Insight - Grecian Fables Idyllic - Superior, Classic Group (04/2023 - 10/2023) (I989BBZN18)

15 Days From Athens to Athens 
Tour Style: Eastern Mediterranean Cruising
Insight Brochure Price from $5,147.00
Brochures: Ancient Civilizations 2023 v2
Visits: Greece, Turkey

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Journey across the Aegean Sea during this 15-day guided tour of Greece and Turkey. In Athens, a Local Expert will share the history of the Temple of Olympian Zeus and several other sites, including the Acropolis and the Temple of Athena Nike. Cruise to the islands of Crete, Rhodes, and Santorini, where you can see the iconic town of Thira and enjoy panoramic views of the crescent-shaped island. Set sail for Mykonos and walk the island’s maze of narrow walkways to a traditional taverna for an authentic Greek salad or fresh-caught fish. Travel to Kusadasi and see one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, the Temple of Artemis, among the ancient ruins of Ephesus during a tour with a Local Expert.
Choice Highlights

Well-being

• : Our highly-skilled Travel Director will ensure your journey is seamless, serving as your expert guide, consummate organiser, and friend overseas. In Athens, your knowledgeable local Insight host will ensure your time in this city is seamless.
• : 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.   ​
• : 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

• : "In Greece, we still break plates when we are excited, happy, dancing, celebrating our namedays or birthdays, get married or divorced!"
• : "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."
• : "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. "

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: 12 Dinner with Wine (DW), 14 Breakfast (B), and 6 Lunch with Wine (LW)

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.
• 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.
• Kalambaka: Your Travel Director will provide an orientation of this town situated at the base of the extraordinary Meteora rocks.
• Thermopylae: See the Leonidas Monument dedicated to the brave warrior and his 300 Spartans.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• Corinth Canal: Cross the amazing rock-cut channel dividing the Peloponnese from mainland Greece.
• Athens: Visit the Greek Islands of Crete, Mykonos, Santorini, Milos. Explore the Turkish port of Kusadasi.
• Ephesus: Discover one of the world's finest ancient sites. Led by your Local Expert, walk the Arcadian Way, see the Library of Celsus and Amphitheatre and visit the House of the Virgin Mary.
• Rhodes: With your Local Expert, explore the classical Acropolis of Lindos and the Temple of Athena in Rhodes. These awe-inspiring ruins date back to the 4th century and offer panoramic views of the stunning coastline.

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.

Make Travel Matter

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

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Insight Tour Itinerary

Day 1	Welcome 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 2	Athens, City of Gods
	Today your mythical Grecian discovery encapsulates the intriguing history of ancient Greece. Begin with an exploration revealing the Temple of Olympian Zeus and Arch of Hadrian. Next, your Local Expert takes you to the Acropolis, one of the most important ancient sites in the Western world. Crowning the top is the Parthenon, visible from almost everywhere in the city. 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. Continue 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. Then on to your hotel in Kalambaka for a delicious dinner from a fresh, seasonal menu.
	Visits: Athens, Thermopylae, Kalambaka
	Meals: Breakfast, Dinner with Wine
	Accommodation: Divani Meteora Hotel, Kalambaka.
Day 3	The 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 4	The Sacred Way and onto Olympia
	Travel south, 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 travels continue to Olympia, where dinner is served in your hotel.
	Visits: Kalambaka, Delphi
	Meals: Breakfast, Dinner with Wine
	Accommodation: Arty Grand Hotel, Olympia., Amalia Hotel Olympia.
Day 5	Ancient 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 6	Mycenae and Nafplio
	Visit the ruined city of Mycenae with a Local Expert. Walk through the Lion Gate, visit the royal beehive-tombs and see the giant Cyclopean stones used to build the city walls. Later, join a MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience as you meet the artisans at a family-run pottery studio and view beautiful works of art.Travel to the elegant town of Nafplio, known for its beautiful architecture, colourful shops and cafes. Your journey continues, following the shores of the Saronic Gulf to pass the Corinth Canal, dividing the Peloponnese and mainland Greece, and arriving in Athens. In the evening, enjoy a hearty dinner in true Greek style, complete with wine and good cheer.
	Visits: Archaeological site of Mycenae, Nafplion, Athens
	Meals: Breakfast, Dinner with Wine
	Accommodation: Divani Caravel Hotel, Athens., Crowne Plaza Athens City Centre.
Day 7	Cruising to Thessaloniki Relaxed Start
	The morning is at your leisure. Late afternoon, board your cruise ship and set sail for the ancient city of Thessaloniki. While cruising, enjoy an exquisite variety of Mediterranean dishes as well as flavours, aromas and spices from around the world. Breakfast, lunch and dinner are served on-board daily. Your cruise includes a selection of alcoholic beverages and non alcoholic hot and cold beverages are included.
	Visits: Athens, Thessaloniki
	Meals: Breakfast, Dinner with Wine
	Accommodation: MV Celestyal Crystal (or similar).
Day 8	Discover Thessaloniki Relaxed Start
	Today you will have time to explore Greece's second largest city. Walk along the waterfront and enjoy the many cafes along Aristotelous Square and see ancient monuments such as the Arch of Galerius.
	Visits: Thessaloniki
	Meals: Breakfast, Lunch with Wine, Dinner with Wine
	Accommodation: MV Celestyal Crystal (or similar).
Day 9	Kusadasi Relaxed Start
	This afternoon explore the Turkish port of Kusadasi and explore the ancient ruins of Ephesus with a Local Expert. In the evening, sail on to Rhodes.
	Visits: Kusadasi, Rhodes
	Meals: Breakfast, Lunch with Wine, Dinner with Wine
	Accommodation: MV Celestyal Crystal (or similar).
Day 10	Rhodes Relaxed Start
	Upon arrival at Rhodes, chosen by the Crusaders as their fortified headquarters, the day is yours to explore at your own pace. Join your Local Expert on an included walking tour of the old town surrounded by medieval walls and visit the Acropolis of Lindos or simply enjoy a relaxing day on the golden beaches. In the evening, your cruise continues to Crete.
	Visits: Rhodes, Crete
	Meals: Breakfast, Lunch with Wine, Dinner with Wine
	Accommodation: MV Celestyal Crystal (or similar).
Day 11	Discovering Crete and Santorini Relaxed Start
	Sail to Crete, home to the birthplace of Zeus according to the Greek mythology. There is time at leisure to explore Heraklion or perhaps join a Local Expert for an Optional visit to the site of King Minos' Palace in Knossos. In the afternoon, set sail for Santorini and gaze at the sheer cliffs and dazzling panorama. Explore the capital of Thira, with its clifftop restaurants and cafés, breathtaking views and amazing sunsets. This evening is free for you to explore Santorini's nightlife.
	Visits: Crete, Santorini
	Meals: Breakfast, Lunch with Wine, Dinner with Wine
	Accommodation: MV Celestyal Crystal (or similar).
Day 12	Mykonos Relaxed Start
	The full day is yours to relax and explore Mykonos, with its dazzling sugar cube houses and whitewashed windmills. This evening, there is time to enjoy the buzzing nightlife.
	Visits: Mykonos
	Meals: Breakfast, Lunch with Wine, Dinner with Wine
	Accommodation: MV Celestyal Crystal (or similar).
Day 13	Mykonos to Milos Relaxed Start
	Today is yours to enjoy the gorgeous island of Milos, with its crystal waters and white cliffs. There will be time to explore the capital of Plaka or soak up the sun on the flat rocks of Sarakiniko Beach.
	Visits: Mykonos, Milos
	Meals: Breakfast, Lunch with Wine, Dinner with Wine
	Accommodation: MV Celestyal Crystal (or similar).
Day 14	Athens at Leisure Relaxed Start
	Disembark in the morning and transfer to your hotel where you are at leisure. Relax, shop or bargain in the local market. Perhaps ask about an optional experience to the Temple of Poseidon at Cape Sounion?
	Visits: Athens
	Meals: Breakfast
	Accommodation: Divani Caravel Hotel, Athens., Crowne Plaza Athens City Centre.
Day 15	Depart Athens
	Bid farewell to Athens. Your journey ends with a transfer to the airport.
	Visits: Athens
	Meals: Breakfast

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