GRECIAN FABLES IDYLLIC – SUPERIOR (CLASSIC GROUP)
Description
Itinerary
Price
Hotel
Remarks
Description
Overview
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.
Included/Excluded
Itinerary
Day 1: Welcome to Athens (Dinner with Wine)
- An Insight host will meet you at the airport and take you to the hotel, where there is time to settle in and relax.
Day 2: Athens, City of Gods (Breakfast/ Dinner with Wine)
- 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 (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 (Breakfast/ Dinner with Wine)
- 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 (Breakfast/ Dinner with Wine)
- 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 Highlight Dinner.
Day 6: Mycenae and Nafplio (Breakfast/ Dinner with Wine)
- 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, colourful 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, complete with wine and good cheer.
Day 7: Cruising to Thessaloniki (Breakfast/ Dinner with Wine)
- 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 flavours, 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 (Breakfast/ Lunch with WIne/ Dinner with Wine)
- 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 (Breakfast/ Lunch with Wine/ DInner with Wine)
- 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 (Breakfast/ Lunch with Wine/ Dinner with Wine)
- 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 Crete and Santorini (Breakfast/ Lunch with Wine/ Dinner with Wine)
- 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 (Breakfast/ Lunch with Wine/ Dinner with Wine)
- 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 (Breakfast/ Lunch with Wine/ Dinner with Wine)
- 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 (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 (Breakfast)
- Bid farewell to Athens.
- Your journey ends with a transfer to the airport.
Price
PRICE FROM RM24,725 SUBJECT TO DATE AND AVAILABILITY
Hotel
- Day 1: NEW Hotel/ Divani Palace Acropolis/ Athens Marriott Hotel (Your hotel will be dependent on your departure date)
- Day 2: Divani Meteora Hotel
- Day 3: Divani Metora Hotel/ Grand Meteora Hotel (Your hotel will be dependent on your departure date)
- Day 4 – Day 5: Amalia Hotel/ Arty Grand Hotel (Your hotel will be dependent on your departure date)
- Day 6: NEW Hotel/ Divani Palace Acropolis/ Athens Marriott Hotel (Your hotel will be dependent on your departure date)
- Day 7 – Day 13: MV Celestyal Journey
- Day 14: NEW Hotel/ Divani Palace Acropolis/ Athens Marriott Hotel (Your hotel will be dependent on your departure date)
Remarks
