Tour Type: Regional
Brochure Type: IV Europe Summer 2023 v2

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 Istanbul, explore the spice market and travel along the bosphorus, before arriving in Cannakale. Sail to Thessaloniki, Greece's largest city, and Volos. Gaze at the sheer cliffs of Santorini from the village of Oia perched atop the caldera rim - and later, take in the most beautiful sunset you'll ever see.

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

• "Not only does it have a land in two continents, but Istanbul is the only city in the world which was the capital of three empires: the Roman, Byzantine and Ottoman Empires."
• "I love how guests react to hearing the Zorba the Greek song. It's amazing that one old song can still unite and spread so much enthusiasm."
• "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.
• Crete: Explore Istanbul in Turkey. Visit Kavala, Thessaloniki, Volos and Santorini in Greece.
• Istanbul: Enjoy a relaxing cruise on the Bosphorus in Istanbul, where you'll pass Ottoman palaces, old mansions and fortresses.
• Oia: With you Local Expert, explore this village of Santorini during your included shore excursion.

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.

Additional Included Highlights

• On departures with 8 or more guests, personal radio headsets give you the freedom to wander during visits to famous highlights, without missing any of your Local Expert's fascinating commentary.
• We carry your bags for you and promptly deliver them to your hotel door.
• 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.
• Stay connected with friends and family with our complimentary coach and hotel Wi-Fi (where available).
• From time to time, your Travel Director will delight you with an Insight Flourish, which is a local specialty representing the destination.
• You will enjoy the services of a Cruise Director, while on board, and all port taxes and crew gratuities are included.
• 3 nights aboard your mid-size cruise ship featuring air-conditioned cabins with private facilities, outdoor pool, fitness centre, beauty salon, casino, bars & restaurants.
• Breakfast, lunch and dinner are served daily onboard your ship and we provide a complimentary drinks package, featuring a selection of alcoholic, soft drinks and hot beverages.
• Transfers are included between Insight hotels and cruise port. Complimentary transfers from/to Athens Airport are available on arrival and departure days, or with additional accommodation booked through Insight Vacations.