Minoan ruins—colonnades, frescoes, storage chambers—with the palace nearly to yourself at that hour. It's the ancient capital of Crete, sprawling and maze-like, set on a hillside outside Heraklion. The tour moves at a steady pace; you're on your feet the whole time, climbing stairs and navigating uneven ground. Small group, entry ticket included, headsets if numbers swell past six. Worth booking if you're staying near Heraklion and want the site without the crush.

Corfu Private Transfer from or to Airport and Port

When Noah from our BugBitten team caught a transfer from Corfu Airport to town, we found this private service hits the mark for travellers who'd rather not wrestle with local buses or negotiate taxi fares on arrival. You book ahead, a local driver with English picks you up, and delivers you straight to your hotel, Airbnb, or port—no stops, no faffing. The vehicle's air-conditioned, there's complimentary bottled water, and if you're travelling with littlies, baby seats come free. It's a solid 15 minutes to an hour depending on where you're headed, and it's the kind of thing that takes the sting out of landing in a new place tired.

🌿 Nature & Wildlife

5 hours – 7 hoursfrom AUD $140

Ultimate Athens Sunrise Hike!

When Lily from our team tackled this Athens sunrise hike, she was climbing to the city's highest point well before dawn—and it was worth the early alarm. You're looking at 90 minutes of steady uphill walking to catch the sun rising over Athens from a genuinely commanding vantage point. The hike runs year-round, which means you can nail this regardless of season. The payoff is real: watching the city transition from night to day, all those 360-degree views spreading out beneath you, and plenty of quiet before the day crowds arrive. It's a proper workout, though, and the early start weeds out anyone not genuinely keen.

Private Walk Women in Ancient Greece

When Charlie from our BugBitten team walked this Athens route, we got a two-hour read on women who shaped ancient Greek culture—from Sappho's poetry to Aspasia's influence, Agnodice's medicine, and the goddess myths that framed everyday life. The tour threads through the city hitting archaeological sites from street level (no entry fees), unpacking the harder questions: what was it really like for wives, slaves, sex workers, and Spartan girls in that world? It's less about marble columns and more about the people—and the power—usually left out of the story.

Hiking on Rhodes countryside. Discover the flora, fauna, history, tradition

When Charlie from our team tried this hike, we expected a pleasant walk and came away with a clearer sense of how Rhodes works beyond the beach resorts. The route runs through the island's interior, where the countryside feels quiet and lived-in: olive groves, citrus orchards, pines and cypresses, grapevines, and the occasional goat watching you pass. Along the way the guide points out local plants and wildlife, shares the island's history under the Knights of Saint John, and explains customs that still shape village life. Sea views open up at a few lookout points, and old aqueduct remains add a bit of history to the scenery. The day runs roughly five to seven hours, with a traditional Greek light lunch eaten outdoors partway through. Expect a fair amount of walking on uneven ground, so this suits people who are reasonably fit and happy to be on their feet for most of the day.

Private Mykonos Tour with Luxury car

When Sarah from our team tried this private tour, she expected a whistle-stop blur and came away with a clearer picture of the island than she'd managed on foot. The route is a Range Rover loop through Mykonos's best-known corners: the lighthouse, the windmills on the ridge above Chora, the narrow lanes of Little Venice, and the whitewashed Paraportiani church. It then heads inland to Ano Mera village and the Monastiri stop. Mykonos is compact, so covering this much ground in one afternoon is realistic without feeling like you're being bussed around. The scenery is sun-bleached white walls, blue shutters and windy coastline, and the roads are busy with rental scooters and tour coaches in peak season. The tour runs about three and a half hours with a guide who knows which viewpoints are worth a pause. Sarah's verdict: efficient, comfortable, and a useful way to work out where you'd like to return for longer.

Athens Airport-To Nafplio/Tolo-Private Taxi up to 3 pax

When Ben from our team booked this airport transfer, he was heading straight from Athens International to the Peloponnese after a long-haul flight, with no appetite for bus timetables or metro changes. The service is a private taxi run from the airport to a hotel or apartment in Nafplio, or to Tolo, with a driver who is already waiting for you on arrival. The route pulls you out of the capital's sprawl onto the motorway, with olive groves, dry hills and the occasional whitewashed village sliding past the window. Nafplio is a small harbour town shaped by Venetian and Ottoman history, the sort of place where locals and visitors stroll the waterfront in the evening and the old quarter is all balconies and bougainvillea. Allow roughly two hours, though Athens traffic can stretch that. Ben's verdict: a sensible way to start a Greek holiday rested rather than frazzled.

Best of Rhodes, Lindos & BEACH Time - Full-Day PRIVATE Tour:

When Mia from our team tried this private day out of Rhodes, the driver was waiting just outside the cruise ship, so there was no hunting about at the port. The tour is built around a private vehicle, which means you set the pace: a loop of the island's highlights, a long lunch at a seaside tavern, or a proper spell on one of Rhodes' beaches. The island mixes medieval stonework, bougainvillea-draped lanes and very blue water, and the spots that fill up with cruise groups by midday feel calmer when you're in your own car. Around seven hours is enough to see Lindos and still get some sand between your toes. Our BugBitten team liked that the drivers are locals who know which tavern is worth the detour and which one is just a postcard stop.

Athens Airport To Piraeus Port Private Arrival Transfer

When Mia from our team booked this private transfer, she wanted to see whether a pre-arranged ride from Athens International Airport to Piraeus Port could take the stress out of arriving somewhere new with luggage in tow. The trip runs about 50 minutes, a comfortable stretch after a long flight. Piraeus isn't the postcard Athens of the Acropolis. It's a working port with ferry terminals, waterfront cafés and a constant flow of people heading to the islands or back into the city. Expect a mix of travellers in a hurry, families with prams and locals going about their day. Our BugBitten take: if you'd rather skip working out the right bus, train or taxi queue after a flight, this is a sensible way to do it. It isn't a sightseeing outing, and that's fine. Think of it as a calm, door-to-harbour handover rather than a holiday highlight.

Private Departure Transfer from Athens City to Athens Airport

When Noah from our team booked this private departure transfer, he wanted to see how a hotel-to-airport run in Athens actually feels when you're leaving the city with a flight to catch. The service picks you up from your hotel or apartment in the city centre and drives you directly to Athens International Airport, which sits out in the Mesogeia area east of the city, a fair stretch from the old town's crowded lanes. The pickup time is set around traffic and your flight, so the driver works backwards from your departure rather than offering a fixed slot. Our trip took around 50 minutes door to door. Athens traffic can be lively at busy hours, but the motorway out to the airport is wide and generally keeps things moving. Expect a mix of commuters, families with luggage and travellers in holiday mode, all glad of a seat that doesn't involve a bus timetable or a tram transfer with heavy bags.

50 minfrom AUD $65

Cape Sounion Tour: Enjoy Monumental Sites, Drone Photography

7 hours – 9 hoursfrom AUD $165

Cape Sounion Tour: Enjoy Monumental Sites, Drone Photography

When Lily from our BugBitten team tried this Cape Sounion day out, she came back with sandy shoes, a camera roll full of aerial shots and a fresh sense of how close Athens sits to the sea. The tour runs roughly seven to nine hours and links several stops along the Athenian Riviera. First up is a viewpoint over the city at the Stavros Niarchos Cultural Foundation Center, then the odd rock formations around Lake Vouliagmeni. The main event is the temple of Poseidon on the cape, with the Aegean stretched out below. A beach stop at Anavissos rounds things off, with time for a swim, a surf or simply doing nothing. The coastal road gives you a good feel for the area, which fills with locals on weekends and Athenians escaping the city heat. Our team found it a relaxed mix of history, scenery and sea that suits most travellers.

Kourtaliotiko Waterfalls & Preveli Beach Private Safari

6 hours – 8 hoursfrom AUD $907

Kourtaliotiko Waterfalls & Preveli Beach Private Safari

When Lily from our team tried this Kourtaliotiko Waterfalls and Preveli Beach private safari, she wanted to see how a day on Crete's north-west coast could be shaped around her own pace. Our BugBitten team has a soft spot for Rethymno's mix of gorge country, wild coastline and villages where locals still gather outside the kafeneio to argue about football. This private day runs six to eight hours and collects you from hotels in Georgioupolis, Rethymno or the Bali area. It strings together gorge scenery, waterfall stops and a stretch of the south coast around Preveli. Expect a relaxed rhythm rather than a rushed checklist. A full-course lunch in a traditional tavern anchors the middle of the day, with unlimited Cretan wine included. Because the guide-driver adapts the route to your interests, the day suits couples, families and anyone who would rather not wrestle a hire car along mountain roads.

Athens Olive oil Honey and Wine Tasting with Snacks Experience

🍜 Food & Cooking

Athens Olive oil Honey and Wine Tasting with Snacks Experience

When Noah from our team tried this three-hour tasting in central Athens, he met his guide at Mitropoleos 6–8, close to Syntagma Square, and set off on the walk into Kolonaki. It's an elegant, well-kept neighbourhood of smart shopfronts, cafés and quieter side streets, where locals run their errands alongside visitors with maps out. The stroll takes around half an hour and works as a gentle warm-up rather than the main event. The real focus is a traditional delicatessen, where you work through four Greek wines, three honeys and two extra virgin olive oils, each paired with traditional snacks. Along the way the guides explain winemaking, production methods and what to notice in each product. At BugBitten we liked how small and personal it felt, more like a dinner party than a sales pitch. Noah left with a much better understanding of Greek pantry staples than he expected, and finishing back at the meeting point keeps things simple.

Hiking in Polilimnio Waterfalls

When Lily from our BugBitten team tried this four-hour hike out of Haravgi, she expected a pleasant woodland stroll and came back with damp socks and a grin. The route drops from the village into a gorge in Messinia, in the southwestern Peloponnese, following streams that feed a string of pools and falls. It is a green, fairly quiet corner of Greece, the sort of place where you hear more running water and birdsong than traffic. The walk covers roughly three kilometres and is described as suitable for all fitness levels, so it works for families and less confident walkers as well as seasoned hikers. Along the way there is archery to try, a chance to swim in the cooler lakes, and a picnic at the end built around local products. Lily's verdict: a relaxed, sociable half-day that rewards taking your time and looking up from the path.

4 hoursfrom AUD $102

Olympia Highlights and Kourouta Beach Getaway

Olympia Highlights and Kourouta Beach Getaway

When Sarah from our team tried this six-hour outing, the day began at Olympia in the western Peloponnese, where the ancient Games were first held. The ruins of the sanctuary are spread across a wooded valley, and walking between the temple remains and the old stadium gives a clear sense of how large the site once was. The day then swaps stone for sand. The tour finishes at Kourouta Beach, a stretch of golden coast known for clear water, which is a welcome change of pace after a morning among ancient ruins. Our BugBitten team found the mix of history and sea easy to enjoy in one day, and because the tour is private, the pace follows your group rather than a coach timetable. Olympia is a popular stop, so the main ruins can feel busy at certain times of day, while the beach tends to be calmer. At about six hours in total, it suits people who want a full day out without rushing from site to site.

6 hoursfrom AUD $825

Athens Best and Ancient Corinth Private Full Day

Athens Best and Ancient Corinth Private Full Day

When Alex from our team tried this private day out of Athens, the aim was to see as much of the city's ancient heart as possible without spending a week on it. Athens sprawls and rewards wandering, with ruins poking out between apartment blocks and café tables spilling onto narrow streets, so a driver who knows the route makes a real difference. This eight-hour tour pairs the classic city sights with a side trip to Ancient Corinth, mixing hilltop history with open, sun-baked archaeology. Our BugBitten team found the pace comfortable, the service well suited to couples and small groups, and the day easy to shape around what you care about most. It suits travellers who want depth without the scramble and are happy to be looked after on the road.

8 hoursfrom AUD $372

BEST 3-Day CLASSICAL GREECE: Corinth Epidaurus Olympia Delphi

7 hours – 9 hoursfrom AUD $2396

BEST 3-Day CLASSICAL GREECE: Corinth Epidaurus Olympia Delphi

When Mia from our BugBitten team ran this three-day classical Greece loop, she hit five UNESCO sites across Corinth, Epidaurus, Olympia, and Delphi—essentially a sprint through five thousand years of civilisation. The route stacks ancient temples, theatre ruins, and the famous Corinth Canal into a private sedan or minivan journey through the Peloponnese, with stops in Medieval Nafplio and the Mycenae tombs thrown in. You're driven in leather comfort (WiFi and iced water included) by an English-speaking driver; the landscape shifts from olive groves to mountain passes to coastal views. It suits couples, small groups, and families after a structured but relaxed pace without the tour-bus crowds.

Private Boat Tours in Kalyves and East Coast

When Mia from our BugBitten team ran this private boat tour off Kalyves on Crete's east coast, it was a straightforward half-day on the water hitting three separate spots. The boat's yours alone—no crowds shuffling around—and you get roughly 50 minutes at each anchorage to swim, snorkel, or just float about. The vibe is relaxed rather than action-packed; think lazy afternoon on the Aegean with someone else steering. Four hours total, and you're back ashore before dinner.

Private Boat Trip from Chania to Balos Lagoon and Secret Beaches

When Tom from our BugBitten team tried this private boat trip out of Chania, he expected a pretty day on the water and came back with a clearer idea of why people rave about the western side of Crete. The trip runs roughly seven to nine hours and heads out to Balos Lagoon, with its pale sand and shallow turquoise water, before continuing to Gramvoussa Island, where a Venetian-era fortress sits on the hill above the shore. Chania is a lively harbour town of Venetian lanes and busy tavernas, so the contrast is sharp. You leave the bustle of the old port behind and soon find yourself somewhere that feels remote. Because the boat is private, the crowd is just the people you booked with, not a ferry load of strangers. It's a scenic, unhurried way to see the coast from the water rather than a hard-charging adventure.

Guided Canyoning: Manikia Gorge with Lunch and Photos from Athens

🏔 Adventure & Sports

Guided Canyoning: Manikia Gorge with Lunch and Photos from Athens

When Ben from our team tried this four-hour canyoning outing through Manikia Gorge on Evia, he came back with soggy socks, a big grin and a few bruises on his pride. Evia is the long island stretching along the coast north-east of Athens, and the gorge sits in its rugged interior, where rock walls close in and clear water runs over pale stone. Our BugBitten crew sees this as a proper adventure rather than a gentle paddle. You learn abseiling technique first, then lower yourself down a series of waterfalls, finishing with a 25-metre drop. Between descents you swim in natural pools, and that's where the scenery really lands. The group is led by a guide, and the mood is friendly, with people cheering each other on at the top of each drop. It suits active travellers who want something more hands-on than a standard day trip out of Athens, and who are comfortable in water and on uneven rock.

4 hoursfrom AUD $198