Overview
Itinerary
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 travellers over a delightful evening of dinner.
Begin your journey into ancient Greece today, where the history of this remarkable civilisation comes to life. Explore Athens with an Insight Choice experience. Choose to visit the city's renowned ancient sites with a Local Expert, or venture into the dynamic Plaka neighbourhood, guided by your Travel Director.
Next, venture to Thermopylae, the mountain pass where King Leonidas and his Spartan warriors made their legendary stand against the Persians in 480 B.C. Pay tribute at the memorial honouring their courage before continuing to your hotel in Kalambaka for a delicious dinner crafted from fresh, seasonal ingredients.
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.
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.
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 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. Continue to the elegant town of Nafplio, known for its beautiful architecture, colourful shops and cafes. Enjoy a MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience as you meet master weaver Maria Gonidou and her daughter Nefeli at their boutique studio in Nafplio. Learn about the traditional Greek weaving techniques that they are preserving for future generations and see a live demonstration on ancient looms.
Later, your journey follows the shores of the Saronic Gulf, passing the Corinth Canal en route to Athens. In the evening, enjoy a hearty dinner in true Greek style.
The morning is at your leisure. In the late afternoon, board your cruise ship and set sail for Kuşadası. 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 hot and cold non-alcoholic beverages during meals.
This afternoon explore the Turkish port of Kuşadası and explore the ancient ruins of Ephesus with a Local Expert. In the evening, sail on to Rhodes.
Enjoy a day at leisure in Rhodes to relax or explore at your own pace. Stroll the medieval Old Town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, where cobbled lanes lead to artisan boutiques, shaded courtyards and lively cafes. You might choose to join an Optional Experience to the hill of Philerimos, where your Local Expert will guide you through the medieval monastery, the mosaic-lined Golgotha path and the 15th-century Church of St George Hostos. Alternatively, join another Optional Experience on a scenic drive to the ancient town of Lindos. Here, ascend to the Acropolis to see the Doric Temple of Athena Lindia and enjoy sweeping views over St. Paul's Bay.
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.
Arrive in Santorini and gaze at the sheer cliffs and dazzling panorama. Explore the capital of Thira, with its clifftop restaurants and cafes, breathtaking views and vibrant atmosphere. Later, perhaps join an Optional Experience to the postcard-perfect village of Oia, famed for its whitewashed houses, blue domes and spellbinding sunset views. This evening is free for you to explore Santorini's nightlife.
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.
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.
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?
Bid farewell to Athens. Your journey ends with a transfer to the airport.
Trip Inclusions
- 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 defence 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 honour 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 centres 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-kilometre 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 amphitheatre and visit the House of the Virgin Mary, set in the hills above the ruins.
- Heraklion: Explore the Palace of Knossos in Heraklion, entering through its imposing northern gate before viewing frescoes restored at the turn of the 20th century. As you follow scenes of processions, animals and ceremonial figures, you'll gain insight into Minoan architecture, ritual and daily life, revealing a sophisticated Cretan civilisation that flourished more than 3,000 years before classical Greece finally emerged.
- 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.
Choose between two carefully selected activities
- 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.
- 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.
- Air-conditioned, 40-seat coach with double the standard legroom and onboard washroom
- An expert Travel Director and professional Driver
- Audio headsets for flexible sightseeing
- All hotel tips, charges and local taxes
- 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 a local specialty representing the destination.
- Complimentary coach and hotel Wi-Fi where available
- 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 flavours and savour regional specialities over dinner.
- Athens: Toast the culmination of your travels with dinner in true Greek style at a local restaurant.
- Dining Summary: 12 Dinners (D), 14 Breakfasts (B), 6 Lunches (L)
- Itinerary and inclusions are subject to change
- Price is for land, cruise and internal flights as specified. Flights not specified are not included
Cruise Line
Trip Reviews (6)
The inland tour (6 days) was amazing because we had a such great tour guide who could explain the history of Greece read more in a such way that made it easy for us to understand. We were lucky with the weather when cruising on Aegean seas. The entertainment provided on the Celestyal Cruises was very good but food was average. Our tour guide on the cruise was good for nothing (we got told that she was replacing the other tour guide because she/he was sick).
Overall our holiday was a pleasant one and hope that we can visit Greece again in the future.
We were grateful for the opportunities this offered, but for anyone at all put off by large crowds and mass organisation, this may not be for you.
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Insight Vacations Europe, Britain & the World (2026-27)
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A definite departure means minimum numbers have been reached for this departure to operate. Your Global Journeys Travel Advisor will check the availability of your departure date when you Enquire. Additional savings may apply. T&C’s apply.
Tour & cruises prices are per person. Prices shown have savings applied, are subject to availability and may be withdrawn at any time without notice. Pricing and trip details are correct at this point in time, however are subject to confirmation at the time of booking and are subject to change by Insight Vacations. For cruise itineraries, cabin images are sourced from the cruise-line and should be treated as indicative only. Cabin inclusions, upholsteries and room layout may differ to the image(s) shown depending on the ship selected and your sailing dates.
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