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My Big Fat Greek Adventure: Athens & Greek Islands

My Big Fat Greek Adventure: Athens & Greek Islands image

October 3 - 10, 2026

NextTribe: Fun, Transformative Trips for Women 45+

Ancient ruins. Modern rebels.
Zero cars required.

Hair down. Sandals on. Women our age. Let's go find our fearless selves.

Most Greece trips are Mykonos, Santorini, and a suitcase full of regret about the crowds. That is emphatically not the NextTribe way.

We start in Athens, where philosophers once argued about courage in the same streets where you'll have your morning coffee, and the Acropolis rises over the city like it has nowhere else to be.

Then we island-hop to Hydra, which banned cars before "car-free" was a marketing term, and Spetses, home turf of Laskarina Bouboulina — a widow who became a naval commander and helped win a war.

These aren't postcard stops. They're proof women have always been formidable.

~ Small groups-women 45+ ~ Solo travelers welcome
~ Led by a woman our age ~ Aging boldly since 2017

Visit NextTribe.com to explore all our trips!

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As seen in Forbes, Condé Nast Traveler, MSNBC & Parade

Made for Solo Travelers

About half our travelers come alone. Which means you'll land in a group of women in exactly the same boat — and that's exactly the point.

No awkward third-wheel moments
Solo travelers aren't an afterthought here. From the welcome dinner in Athens to the last taverna toast on Spetses, you'll never be the odd one out.

We handle everything
Flights between islands, hotels, transfers, most meals — all sorted, so you can show up and just be present. (Fitting, given Hydra's whole philosophy.)

Rooming options that work for you
Book a single room, or we'll help match you with a compatible roommate from the group to keep costs down.

Your guide is one of us
Not a 26-year-old with a clipboard. A worldly, warm woman who knows Greece and knows what actually matters to us.

What Our Travelers Say

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★★★★★

"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., solo traveler · Illinois

★★★★★

"I hesitated to travel solo at 61. By the time we reached Hydra, I couldn't remember why."

— Patricia M., solo traveler · Arizona

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5 Reasons We Love This Trip

  1. The contrast.
    Millennia-old temples by day, rooftop bars debating politics and film by night. Athens holds both without blinking.

  2. No cars, no noise, no rush.
    Hydra's cobblestone paths are for walking only — quiet enough to actually hear yourself think.

  3. A heroine worth knowing.
    Spetses celebrates Laskarina Bouboulina, a naval commander who fought for Greek independence, with fireworks and a reenacted sea battle every September.

  4. Barefoot, unbothered swims.
    Coves on Hydra reachable only by a short climb down stone stairs, into water clear enough to see straight through.

  5. History you can sleep in.
    Our Hydra stay is a converted 18th-century sponge factory, two-foot-thick stone walls and all.

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Questions we hear all the time

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Questions We Hear All the Time

How much walking is involved?
A fair amount, and that's the point — Hydra and Spetses are largely pedestrian, with cobblestone paths and some stairs down to the coves. Comfortable shoes matter more than any outfit you pack.

I'm traveling solo. Will I be roomed with a stranger?
Only if you want to be. Book a single supplement for your own space, or opt into roommate matching.

How do we get between Athens, Hydra, and Spetses?
By ferry and private transfer — all arranged for you. No car rentals, no navigating unfamiliar roads. You show up at the harbor; we handle the rest.

What if the accommodations or activities listed change?
This is a sample itinerary. Occasionally a hotel or activity shifts before departure, but we always replace it with something of equal or better value — never a downgrade.

What's the age range on this trip?
Every woman aboard is 45 or older. Most are in their 50s and 60s. If you're wondering whether you'll "fit," you will.

How fit do I need to be?
Moderately active. You should be comfortable walking on uneven, cobbled terrain and managing stairs, including the climb down to Hydra's swimming coves. No athletic feats required.

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Want More Intel? Click here to schedule a phone call with Jeannie Edmunds, the Trip Leader.

Meet Your Trip Leader

Jeannie Edmonds
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A World Traveler

Jeannie Edmonds 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!

Epic Greece Awaits with NextTribe.

October 3 - 10, 2026

Come explore, grow, embrace new friendships, and enjoy new experiences together with NextTribe.

Reserve Your Spot Today!

Questions? Our NextTribe travel expert will respond promptly.

Visit NextTribe.com to explore all our trips.

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Map

1. Athens

Athens, Greece

2. Kolonaki

Kolonaki, Athens, Greece

3. Museum of Ancient Greek Technology Kotsanas

Pindarou 6, Athina 106 71, Greece

4. Acropolis

Acropolis, Athens 105 58, Greece

5. Plaka

Plaka, Athens, Greece

6. Idra

Idra 180 40, Greece

7. Spetses

Spetses, Greece

Day 1

SATURDAY, October 3rd
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Athens Awakens

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.

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Astikon House

Check inSaturday, Oct 3, 2026
Check outMonday, Oct 5, 2026

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.

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Day 2

SUNDAY, October 4th
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Anceient Wonders & Modern Flavors

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.

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Day 3

MONDAY, October 5th
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Setting Sail for Hydra

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.

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Bratsera Hotel

Check inMonday, Oct 5, 2026
Check outSaturday, Oct 10, 2026
Experience the unique charm of Bratsera Hotel, located in the heart of Hydra, just steps away from local shops and restaurants. Housed in a restored sponge factory, it beautifully blends history with modern comforts. Enjoy the tranquil courtyard and swimming pool, and unwind in artfully designed rooms that reflect authentic Greek architecture.
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Day 4

TUESDAY, October 6th
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Art, Adventures & Artisans

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.

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Day 5

WEDNESDAY, October 7th
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In the Footsteps of a Revolutionary Woman

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.

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Day 6

THURSDAY, October 8th
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Beach, Bites & Leonard Cohen

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.

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Day 7

FRIDAY, October 9th
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From Kitchen to Your Choice

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.

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DAY 8

SATURDAY, October 10th
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Farewell to the Islands

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.

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What is included

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Inclusions

  • 7 Nights Lodging

  • 7 Dinners

  • 6 Lunches

  • 7 Breakfasts

  • Ground Transportation

  • Ferry to Hydra Round Trip

  • 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.

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Logistics

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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

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We Would Love To Have You Join Us!

Pricing

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Insurance

What you need to know
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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.

About us

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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.

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Contact Us

For more information, please contact our travel manager at travel@nexttribe.com