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Destinations
15 Day Greece, Turkey, Cyprus, Israel
✓ Return international airfares with a full-service airline
✓ Arrival airport transfers
✓ Air-conditioned deluxe coach transportation
✓ 5 nights in well-located quality accommodation
✓ 7 nights cruising the Mediterranean on board the luxurious MSC Lirica, docking in Greece, Israel, Cyprus, Turkey
✓ Daily breakfast, 6 lunches and 7 dinners
✓ Incredible sightseeing as per the itinerary, including the UNESCO-listed Classical ruins of Delphi, Olympia and Meteora
✓ Professional, expert English-speaking guide
✓ $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.
Today begins the adventure of a lifetime as you depart for your flight.
Welcome to Greece. Upon your arrival at Athens international airport, you will be met and greeted by our tour representative who will assist you with the transfer to your hotel in the comfort of an air-conditioned luxury car. Athens has an array of amazing hotels, and this package has the cream of the crop, and we know you will thoroughly enjoy your one night stay in Athens. Rest of the day free of leisure. Visit on your own the famous flea market in Plaka (old town of Athens).
Today, after the luscious breakfast at the hotel, you have the opportunity to observe the striking contrasts that make Athens such a fascinating city. Our expert guide will take you to see the Panathenaic Stadium where the first Olympic Games of modern times were held in 1896 (short stop). Continue and pass by the Prime Minister's residence (ex Royal Palace) guarded by the Euzones in their colorful uniform, the Temple of Olympian Zeus, the Hadrian's Arch, the Parliament and the memorial to the Unknown Soldier, the Academy, the University, the National Library, the Constitution Square (Syntagma). On the Acropolis visit the Architectural Masterpieces of the Golden Age of Athens: The Propylaea, the Temple of Athena Nike, the Erechtheion and finally "the harmony between material and spirit", the monument that "puts order in the mind", the Parthenon. Continue and visit the place where at last the statues found their home and admire the wonders of the classical era: The new Acropolis museum.
Enjoy your beautiful breakfast at the hotel and get ready to leave for Delphi via Thebes, Levadia and the picturesque village of Arachova, on the slopes of Mount Parnassus, arrive in Delph, to visit the Archaeological Site. You will have the chance to visit the ruins of the Sanctuary of Apollo Pythios, and learn the story of this brave God’s triumph over the dragon that guarded the “Omphalos”. Visit the marble Treasury of the Athenians, built to store the rich overings of grateful kings. Afterward, you will proceed to the small picturesque city of Kalambaka, passing through beautiful villages and cities of Central Greece, where you will enjoy a nice dinner (included).
After a tasty breakfast in the hotel, get ready to explore Meteora. These unique rock formations, rising high with Christian monasteries built at the top are truly fascinating experiences. Visit the interior part of them, but also enjoy the marvelous views from the top. Return to Athens via Trikala, Lamia. Thermopylae (shortstop to see across the road the Leonida's Monument). After the arrival back to Athens, spend the rest of the day at leisure.
Today is a free day to enjoy Athens at your own pace.
Today, make your own way to Athens Piraeus Port. A taxi will normally take about 30 minutes to go from Omonoia/ Syntagma (Athens centre) to the port of Piraeus. The distance is about 10 km. The taxi fare (indicative) from Athens city centre to Piraeus port is 20 EUR.
When sailing on an MSC cruise to the Mediterranean Sea, Mýkonos is the quintessential image of the Cyclades. In summer most people head out to the beaches during the day, so early morning or late afternoon are the best times to wander the maze of narrow streets. The labyrinthine design was supposed to confuse the pirates who plagued Mýkonos in the eighteenth and early nineteenth centuries, and it has the same effect on today’s visitors. When you alight from your MSC cruise, getting lost in its convoluted streets and alleys is half the fun of the place.
Enjoy a day at sea to relax and explore the many luxuries of your ship.
In Israel, the three Religions of the Book, Judaism, Christianity and Islam, encounter each other at every angle. MSC Cruises offers a range of optional shore excursions (not included), for example, a tour of places described in the Bible. After visiting places such as Bethlehem, Nazareth, Cana and Jerusalem, you will be able to truthfully say that you have tread on the same ground as the prophets, the disciples of Jesus and the Arab conquerors.
Today cast anchor not only in the Mediterranean but also in a port that boasts 4000 years of history. In Limassol we also find traces of the Knight Templars, pro tempore masters of the island. And it is from the remnants of war in Limassol that it is worth starting from. On landing, one can admire the centre and the medieval castle, part of a constellation of nine forts guarding the whole island, which now hosts a museum with exhibits dating from the 5th to the 19th century.
The island of Rhodes is just waiting for you when your MSC cruise takes you to the eastern Mediterranean Sea. Its northernmost headland is straddled by Rhodes Town, by far the largest town on the island, in full view of Turkey less than 20km north. The ancient city that occupied this site, laid out during the fifth century BC by Hippodamos of Miletos, was almost twice the size of its modern counterpart, and at over 100,000 held more than double its population. While the fortified enclave now known as the Old Town is of more recent construction, created by the Knights Hospitaller in the fourteenth century, it’s one of the finest medieval walled cities you could ever hope to see.
Kusadasi – one of Turkey’s beach resort town and a major cruise ship destination on the western Aegean coast - 90km south of Izmir - offers an excellent environment for an unforgettable holiday. Kusadasi is reputed for being one of the most attractive cities of the Aegean and it is a jumping-off point as it is close to the important historical sites including Ephesus, Temple of Artemis, Goddess Artemis, House of Virgin Mary, Seven Sleepers, Didyma, Priene, Miletos.
This morning you’ll wake up with your ship back in port. At the appropriate time, disembark and make your own way from the ship to the airport to board your flight home.
Arrive home today after your amazing adventure, we hope you have been Inspired!
Delphi: At the foot of Mount Parnassos, lies the Pan-Hellenic sanctuary of Delphi, which was the most famous Oracle of ancient Greece, now is the second-most important archaeological site in Greece and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Meteora: The region of almost inaccessible sandstone peaks, monks settled on these 'columns of the sky' from the 11th century onwards. Twenty-four of these monasteries were built, despite incredible difficulties. Today Meteora is included in the UNESCO World Heritage List
Athens: Explore the Capital of Greece, the birthplace of Western civilization and get a deep insight into the ancient mythology and Classical civilization’s intellectual and artistic ideas
Deposit & Payments
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 $1,600 per person applies if you wish to arrange your own airfares and transfers. 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.
Extending Your Stay
Some customers like to enhance their holiday by extending their stay pre- and/or post-tour or including a stopover in another destination. If you wish to do so, please follow these steps:
By choosing to extend your stay, please note that a supplement of $150 per person, plus applicable fare and tax differences will apply. 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.
You can enhance your holiday by arriving or departing before or after the tour, or booking a tour extension. On this tour you can choose from the following options:
Pre and post-tour accommodation
Arrival and departure airport shuttle transfers (deviating from group flights forfeits your group airport transfers)
Please note, the transfers are not private and you may be grouped 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. Alternatively, you may purchase 1 pre or post-night accommodation + transfers, at time of booking.
Fitness Requirements
While the tour itinerary should give you some guidance and overview to the expected requirements, a basic level of fitness will be required. If you have any concerns please consult your healthcare provider prior to purchase/travel.
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.
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
Single supplement is $2,239 per person, in addition to the twin-share price.
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 the intended date of your return.
No visa required for Australian citizens to travel to any of these destinations for 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
Maximum 50 people.
Trip Style
Group Tour - Unparalleled value for money is the name of the game. These tours tick all the boxes with loads of inclusions: sightseeing highlights, quality accommodation, transfers, private transportation, breakfasts and some meals. You will be travelling with up to 40 Inspiring Vacations guests and the tour will be escorted by an expert, local tour leader.
Children
Children must be 5 years old or over and share a room with parents at all times. Children are charged the same price as adults.
Tour Length
The total length of the tour in days includes time spent inflight 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 120 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 120 days before scheduled departure:
Following the second installment payment and up until 120 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
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