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Insight - Treasures of Greece & The Islands - Reverse, Classic Group (04/2023 - 04/2023) (I953RMZN18)

14 Days From Athens to Athens 
Tour Style: Eastern Mediterranean
Insight Brochure Price from $5,525.00
Brochures: Ancient Civilizations 2023 v2
Visits: Greece

Soak up the best of the Greek Isles on this 2-week guided tour that starts in Athens. See the Temple of Olympian Zeus and Arch of Hadrian before ascending to Athens’ most iconic landmark The Acropolis and its towering Parthenon, a temple built for the goddess Athena. Walk through the Lion Gate to the ruinous city of Mycenae, then meet the family of artisans behind a stunning pottery studio, who will show you their unique wares. Sail to Santorini for two sun-drenched days on the idyllic island, where you can unwind at clifftop restaurants or wander its cobblestone streets before settling in to watch one of the best sunsets on Earth. Get happily lost on the maze of walkways in white-washed Mykonos, and sun yourself on one of its dazzling beaches.
Choice Highlights

Well-being
  • : Enjoy the comfort of Insight's luxury, air-conditioned, 40-seat coach with onboard washroom. Alternate vehicles without onboard washroom or 40 seats may be used on occasion. Our customized luxury coaches are sanitized before the start of your tour and are maintained to very high standards. Physical distancing measures have been implemented on our customized luxury coaches.   ​
  • : Transportation on the islands is by air-conditioned coach or luxury minibus. Our customized luxury coaches are sanitized before the start of your tour and are maintained to very high standards. Physical distancing measures have been implemented on our customized luxury coaches.
  • : Experience enhanced hygiene protocols to align with the latest guidance following COVID-19.All Travel Directors, Well-Being Directors and Drivers have completed training in enhanced well-being and hygiene protocols.
  • : We only work with establishments we are confident will consistently adhere to our high well-being standards, which include hotels, restaurants and sight-seeing venues.
  • : Hand sanitizer is freely available on board for you to use throughout the day.

Travel Director
  • : "The trick to really connecting with the Greeks is to say 'Kalimera!' (Good morning!) loud and proud to everyone you meet each morning, as we do, and to relax long enough to let your sense of humour come though. The Greeks appreciate people who lay the cards on the table, are authentic and show interest in the places they visit. "
  • : "One of the places I love to take our guests to that they would likely not find on their own or when travelling with anyone else is Nafplion, Greece. It's a beautiful seaside town with traditional Neoclassical buildings. I think it's the most charming town on the mainland of Greece."
  • : "In Greece, we still break plates when we are excited, happy, dancing, celebrating our namedays or birthdays, get married or divorced!"

Authentic Dining
  • Athens: Get to know your fellow travelers over a delightful Welcome Dinner at a local restaurant.
  • Olympia: Taste unique flavours and savour Greek regional specialities over a colourful Highlight Dinner.
  • Athens: Toast the culmination of your vacation with a lively Celebration Dinner in true Greek style at a local restaurant.
  • Dining Summary: 5 Dinner with Wine (DW), and 13 Breakfast (B)

Make Travel Matter
  • Archaeological site of Mycenae: Discover ancestral pottery methods at an artist's studio that preserves important skills and ancient traditions.

Top Rated Highlights
  • Athens: Ascend the Acropolis with a Local Expert to admire the Parthenon, built in 5th century B.C. Steps away you'll see the Temple of Athena Nike, also known as the Temple of the Wingless Victory, and the six stone-carved caryatids that make up the Porch of the Maidens on the Erechtheion.
  • Archaeological site of Mycenae: Walk through the Lion Gate past the royal beehive-tombs where Schliemann uncovered golden treasure, while hearing tales of Agamemnon from your Local Expert.
  • Nafplio: Join your Travel Director in an orientation of this beautiful seaport town and see why it is named one of Greece's prettiest spots.
  • Archaeological Site of Olympia: The stadium of Olympia hosted the ancient Olympic Games and the Heraia, the women's games in honour of Hera. See the Temple of Zeus, athlete's gymnasium and the stone marker where the sprint began.
  • Delphi: With your Local Expert, walk to The Sacred Way once lined with offertory temples. See the reconstructed Athenian Treasury and pass the superb Polygonal Wall to reach the Temple of Apollo, where the people would seek divine wisdom from the mysterious Oracle.
  • Kalambaka: Your Travel Director will provide an orientation of this town situated at the base of the extraordinary Meteora rocks.
  • Meteora: With a Local Expert, visit one of the remarkable centuries-old monasteries of Meteora, teetering on towers of rock and arguably the most spectacular place to visit in Greece.
  • Thermopylae: See the Leonidas Monument dedicated to the brave warrior and his 300 Spartans.
  • Athens: See the Arch of Hadrian, erected in honour of the Roman Emperor and used as a divider between the ancient city and the new Roman district, along with the remaining columns of the Temple of Olympian Zeus.

Insight Experiences
  • Olympia: Chef Farije shares with you her passion for local ingredients and high quality products. Learn how to make tzatziki and other regional dishes during a fun and immersive cooking demonstration.

Insight Tour Itinerary

Day 1Welcome to Athens
An Insight host will meet you at the airport and take you to the hotel, where there is time to settle in and relax. At 19:00, join your Travel Director for a Welcome Reception, and get to know your fellow travellers over a delightful evening of dinner and wine.
Visits: Athens
Meals: Dinner with Wine
Accommodation: Divani Caravel Hotel, Athens., Crowne Plaza Athens City Centre.
Day 2The Parthenon, Mycenae and on to Olympia
Your exploration reveals this ancient city as your Local Expert takes you to the Parthenon, built atop the Acropolis. See the Temple of Athena Nike, also known as the Temple of the Wingless Victory, and the six stone-carved caryatids that make up the Porch of the Maidens on the Erechtheion. Your journey continues, following the shores of the Saronic Gulf to pass the Corinth Canal dividing the Peloponnese and mainland Greece. Arrive at the ruined city of Mycenae, featured in the epics of Homer. With your Local Expert, walk through the Lion Gate, visit the royal beehive-tombs and see the giant Cyclopean stones used to build the city walls. Meet the artisans and view beautiful works of art when you visit a family-run pottery studio. Travel on to the elegant town of Nafplio, known for it's beautiful architecture, colourful shops and cafes. You then continue to Olympia where dinner is served at your hotel.
Visits: Athens, Archaeological site of Mycenae, Archaeological Site of Olympia
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner with Wine
Accommodation: Arty Grand Hotel, Olympia., Amalia Hotel Olympia.
Day 3Ancient Olympia
It's all in the name. Ancient Olympia is the site where the Ancient Olympic Games began in 776 B.C., in dedication to Zeus. See the ruined Temple of Zeus that was built to honour the ruler of the gods. Continue your exploration through time to the athletes gymnasium and the Ancient Stadium of Olympia with its characteristic arch. The start and finish points for the sprint track are still marked by stones and there is time to capture your own memory, with a photo at the starting line. In the evening, join a local chef for an entertaining cooking demonstration, showcasing classic Greek cuisine. Experience  authentic Greek flavours, as you savour dishes prepared for your Highlight Dinner.
Visits: Archaeological Site of Olympia
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner with Wine
Accommodation: Arty Grand Hotel, Olympia., Amalia Hotel Olympia.
Day 4Delphi, Centre of the Ancient World
Travel north to Patras and cross the soaring Rio-Antirrio Bridge to the mainland. Follow the coastal road before stopping at the foothills of Mount Parnassus. Ascend the Sacred Way of Delphi with your Local Expert. Pass the Parian marble Treasury of the Athenians and Polygonal Wall with its interlocking stones still perfectly intact after thousands of years. You'll approach the Temple of Apollo, where for 14 centuries the mysterious Oracle of Delphi breathed her enigmatic ‘words,' rumoured to have successfully predicted events related to the Argonauts expedition and the Trojan War. Your journey continues to Kalambaka where dinner is served at your hotel.
Visits: Delphi, Kalambaka
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner with Wine
Accommodation: Divani Meteora Hotel, Kalambaka., Grand Meteora Hotel, Kalambaka.
Day 5The Pinnacles of Meteora Relaxed Start
With your Local Expert, visit the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Meteora, meaning 'in the air.' The massive pinnacles of smooth rock are ancient, yet could also be the setting for a science fiction tale. Visit one of the monasteries, that adds to the strange and beautiful landscape and enjoy stunning views over the Peneios Valley. The rest of the day is at your leisure. Why not explore with a relaxed walk on the nature trails? Alternatively, you may wish to visit the Natural History Museum.
Visits: Kalambaka, Meteora
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Divani Meteora Hotel, Kalambaka., Grand Meteora Hotel, Kalambaka.
Day 6Thermopylae and to Athens
Journey south to Thermopylae, famous as the mountain pass where King Leonidas led his Spartan army, along with fellow Greek soldiers, into battle against the Persians in 480 B.C. See the memorial dedicated to Leonidas and his courageous Spartans. Travel on to Athens, City of Gods, to see the Temple of Zeus, Hadrian's Arch and the Panathenaic Stadium, used for the first modern Olympic Games in 1896. In the evening, enjoy a hearty Celebration Dinner in true Greek style, complete with wine and good cheer.
Visits: Kalambaka, Thermopylae, Athens
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner with Wine
Accommodation: Divani Caravel Hotel, Athens., Crowne Plaza Athens City Centre.
Day 7Across the Mediterranean to Santorini
An early departure takes you to the port of Piraeus where your high-speed ferry awaits to whisk you over to the truly beautiful island of Santorini. On arrival, you are transferred to your hotel.
Visits: Athens, Santorini
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Costa Grand Resort & Spa, Santorini. , De Sol Hotel & Spa, Santorini.
Day 8The Sunsets of Santorini Relaxed Start
With two more sun-drenched days on one of the most romantic islands on earth, you won't ever want to leave. Relax in clifftop restaurants, laze on the sun-soaked beaches or observe history unearthed at the site of Akrotiri. In the evening, you'll witness the first of the golden sunsets for which the island is famous.
Visits: Santorini
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Costa Grand Resort & Spa, Santorini. , De Sol Hotel & Spa, Santorini.
Day 9Santorini as you wish Relaxed Start
Another day to relax and unwind on the black, red and white beaches, or why not take a caique (traditional Greek fishing boat) over to the volcanic islands for a swim in the hot springs? The island's delicious cuisine, whitewashed houses that gleam in the bright Aegean sun, narrow cobblestone streets and world-renowned sunsets all combine to make Santorini a truly unique holiday experience.
Visits: Santorini
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Costa Grand Resort & Spa, Santorini. , De Sol Hotel & Spa, Santorini.
Day 10Set Sail for Mykonos
Board the high-speed ferry bound for the island of Mykonos, playground of the rich and famous. You are met at the port and transferred to your hotel.
Visits: Santorini, Mykonos
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Porto Mykonos., Dorion Hotel, Mykonos.
Day 11Mykonos Mystique Relaxed Start
This day is the first of two glorious days at leisure. Explore the town with its winding maze of walkways, white-washed houses, magnificent windmills and uninhibited nightlife. Perhaps watch the sunset at Shirley Valentine Beach or take a short boat ride to Delos?
Visits: Mykonos
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Porto Mykonos., Dorion Hotel, Mykonos.
Day 12Mykonos at Leisure Relaxed Start
Another day to explore or relax as you wish. Perhaps swim the endless array of dazzling beaches that surround the island? Or maybe enjoy a cocktail on the waterfront at Little Venice?
Visits: Mykonos
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Porto Mykonos., Dorion Hotel, Mykonos.
Day 13Return to Athens
In the morning, grab your final glimpse over the lustrous Aegean. You are transferred to the port for your return ferry to Athens.
Visits: Mykonos, Athens
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Divani Caravel Hotel, Athens., Crowne Plaza Athens City Centre.
Day 14Depart Athens
Bid farewell to Athens. Your journey ends with a transfer to the airport.
Visits: Athens
Meals: Breakfast


Available Room Types: Single, Triple, Twin
Child: ages 5 to 17

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