Greece Undiscovered
Greece Undiscovered
$5950
Greece Undiscovered
15 Days Starting in Athens, Greece and ending in Chania, Greece
Visiting: Athens, Thermopylae, Ancient Dion, Thessaloniki, Vergina, Metsovo, Ioannina, Nafpaktos, Galaxidi, Delphi, Nafplio, Mycenae, Epidaurus, Heraklion, Rethymno, Chania
Tour operator:
Tour code:
W952M20
Guide Type:
Fully Guided
Tour operated in:
EnglishInterests:
Activities:
Tour Overview
Explore the Acropolis, visit a family-run honey farm with a local beekeeper, and discover archaeological treasures in Crete.
Choice Highlights
- Thessaloniki: Explore the historical city of Thessaloniki with your Local Expert.
- Thessaloniki: Explore Thessaloniki and its cuisine, perfect for local-food-lovers.
Top Rated Highlights
- Athens: Ascend the Acropolis to admire the Parthenon, the Temple of Athena Nike, and the Erechtheion's Porch of the Maidens.
- Athens: See the Arch of Hadrian, separating the ancient city and the new Roman district, along with the Temple of Olympian Zeus.
- Thermopylae: See the Leonidas Monument dedicated to the brave warrior and his 300 Spartans.
- Metsovo: Visit Metsovo, the authentic traditional village on the picturesque mountainside.
- Ioannina: Cruise to the island of Ioannina, spreading out around the beautiful lake Pamvotida. Walk around the old town, see the Ali Pasha and Revolutionary Period Museum, where Ali Pasha was killed and decapitated by the sultan's troops in 1822, marvel at the museum's rich collection. See the Monastery of Saint Nicholas of Philanthropinoi – an important site as the island is Greece's third-largest monastic community.
- Nafpaktos: The site of the Great Sea battle of Lepanto, scenery and history are revealed on your visit to the Venetian town of Nafpaktos. Nafpaktos Port, once used to defend the city, is now home to gorgeous private yachts. Admire the yachts, an old lighthouse and two statues depicting the Greek national hero Anemogiannis and Cervantes.
- Delphi: Walk to the Sacred Way, and take in the Athenian Treasury, Polygonal Wall and Temple of Apollo.
- 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.
- Archaeological Site of Mycenae: Walk through the Lion Gate past the royal beehive-tombs where Schliemann uncovered golden treasure, as your Local Expert shares tales of Agamemnon.
- Heraklion: Take an internal flight to Crete, your home for the next four nights
- Corinth Canal: Cross the amazing rock-cut channel dividing the Peloponnese from mainland Greece.
- Heraklion: Join your Travel Director in an orientation of the urban capital of the island of Crete - Heraklion, a port city with millennia of history.
- Heraklion: Further your discovery of the Crete island and its past on a visit to the Archaeological Museum of Heraklion with a Local Expert for an insightful background to the history and culture of Crete. You’ll see treasures from the Palace of Knossos, astounded by the incredible details in pieces from thousands of years ago.
- Rethymno: Take a walking tour past the Venetian buildings as well as Ottoman domes and minarets built by the Turks. View the 16th-century Venetian fortress built on Paleokastro hill overlooking Rethymno town to protect it from Turkish invaders.
- Chania: Explore the fusion of Venetian and Ottoman archaeology, visit the key monuments of the old town and the Ottoman district of Splantzia.
Make Travel Matter
Delphi: Visit a family-run Moka honey farm for an educational tour about bees and taste the rich thyme honey produced in the valley of olive trees. This experience advances United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 15: Life on Land.
Authentic Dining
Athens: Indulge in local specialties with your fellow travellers as you savour dinner in one of the city's historic neighbourhoods.
Heraklion: Experience a traditional Cretan feast served family-style to share at a local restaurant.
Chania: Toast the culmination of your travels with dinner in true Greek style at a local restaurant.
Insight Choice
Thessaloniki: Explore the historical city of Thessaloniki with your Local Expert.
Thessaloniki: Explore Thessaloniki and its cuisine, perfect for local-food-lovers.
Itinerary
Day 1: Welcome to Athens
Location: Athens
Accommodation: Divani Palace Acropolis, New, Athens, Athens Marriott
Accommodation Name: Divani Palace Acropolis, New, Athens, Athens Marriott
Meals Included: Dinner
Begin your Greece Undiscovered adventure in Athens by joining your Travel Director and fellow travellers for a dinner paired with wine.
Day 2: The Glorious City of Athens
Location: Athens
Accommodation: Divani Palace Acropolis, New, Athens, Athens Marriott
Accommodation Name: Divani Palace Acropolis, New, Athens, Athens Marriott
Meals Included: Breakfast
Delve into history at the Acropolis and the 5th-century B.C. Parthenon. View the Panathenaic Stadium, Hadrian’s Arch, Temple of Zeus, Parliament building, the tomb of the unknown soldier and the trilogy of Athens.
Day 3: Ancient Dion and onto Thessaloniki
Location: Thermopylae, Ancient Dion, Thessaloniki
Accommodation: Electra Palace, Thessaloniki
Accommodation Name: Monasty
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
Embark to the battle site of Thermopylae to see the memorial dedicated to Leonidas and his Spartans. Stop at the archaeological park of Ancient Dion, the mythical home of the 12 Greek Gods. In Thessaloniki, dine on northern Greek cuisine food and wine.
Day 4: Thessaloniki Your Way
Location: Thessaloniki
Accommodation: Electra Palace, Thessaloniki
Accommodation Name: Monasty
Meals Included: Breakfast
Thessaloniki is yours to discover with Insight Choice. Explore the old town or “Ano Poli” to take in views of the city below. Or, indulge your foodie side exploring Thessaloniki city while sampling local delicacies.
Day 5: Vergina, Metsovo and onto Ioannina
Location: Vergina, Metsovo, Ioannina
Accommodation: Du Lac, Ionannina
Accommodation Name: Du Lac, Ioannina
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
Vergina is a treasure trove of important remains including a monumental palace and burial ground with more than 300 tumuli. Your Local Expert reveals the tomb where Alexander the Great’s father Philippos is believed to be buried. Continue your discovery at the Polycentric Museum of Aigai. Visit the traditional mountain town of Metsovo before arriving in Ioannina for dinner.
Day 6: Picturesque Ioannina
Location: Ioannina
Accommodation: Du Lac, Ionannina
Accommodation Name: Du Lac, Ioannina
Meals Included: Breakfast
Discover Ioannina’s history as you walk inside the castle walls of the old fortified city, the Kastro, punctuated with ancient towers. View Lake Pamvotis before cruising to the quiet island of Ioannina by local boat.
Day 7: Venetian town of Nafpaktos to Galaxidi
Location: Nafpaktos, Galaxidi, Delphi
Accommodation: Amalia Hotel Delphi.
Accommodation Name: Amalia Hotel Delphi.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
A beautiful harbor and the site of the Great Sea battle of Lepanto, scenery and history are revealed on your visit to the Venetian town of Nafpaktos. Continue your travels to Galaxidi, where you’ll delight at views from your seaside restaurant.
Day 8: Delphi with a Local
Location: Delphi
Accommodation: Amalia Hotel Delphi.
Accommodation Name: Amalia Hotel Delphi.
Meals Included: Breakfast
Ascend the Sacred Way of Delphi with your Local Expert. Pass the Parian marble Treasury of the Athenians and Polygonal Wall and approach the Temple of Apollo. Visit the family-run Moka honey farm for a MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience meeting the beekeeper and tasting the rich thyme honey.
Day 9: Onto Nafplion
Location: Nafplio
Accommodation: Ippoliti Hotel, 3Sixty, Nafplio, Castellano, Nafplio
Accommodation Name: Ippoliti, Nafplio, 3Sixty, Nafplio, Castellano, Nafplio
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch
With the impressive Rio Andirio cable span bridge guiding your journey, travel to the Peloponnese. The flavours of the wine making region of Nemea delight your palate over a winery tour and tasting with a light lunch. In Nafplio, your Travel Director reveals the sights on an orientation walk past Neoclassical buildings, the first parliament of Modern Greece and the central square.
Day 10: The Beauty of Nafplio
Location: Mycenae, Epidaurus, Nafplio
Accommodation: Ippoliti Hotel, 3Sixty, Nafplio, Castellano, Nafplio
Accommodation Name: Ippoliti, Nafplio, 3Sixty, Nafplio, Castellano, Nafplio
Meals Included: Breakfast
Classical Greek culture is revealed on your visit to the ruined city of Mycenae. Walk through the Lion Gate, visit the royal beehive-tombs and see the giant Cyclopean stones. Visit the Ancient Theatre of Epidaurus, one of the best-preserved amphitheaters in Greece. Before returning to Nafplion, stop for a tasting at a local olive oil factory.
Day 11: Heraklion, Crete's Capital
Location: Athens, Heraklion
Accommodation: Megaron, Heraklion
Accommodation Name: Megaron, Heraklion
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
Take a guided walking tour to see the Koules Fortress, the Venetian Loggia, Morosini Fountain, the Basilica of St Mark, the Church of Agios Titus, the monastery of St Catherine and the Cathedral of Agios Minas. This evening, indulge in local dishes paired with the 'fiery' local drink, raki.
Day 12: Heraklion Sightseeing
Location: Heraklion
Accommodation: Megaron, Heraklion
Accommodation Name: Megaron, Heraklion
Meals Included: Breakfast
The island of Crete has drawn historians and travelers just like you to its shores. Explore the Minoan Palace of Knossos. Further your discovery of the island and its past on a visit to the Archaeological Museum of Heraklion with a Local Expert.
Day 13: Rethymno and onto Chania
Location: Rethymno, Chania
Accommodation: Samaria, Chania
Accommodation Name: Samaria, Chania
Meals Included: Breakfast
One of the best-preserved medieval towns in Greece, Rethymno will enchant the most curious of travelers. Take a walking tour past the Venetian buildings as well as Ottoman domes and minarets before arriving in Chania for the night.
Day 14: Chania, The Old Town
Location: Chania
Accommodation: Samaria, Chania
Accommodation Name: Samaria, Chania
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
Visit the monuments in the old town and the Ottoman district of Splantzia. Explore the Jewish district with its famous Etz Hayyim synagogue. This evening, join your fellow travellers for dinner in a traditional Cretan restaurant.
Day 15: Farewell Greece
Location: Chania
Meals Included: Breakfast
After breakfast, you'll be transferred to the Chania airport for your onward flight.
What's Included
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Meals
The tour includes 14 breakfasts, 1 lunch, and 6 dinners.
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Local Expert Guides
Explore various historical sites with the guidance of local experts.
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Personal Radio Headsets
Personal radio headsets are provided to ensure you don't miss any commentary from your local expert.
What's Not Included
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Optional Dinner Experience
An optional dinner experience in lively Psiri is not included.
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Additional Airport Transfers
If your flights are outside the scheduled times, or you have booked additional nights' accommodation, you may need to purchase transfers or make your own way from/to the airport.
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Personal Expenses
Any personal expenses such as souvenirs, additional meals, and drinks are not included.
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Travel Insurance
Travel insurance is not included and is recommended to be purchased separately.
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Optional Excursions
Optional excursions and activities not listed in the itinerary are not included.
Dining Summary
Additional Included Highlights
Insight Experiences
Tasting
Well-being
Check out our Q&As
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What unique experiences are included in the tour to support sustainability?
The tour includes visits to the Mediterranean's first turtle sanctuary in Athens and a family-run Moka honey farm in Delphi. These experiences support United Nations Sustainable Development Goals related to life below water and life on land.
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What kind of dining experiences can I expect on this tour?
You will enjoy authentic dining experiences such as indulging in local specialties in Athens, savoring a Cretan feast in Heraklion, and toasting the culmination of your travels with dinner in true Greek style in Chania.
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How does the tour ensure comfort during travel?
The tour provides travel in a luxurious, air-conditioned, 40-seat coach with double the standard legroom and an onboard washroom. Hand sanitizer is also freely available on board.
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What historical sites will be visited during the tour?
The tour includes visits to the Acropolis in Athens, the archaeological park of Ancient Dion, the UNESCO World Heritage site of Vergina, the ancient city of Mycenae, and the Minoan Palace of Knossos in Crete, among others.
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Are there any optional activities available during the tour?
Yes, there are optional activities such as a dinner experience in lively Psiri and a cruise in the waters of the Cretan coast during summer departures.
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Can I join the tour once it has departed?
We regret that no refunds can be made for absences from a tour, including experiences such as missed meals or sightseeing.
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How long has the tour company been trading?
Since 1978.
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What Ethical Travel credentials does the tour company have?
Insight Vacations is a founding member of the TreadRight Foundation, a joint initiative created by the brands within The Travel Corporation (TTC) almost 15 years ago to ensure our impact through tourism is positive. Our ethos to #MakeTravelMatter guides our decision-making at every level of our business.
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Will the accommodation included meet local health and safety regulations?
Yes
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Do you operate a “single share” option and how does it work?
You have two options as a solo traveller. Either choose to be matched with a same sex partner for a room share - at no extra cost. Or choose a room of your own with a reduced or even free private room upgrade on select tours.
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What policies are in place for Covid-19?
Please contact us for latest COVID-19 policies
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Book with Confidence
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Low Deposit
Insight Vacations requires a minimum deposit of 350 USD per person or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 90 days before departure.
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Cancellation Policy
We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of insight vacations charges.
Up to 91 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.
At 90 days before tour starts: Forfeit 50% of booking price.
At 29 days before tour starts: Forfeit 80% of booking price.
At 1 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of booking price.
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Terms and Conditions
