Essential Greece, Italy and Switzerland

Welcome to Athens! Upon arriving at Athens International Airport you will be met and transferred to the hotel. This evening there will be a group meeting to go over the details of your tour.


Overnight in Athens

This morning enjoys a guided panoramic tour of Athens. As you travel between the sites you will hear fascinating facts about Athens history; each landmark has its own story to tell. We will drive past the Presidential Palace, the Panathinaikos Stadium, constructed in 556 BC and host to the first modern-day Olympics in 1896. You will see the National Library, Syntagma Square and drive through new areas in Athens that emerged after the 2004 Olympics. The tour will end at the Acropolis, Greece's most famous UNESCO Site, the absolute symbol of the grandeur of Greek civilization. Spend the afternoon at leisure perhaps explore the Plaka area or visit the Acropolis. This evening you will be transferred to the Plaka where you will have time to meander the streets of the old town, which is scattered with wonderful ancient and neoclassical buildings, shops, cafes and restaurants.

Overnight in Athens

In the morning after breakfast, we drive towards the scenic coastal road to the magnificent structure of the Corinth Canal, which is in Peloponnese, the southern peninsula of Greece. Opened in 1892 separating the Peloponnese peninsula from the rest of Greece and connecting the Saronic Gulf to the Corinthian Sea. This man-made canal squeezes ships through its tight cliffs in what seems like an impossible feat. We will explore this ancient city that several empires fought over throughout the centuries. We will visit the Acropolis of the Ancient Corinth, called Acrokorinthos, a monolithic rock that was occupied from archaic times to the early 19th century. Here you have one hour to visit the castle. You will enjoy the amazing view 575 meters above sea level, and explore the three castle gates, the Upper Pirene springs, the temple to Aphrodite which was Christianized as a church on the top. We will continue to Mycenae, the golden city of king Agamemnon, the one you united all the Greek cities to fight for a common purpose against Troy. Mycenae was the city where the Mycenaean civilization started and has an archaeological site to check it out. There you will visit the burial Royal Tombs of the kings and queens, the cyclopean walls, the Lion Gate, and the treasury of Areas, the Cyclopean Walls. We will continue to Olympia. On the way, we will stop at Tripoli, the provincial capital of the region known for its excellent wine. Arrive in Olympia in the late afternoon and check-in at your hotel.


Overnight and dinner in Olympia

Today after breakfast, we will visit Olympias archaeological site with a local guide. You will have a chance to visit its museum and archaeological site (ticket included) which was the cradle of the Olympic games in ancient times. After this, we cross the mountainous interior of the Peloponnese. We continue to Patras where we visit the Orthodox cathedral of the city, the largest in Greece. Time for lunch. At 17.30 (the time may change) we board a very modern ferry, much more like a cruiser. The ship sails along the Greek coast, passing the islands of Ithaca and Kefalonia and making a stop at Igumenitsa. Accommodation in double cabins with a bathroom.


Overnight onboard ferry

Note: The ship sailing is subject to weather. In-case of severe weather conditions, we will travel to Rome by flight.

Morning resting on board on our journey through the Adriatic. Arrival in Ancona is scheduled at 14 hrs., disembarkation, and continuation to Loreto, time to visit the sanctuary of the Holy House, the house of the Virgin Mary, and to tour its beautiful medieval town. After that, we cross the Apennines amidst beautiful countryside in the Abruzzo region. Rome -Arrival at the end of the day.


Overnight in Rome

After breakfast, In the morning, we have a scenic tour, which will be a great introduction to “The Eternal City”. We will visit the tiny state of the Vatican, the epicentre of Christianity in the world. You will be able to visit St. Peters Basilica. We include the entrance to the Imperial Forums, an impressive architectural complex formed by monumental buildings and squares, the center of the political activity of Imperial Rome. At the end of the evening, we arrange a transfer to the Trastevere area for a stroll in the narrow-cobbled streets of the district with hidden treasures, such as some modest medieval churches, small shops with the most peculiar of objects, or scenes of daily life. Many trattorias (informal Italian eating establishments) and osterias (inns) imbued with the Italian spirit will be ready to serve your local dishes. Other restaurants serving Indian, Chinese, and international food can be found in this area. Return to hotel. Note: on many occasions during the low season, as well as on some specific dates of the rest of the year, instead of the entrance to the Imperial Forums, we will enter the Roman Colosseum, a symbol of Rome.


Overnight in Rome

Today we will leave Rome, heading north. This route has beautiful landscapes. Arriving in Florence, we head straight to the impressive Piazzale Michelangelo. In the evening we take a tour with a local expert, walking through the historic center, and taking in places such as the Ponte Vecchio, the Duomo, and Plaza della Signoria. This city is truly an outdoor museum. Enjoy some leisure time to explore. In the evening you will have time for dinner, as, in this district, you can find many restaurants serving international cuisine.


Overnight in Florence

Today we enjoyed stunning mountain landscapes while crossing the Apennine Mountains. We will arrive in Venice, take the boat, and cross the Giudecca to the Island of Venice. With a local guide, we will visit the marvellous St. Mark´s Square and enter the Basilica (entrance included). Afterward, we will visit the Murano Glass Factory. It is fascinating to see the technique of how this ancient glass is made. Enjoy some time at leisure to explore. Accommodation in the Mestre district.


Overnight in Venice

After breakfast, we will depart Venice and head to Austria. Arrival in INNSBRUCK, time to take a stroll in its historic town centre and to have lunch. Next, we will continue our journey through the wonderful Tyrolean scenery as we cross into Switzerland. Arrival in Zurich. Free time in the historic city centre which sits right by the lake. There is a wide variety of local and international restaurants where you can have dinner.


Overnight in Zurich

Today´s journey has beautiful landscapes with high mountains and lakes. Breathtaking scenery in the region of Interlaken. We will stop in Grindelwald where we will have time for a coffee before taking the cable car up to the mountain. We will walk along the winding path which will lead us to the suspended bridge. Dare to walk across the bridge amongst the fantastic scenery enjoying glaciers all around us. We will have lunch up in the mountain (included) before heading back down. We continue to Lucerne, one of the most beautiful cities in Switzerland. In the evening we have time to stroll around, enjoy the city, and have dinner before returning to the hotel in Zurich.

Note: The guide will offer you the possibility of a full-day optional visit, leaving in the morning and, after some free time to discover Lucerne, we take a rotating cable car to reach the top of Mount Titlis. At the alpine summit, at over 3000m above sea level, you will enjoy breathtaking views of the glacier and the Alps.


Overnight in Zurich

After breakfast, make your own way to Zurich International Airport for your flight home.