Grecian Fables Idyllic - Superior, Classic Group
Grecian Fables Idyllic - Superior, Classic Group
Grecian Fables Idyllic - Superior, Classic Group
15 Days Starting and ending in Athens, Greece
Visiting: Athens, Meteora, Olympia, Thessaloniki, Kusadasi, Crete, Santorini, Mykonos, Milos
Tour operator:
Guide Type:
Fully Guided
Tour operated in:
EnglishTrip Styles:
Interests:
Cultural, Foodie and Wine Tours, Gardens & Nature Tours, History
Activities:
Tour Overview
Embark on the "Grecian Fables Idyllic - Superior, Classic Group" tour and immerse yourself in the rich history and stunning landscapes of Greece and Turkey. Begin your journey in Athens, exploring iconic sites like the Acropolis and the Temple of Olympian Zeus. Travel through ancient cities such as Olympia, Mycenae, and Delphi, and witness the breathtaking monasteries of Meteora. Enjoy a luxurious cruise to Thessaloniki, Kusadasi, Crete, Santorini, Mykonos, and Milos, each offering unique cultural experiences and picturesque views. With guided tours, delicious local cuisine, and comfortable accommodations, this tour promises an unforgettable adventure through the heart of the Eastern Mediterranean.
Highlights
Itinerary
Day 1: Welcome To Athens
Location: Athens
Accommodation Name: Divani Palace Acropolis, New, Athens, Athens Marriott
Meals Included: Dinner
An Insight host will meet you at the airport and take you to the hotel, where there is time to settle in and relax. Join your Travel Director and get to know your fellow travelers over a delightful evening of dinner.
Day 2: Athens, City Of Gods
Location: Athens
Accommodation Name: Divani Meteora, Kalambaka
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
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.
Day 3: The Pinnacles Of Meteora Relaxed Start
Location: Meteora
Accommodation Name: Divani Meteora, Kalambaka, Grand Meteora, Kalambaka
Meals Included: Breakfast
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.
Day 4: The Sacred Way And Onto Olympia
Location: Olympia
Accommodation Name: Arty Grand Hotel, Olympia., Amalia Olympia
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
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.
Day 5: Ancient Olympia
Location: Olympia
Accommodation Name: Arty Grand Hotel, Olympia., Amalia Olympia
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
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 honor 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 flavors, as you savor dishes prepared for your dinner.
Day 6: Mycenae And Nafplio
Location: Athens
Accommodation Name: Divani Palace Acropolis, New, Athens, Athens Marriott
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
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, colorful 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.
Day 7: Cruising To Thessaloniki Relaxed Start
Location: Thessaloniki
Accommodation Name: MV Celestyal Journey (or similar).
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
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 flavors, 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.
Day 8: Discover Thessaloniki Relaxed Start
Location: Thessaloniki
Accommodation Name: MV Celestyal Journey (or similar).
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
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.
Day 9: Kusadasi Relaxed Start
Location: Kusadasi
Accommodation Name: MV Celestyal Journey (or similar).
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
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 Crete.
Day 10: Crete Relaxed Start
Location: Crete
Accommodation Name: MV Celestyal Journey (or similar).
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Start your morning on Crete, Greece’s largest island, and the fifth largest in the Mediterranean. Home to myths and legends, including Zeus' birthplace and the Minotaur, embark on an epic tour to the capital city of Heraklion and absorb the rich history of Europe’s first advanced civilization with a visit to King Minos' Palace in Knossos. In the evening, your cruise continues to Santorini.
Day 11: Discovering Santorini Relaxed Start
Location: Santorini
Accommodation Name: MV Celestyal Journey (or similar).
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Arrive in 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.
Day 12: Mykonos Relaxed Start
Location: Mykonos
Accommodation Name: MV Celestyal Journey (or similar).
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
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.
Day 13: Mykonos To Milos Relaxed Start
Location: Milos
Accommodation Name: MV Celestyal Journey (or similar).
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
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.
Day 14: Athens At Leisure Relaxed Start
Location: Athens
Accommodation Name: Divani Palace Acropolis, New, Athens, Athens Marriott
Meals Included: Breakfast
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?
Day 15: Depart Athens
Location: Athens
Meals Included: Breakfast
Bid farewell to Athens. Your journey ends with a transfer to the airport.
Mode of Transport
Travel in luxury with Insight's air-conditioned, 40-seat coach featuring double the standard legroom and onboard washroom, and enjoy a cruise on the MV Celestyal Journey (or similar) with all meals and beverages included.
Accommodation
Stay in comfort at the Divani Palace Acropolis, New, Athens Marriott, Divani Meteora, Grand Meteora, Arty Grand Hotel, Amalia Olympia, and MV Celestyal Journey (or similar) throughout your journey.
Check out our Q&As
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What kind of special experiences can I expect during the tour?
You can expect a variety of special experiences, including a cooking demonstration in Olympia where a local chef will teach you how to make traditional Greek dishes, and a visit to a traditional hand weaving workshop in Nafplio. Additionally, your Travel Director will occasionally surprise you with an Insight Flourish, a local specialty representing the destination.
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Are there any unique dining experiences included in the tour?
Yes, there are several unique dining experiences included. In Athens, you will enjoy dinner in one of the city's historic neighborhoods. In Olympia, you will taste regional specialties over dinner, and in Nafplio, you will have dinner in true Greek style at a local restaurant.
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What kind of transportation is provided during the tour?
The tour provides transportation in Insight's luxurious, air-conditioned, 40-seat coach with double the standard legroom and an onboard washroom. The coaches are sanitized before the start of the tour and maintained to high standards, with physical distancing measures implemented. Hand sanitizer is also freely available on board.
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What kind of accommodations can I expect during the tour?
You will stay in a variety of accommodations, including the Divani Palace Acropolis, New, Athens Marriott in Athens, Divani Meteora and Grand Meteora in Kalambaka, Arty Grand Hotel and Amalia Olympia in Olympia, and the MV Celestyal Journey cruise ship for the island-hopping portion of the tour.
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What are some of the key historical sites visited during the tour?
Key historical sites include the Acropolis and Parthenon in Athens, the Temple of Olympian Zeus, the Arch of Hadrian, the Leonidas Monument in Thermopylae, the monasteries of Meteora, the Temple of Apollo in Delphi, the Ancient Stadium of Olympia, the Lion Gate and royal beehive-tombs in Mycenae, and the ancient ruins of Ephesus in Kusadasi.
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What activities are available during the leisure days on the tour?
During leisure days, you can explore the nature trails in Meteora, visit the Natural History Museum, walk along the waterfront in Thessaloniki, explore the nightlife in Santorini and Mykonos, and relax or shop in Athens. Optional experiences, such as a visit to the Temple of Poseidon at Cape Sounion, may also be available.
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What kind of meals are included in the tour?
The tour includes 14 breakfasts, 6 lunches, and 12 dinners. While on the cruise, breakfast, lunch, and dinner are served daily, with a selection of alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages included.
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Is Wi-Fi available during the tour?
Yes, complimentary Wi-Fi is available on the coach and in the hotels where you will be staying, subject to availability.
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Are airport transfers included in the tour?
Airport transfers are available at scheduled times if your arrival and/or departure flights align with the itinerary start and end dates. If your flights are outside these times, or if you have booked additional nights of accommodation with Insight Vacations, you may purchase transfers or make your own way to/from the airport.
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Can I join the tour once it has departed?
We regret that no refunds can be made for absences from a tour, including experiences such as missed meals or sightseeing.
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How long has the tour company been trading?
Since 1978.
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What Ethical Travel credentials does the tour company have?
Insight Vacations is a founding member of the TreadRight Foundation, a joint initiative created by the brands within The Travel Corporation (TTC) almost 15 years ago to ensure our impact through tourism is positive. Our ethos to #MakeTravelMatter guides our decision-making at every level of our business.
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Will the accommodation included meet local health and safety regulations?
Yes
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Do you operate a “single share” option and how does it work?
You have two options as a solo traveller. Either choose to be matched with a same sex partner for a room share - at no extra cost. Or choose a room of your own with a reduced or even free private room upgrade on select tours.
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What policies are in place for Covid-19?
Please contact us for latest COVID-19 policies
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Low Deposit
Barrhead Travel requires a minimum deposit of 200 GBP per person or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 98 days before departure.
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Cancellation Policy
We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of barrhead travel charges.
Up to 98 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.
At 97 days before tour starts: Forfeit 50% of booking price.
At 74 days before tour starts: Forfeit 75% of booking price.
At 28 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of booking price.
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Terms and Conditions
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