Italy & Greece with Iconic Aegean Islands Cruise
Italy & Greece with Iconic Aegean Islands Cruise
Italy & Greece with Iconic Aegean Islands Cruise
16 Days Starting in Rome, Italy and ending in Athens, Greece
Visiting: Rome, Pisa, Florence, Verona, Venice, Ancona, Patras, Olympia, Nauplia, Mycenae, Athens, Mykonos, Patmos, Heraklion, Santorini
Tour operator:
Tour code:
6485-2024
Guide Type:
Fully Guided
Group size:
25 - 43
Age range:
5-99
Special diets catered:
Vegetarians
Tour operated in:
EnglishInterests:
Activities:
Tour Overview
Italy and Greece are countries steeped in history with a treasure trove of ancient sites and scenic beauty. On this affordable Italy and Greece tour, you’ll see the exceptional features these countries have to offer, starting in Rome and ending in Athens. In Italy, you’ll stay in Rome, Florence, and the Venice area. In Greece, you’ll stay in Olympia, Nauplia, and Athens. You’ll also spend one night on a ferry to cross the Adriatic Sea from Ancona, Italy to Patras, Greece and then on a cruise ship for a 3-night Aegean Islands sea cruise. Visit Rome with a local guide who brings ancient Imperial Rome back to life as you see the Colosseum. Enjoy must-see sights, including Piazza Signoria in the middle of Florence: the Roman arena in Verona, and Pisa’s famous Leaning Tower. In Venice, take a boat ride to St. Mark’s Square and watch glassblowers create works of art as they have done for centuries—or discover the lagoon at your own pace. Step back in time on your visit to Athens’ Acropolis and the Parthenon, dating back to the 5th century BC, and the most accurate indication of the influence and wealth of Athens at its greatest peak. You’ll also visit Mycenae, dating back to the 5th Century BC, where you’ll marvel at the arches, fountains, ramparts, and amazing masonry still standing. Spend the last few days of your affordable tour of Italy and Greece in sheer relaxation aboard your cruise ship for a 3-night cruise to some of the world’s most beautiful islands. You’ll see Mykonos, with its seafront village, sandy beaches, and whitewashed houses; Heraklion, Crete, nestled picturesquely between two mountain ranges; Santorini (weather permitting), with one of the world's most breathtaking panoramas; Patmos, where St. John the Divine wrote the Book of Revelation; and Kusadasi, Turkey, where you’ll enjoy an included visit of the Ephesus archaeological site. All these elements come together perfectly to create a value-minded Italy and Greece tour with a cruise like no other!
Highlights
Itinerary
Day 1 : Arrive In Rome, Italy
Location: Rome
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Hotel American Palace Eur
Check into your hotel. The rest of the day is free for you to explore Italy’s ancient capital using your CosmosGO app. This evening, meet your Tour Director and travel companions.
Day 2 : Rome
Location: Rome
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Hotel American Palace Eur
Meals Included: Breakfast
The “Eternal City” is steeped in history, vibrantly alive and exciting, and absolutely unique! Start the included introduction to Rome’s landmarks from St. Peter’s Square with a Local Guide. Enjoy a drive along the iconic landmarks of the city: the Tiber River, the Caius Cestius Pyramid, the Aurelian Walls, and the Caracalla Baths. Complete the experience with a walk back in time from the Circus Maximus to the Arch of Constantine and to the fascinating Colosseum, symbol of the Roman Empire.* * For operational reasons, schedule changes for the Rome program cannot be excluded.
Day 3 : Rome - Pisa - Florence
Location: Rome, Pisa, Florence
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: B&B Firenze City Center
Meals Included: Breakfast
Vistas of rolling hills, cypress trees, vineyards, olive groves, and rural villages form the backdrop of your journey through beautiful Tuscany. Stop in Pisa and enjoy a mini-train ride to see the Square of Miracles and the amazing Leaning Tower, then on to Florence. End the day by joining the optional Gastronomy Experience in a typical restaurant. Today’s Distance: 273 mi/ 440 km
Day 4 : Florence
Location: Florence
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: B&B Firenze City Center
Meals Included: Breakfast
Today, discover the wonders of Florence, starting with a guided walking tour, featuring some of the city’s greatest attractions. See Piazza Santa Croce; world-famous Signoria Square; 13th-century Palazzo Vecchio with its collection of artistic masterpieces; Loggia dei Lanzi; the unique Duomo with Giotto’s Gothic Bell Tower and the Baptistry’s ornate bronze door known as the “Gate of Paradise.”
Day 5 : Florence - Verona - Venice Area
Location: Florence, Verona, Venice
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Hotel Poppi
Meals Included: Breakfast
Travel north and cross the Po River to Verona, setting for Shakespeare’s Romeo & Juliet. Marvel at the ancient Roman Arena, built for gladiator fights but now still used as a popular venue for the festivals and concerts; shop in Via Mazzini, or just wander the cobblestone streets of the city center. Today’s Distance: 217 mi/ 350 km
Day 6 : Venice
Location: Venice
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Hotel Poppi
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
Venice is a place of unmatched beauty and a feast of fantastic sights. View the delightful crisscrossing canals, the gondolas, arched bridges, palaces, and piazzas. Your included orientation features a boat ride to St. Mark’s Square and a visit to a Venetian glassblowing workshop. You’ll have time to explore at leisure on your own, sipping a cappuccino or the typical Venetian drink called spritz at one of the many bars or cafés. or join one of our optional excursions, like a ride on one of the most iconic boats in the world, the romantic gondola.
Day 7 : Venice Area - Ancona (Embarkation) - Overnight Ferry Crossing To Patras, Greece
Location: Venice, Ancona, Patras
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Overnight Cruise
Meals Included: Breakfast
Travel across the flatlands of the Po Delta to reach Ancona on the shores of the Adriatic Sea, to embark on the ferry for the crossing to Patras, Greece. Accommodation will be in two-berth cabins with private shower and toilet.Today’s Distance by coach: 186 mi/ 300 km
Day 8 : Patras (Dismbarkation) - Olympia
Location: Patras, Olympia
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Olympia Palace
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
During the crossing, enjoy the ship’s amenities. Disembark in Patras and drive south into the Peloponnese to Olympia. Today’s Distance: 63 mi/ 100 km (excluding overnight ferry)
Day 9 : Olympia - Nauplia
Location: Olympia, Nauplia
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Hotel Rex
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
Enjoy time at leisure or make the most of this morning by taking the optional tour of the sites of ancient Olympia, including the ruins of the Temple of Zeus. In the afternoon, enjoy the rugged scenery of the Peloponnese on the way to Nauplia. This evening, enjoy dinner at a local restaurant.Today’s Distance: 124 mi/ 201 km
Day 10 : Nauplia - Mycenae - Athens
Location: Nauplia, Mycenae, Athens
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Hotel Rex
Meals Included: Breakfast
Morning visit with a Local Guide to the impressive ruins of Mycenae, an ancient city of Homer’s epics. Later, stop to view the Corinth Canal, built between 1881 and 1893. Today’s Distance: 87 mi/ 140 km
Day 11 : Athens
Location: Athens
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Acropolis Select
Meals Included: Breakfast
Join the included sightseeing tour of Athens, featuring the highlights of the ancient capital and a visit to the Acropolis. Explore the shops and museums or take the tram to the coast. In the evening, enjoy the lively atmosphere of the tavernas in the old Plaka district with its narrow streets and sound of bouzouki music, or join an optional traditional Greek dinner.
Day 12 : Athens - Embarkation Port - Mykonos
Location: Athens, Mykonos
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Acropolis Select
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Board your Celestyal cruise ship. Cruise the Aegean Sea to Mykonos, with its white houses, chapels, and windmills. Late-evening departure for Kusadasi, Turkey.
Day 13 : Mykonos, Turkey - Patmos, Greece
Location: Patmos
Accommodation Name: Overnight Cruise
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Two ports of call today. First, Kusadasi on the Turkish coast. An included excursion is available to the fascinating Greek, Roman, and Byzantine excavations of Ephesus. Next, discover the tiny Greek island of Patmos, where St. John the Divine wrote the Book of Revelation. The 11th-century monastery with its valuable manuscript collection is well worth a visit.
Day 14 : Heraklion - Santorini
Location: Heraklion, Santorini
Accommodation Name: Overnight Cruise
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
First port of call today is Heraklion on Crete. Join the included excursion to Knossos, the hub of the 3000-BC Minoan civilization. Afternoon call (weather permitting) at Santorini, the “Black Pearl of the Aegean.” An optional shore excursion takes you up to the cliff-top village of Oia for one of the world’s most breathtaking panoramas.
Day 15 : Disembarkation Port - Athens
Location: Athens
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Acropolis Select
Meals Included: Breakfast
Early morning arrival. Drive to Athens and relax, visit a museum, or go shopping.
Day 16 : Athens
Location: Athens
Meals Included: Breakfast
Your vacation ends with breakfast this morning.
What's Included
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Meals
Buffet breakfasts daily; 3 dinners, including dinner at a local restaurant in Nauplia; full board on cruise
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Fully Guided
Guided tours and local guides at various destinations including Rome, Florence, Mycenae, and Athens.
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Transport
Private, first-class, air-conditioned motorcoach with free Wi-Fi
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Accommodation
Stays at various hotels including Hotel American Palace Eur in Rome, B&B Firenze City Center in Florence, and Acropolis Select in Athens.
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Cruise
Celestyal cruise ship with full board, basic drink package, and select excursions.
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Excursions
Included excursions to sites such as the Acropolis in Athens, the ruins of Mycenae, and the Leaning Tower of Pisa.
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Wi-Fi
Free Wi-Fi on the motorcoach.
What's Not Included
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Airport Transfers at Destination
Airport transfers are not included.
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Insurance
Travel insurance is not included.
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International Travel
International flights to and from the destination are not included.
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Optional Excursions
Optional excursions such as the Gastronomy Experience in Florence and the gondola ride in Venice are not included.
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Personal Expenses
Personal expenses such as souvenirs, additional meals, and drinks outside the basic drink package are not included.
UNESCO Sites
Acropolis Athens|Archeological site of Mycenae|City of Verona|Historic Centre of Florence|Historic Centre of Rome - various properties Vatican City|Piazza del Duomo Pisa|Vatican City|Venice and its Lagoon
Notes
Security cruise regulations require clients’ passport information at time of booking.Please ask your Travel Consultant for cruise ship details. The ship scheduled to depart for the cruise portion of your vacation is the Celestyal Olympia, operated by Celestyal Cruises. Rotation of ports of call may vary for congestion reasons at certain ports with or without prior notice.Prices are based on inside cabin (category IB) - All air-conditioned cabins with private shower and toilet. Upgrades available.Full entertainment program on board.Included basic drink package: selection of non-alcoholic & alcoholic drinks.Included select excursions as per detailed itinerary.Cosmos Host service throughout the cruise.
Accommodation
Hotel American Palace Eur in Rome offers modern rooms with en-suite bathrooms, minibar, and free gym access. B&B Firenze City Center in Florence features minimalist decor and free Wi-Fi. Hotel Poppi on the Riviera del Brenta is family-run with 100 rooms. Olympia Palace in Ancient Olympia has 65 spacious rooms. Hotel Rex in Nafplio offers a cozy atmosphere near archaeological sites. Acropolis Select in Athens is centrally located near major attractions.
Mode of Transport
Travel in comfort with a private, first-class, air-conditioned motorcoach equipped with free Wi-Fi, ensuring a smooth and enjoyable journey throughout Italy and Greece.
Check out our Q&As
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What type of transportation is provided during the tour?
Travel is provided in a private, first-class, air-conditioned motorcoach equipped with free Wi-Fi, ensuring a smooth and enjoyable journey throughout Italy and Greece.
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What kind of accommodations can I expect on this tour?
Accommodations include modern rooms with en-suite bathrooms and free gym access at Hotel American Palace Eur in Rome, minimalist decor and free Wi-Fi at B&B Firenze City Center in Florence, family-run Hotel Poppi on the Riviera del Brenta, spacious rooms at Olympia Palace in Ancient Olympia, a cozy atmosphere at Hotel Rex in Nafplio, and a central location near major attractions at Acropolis Select in Athens.
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Are meals included in the tour package?
Yes, buffet breakfasts are provided daily, along with three dinners, including dinner at a local restaurant in Nauplia. Full board is also provided on the cruise.
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What kind of activities are included in the tour?
Activities include guided tours of Rome's landmarks, a mini-train ride to see the Leaning Tower of Pisa, a guided walking tour of Florence, a visit to the ancient Roman Arena in Verona, a boat ride to St. Mark's Square in Venice, and visits to archaeological sites such as Mycenae and the Acropolis in Athens. The tour also includes a cruise with stops at Mykonos, Kusadasi, Patmos, Heraklion, and Santorini.
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Is there any free time during the tour?
Yes, there are several opportunities for free time, such as exploring Rome on your own using the CosmosGO app, leisure time in Venice, and time to explore Athens, including its shops and museums.
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What is the cruise portion of the tour like?
The cruise portion includes stops at Mykonos, Kusadasi, Patmos, Heraklion, and Santorini. The ship scheduled for the cruise is the Celestyal Olympia, operated by Celestyal Cruises. The cruise includes a full entertainment program, a basic drink package, and select excursions as per the detailed itinerary.
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Are there any optional excursions available?
Yes, optional excursions include a Gastronomy Experience in Florence, a gondola ride in Venice, a tour of the sites of ancient Olympia, and a shore excursion to the cliff-top village of Oia in Santorini.
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What should I know about the cruise regulations?
Security cruise regulations require clients' passport information at the time of booking. The rotation of ports of call may vary for congestion reasons at certain ports with or without prior notice.
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How long has the tour company been trading?
Since 1961
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What Ethical Travel credentials does the tour company have?
Cosmos is committed to minimizing our impact on the environment and to reducing dependence on non-renewable resources. In this endeavor, we have implemented policies to support this mission and are working carefully to enhance our products with this mission and our values combined. We are committed to complying with all relevant legislation and/or regulations.
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What documents will I receive before I travel?
Travel documents, including any air tickets, itineraries, and other information, are available approximately two to three weeks prior to departure provided full payment has been received.
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What happens if I need to change my holiday date once I’ve booked?
All guests are fully vaccinated against COVID-19 for travel through February, 2023. Beginning March 1, 2023, while we highly recommend vaccination, we will no longer require it. We ask all guests to comply with airline and destination requirements, which still may apply. To check your destination requirements for your travel dates, view the Latest Travel & Health Restrictions for Travel.
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Low Deposit
Cosmos requires a minimum deposit of 200 GBP 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 cosmos 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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