2020 Wilderness Travel Catalog of Adventures

Hiking in the Greek Isles HIDDEN TRAILS AND GOLDEN BEACHES OF THE CYCLADES

Greece casts a spell, with its honey-colored isles surrounded by azure seas. In the archipelago of the Cyclades, named for the circle it forms around the sacred island of Delos, we hike on Tinos, Naxos, and rugged Amorgos, each island its own distinctive realm of bougainvillea-draped villages and cobbled pathways above the Aegean. As we hike past blue-domed churches, up to cliff-perched monasteries, and to tiny whitewashed villages, the good life of sunny Greece envelops us, and we’ll have time for delightful post-hike swims in the sea. Our Greek Trip Leaders are famously

passionate about food, and along the way, they introduce us to a mouth-watering array of seasonal and local treats, savored on the verandas of tavernas. Days 1-5 Athens / Tinos From Athens, we ferry to Tinos, an island with a breathtaking landscape and a renowned pilgrimage church. We hike cobbled paths past small villages, and up an old Roman road to the great Venetian fortress of Exomvourgo. One of our hikes brings

“The perfect combination of natural beauty and cultural exploration. As in all my WT trips, I felt I got to see places I’d never have discovered on my own.” Susanne R., Brewster NY HORST PUSCHMANN

us to lovely Pyrgos, where a walk through the lanes reveals artisan marble carvers continuing a village tradition that dates to ancient Greece. From the mountain village of Falatados, we hike down to the beach at Livada, with a stop to swim in the clear waters. Days 6-8 Naxos / Delos / Mykonos Crossing the blue Aegean to Naxos, Lord Byron’s favorite Greek island, we explore the twisting lanes of Chora, the main town, and hike on Mount Zas (3,284'), the highest point in the Cyclades. A sacred cave on Zas is thought to be the birthplace of Zeus. Delos, holy island of the ancient Greeks, was the birthplace of the sun god Apollo and his twin, Artemis, goddess of the moon and the hunt. We explore this open-air archaeological museum and World Heritage Site, then ferry back to Naxos. We’ll stop en route for lunch on glamorous Mykonos Island, whose perfect beaches and Cubist architecture have long drawn jet-setters. Days 9-13 Amorgos Easternmost of the Cyclades, Amorgos is a gorgeous island of hidden coves and dramatic mountains. Traditional stone-paved paths lead us between villages, past frescoed churches, and along the spectacular coast. One ramble is up to Hozoviotissa, an 11th century monastery set high above the Aegean. Depart on Day 13 via Athens or join one of our extensions. ON OUR WEBSITE GREAT HIKES & CUISINE OF CRETE Island trails and culinary traditions on the beautiful island of Crete. Apr 21-May 1, Oct 4-14, Oct 17-27, 2020. From $5495.

On our island-hopping odyssey from Tinos to Amorgos, we hike to remote villages and sacred sites and sample a delicious variety of local culinary treats. PHOTO: KOSTAS VASILEIOU

HIGHLIGHTS • Hike village to village along island pathways of Tinos, Naxos, and Amorgos • Visit sacred Delos, holy island of the ancient Greeks, and chic Mykonos Island • Enjoy charming hotels, incredible cuisine unique to the islands, and delicious wines • Exuberant Trip Leaders who share their passion for their country

DETAILS • 13-day trip begins and ends in Athens • 12 nights hotels and country inns • All meals included except 1 lunch and 2 dinners

TRIP COST $4695 (8-16 members) $4995 (3-7 members) Single supplement: $330 Santorini Island Extension: from $1750 Archaeological Sites of Classical Greece Extension: from $1950

DATES May 10-22, 2020 May 28-Jun 9 Jun 14-26 Aug 30-Sep 11 Sep 13-25

TRIP LEVEL 1 2 3 + 4 5 6

7 hiking days on moderate to strenuous trails, some steep sections, 3-6 hours a day, van support

KEN GILLHAM

FOR A DETAILED ITINERARY: 1.800.368.2794 OR EMAIL EUROPE@WILDERNESSTRAVEL.COM 86