14-Nights Grecian Fables Idyllic - Superior, Classic Group

Greece/Turkey

Insight Vacations

Deluxe

Vacation Offer ID 1570525

Reference this number when contacting our travel specialist.

From $6,025

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Overview

Insight Vacations

Grecian Fables Idyllic - Superior, Classic Group
Journey across the Aegean Sea, cruise to the islands of Crete, Santorini and Mykonos. Visit the sites of Athens including the Acropolis and the Temple of Zeus. Explore Ephesus, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World.

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 cafés.

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: Indulge in local specialties with your fellow travelers as you savor dinner in one of the city's historic neighborhoods.
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 cafés.

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: Experience the timeless craft of hand weaving by visiting a traditional workshop. Immerse yourself in the ancient art and discover the intricate techniques passed down through generations. This experience advances 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 the Arch of Hadrian, erected in honor 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 honor 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.

Nafplio: Join your Travel Director in an orientation of this b

Featured Destinations

Mykonos Mykonos Mykonos's many captivating attributes make it one of the most celebrated Greek holiday islands. Its main village is a colorful maze of narrow streets lined with white-washed houses, many with bright blue doors and shutters. As an attractive backdrop, famous windmills are lined up like toy soldiers on the hillside, vestiges of a time when wind power was used to grind grain. Mykonos has churches and chapels scattered about the island; quite a number of them are located right in town. Radiant flowers spill over white-washed walls and shady courtyards. In addition to swimming, sunning, water-skiing and surfing, visitors find endless shopping opportunities. Artists have relied on Mykonos' beautiful setting to inspire them. The most photographed site is the Paraportiani, a cluster of white-washed churches resting below windmills. Mykonos's museums include an Archaeological Museum, which houses relics from the Trojan War, a Folk Art Museum and a Maritime Museum. The best beaches are Aghios Stephanos, Psarou, Kalafatis, Onros, Panormos and Elia.	Destination Guide
Santorini Santorini Santorini is everything that has made the Greek islands legendary. The world famous island of Santorini is the southern most island of the Cycladic group in the Aegean Sea, and is located north of Crete. Its population is distributed among thirteen villages and just exceeds nine thousand. The marvelous dry climate and unbroken sunshine create year around conditions which are perfect for observation, photographs and videos under an extraordinary variety of natural lights and colors.	Destination Guide
Crete Crete Crete is the largest of the Greek islands, lying at the southern limit of the Aegean Sea. Among the artists who lived on Crete was El Greco, who was born near Heraklion in 1541. The area around the harbor and the side streets are lined with souvenir and handicraft shops. Jewelry, olive and honey products may be of interest.Tavernas along the harbor front offer tasty local dishes. Spinalonga Island is located 15 miles from Ághios Nikólaos. Formerly the site of a leper colony, the island is popular with sun worshippers who enjoy its picturesque setting. Other attractions include the remains of a 16th-century Venetian fort.	Destination Guide
Kusadasi (Ephesus) Kusadasi (Ephesus) Visitors come to Kusadasi for beaches and nearby ruins of Ephesus. The major attraction is the archaeological site of ancient Ephesus, considered to be most important in Turkey. The history of this ancient city dates back to 10th century BC; many remarkable structures seen today are result of an excavation and restoration program. Along a white marble road grooved by ancient chariot wheels, the two-story Library of Celsus presents a striking sight. There are temples, houses of noblemen, and community buildings lining ancient streets. Nestled in the mountainside is a 25,000-seat amphitheater, still used for performances during Festival of Culture and Art. Bible buffs may know Ephesus as inspiration for St. Paul’s Epistle to Ephesians and the site of one of the first seven churches of Asia Minor. Treasures are kept in the Seljuk Archaeological Museum. Among the better-known ancient sites near Kusadasi are ancient Miletus and Dydima. Remains include a well-preserved Roman theater at Miletus and Dydima's sacred temple of Apollo.	Destination Guide
Thessaloniki Thessaloniki Thessaloniki is Greece’s second largest city, busiest seaport after Piraeus, major cultural center in northern Greece, and capital of Macedonia. Prehistoric remains in the city’s vicinity show the area was settled as far back as 1000 B.C. Thessaloniki is considered more cosmopolitan than Athens. In 1997, the European Community honored the city with title of “Cultural Capital of Europe.” Although many older buildings were destroyed in a 1917 fire and during bombing attacks in World War II, the city still has historical landmarks ranging from the 15th century Venetian Tower to the Arch of Galerius. There are also magnificent churches. The main hub centers around Aristotle Square, a traffic-free area surrounded by arcades with cafes and restaurants. The pedestrian strip along the water’s edge is a popular seafront promenade. Main thoroughfares, Odos Mitropoleos and Odos Tsimski, are lined with luxury shops and boutiques. On Aristotle Street is the picturesque Central Market. Paradise Baths, a Turkish bathhouse dating from 1444, is still in use today.	Destination Guide
Olympia, Greece Olympia, Greece Olympia is the great Panhellenic sanctuary. The site of ancient Olympia is situated at the foot of wooded Mount Kronos in an area of gentle hills; excavations began in 1875 and are considered one of archaeology’s great achievements. A direct consequence was the revival of Olympic Games by Baron Pierre de Coubertin; the first modern games were held in Athens in 1896. Today, visitors to Olympia are overwhelmed by the impact of ancient remains and their significance. The site’s most important excavations include numerous monuments, such as Temple of Zeus in the Sacred Precinct, Treasuries, and Stadium. There is an excellent Archaeological Museum with a large collection of bronzes, pottery and sculptures unearthed during the excavations.	Destination Guide
Kalambaka Kalambaka Kalambaka is a small modern town with near Meteora. The most interesting feature of the town is the dramatic backdrop of the steep Meteora rocks that frame the northern part of the skyline. The town is clean and quiet, with one main street that runs through it like a backbone, and several squares adorned with lavish fountains that become pivot points for families and boisterous children late in the evening. Most restaurants and cafes are located along the main street and in the few side streets in the center of town.	Destination Guide
Athens Athens Even though you've probably come here to see the "glory that was Greece," perhaps best symbolized by the Parthenon and the superb statues and vases in the National Archaeological Museum, allow some time to make haste slowly in Athens. Your best moments may come sitting at a small cafe, sipping a tiny cup of the sweet sludge that the Greeks call coffee, or getting hopelessly lost in the Plaka -- only to find yourself in the shady courtyard of an old church, or suddenly face to face with an ancient monument you never knew existed. With only a little advance planning, you can find a good hotel here, eat well in convivial restaurants, enjoy local customs such as the refreshing afternoon siesta and the leisurely evening volta (promenade or stroll) -- and leave Athens planning to return, as the Greeks say, tou chronou (next year).	Destination Guide

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Valid Date Ranges

Trip prices are per person, land only, based on double occupancy and reflect applicable discounts. Trip prices and discounts are subject to change. Airfare is additional. Tour prices, dates and itineraries are correct at the time of the website going live, however are subject to confirmation at the time of booking. Other restrictions may apply. Trip prices are per person, land only, based on double occupancy and reflect applicable discounts. Trip prices and discounts are subject to change. Airfare is additional. Tour prices, dates and itineraries are correct at the time of the website going live, however are subject to confirmation at the time of booking. Other restrictions may apply.

All fares are quoted in US Dollars.