Glories of Greece 2013

Day 1 - Depart USA
Board your overnight flight (not included).

Day 2 - Athens at Leisure
Welcome to Athens! You are met at the airport and transferred to your tour hotel where there is time to settle in and relax. Later, join your Insight Representative for a Welcome Reception with drinks and a light informal meal. (Welcome Reception)

Day 3 - Parthenon, Mycenae and Nafplion
This morning’s sightseeing tour reveals the Temple of Zeus, the Temple of the Wingless Victory and Hadrian’s Arch. The highlight is a visit to the Parthenon, built atop the mighty Acropolis. Now follow the shores of the Saronic Gulf to the Corinth Canal, which divides the Peloponnese from mainland Greece. Next is the ruined city of Mycenae, featured in epics of Homer. 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 seaside town of Nafplion. (Buffet Breakfast / Dinner)

Day 4 - Olympia, Birthplace of the Olympics
After breakfast this morning travel into the heart of Argolis to visit the sanctuary of Asclepios at Epidauros with its superb 4th century BC theatre. Visit the Museum and the Asklepeion. Then a delightful drive takes you through the mountains of Arkadia to Olympia, birthplace of the Olympic Games. (Buffet Breakfast / Dinner)

Day 5 - Delphi, Centre of the Ancient World
In Olympia this morning, see the Olympic Stadium where the original games were first held in 776BC, plus the athletes’ gymnasium and the city’s ancient temples. Then head north to Patras and cross the soaring Rio-Antirrio bridge to the mainland. Follow the coast road before climbing into the foothills of Mount Parnassus and on to your hotel. (Buffet Breakfast / Dinner)

Day 6 - The Sacred Way and Kalambaka
Ascend the Sacred Way of Delphi, past the Parian marble Treasury of the Athenians and superb Polygonal Wall. Now approach the legendary Temple of Apollo, where the mysterious Oracle of Delphi breathed her enigmatic ‘words’. Continuing north stop at the pass at Thermopylae, site of one of history’s most famous last stands in 480BC. Continue through the market town of Trikala to Kalambaka. This evening enjoy a Celebration Dinner at your hotel complete with wine and good cheer. (Buffet Breakfast / Celebration Dinner)

Day 7 - Meteora Monasteries and Athens
Visit one of the amazing Metéora monasteries, incredibly perched on top of pinnacles of rock and enjoy stunning views over the Peneios Valley. Afterwards, cross fertile Thessaly, for a scenic drive along the coast to return to Athens. (Buffet Breakfast)

Day 8 - Return to USA
Your tour comes to an end with a transfer to Athens airport. (Buffet Breakfast)

• Athens: See Hadrian’s Arch, the Temple of the Wingless Victory and 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.

A classic journey back to the 5th Century BC, when the Athenians erected the Parthenon, Delphi was in its heyday and the games at Olympia was the talk of the Mediterranean.

• A Welcome Reception with drinks and a light meal (WR)
• 6 Breakfasts (BB), 1 Celebration Dinner (CD) and 3 three-course table d’hôte Dinners, or Buffets, plus tea or coffee (D)
• Services of Insight’s professional multilingual Tour Director Days 3 - 7
• Headsets for all guided visits and walking tours
• Luxury air-conditioned 40 seat coach with extended leg room and on-board restroom
• Insight Hotels include all service charges, taxes and porterage
• Services of Insight’s resident manager in Athens
• Arrival and departure transfers between the airport and your Insight tour hotel

Athens: Divani Caravel
Nafplion: Nafplia Palace/Ippoliti
Olympia: Antonios/Arty Grand
Delphi: Amalia/Santa Marina
Kalambaka: Divani/Meteora (Kastraki)

Extra nights per person in Athens:
Divani Caravel: in twin room $128; in single room $216; in triple room $120
Grande Bretagne: in twin room $260; in single room $487; in triple room $124
Metropolitan Hotel: in twin room $128; in single room $205; in triple room $116

• Roommate matching is not available on this tour.
• Due to unforeseen circumstances, the order of the this itinerary may change at short notice.
• Please ask your Vacations To Go travel counselor for more information.

* The prices shown are U.S. dollars per person, based on double occupancy, and subject to availability. Prices quoted for land/cruise arrangements are subject to increase without notice. Once we have received your deposit, land/cruise prices are guaranteed. Air prices quoted via phone or email are subject to increase and are guaranteed only from the time that full payment is received. Also, air prices or air promotions mentioned on this site or on the phone do not include baggage fees imposed by airlines. Sorry, we are unable to offer air from countries other than the U.S. However, for those international customers who are able to arrange their own transportation to the trip origination city, we are able to offer the land/cruise portion of the package, at the price quoted.