Santorini: Guided Highlights Tour With Private Wine Tasting

Santorini, a picturesque Greek island, captivates visitors with its striking landscapes, rich history, and renowned wine. This guided highlights tour promises an immersive experience, whisking travelers to iconic landmarks like the Red and Black Beaches, the charming Megalochori village, and the historic Prophet Elias Monastery. But the real highlight lies in the private wine-tasting session, where guests can sample four distinct Santorini varietals paired with local delicacies. With comfortable transportation, English-speaking commentary, and accessibility considerations, this comprehensive tour offers a seamless way to uncover the best of Santorini. What awaits beyond the island’s renowned beauty and viticulture, however, remains a captivating mystery.

This experience made our list of the 25 Best Wine Tours In Santorini.

Key Points

• A 6-hour guided tour showcasing Santorini’s must-see spots, including iconic beaches, a traditional village, a historic monastery, and a private wine-tasting experience.
• Comprehensive highlights tour with an English-speaking guide and air-conditioned transportation, including hotel/port/airport pickup and drop-off.
• Private wine-tasting at a family-run winery, featuring four distinct varietals paired with local cheese and rusks.
• Navigating uneven terrain and limited accessibility features at historic sites, with reasonable accommodations available upon request.
• Flexible booking and cancellation policy, with online booking and no upfront payment required.

You can check if your dates are available here:

Tour Overview

The Santorini Guided Highlights Tour with Private Wine Tasting provides a comprehensive 6-hour excursion, allowing visitors to discover the island’s must-see spots, including the iconic Red and Black Beaches, the picturesque village of Megalochori, the historic Prophet Elias Monastery, and the charming town of Oia.

Travelers will be treated to a private wine-tasting experience at a family-run winery, where they can sample four different wines alongside local cheese and rusks.

The tour includes hotel, port, or airport pickup and drop-off, as well as the services of an English-speaking local guide and transportation via a luxury air-conditioned minibus. With complimentary bottled water and all taxes covered, this tour offers an all-inclusive way to explore the highlights of Santorini.

Included Highlights

Embarking on this guided tour, visitors will discover the island’s renowned Red and Black Beaches, renowned for their striking volcanic landscapes.

Next, they’ll explore the picturesque village of Megalochori, known for its traditional Cycladic architecture and charming narrow streets.

The tour then ventures to the historic Prophet Elias Monastery, perched atop the island’s highest point, offering panoramic vistas of Santorini.

The highlight of the day is a visit to a family-run winery, where guests will enjoy a wine-tasting experience, sampling four varieties paired with local cheese and rusks.

Throughout the tour, an English-speaking guide will provide insightful commentary, ensuring travelers gain a deeper appreciation for Santorini’s rich history and culture.

Wine Tasting Experience

Arriving at the family-owned winery, visitors are treated to a delightful wine-tasting experience, sampling four distinct varietals expertly paired with local cheese and rusks. The winery, known for its commitment to sustainability and traditional winemaking methods, offers an intimate glimpse into the region’s rich viticultural heritage. As guests sip and savor, they’re invited to learn about the unique terroir and production techniques that give Santorini’s wines their distinctive character.

Varietal	Notes
Assyrtiko	Crisp, mineral-driven white with citrus and stone fruit flavors
Vinsanto	Sweet, amber-hued dessert wine with notes of dried fruit and caramel
Mavrotragano	Robust red with intense berry and spice aromas
Aidani	Light, floral white with delicate floral and citrus notes

Transportation and Pickup

Guests are conveniently picked up from their hotel, port, or airport by a luxury air-conditioned minibus, ensuring a comfortable start to the tour.

The minibus provides reliable and efficient transportation throughout the guided highlights tour, which covers must-see spots like Red & Black Beach, Megalochori, Prophet Elias Monastery, and the picturesque village of Oia.

The air-conditioning ensures a pleasant journey, while the English-speaking local tour guide offers in-depth commentary, providing valuable insights into the island’s history and culture.

With hotel/port/airport drop-off included, the tour seamlessly bookends the day, allowing guests to fully enjoy the Santorini experience without worrying about logistics.

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Accessibility Considerations

This guided highlights tour of Santorini may not be suitable for those with certain accessibility needs. Pregnant women or individuals with mobility impairments may find the tour challenging, as the itinerary involves navigating uneven terrain and potentially steep inclines at various sites.

However, the tour operator is happy to discuss any specific accessibility requirements and make reasonable accommodations where possible to ensure all guests can participate comfortably and safely.

The tour’s accessibility considerations include:

1. Walking on cobblestone streets and paths at historic sites
2. Climbing stairs or hills to reach certain viewpoints
3. Entering centuries-old buildings with limited accessibility features
4. Accessing the winery’s facilities, which may have limited accessibility.

Booking and Cancellation

Travelers can reserve this guided highlights tour of Santorini online and pay later. The tour operator offers free cancellation up to 24 hours before the scheduled start time.

This flexible booking policy allows visitors to plan their Santorini trip with confidence, without having to worry about unexpected changes. The tour can be easily booked through the provider’s website, with no upfront payment required.

Should travelers need to cancel or reschedule for any reason, they can do so at no extra cost, as long as they provide at least 24 hours’ notice. This booking and cancellation policy ensures a stress-free experience for those looking to explore the highlights of Santorini on a guided tour.

Exclusions and Extras

Besides the inclusions mentioned, certain expenses aren’t covered by the tour package. For instance, visitors must pay for cable car tickets separately if they’re arriving by cruise ship. Plus, entrance fees to any museums or optional visits aren’t included in the tour price.

While a wine tasting experience at a family-run winery is provided, you will need to cover the cost of any personal purchases or additional food items during the tour. Lastly, gratuities for the tour guide and driver are at the discretion of the travelers.

The key exclusions and extras are:

1. Cable car tickets (6 EUR per person, per way) for cruise ship travelers
2. Entrance fees at museums (optional visits)
3. Lunch at a seaside restaurant (optional)
4. Personal expenses and gratuities (optional)

Duration and Languages

The guided highlights tour of Santorini lasts for 6 hours, allowing visitors to thoroughly explore the island’s must-see spots.

The tour is conducted in English by a local guide, ensuring a seamless and informative experience for participants.

From discovering the vibrant Red and Black Beaches to visiting the charming village of Megalochori and the iconic Oia, the tour covers the highlights of Santorini.

The highlight of the tour is the visit to a family-run winery, where guests can enjoy a private wine-tasting experience, sampling four different wines accompanied by local cheese and rusks.

The tour’s duration and the English-speaking guide make it an accessible and enjoyable option for travelers seeking to make the most of their time in Santorini.

Frequently Asked Questions

What Is the Tour Guide’s Level of Expertise?

The tour guide’s level of expertise is not explicitly stated. However, the tour is described as "guided" and having an "English-speaking local tour guide," suggesting they are knowledgeable about the area and capable of providing an informative experience for participants.

Can the Tour Be Customized for Special Requests?

The tour can often be customized to accommodate special requests. Guests may be able to adjust the itinerary, visit additional sites, or request accommodations for personal needs, subject to availability and the tour operator’s policies.

Are There Any Covid-19 Safety Protocols in Place?

The tour operator has implemented COVID-19 safety protocols, including mandatory mask-wearing, social distancing, reduced group sizes, and enhanced cleaning and disinfection procedures. Travelers must provide proof of vaccination or a negative COVID-19 test before joining the tour.

Can Children Participate in the Wine Tasting?

Children are generally not allowed to participate in the wine tasting portion of the tour. While the tour is family-friendly, the wine tasting experience is reserved for adults over the legal drinking age in the destination country.

Are Restroom Facilities Available During the Tour?

Restroom facilities are typically available during guided tours, allowing participants to take breaks as needed. Specific details regarding restroom availability and locations along the tour route would need to be confirmed with the tour operator.

Recap

This guided tour of Santorini’s highlights is an excellent way to experience the island’s iconic landmarks, charming villages, and renowned winemaking culture.

With comfortable transportation, insightful commentary, and a private wine tasting, the tour provides a comprehensive and accessible introduction to the best of Santorini, allowing visitors to enjoy the island’s rich history and vibrant atmosphere.

You can check if your dates are available here: