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.
This itinerary will be conducted at a relaxed pace. You will typically spend several nights at one location which means less time spent packing and unpacking, and more sightseeing. You will be required to move about unassisted, including getting on and off vehicles, walking up and down stairs and handling your own luggage.
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.
✓ Incredible sightseeing including guided visits in Athens and Ephesus
✓ Small, intimate group experience - no more than 24 people in mainland Greece
✓ Daily breakfast, 3 lunches, 6 dinners
✓ 3 nights in 4-star premium accommodation
✓ 5-day cruise on the Aegean Sea with Celestyal Cruises in an exterior cabin – including select drinks with meals, entertainment and port charges
✓ Airport transfers included on the first and last day of your tour
✓ Private transfers to the port as per the itinerary
✓ Travel in comfort with luxury coach transportation
✓ Fully escorted (except while on board the Celestyal Olympia) with a certified English speaking Tour Director
✈ Needing international airfares to accompany your Inspiring Vacation? You will be able to access our flight portal after securing your package to add international airfares to your booking.
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.
Upon your arrival at the airport, you will be warmly welcomed and provided with a private transfer to your hotel.
Later, at 19:00, you'll have the opportunity to convene with your Tour Director at the hotel's reception desk for a welcoming gathering. This is also when you'll meet the fellow travellers who will accompany you on your journey.
To start your adventure, in the early evening, you'll come together with your fellow travellers for a delightful Welcome Dinner at a local restaurant.
Arrival airport transfers are included as part of your package. You will be met upon arrival at the airport and transferred to your hotel.
If Inspiring Vacations has not provided your international airfares, please ensure you provide your flight details via your Traveller Hub portal no later than 90 days prior to travel so that your transfers can be confirmed.
Please note: if you are arriving early and have made your own arrangements prior to your tour commencing, airport transfers will not be included. However, if you are purchasing pre-nights accommodation as part of your Inspiring Vacations package, airport transfers will still be provided to the starting hotel.
Begin your day with a full buffet breakfast at your hotel. Following breakfast, you'll be transported to the port via a private transfer.
Prepare to embark on the Celestial Olympia Cruise, your gateway to exploring the enchanting Aegean Sea and its exquisite Mediterranean islands.
During our awe-inspiring 4-night Iconic Aegean tour, you'll be treated to an unforgettable experience encompassing ancient history, authentic culinary delights, Greek culture, and breathtaking vistas. Commencing from the captivating city of Athens, your journey will navigate through the pristine waters, unveiling a compelling blend of captivating attractions, dramatic cliffs, picturesque landscapes, and the inherent romance of the Greek islands.
Settle into your comfortable exterior XB cabin, your home for the next four nights, as you prepare for an evening onboard. Dinner is included as part of your cruise experience.
Today you will set foot in Turkey. Embark on the Ephesus shore excursion, where you'll explore the captivating ruins of Ephesus, renowned as both an international and local tourist hotspot, and designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Indulge in a delectable lunch and dinner served onboard.
Note: Visa for entry into Turkey may be required. Please check with your local embassy prior to travel.
Today is your opportunity to relax and relish your cruise while taking in the picturesque Mediterranean landscapes. You have the option to select from a range of shore excursions offered by Celestyal Cruises, and the cruise staff will be at your disposal to assist with arrangements.
Today is a leisurely day to relish your cruise and the captivating Mediterranean vistas. You have the option to pick from a variety of shore excursions provided by Celestial Cruises, with the cruise staff available to assist in making arrangements.
Upon arrival at Lavrion, Athens' Port, around 06:00, you'll begin the disembarkation process. At the port, you'll be greeted by a local Greek guide who will accompany you on a discovery of Athens.
Your tour will take you through the historic sites of Athens, including a drive through the Panathenaic Stadium, which played host to the modern Olympics in 1896. You'll also visit the Zeus Temple, dedicated to the father of all Gods, and explore key landmarks such as the Parliament, Currency Museum, Catholic Cathedral, neoclassical buildings of Academia, the University, the National Library, and Adriano's Arch.
The highlight of the day will be your exploration of the Acropolis Archaeological area, where you'll encounter the Propylaea, the Temple of Athena Nike, the original Erechtheion Temple, and Poseidon.
After your tour, you'll check in at your hotel, and the remainder of the day will be yours to enjoy at leisure in the historically rich city of Athens.
Today, you have the freedom to explore the city at your own pace or take an optional excursion.
Indulge in a full buffet breakfast at your hotel.
At the appropriate time you will be transferred to the airport.
Departure transfers are included as part of your package. You will be collected from your hotel at the appropriate time and transferred to the airport to meet your flight.
If Inspiring Vacations has not provided your international airfares, please ensure you provide your flight details via your Traveller Hub portal no later than 90 days prior to travel so that your transfers can be confirmed.
XB Exterior State Room
Cruise Ship information can be found HERE
This product requires full payment upfront to secure your booking.
Once you have created your booking you will be directed to your invoice to choose your preferred payment method.
This is a land only package.
This package does not include international airfares. If you would like to add airfares to your booking our flight portal will be available via your Traveller Hub. The flight portal will allow you to search for all available airfares to your destination. The function works like most general flight search engines allowing you to select your preferred airline, book different cabin classes (eg. Business class) and view flight durations and transit times to your destination.
The flight portal will be available via your Traveller Hub once the following criteria has been met:
Visit our Flight Hub for more information on terms and conditions, amending your flights and information on luggage allowances.
Some of our packages will include airport transfers in either one or both directions when arriving or departing from your destination. To know if transfers are included please view the ‘inclusions’ section of your selected package. If airport transfers are stated, transfers will be included as advised.
If transfers are not included, we also offer the option to book your airport transfers using our online portal. Access to this portal is available through your Traveller Hub once your booking is confirmed. Transfers are readily available and do not need to be booked until your final hotel list has been confirmed. Once you have made a transfer booking, please refer to your confirmation email for all transfer details including a local contact number for the transfer company.
If you book pre and/or post-tour accommodation on your own arrangement, and the tour includes transfers, note that these will be forfeited. The transfers are only provided in line with the tour dates and pre and/or post-tour accommodation purchased through Inspiring Vacations when available.
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 the intended date of return. Visas may be required for your destination. For further visa information, click here.
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”1”
Leisurely Paced Tour: A general level of fitness and mobility is required for this tour. The itinerary includes ample free time and you will not be impacted by stairs and uneven terrain. Where coach transportation is included, you will be required to get on and off the coach with ease.
Tipping
A friendly reminder that tipping is not included in your package. Tipping is not compulsory on your trip, but they can make a big difference to locals employed in the tourism industry. If you feel that your guide and driver have done an impeccable job, you can choose to give a gratuity, but this is entirely your decision.
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, but we can’t guarantee your request will be available at all properties.
Single travellers
When booking this tour, solo travellers will be presented with two options:
1 - Single Supplement
By paying an additional $1,462.00 per person, in addition to the twin-share price, you guarantee the privacy of your own room throughout the entire trip.
2- Shared Room with a known friend
If travelling together with a friend, you can opt to share your room with him/her and avoid paying a single supplement.
You and your friend can create a unique booking each. Creating a unique booking, gives each of you the flexibility of making different travel arrangements (such adding extra accommodation, flights, etc), make separate payments and have individual access to our Traveller’s Hub
During the purchase path, you will need to provide your friend’s booking ID (if known) or at a minimum, your friend’s full name
Triple Share
Not available.
Travel Insurance
Travel insurance is compulsory for this tour to protect yourself against the unexpected. In addition to the support that a policy may provide, you may be asked to present a copy of your travel insurance documentation while traveling.
We have partnered with nib to offer our customers competitive rates for their travel insurance. You can book Comprehensive or Essentials cover for your domestic, international or multi-trip journeys simply by clicking HERE.
Note that Inspiring Vacations cannot provide advice with regards to any insurance product.
Group Size
Minimum of 2 and Maximum of 24 People
Children
Children must be 5 years old or above and share a room with parents at all times. Children are charged the same price as adults.
Tour Style
To meet the needs of various types of travelers, we choose to operate various types of tours, and depending on your selected package will mean different services are provided throughout your trip. The following descriptions of each tour style we hope will ensure that each traveller has appropriate expectations before they start their travels:
Please note: groups under 8-10 passengers will be operated with an English-speaking driver-guide.
All participants must be in good physical condition to fully engage in this journey. For the safety and welfare of yourself and fellow travellers, if you are feeling unwell prior to departure, we advise staying home and contacting us to arrange alternate plans.
Prior to selecting your trip, carefully review the itinerary to assess your ability to comfortably manage our travel style. Please be aware that if, based on evaluation by our leader or local representative, a participant is deemed unable to safely complete the itinerary, we retain the right to exclude them from all or part of the trip without reimbursement.
It is advisable to consult your physician for current medical travel advisories and any required vaccinations before embarking. We recommend carrying a first aid kit and any necessary medications in their original packaging, as they may not be readily available during travel. For those carrying medication, it's essential to check your government's foreign travel guidelines for local restrictions or regulations.
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