Overview:

This tour should top every traveller's wish list. Tour the sun-kissed temples and time-worn towns of the mainland and visit two of the most romantic islands on earth, where relaxing on the beach or in local cafes is the order of the day.

Countries Visited

Greece

On mainland Greece, an expert Insight Tour Director, smooths your way throughout your journey. They are your 'travelling concierges', expert guides, consummate organisers and friends in a foreign land.

Enjoy the unique comfort of Insight's luxury air-conditioned 40 seat coach with extended leg room and on-board restroom. It's business class comfort.

Personal radio headsets, gives you the freedom to wander during visits to famous highlights without missing any of your local expert's fascinating insights and commentaries.

Baggage handling everywhere, with seamless and prompt delivery to your door at every hotel. Hotel and restaurant tips included - you'll never have to worry about how much to give, nor search for foreign currency. Plus we include all taxes and porterage charges at hotels.

Insight Flourishes - from time to time, your Tour Director will enchant you with local tidbits, each representing authentic food or beverages unique to the destination.

Included airport transfers on arrival and departure days.

Your stay on the islands is locally hosted. Travel between islands is fully escorted with a group size of 10 or more. Island transfers by air-conditioned coach or minibus.

High-Speed ferries from Athens to Mykonos and Santorini. (Ferry schedules and the availability of High-Speed ferries may be affected by adverse weather conditions and other unforeseen circumstances. Porterage is not available on ferries).

One way economy class flight from Santorini to Athens.

Athens: See Hadrian's Arch and the Temple of Zeus.
Corinth Canal: Cross the amazing rock-cut channel dividing the Peloponnese from mainland Greece.
Patras: Cross world's longest multi-span cable-stayed bridge.
Thermopylae: See the memorial to Leonidas and his heroic Spartans.
Mykonos: Walk the winding cobbled streets of Mykonos town and the three windmills guarding the old port.
Santorini: Enjoy views over the famous submerged caldera.
Olympia: Join a local chef and get to grips with the local flavours in an introduction to Greek cooking!
Athens: Toast the culmination of your Classical mainland tour at a lively Celebration Dinner with wine.
13 Breakfasts (BB), 2 three-course table d'hôte Dinners or Buffets, with tea or coffee (D); 1 Welcome Dinner (WD), 1 Signature Evening (SE) and 1 Celebration Dinner (CD) all with wine, plus tea or coffee.
Athens: With a Local Expert, ascend the ‘Sacred Rock', the Acropolis, to admire the Parthenon built in 5th century BC as well as the smaller Temple of Athena Nike and "Porch of the Maidens".
Mycenae: Walk through the Lion Gate past the royal ‘beehive' tombs where Schliemann uncovered golden treasure, hearing tales of Agamemnon (hacked to death in his bath by his wife Klytemnestra!).
Argolis: View beautiful works of art during your visit to a family-run pottery studio, which embraces traditional methods.
Epidaurus: Visit the sanctuary of Asklepios. In the centre of the enclosure stood the temple dedicated to the god of medicine. Visit the museum, as well as the best preserved open air theatre in the whole of Greece.
Olympia: Olympia was the original location of the Olympic Games held every four years during a 1000 year period, as a celebration of the Hellenic spirit. Here lie the ruins of temples and treasures dedicated to Zeus, King of the Gods.
Delphi: Ascend 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.
Meteora: Visit one of the remarkable, centuries-old monasteries of Meteora with a Local Expert, teetering on towers of rock, and arguably, the most spectacular place to visit in Greece!
Athens: The Divani Caravel is a luxury hotel situated in the heart of Athens. A member of The Leading Hotels of the World, it epitomizes refinement, elegance and exceptional service.
Nafplio: Nafplia Palace is located on the slope of the ancient fortress of Akronafplia. It offers rooms with views of the Argolic Bay and spacious private balconies overlooking Nafplion and Bourtzi island fort.