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Athens: Discover Your Fearless Self
Athens doesn't play. It’s a city where ancient philosophers debated the nature of courage and democracy in agoras near the hotel where you'll sip your morning coffee. Where the Acropolis rises like a cloud above the modern, busy streets. For a woman who's lived enough to know what she wants, Athens offers the perfect paradox: the gravitas of millennia-old temples paired with trendy rooftop bars where locals debate passionately about politics, cinema, food, music.
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Walk through the National Archaeological Museum and you'll find yourself face-to-face with artifacts that prove women have always been a force to be reckoned with—then step outside into neighborhoods where street art blazes with modern rebellion. This is not a city for timid tourism; it's a city that rewards the boldness NextTribe women embody.
Hydra: Where Cars Are Absent So Travelers Can Be Present
Forget everything you think you know about Greek islands. Mykonos? Meh. Santorini? Insanity. We’re leaving the crowds to the tourists. Hydra banned cars since before it was cool to be eco-friendly. Here, you'll navigate cobblestone paths on foot, and the absence of traffic noise means you'll actually hear yourself think, and relax. This tiny island has seduced artists, writers, and eccentrics for decades with its striking beauty and authenticity.
You’ll enjoy the fresh air and people watching from comfortable chairs in a harbor-side taverna. You’ll swim in coves accessible only to those willing to hike down a few stairs to the crystalline waters of the Aegean sea, and your home for your stay will be a charming and fashionable renovated sponge factory with stone walls two feet thick. Sponge diving, processing and export made Hydra a wealthy island in the 18th century, and by staying at this hotel we honor the island’s history. Hydra may not have the same PR as the other islands, but that’s OK with the residents, and travelers in the know. Once you’ve visited Hydra once, you’ll want to come back again and again. It will become “your” island.
Spetses: The Island That Celebrates Audacious Women
Spetses is another one of those Greek islands that’s a hidden gem, especially for women. On Spetses, the heroine is Laskarina Bouboulina—a wealthy widow who became a naval commander and fought in the Greek War of Independence. Her story isn't relegated to dusty history books; it's celebrated every September with festivals that light up the harbor with fireworks and recreated naval battles. This pine-forested island combines historic elegance with modernity: horse-drawn carriages clip-clop along waterfront promenades lined with neoclassical mansions and secluded beaches. Rent a bicycle or scooter and explore, discovering the Anargyrios and Korgialenios School (a stunning complex that once educated Greece's future leaders) or one of the local fine art galleries.
Please note that this is a sample itinerary. Accommodations and activities may change but we will always replace them with something of equal or better value.
Experiencing the vibrancy of Athens, one of the most ancient cities in Western civilization, where you’ll see historical treasures, and spice up your stay with modern-day Greek street life and cuisine
Relaxing time on Jacqueline Onassis’ favorite island, Hydra, playground of the rich and famous. Yachts enter and leave the harbor at all hours, and because the owners demand the best of the best, the shopping and restaurants on Hydra are extraordinary.
Getting to know local artists and musicians who have made Hydra their home
Visiting an island where women came together and lit the fuse that fired up Greece’s independence
Swimming in the clean, warm waters of the Aegean Sea, relaxing on shore, and people-watching in the bars and cafes of Hydra Town.
Jeannie is a former CNN reporter and CBS News producer, She has lived and worked in Europe, Asia and Latin America. After her first experience as a solo traveler at age 6 (her parents put her on a plane to visit her grandparents) she has always felt most comfortable on an airplane with her passport in hand. She's the author of "Start Me Up: Tips, Tales and Truths about Starting Up and Starting Over." Last year she fell in love with Athens and Hydra. She's going back in March this year for a short vacation!
Touch down in Athens and settle into your hotel before heading out to explore Kolonaki, one of the city's most sophisticated neighborhoods. Your afternoon walking tour winds through tree-lined streets to the Museum of Ancient Greek Technology, where you'll encounter 2,000-year-old female automatons and hear the sounds of ancient musical instruments—a fascinating glimpse into Greek innovation that predates our modern age by millennia. End your first evening with dinner within walking distance.
Discover Astikon House, situated in the heart of Athens with easy access to historical sites and vibrant local dining. The architecture blends tradition with modern comforts. Enjoy personalized services that enhance your stay in this stylish accommodation reflecting Greek culture.
Start your morning at the Acropolis Museum with an expert guide who brings the ancient world to life through the artifacts and stories housed in this architectural marvel. Then dive into the flavors of Greece on a food tour through the Plaka, tasting your way through the historic neighborhood. The afternoon is yours to wander, rest, or explore at your own pace before gathering for dinner.
Trade Athens' urban energy for island serenity. A short minivan ride brings you to Piraeus, where you'll board the noon ferry to Hydra. As the island emerges from the Aegean—a crescent of white and terracotta rising from crystalline waters—you'll understand why artists and writers have sought refuge here for generations. Check into the Bratsera, a restored 19th-century sponge factory turned boutique hotel, then enjoy free time before watching the sun slip into the sea at Sunset Bar. Dinner follows with views of the harbor.
Begin with a local artist who'll share stories about Hydra's legendary creative community and teach you a few essential Greek phrases. Then the morning is yours: saddle up for horseback riding through Hydra's rugged interior, or lose yourself in the island's galleries, boutiques, and waterfront cafes. Later, meet Elena Votsis, the acclaimed jewelry designer who created medals for the Olympics, along with local ceramicists, knitters, and painters whose studios dot the hillsides.
Board a quick ferry to neighboring Spetses, a hidden gem where Laskarina Bouboulina—a fierce naval commander and heroine—rallied women to fight Ottoman rule in 1821, sparking Greece's path to independence. Tour the museum dedicated to her legacy, then explore the island by bike or on foot. Lunch on Spetses, then return to Hydra for a relaxed evening.
Spend your morning on the water, cruising to a secluded beach on Hydra's far shore. Swim in the Aegean, read, journal, or simply absorb the quiet. Lunch at a tucked-away taverna, then return to Hydra town for a free afternoon. When cocktail hour arrives, climb the steep path to Leonard Cohen's house, where the legendary songwriter and poet spent his most productive years. Continue to a neighboring home, where a local woman will serve small bites and stories, before we descend back to town for dinner.
Roll up your sleeves for a cooking class with a local chef, then sit down to enjoy what you've created together. The afternoon unfolds however you wish: hike to a nearby village, swim, browse shops, journal, paint, or claim a cafe table and watch island life pass by.
After breakfast, board the MagicSeas Ferry for your return journey, carrying memories of ancient technology and modern artisans, revolutionary heroines and quiet beaches, home-cooked meals and sunset views that will linger long after you've returned home.
"The trip to Hydra, Greece was magical. Everything was top-notch ...the food, the beautiful island, our wonderful local planner, Danniela, swimming in the sea, and even shopping! The island has no cars so I found it peaceful and calm. The donkeys and many cats everywhere were absolutely charming. I highly recommend."
Jane S.
Inclusions
7 Nights Lodging
7 Dinners
6 Lunches
7 Breakfasts
Ground Transportation
All activities noted in the itinerary
Exclusions
Roundtrip Airfare
Alcohol not mentioned above
Travel Insurance
Gratuities
Gratuities to local guides, drivers, maids and hotel staff, alcohol, unless mentioned in itinerary, travel insurance, round trip airfare, passport and visa fees, personal items such as phone calls, laundry, baggage fees and items not expressly listed as included.
Arrive in Athens (ATH) Saturday, October 3rd by 2:00pm
NextTribe will arrange your transfer to the hotel.
Depart from Athens (ATH) Saturday, October 10th after 3:00pm
Next Tribe will arrange your transport to the airport.
We require all international travelers to purchase travel insurance. We strongly recommend adding trip protection insurance to protect your investment. (Scroll down for more details about insurance)
No visa is required for US Citizens to visit Greece. Please make sure your passport is valid for at least 6 months beyond the end of the trip.
You will be receiving periodic communications from us leading up to departure with other important details included. If you have any questions, you can contact our travel manager, Marcy, at travel@nexttribe.com
Next Tribe requires all international travelers to purchase travel insurance.
Travel insurance can be a helpful and valuable resource to pack! It can protect the investment of your trip and you while traveling.
We partner with Wanderwell, a Certified B Corporation travel insurance provider that makes it as simple as possible by not overwhelming you with options.
They offer just a few modern, benefit-packed trip protection plans that can cover the most common travel perils related to trip cancellation, trip interruption, trip delay, travel Medical Expenses, baggage & personal effects, Emergency Medical Evacuation, and more.
Click Here to create quotes and purchase a plan through Wanderwell from our partner page.
If you prefer to talk to someone, please email support@gowanderwell.com. They will set up a phone call with you and can answer your questions.
For most of history, women past child-bearing years were basically put out to pasture. This was happening even in our mothers’ time. We call bullshit on that. We believe we are at a peak in so many ways and are devoted to helping women our age live the richest, most kick-ass lives possible.
We do that by informing, promoting and connecting women–through our magazine, through our member community and through the transformative experiences of travel.
So many travel choices…so little time. You could spend days and days trying to put together just the right combination of destination, activities, and price.
Or you could stop shopping and start traveling with us for something that feels like the greatest girlfriend trip ever–even if you come solo. We specialize in experiences that deeply connect you to other women–travelers and locals–and create life-lasting memories. Experiences you can’t get on your own. And do it all with flexible payment options.
This video will tell you if you’re a good fit for a NextTribe trip. We are proud that we’ve become known for how quickly and deeply our groups of women bond on our trips. One of our rules: No divas, please.
For more information, please contact our travel manager at travel@nexttribe.com