15 Day Classic Greece & Small Ship Cruising
This tour is categorised as 3 out of 5
Balanced exploration with walking tours: Our most popular style, this tour offers a good mix of planned activities and free time. Expect moderate daily walking tours, so pack comfortable shoes.
As a general requirement across all of our trips, you may be required to walk up and down stairs, get on and off transportation, handle your own luggage, and participate in all scheduled sightseeing that may be conducted on uneven ground and terrain. Any physical ailments you may have must be disclosed at the time of booking to determine your suitability and where required, supporting documentation may be requested to ensure that we are comfortable that you will enjoy your trip.
A portion of this tour runs as a group tour where you will be escorted by an expert tour leader. Another portion is self-guided, whether conducted by rail, cruise or land, and you will travel between destinations on your own, with free time to explore at your own pace.
Make the most of your cruise and travel independently, with everything organised for you. Your international flights, pre-cruise stay, and cruise are organised so all you have to do is relax and enjoy your time at sea. Of course, there is the option of extending your tour if you don’t want to head straight to the airport upon disembarkation.
Experience a superior level of comfort. Our Small Group tours have been crafted for Inspiring Vacations travellers exclusively, with personal and unique experiences in mind. Travel with no more than 26 people, allowing for a more personalised and immersive experience. Please see the Important Information on your selected tour for the exact group size.
✓ Small, intimate group & cruise experience
✓ Return international airfares with Etihad Airways
✓ All airport and port transfers
✓ 6 nights in quality accommodation
✓ 7 nights cruising the Aegean Sea onboard a mega yacht (maximum 40 travellers)
✓ Daily breakfast, 4 lunches and 8 dinners
✓ Professional, expert English-speaking guides
✓ Incredible sightseeing as per the itinerary, including the UNESCO-listed archaeological treasures of Delphi, Olympia, Mycenae, Ephesus, Delos & Meteora
✓ Deluxe, air-conditioned coach transportation
✓ $200pp OFF flights to Europe when booking any Europe Tour - click here for full terms and conditions
Travel with the experts for a carefully curated, value-packed discovery of the world's most iconic destinations. Our tours are bursting with must-see sights, rich experiences and quality inclusions, all at an unbeatable price. Bucket list dreams are ticked off on these all-encompassing journeys.
Welcome to Greece! On arrival at Athens International Airport you’ll be met and taken to your hotel.
Athens, home to beautiful ruins and ancient delights, is the perfect place to begin exploring this fascinating land of rich history. It’s one of the oldest cities in the world.
Please note: Some flights may depart the day before.
Check in: Passengers will be arriving at various times throughout the day from as early as 6am through to late evening. If arriving prior to standard check-in time, which is generally 3pm local time, you are welcome to leave your luggage with hotel reception and explore your surroundings until check-in becomes available, as there are generally no scheduled activities on Day 1 of the itinerary. The hotel may grant early check-in, however this is strictly subject to availability and at the hotel’s discretion.
You’ll have some free time in the morning. To get a feel for the sheer power and wealth of Athens in ancient Greece, head to the hilltop Acropolis, the citadel that has overlooked Athens for 2,500 years. Below, a park-like promenade links many iconic sights.
Not far from the Acropolis, you’ll find souvenir shopping easy in the quaint Plaka area, with plenty of leather sandals, pottery and hand-painted ceramics. You can also find typical liquors like anise-flavoured Ouzo, and Greek olives, spices and capers.
In the afternoon, we’ll take a drive along the coastal road, passing the wonderful beaches of Glyfada, Vouliagmeni and Varkiza as we head to the most southern point of Attica, Cape Sounio. This is where the white marble pillars of the Temple of Poseidon stand. Steeped in mythology and legend, the temple was erected in the middle of the 5th century BC to honour the ancient Greek god of the sea.
On the way, you’ll have a splendid view of the Saronic Gulf and the small islands offshore. After visiting the Temple of Poseidon, you’ll have free time to walk on the rocky promontory of Sounio and enjoy this picturesque seaside setting.
You’ll return to your hotel and enjoy some free time in the evening.
This morning we’ll take the coastal road to the Corinth Canal for a brief stop. At just over six kilometres long, it’s one of the world’s smallest canals. Its steep limestone walls soar about 90 metres above the water, but it is only 20 metres wide at sea level. Then we’ll head to the fourth-century Theatre of Epidaurus, famous for its remarkable acoustics. It’s regarded as the best preserved ancient theatre in Greece.
Then it’s onto the town of Nauplion (also known as Nafplio) for a short photo stop before driving onto Mycenae. Here we’ll visit the imposing ruins, including the impressive Tomb of Agamemnon (or Treasury of Atreus), one of the most impressive monuments surviving from the Mycenaean period.
Then we’ll leave for Olympia through Central Peloponnese and the towns of Tripoli and Megalopoli.
You’ll stay overnight in Olympia, the cradle of the Olympic Games.
Ancient Greeks honoured the god Zeus with athletic contests called the Olympics – this morning we’ll see the ruins of Olympia, where these games were held for centuries. A visit to this UNESCO World Heritage Site means you’ll see the Sanctuary of Olympian Zeus, the ruins of the towering Temple of Zeus, the Ancient Stadium and the Archaeological Museum of Olympia.
Then we’ll drive through the plains of Eliad and Achaia until the magnificent bridge that crosses the Corinthian Bay, from Rion to Antirion.
We’ll pass through the picturesque towns of Nafpactor (Lepanto) and Itea before arriving in Delphi, nestled on the slopes of dramatic Mount Parnassus.
Regarded as the centre of the world by ancient Greeks, the town is the seat of the most important Greek temple and oracle of Apollo. This morning we’ll visit the vast, well-preserved ruins of Delphi, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. You’ll be fascinated by the Delphi Archaeological Museum, housing many ancient Greek artefacts from the excavations at Delphi. The permanent exhibition covers over a thousand years of history, from the Mycenaean era to Greco-Roman times.
We’ll then head for Kalambaka, a small town at the foot of the astonishing complex of Meteora.
We’ll visit the mesmerising Meteora group of monasteries this morning. These ageless monasteries, perched on top of huge rock formations, seem to be suspended mid-air – it’s a striking sight. These 14th-century ‘columns of the sky’ are a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Six of the monasteries are still active today. It’s a breathtaking, immense setting that is a significant pilgrimage site.
We’ll return to Athens via Trikala, Lamia and Thermopylae, with a short stop to see the Leonidas Monument. This bronze statue was erected in 1955 to honour of King Leonidas and his 300 Spartans in battle.
You’ll arrive in Athens early evening. As this is the second segment of your trip, this evening you’ll meet the travellers and crew that will join you for your small-ship cruise of the Aegean Sea. This meeting will take place this evening in your hotel lobby. Please look for a sign by Peregrine Travel with your name.
After checking out of the hotel, enjoy a guided city tour before being transferred to the port this afternoon to board your Aegean cruise.
You’ll visit tourist favourites like Santorini and Mykonos, as well as less-visited gems in the Cyclades. With no more than 40 other travellers aboard the mega yacht M/Y Harmony G, you’ll enjoy unparalleled service and a personal experience cruising these idyllic waters.
We’ll set sail at 4pm, with the first stop of the journey at Sounion for a memorable sunset dinner. You’ll dine under the magnificent ancient temple of Poseidon – towering nearly 60 metres above the Aegean Sea, its marble columns are an imposing, impressive sight.
We’ll sail overnight to Poliegos.
We’ll dock this morning is Poliegos, an uninhabited island renowned for its untouched beaches, gorgeous rock formations and sea caves. Enjoy a swim in the clear Aegean Sea and a barbeque lunch on the beach before we set sail for Folegandros.
You’ll be able to stretch your legs in the clifftop town of Hora, one of the oldest and most picturesque traditional towns in the Cyclades.
You’ll have free time for dinner and we’ll dock overnight in port.
We’ll sail to Ios in the morning for a stop at Manganari Beach. This remote location, a private paradise, is the ideal spot for a relaxing morning swim.
There will be a delicious barbeque lunch onboard as we continue to Santorini. This beautiful island is exactly as you’d imagined – whitewashed houses, deep blue bay, high cliffs and stunning volcanic scenery, like its black and red sand beaches.
In the afternoon, take a cable car from the old port up to the town for a guided orientation walk. Later you’ll be taken to a winery for some tastings with amazing views.
You’ll have some free time to enjoy the authentic Cyclades charm of the picturesque village of Oia. See the blue-domed St. Gerasimos Church or view Byzantine castle ruins.
Head back to the boat for a sunset dinner and toast the day with sparkling wine. Relax and unwind with free time in the evening.
It’s an early departure for Amorgos today, the easternmost island of the Cyclades. You’ll spend half a day touring the island, including a visit to the Monastery of Hozoviotissa (Monastery of the Virgin Mary). Built precariously into the face of a cliff, 300 metres above sea level, this 11th-century monastery offers breathtaking views over the Aegean Sea.
Then, there will be a stop at Aegiali Beach with time for a swim and a barbeque on the beach.
We’ll sail overnight to Samos.
There will be an early morning customs clearance in Samos before continuing to Kusadasi, a resort town on Turkey’s Aegean coast and gateway to the ancient city of Ephesus.
We’ll tour this incredible archaeological site, Europe’s most complete ancient city, and learn about its varied history with a local guide. Built during 10th century BC during the Classical Greek era, this great city began to flourish under Roman control in 129 BC. It’s estimated that in its heyday, the city’s population was between 33,000 and 56,000 people.
The centrepiece of this prosperous city, the marble Temple of Artemis, was once the biggest temple on earth and one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. It’s a shadow of its former glory – after being completely rebuilt three times, it was eventually destroyed during a raid by an East Germanic tribe in 401 AD.
After a traditional Turkish lunch, indulge in some shopping and learn about Turkish carpets.
The evening will be spent at port in Samos, then we’ll depart at midnight.
This morning we’ll sail to the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Delos, a tiny island considered to be one of Greece’s most important archaeological sites. This sacred inlet of antiquity is the mythological birthplace of Apollo and Artemis.
Here we’ll comb the ruins with the help of a local guide, who will explain some history and point out key attractions. Among the ruins, see the amphitheatre and the iconic Terrace of the Lions statues.
Head back to the ship for a late lunch and a stop for a swim, before continuing to Mykonos. On arrival take a guided orientation walk and a free evening to explore this glamorous city.
It’s a free day for you to get to know glitzy Mykonos. It may be heralded as a party island, but this popular Greek island mixes sun, fun, glamour and tradition. It’s famous for its beaches, whitewashed houses, blue-domed churches and iconic windmills. Relax at a beach and wander the maze-like streets of this scenic, chic port city.
The main town of Hora mixes classic Cycladic architecture and buzzing street culture. Admire the stark-white Panagia Paraportiani chapel and meet the town’s famous pelican, Petros.
Return to the ship for a Captain’s dinner, then sail overnight to Athens.
Enjoy one last delicious breakfast onboard this morning, before your Greek adventure comes to an end. You’ll disembark between 8 and 9am and be transferred to the airport for your flight home.
We hope you’ve enjoyed this extraordinary journey.
Arrive home today after your amazing adventure, we hope you have been Inspired!
MS Harmony G
Think of the Harmony G as the 4-star hotel that travels with you. The yacht was relaunched in 2013 with a sleek, high-tech design and state-of-the-art engine technology, ensuring a safe and comfortable voyage through European seas at a cruising speed of 10 knots. But don’t mistake the Harmony G with just any cruise ship. With 21 cabins, there’s never any more than 40 fellow passengers to share the deck with, giving the service on each trip an unmatched personal touch.
Technical specifications: Length - 177 feet. Cruise speed: 10 knots.
Facilities: Large sun deck, swimming platform for swim stops, full daily cabin service, evening turndown service, mini library, board games, central music, turndown service twice a day.
Equipment: beach towels, snorkelling equipment, fishing equipment, kayaks, stand-up paddleboards, hairdryer & mini-fridge
For further information on the cruise, please click HERE.
Cabin Upgrades
Lower Deck Standard Twin/Double - INCLUDED
Size: 10-11 sqm, Window: porthole, Bed: Two twin beds or one double bed.
Cabins have a bathroom with shower, individually controlled A/C, piped music, flat-screen TV (Satellite channels), CD/DVD player, telephone for internal use, mini safe, mini-fridge, hairdryer, adapters (220V).
Main Deck Twin - upgrade for an additional $606 per person Twin Share ($1,212 Single)
Location: main deck at the bow or rear, Size: 10.5 -11 sqm, Window: One large window, Bed: Two twin beds.
Cabins have bathroom with shower, individually controlled A/C, piped music, flat-screen TV (Satellite channels), CD/DVD player, telephone for internal use, mini safe, mini-fridge, hairdryer, adapters (220V).
Main Deck Premium Twin - upgrade for an additional $906 per person Twin Share ($1,812 Single)
Location: main deck, midships - further away from the engine, so less noise, Size: 10.5 -11 sqm, Window: One large window, Bed: Two twin beds
Cabins have bathroom with shower, individually controlled A/C, piped music, flat-screen TV (Satellite channels), CD/DVD player, telephone for internal use, mini safe, mini-fridge, hairdryer, adapters (220V).
Upper Deck Premium Twin/Double - upgrade for an additional $906 per person Twin Share ($1,812 Single)
Location: upper deck, midships, Size: 15-18 sqm, Window: One large window, Bed: Flexible twin or double bedding
Cabins have bathroom with shower, individually controlled A/C, piped music, flat-screen TV (Satellite channels), CD/DVD player, telephone for internal use, mini safe, mini-fridge, hairdryer, adapters (220V).
Deposit & Payment
Booking Process
Airfare Information
Premium Economy or Business Class upgrades
Please specify this as a 'Special Request' when completing your booking and you will be quoted for the additional fare. In the event your selection is unavailable, or that you are dissatisfied with the quote, you will be provided with a full refund.
Land Only discount
A reduction of $1,300 per person applies if you wish to arrange your own airfares. To purchase a land-only fare, please select this option in the booking process under 'Departure City'.
Please note, if you are not arriving or departing as per the group itinerary, airport transfers are also no longer included. If you would like us to arrange this service for you, please refer to the ‘Extra services’ section for pricing.
How to extend your stay
Some customers like to enhance their holiday by extending their stay pre- and/or post-tour. If you wish to do so, please follow these steps:
Please note, a supplement of $150 per person (plus any applicable fare and tax differences) applies to deviate from the standard itinerary. We will contact you via email with a quote and proposed flight itinerary, and then proceed with collecting the additional payment required to confirm your request.
Fitness Requirements
While the tour itinerary should give you some guidance and overview to the expected requirements, to determine if this tour is right for you we categorise each of our tours in terms of their intensity. These guidelines are to ensure that each tour group is conducted as expected and to ensure the overall satisfaction of all Inspiring Vacations customers.
As a general rule, porterage is not included, therefore at all times you are expected to handle your own luggage where help may not be available.
This particular tour is categorised as a “2”.
2 – Easy Tour: An average level of fitness and mobility is required for this tour. There is a considerable amount of free time throughout the itinerary, though some sightseeing may be conducted on uneven terrain, including some incline and walking over short distances.
Please keep in mind that there are a number of shore excursions offered on your voyage. Some are walking tours and may involve a reasonable amount of walking over varied terrain. We recommend you bring a good pair of walking shoes or boots, carry a water bottle and don’t forget the sunscreen and hat. Depending on the excursion, disembarking the ship may be by zodiac, tender or onto a dock.
Tipping
A friendly reminder that tipping is not included in your package. While tipping is not customary, it's of great significance to the people who will take care of you during your travels, inspires excellent service, and is an entrenched feature of the tourism industry across many destinations.
You may also consider tipping your tour leader and driver for outstanding service throughout your trip. Remember, a tip is not compulsory and should only be given when you receive excellent service.
Accommodation
The accommodation listed is subject to change. Any changes will be of an equal or higher standard. Bedding configurations (double or twin) are requests only. All efforts will be made to meet your preferences however any changes are beyond our control.
Single Supplement
Solo travelers are required to select one of the following options:
- Single supplement for Greece land section only for $1,100 in addition to the twin share price. This option will ensure your own room from day 1 to day 5 (inclusive), then share a room and a cabin with a fellow traveller of the same sex from day 6 to day 13.
- Single supplement for the whole duration of the tour available from $4,350 in addition to the twin share price (price is subject to availability and choice of cabin type). This option will ensure your own room and cabin from day 1 to day 13 of the tour.
Triple Share
Not available.
Travel Insurance
Travel insurance is required to protect yourself against the unexpected.
We have partnered with nib to offer our customers competitive rates for their travel insurance. You can book comprehensive or budget cover simply by clicking HERE to arrange your policy.
Visa & Passport information
It is the traveller's responsibility to ensure they have a valid passport. The passport must be valid for a minimum of six months from your intended date of return.
All Australian passport holders will require a visa to enter Turkey. The visa must be issued prior to departing Australia.
How: Turkey has an e-visa system which can be applied for online by clicking HERE.
Cost: USD $60 per person (subject to change)
Visa Type: Tourist Visa / Single Entry
When to apply: 30 days prior to departure
Please note: Do NOT apply for your visa until you receive your tour documentation from Inspiring Vacations 30 days prior to your departure.
Greece - No visa required for Australian passport holders for travel less than 90 days.
Please note that these details are subject to change without notice. We recommend visiting https://smartraveller.gov.au for up to date information in terms of entry requirements.
Tour Documentation
Final documentation including e-tickets and hotel details will be provided approximately 30 days prior to travel.
Group Size
Group tour & cruise experience – no more than 20 people on land portion and 40 people on cruise
Trip Style - Group tour
Our Group Tours offer unparalleled value for money and are the perfect style of travel for those on a budget, though still eager to pack as much in to their itinerary as possible. These tours tick all the boxes with an abundance of inclusions such as sightseeing highlights, expert tour guides, quality accommodation, transfers, coach transportation, some meals and more. Please note that the maximum group size will vary between deals and will be mentioned within the Fine Print of each deal page.
Children
The minimum age is 18.
Tour Length
The total length of the tour in days includes time spent in flight and is subject to change depending on the flight schedule, please refer to the day by day itinerary for the time spent in your destination(s).
Refundable deposit within 28 days of purchase:
For cancellations made within 28 days of paying the deposit on any tour, your deposit can be refunded in full or can be transferred to a new booking should you decide to change to another package or destination. Please note this change of mind guarantee does not apply for bookings made within 90 days of departure, after which time our standard 48 hour cooling off period applies. After this time, your booking becomes non-refundable.
All cancellation or change requests must be advised in writing to our Customer Service Team at support@inspiringvacations.
Refund times will vary and the timeframe of which will be advised at the time of cancellation. Any refund of deposit will be issued back to the original form of payment.
Any bookings made prior to 13 March 2020 must abide by the original payment term conditions.
Transferrable second installment up until 90 days before scheduled departure:
Following the second installment payment and up until 90 days before your departure only, should you wish to postpone your travel or transfer to another package, we can provide you with a credit note of the current balance paid on your booking, to be used to rebook within 18 months of the credit being issued.
Any change request must be advised in writing to our Customer Service Team at support@inspiringvacations.
Any bookings made prior to 13 March 2020 must abide by the original payment term conditions.
Please refer to our full Terms and Conditions for more details
You can enhance your holiday by arriving or departing before or after the tour, adding a stopover package en-route or booking a tour extension. On this tour you can choose from the following options:
Pre and post tour accommodation (deviating from group flights forfeits your group airport transfers)
Arrival and departure airport transfers
Your transfer may be shared with other Inspiring Vacations customers.
Please specify in the 'Special Request' field when making your purchase your preferred travel arrangements and if you would like our team to book additional nights' accommodation and/or airport transfers. The additional cost for these land arrangements will be added to your final payment invoice and are subject to availability.
Airport chauffeur Take the hassle out of getting to the airport with private chauffeur transfers to and from your home airport. Your personal chauffeur will meet and greet you, attend to your luggage and drive you to your destination in a luxury vehicle.
Additional surcharges may apply depending on pick-up time, tolls and government levies.
Airport Chauffeur can be selected once you have finalised your tour purchase and paid your deposit. When completing your Passenger Booking Form, you will be asked if you would like to add this service, where any applicable cost will be added to your final balance.
Airport lounges Escape busy airport terminals and relax at a cosy and catered lounge instead. Departure lounge access in Sydney $70 per person (up to 6 hours); Melbourne & Brisbane $55 per person (up to 3 hours).
Airport lounge passes can be selected once you have finalised your tour purchase and paid your deposit. When completing your Passenger Booking Form, you will be asked if you would like to add this service, where any applicable cost will be added to your final balance.
14 Sep 2020
Ancient monuments, classic architecture, world-class museums and cutting-edge artists: welcome to Greece Culture abounds in the Greek capital, where the legacy of ancient civilisations is in contrast with a visual arts scene that is one of the most talked about in Europe. The ongoing regeneration of Athens has meant im...
14 Sep 2020
Get lost in nature and history or go on an adventure – there’s something for everyone across these unique destinations Whether you love dancing the night away, exploring little villages, or discovering long-forgotten ancient ruins, there’s a Greek island to suit you, all with a charm of its own. 1. Santorini A uniq...
14 Sep 2020
Look no further for a brief course – and three courses – in Greece’s sumptuous cuisine History-rich Greece bathes in the sunshine and the blue Mediterranean which means one thing: great food! Here, 10 traditional foods to try on your Greek adventure. 1. Feta The most famous cheese that Greece produces, feta, can be mad...
14 Sep 2020
Santorini is world-famous for its vistas, but look hard enough and you’ll discover its Greek food is second-to-none With its simple yet perfectly balanced Mediterranean flavours and emphasis on fresh produce, a trip to Greece is as much about the food as it is about the sights. Santorini, Greece’s most visited island...
14 Sep 2020
As one of the world’s most historically influential countries, Greece's mythology and archaeology is legendary. But, when is the best time to go? Greece is blessed with one-of-a-kind natural beauty, and topped off with some of man's greatest inventions. Foodies and architectural enthusiasts are well catered for in thi...
