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 will see the exceptional features these countries have to offer starting in Rome and ending in Athens In Italy you will stay in Rome Florence and the Venice area In Greece you will stay in Olympia Nauplia and Athens You will 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 Pisas famous Leaning Tower In Venice take a boat ride to St Marks 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 will also visit Mycenae dating back to the 5th Century BC where you will 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 worlds most beautiful islands You will 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 worlds most breathtaking panoramas Patmos where St John the Divine wrote the Book of Revelation and Kusadasi Turkey where you will 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
Hotels Meals Transportations Tours Tour guide
International aviation Visa Anything not mentioned
The Starting at or listed price is based on the lowest price available to book Price is per passenger based on double occupancy and does not include airfare additional fees/charges are not included If a price is crossed out the new price includes a limited time promotional offers please review current promotions or deals for additional information Some tours require intra vacation flights
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.
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.
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
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.”
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
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.
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
(DISEMBARKATION)–OLYMPIA 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
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
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
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.
Board your Celestyal cruise ship. Cruise the Aegean Sea to Mykonos, with its white houses, chapels, and windmills. Late-evening departure for Kusadasi, Turkey.
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.
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.
Drive to Athens and relax, visit a museum, or go shopping.
Your vacation ends with breakfast this morning.
