Grecian Fables Idyllic - Superior, Classic Group

Grecian Fables Idyllic - Superior, Classic Group

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 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.

Tour Greece Turkey Insight Vacations Eastern Mediterranean Cruising Regional
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 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.

Dining Summary

  • 12 Dinner (D)
  • 14 Breakfast (B)
  • 6 Lunch (L)

Choice Highlights

  • Athens: Get up close and personal with ancient Greece as you explore Athens with your Local Expert. With your Local Expert, visit the monumental Temple of Olympian Zeus and the Arch of Hadrian. Then, ascend to the iconic Acropolis, where the Parthenon offers commanding views of the city. Discover the intricacies of the Temple of Athena Nike, also known as the Temple of Wingless Victory, and admire the six exquisite Caryatids supporting the Porch of the Maidens on the Erechtheion.
  • Athens: Stroll through the ancient streets of Plaka, known as the "Neighborhood of the Gods" under the guidance of your Travel Director. Nestled beneath the Acropolis, explore Plaka’s timeless charm, discovering the historical treasures and hidden corners, before enjoying time at leisure along Adrianou, a bustling pedestrian hub, brimming with vibrant shops and traditional cafes.

Additional Included Highlights

  • Personal radio headsets give you the freedom to wander during visits to famous highlights, without missing any of your Local Expert's fascinating commentary.
  • Hotel and restaurant tips are included - you'll never have to worry about how much to give, nor search for foreign currency. We also include all taxes and porterage charges at hotels.
  • We carry your bags for you and promptly deliver them to your hotel door.
  • From time to time, your Travel Director will delight you with an Insight Flourish, which is a local specialty representing the destination.
  • Stay connected with friends and family with our complimentary coach and hotel Wi-Fi (where available).
  • If your arrival and/or departure flights are as per the itinerary start and end dates, then transfers are available at scheduled times. If your flights are outside these times, or you have booked additional nights accommodation with Insight Vacations, you may purchase transfers or make your own way from/to the airport.

Authentic Dining

  • Athens: Taste seasonal dishes built around olive oil, grains, legumes and coastal produce, paired with wines from native grape varieties grown across mainland and island vineyards.
  • Olympia: Taste unique Greek flavors and savor regional specialties over dinner.
  • Athens: Toast the culmination of your travels with dinner in true Greek style at a local restaurant.

Insight Choice

  • Athens: Get up close and personal with ancient Greece as you explore Athens with your Local Expert. With your Local Expert, visit the monumental Temple of Olympian Zeus and the Arch of Hadrian. Then, ascend to the iconic Acropolis, where the Parthenon offers commanding views of the city. Discover the intricacies of the Temple of Athena Nike, also known as the Temple of Wingless Victory, and admire the six exquisite Caryatids supporting the Porch of the Maidens on the Erechtheion.
  • Athens: Stroll through the ancient streets of Plaka, known as the "Neighborhood of the Gods" under the guidance of your Travel Director. Nestled beneath the Acropolis, explore Plaka’s timeless charm, discovering the historical treasures and hidden corners, before enjoying time at leisure along Adrianou, a bustling pedestrian hub, brimming with vibrant shops and traditional cafes.

Insight Experiences

  • Olympia: Join a local chef who will share their 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

  • Nafplio: Visit the atelier of Maria Gonidou, a celebrated artisan who brings Greece’s weaving heritage to life on an ancient loom. Alongside her daughter Nefeli, Maria shares the age-old techniques behind each handmade textile. Watch a live demonstration and explore a boutique filled with one-of-a-kind pieces. This MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience supports a family-run craft and helps safeguard traditional skills for future generations. Your visit supports United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities.

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 Hadrian’s Arch, built in AD 131 to mark the boundary between ancient Greek Athens and the Roman city rebuilt under Emperor Hadrian. Its inscription reflects the city’s dual identity during the Roman period.
  • Kalambaka: Your Travel Director will provide an orientation of this town situated at the base of the extraordinary Meteora rocks.
  • Thermopylae: View the monument to King Leonidas, erected near the site of the 480 BC battle between Greek forces and the Persian army of Xerxes I. The statue commemorates the Spartan-led defense of the pass, where terrain played a decisive role in delaying the Persian advance into mainland Greece.
  • 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: Explore Delphi with your Local Expert, following the Sacred Way past the Treasury of the Athenians and the Polygonal Wall as the sanctuary climbs the slope of Mount Parnassus. You’ll reach the Temple of Apollo and learn how the oracle’s consultations shaped decision-making across the Greek world for centuries.
  • Archaeological Site of Olympia: The stadium of Olympia hosted the ancient Olympic Games and the Heraia, the women's games in honor of Hera. See the Temple of Zeus, athlete's gymnasium and the stone marker where the sprint began.
  • Archaeological Site of Mycenae: Explore Mycenae with your Local Expert, entering through the Lion Gate and walking the citadel where Cyclopean walls protected one of the most powerful centers of the Late Bronze Age. You’ll visit tholos tombs and learn how archaeology connects the site to Mycenaean society, trade and kingship.
  • Nafplio: Join your Travel Director for an orientation of Nafplion. See why this town was chosen as Greece’s first capital after independence, with neoclassical public buildings and waterfront promenades set beneath the Palamidi fortress.
  • Corinth Canal: See the Corinth Canal, opened in 1893 to cut a 6.3-kilometer passage through the Isthmus of Corinth and link the Aegean with the Ionian. From the crossing point, you’ll view the steep limestone sides and the narrow channel that shortened sea routes around the Peloponnese.
  • Athens: Visit the Greek Islands of Crete, Mykonos, Santorini, Milos. Explore the Turkish port of Kusadasi.
  • Ephesus: Walk through Ephesus with a Local Expert, following the Arcadian Way into the heart of the Roman city. You’ll stand before the Library of Celsus, take in the scale of the amphitheater and visit the House of the Virgin Mary, set in the hills above the ruins.

Well-being

  • Enjoy the comfort of Insight's luxurious, air-conditioned, 40-seat coach with double the standard legroom and onboard washroom. 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.
  • Hand sanitizer is freely available on board for you to use throughout the day.

Details

Tour Operator
Insight Vacations
Start City
Athens
End City
Athens
Duration (Days)
15
Activity Level
Regional

Highlights

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