Best of Italy and Greece
Start: Rome Finish: Athens
Duration: 9 Nights
Tour Operator: Trafalgar
Prices From:
Tour Overview
Admire the art and architecture of Rome and the rich cultural heritage of Florence. Visit the monasteries of Meteora and see the sight of the most important oracle in the classical world.
Highlights
VIP Admission to the Vatican Museums- Sightseeing Highlights - Explore Rome, Florence, Delphi and Athens with a Local Specialist
- Sightseeing Highlights - Discover Venice
- Explore Rome, Florence, Delphi and Athens with a Local Specialist
- Visit St. Peter's Basilica, the Sistine Chapel and the Colosseum in Rome, Piazzale Michelangelo and Piazza della Signoria in Florence, a glassblowing factory in Venice, the monasteries of Meteora, the Temple of Apollo in Delphi and the Acropolis in Athens
- Dive into Culture Ascend the staircase designed by famous architect Donato Bramante, in a part of the Vatican not open to the public. (Day 3) Witness the exquisite craft of glassblowing, a delicate tradition that generations of Venetian craftsmen have perfected over the centuries. (Day 5)
- Sightseeing Highlights - See Hadrian's Arch in Athens
- Sightseeing Highlights - Visit St. Peter's Basilica, the Sistine Chapel and the Colosseum in Rome, Piazzale Michelangelo and Piazza della Signoria in Florence, a glassblowing factory in Venice, the monasteries of Meteora, the Temple of Apollo in Delphi and the Acropolis in Athens
- View the ancient sites of Rome, the Duomo and Baptistery in Florence, the Doge's Palace and the Basilica in Venice and the Parthenon, Royal Palace and the Temple of Zeus in Athens
- Scenic Cruise by private launch to St. Mark's Square in Venice
- See Hadrian's Arch in Athens
- Sightseeing Highlights - Scenic Cruise by private launch to St. Mark's Square in Venice
- Sightseeing Highlights - VIP Admission to the Vatican Museums
- Sightseeing Highlights - View the ancient sites of Rome, the Duomo and Baptistery in Florence, the Doge's Palace and the Basilica in Venice and the Parthenon, Royal Palace and the Temple of Zeus in Athens
- Discover Venice
- Connect with Locals Enjoy a local Tuscan Be My Guest dinner with Count Miari Fulcis on his 15th-century organic olive oil estate in the Tuscan hills, used as a location for many famous films like 'Room with a View' and 'Tea with Mussolini'. (Day 3)
Itinerary
Day 1: Ciao Rome
Location: Rome
Accommodation: Crowne Plaza St. Peter's
Meals: Welcome Reception
Welcome to Rome, the 'Eternal City'. Join your Travel Director and fellow travellers for a Welcome Reception and evening orientation drive to view some of this city's magnificent sites.
Day 2: Discover Ancient Rome and the Vatican City
Location: Rome
Meals: Breakfast
Visit St. Peter's Basilica and view Michelangelo's Pietà with a Local Specialist. See the Circus Maximus where chariot races were held and visit the impressive Colosseum. There's time afterwards to explore the city on your own or simply relax and watch the world go by.
Day 3: Journey to Renaissance Florence
Location: Florence, Rome, Vatican City
Accommodation: Cosmopolitan Concept
Meals: Breakfast, Be My Guest
This morning, head to the Vatican Museums with a Local Specialist. Dive Into Culture as you ascend the Bramante staircase, then admire Michelangelo's frescoed ceiling in the Sistine Chapel. Later, drive north to Renaissance Florence in Tuscany. Tonight, Connect With Locals at a Be My Guest experience in the Chianti countryside.
Day 4: Venture to Venice
Location: Florence, Mestre
Accommodation: Novotel Mestre Castellana
Meals: Breakfast
Your Local Specialist reveals Florence's rich cultural heritage during your walking tour. Visit Piazza della Signoria, with its impressive sculptures and imposing palazzi. View the marble Duomo and the famous Baptistery, renowned for its bronze doors with relief sculptures and the Ponte Vecchio. Learn about the quality and workmanship of one of this city's historic industries at a demonstration of Florentine leathercraft. Then travel through the Apennines and cross the Veneto plains to Venice. This evening, you may choose to take a gondola ride through the city's enchanting canals.
Day 5: Explore the Floating City
Location: Venice
Meals: Breakfast
Cruise by private launch to St. Mark's Square to see the Bridge of Sighs, St. Mark's Square, St. Mark's Basilica and the ornate Doge's Palace. This afternoon, Dive Into Culture and witness the ancient Venetian tradition of glassmaking then consider taking an Optional Experience to one of the islands in the lagoon.
Day 6: Board an Overnight Ferry to Greece
Location: Ancona, Igoumenitsa
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Travel south to the ancient port city of Ancona to board your overnight ferry to mainland Greece.
Day 7: Monasteries of Meteora on the way to Kalambaka
Location: Kalabaka, Meteora
Accommodation: Amalia Kalambaka
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Arrive early at the port of Igoumenitsa and travel along the foothills of the Athamanika mountains before arriving at the UNESCO-listed monasteries of Meteora. These are some of the largest and most important complexes of Eastern Orthodox monasteries in Greece. Your Local Specialist will guide you on a visit to two of the six monasteries built on sandstone rocks that tower above the town. Dine tonight at your hotel.
Day 8: Onwards to Legendary Delphi
Location: Delphi
Accommodation: Amalia Delphi
Meals: Breakfast
Drive south towards Mount Parnassos and Delphi, where we will stay overnight. Join a Local Specialist and see the site of the most important oracle in the classical world and walk the Sacred Way to the Temple of Apollo where athletes competed in the Pythian Games.
Day 9: Off to Historic Athens
Location: Athens
Accommodation: Divani Palace Acropolis
Meals: Breakfast, Farewell Dinner
We depart the 'navel of the earth' this morning and travel to Athens where we'll discover the city's rich heritage during our morning sightseeing tour with a Local Specialist. Marvel at the Agora, the Royal Palace, the Temple of Zeus and the Acropolis. See Hadrian's Arch and the stadium where the first modern Olympics took place in 1896. Indulge in a Farewell Dinner to celebrate the end of your trip.
Day 10: Farewell Athens
Location: Athens
Meals: Breakfast
Say goodbye to your fellow travellers and Travel Director after an unforgettable journey.
What's Included
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Daily breakfast and up to half your evening meals
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Audio Headsets for flexible sightseeing
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5 dinners (including Be My Guest)
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Must-see sightseeing and surprise extras
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Cherry-picked hotels, all tried and trusted
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Luxury air-conditioned coach with Wi-Fi in most countries or alternative transportation (such as rail journeys)
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An expert Travel Director and professional Driver
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Handcrafted Highlights
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Handcrafted Highlights
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All hotel tips, charges and local taxes
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9 breakfasts
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Optional Experiences and free time
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All porterage and restaurant gratuities
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Overnight ferry from Ancona to Igoumenitsa
Your Peace of Mind Options
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Low Deposit
Trafalgar requires a deposit of 20% to secure a place on this tour, and the final balance is not due till 56 days before departure..
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Secure payments
All payments to TourHub are deposited into an externally regulated Trust account.