Italy and Greece Highlights with Island Hopping

You will depart by coach from your accommodation at 7:15 am to Assisi, where you may tour this little, walled town that was constructed in the Middle Ages at your own pace.  After spending some time admiring the works of Giotto and Cimabue at the Basilica of St. Francis, you may eat lunch (not included).  Take a bus to Siena, a Unesco World Heritage Site that is well-known for the Palio, a famous horse race that takes place around the main square, Piazza del Campo, which is formed like a shell.  You will then go to Florence, where you will check into your hotel, have supper, and then have a well-earned night's sleep.

Overnight: Florence Meals:  Breakfast - Dinner

Following breakfast, you will spend the day seeing the stunning city of Florence, known as the "Cradle of Renaissance," where Michelangelo helped elevate Italian art to its highest level.  The city, which has Etruscan-Roman roots, thrived as an autonomous "Comune" in the MiddleAges and underwent considerable development throughout the Renaissance.  The numerous monuments, cathedrals, and structures like Santa Maria del Fiore, often known as the Duomo, will captivate you.  You will be astounded by its magnificent dome, which Filippo Brunelleschi constructed, when you visit.  To visit the Baptistery, with its bronze doors where Michelangelo envisioned the "Gates of Paradise," and the "Campanile" tower, which was partially planned by Giotto, cross a small square.  Piazza della Signoria, Palazzo della Signoria (also called Palazzo Vecchio), and the Basilica of Santa Croce are all located in the center of the city.  Lunch at Piazza Santa Croce at a traditional Tuscan eatery.  

Spend the afternoon strolling the cobblestone streets of Florence on your own. Dinner at leisure, overnight stay in Florence.

Overnight: Florence Rome Meals: Breakfast - Lunch

We leave Florence for the sophisticated city of Bologna after enjoying a delicious breakfast there.  When you arrive, the picturesque city center, with its recognizable porticos, is ready for you to explore in your spare time.  Piazza Malpighi is the starting point for your walking tour, which continues to Piazza del Nettuno and Piazza Maggiore in the city center.  You may marvel at the Basilica of San Petronio, the world's biggest brick-built Gothic church, and the medieval Palazzo Podestà here.  As you explore Bologna's thriving street food culture, which is as varied and rich as its culinary legacy, we'll show you why it's sometimes referred to as Italy's gourmet capital.  You will come across a great variety of food booths and marketplaces as you meander through the city's ancient alleyways, each of which serves a delectable assortment of both traditional and modern goodies.  A gourmet journey that extends beyond a meal awaits you as you meander around the quaint lanes and lively piazzas.  This is your opportunity to enjoy the genuine tastes and distinctive dishes that characterize Bologna's well-known culinary identity with a street food light lunch experience at a neighborhood restaurant that we offer.  We continue our journey to Venice (Mestre) later in the day.  Check into your hotel when you arrive for a comfortable night's sleep.

Overnight: Venice Mestre Meals: Breakfast, Light lunch

After breakfast, take pleasure in your trip to Piazza San Marco and see the most famous sites of the "Floating City," including the fabled "Bridge of Sighs" and the Palazzo dei Dogi, which are reminders of Venice's illustrious history.  As a lovely way to round off your tour of Venice's top attractions, let us treat you to a prosecco or spritz after the walking tour. Your tour guide will be with you.  You will get the chance to sample the well-known "cicchetti," a Venetian take on tapas (small lunch), as you relax and sip your beverage.  After spending the day exploring Venice's canals at your own pace, head back to the hotel for the night.

Overnight: Venice Meste Meals: Breakfast - Light Lunch

Along with breathtaking panoramic vistas and a rich cultural legacy, Montepulciano is known for its "Nobile" wine, which is sold in local wineries.  You will get the opportunity to enjoy your supper at a typical restaurant (included) while sipping on a glass of excellent local wine, which is well matched to bring out the flavors of classic Tuscan food.  Make a little halt to enjoy some leisure time after lunch.   You will reach Rome in the evening and check into your hotel.

Overnight: Rome Meals: Breakfast - Lunch

Breakfast and and departure from the hotel for the included tour of the Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel with our exclusive “Skip the Line” access! No stress to reach the area: upon arrival, your guide will lead you into the museums where you’ll visit one of the most important art collections of the world. Walk along the beautiful Galleries of Tapestries and Geographical Maps before admiring Raphael’s Rooms and, then, the amazing Sistine Chapel. Enjoy the rest of the day to explore the city at your own leisure or get any one of our selected tours for the afternoon or at night! Overnight stay.

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Overnight: Rome Meals: Breakfast 

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After breakfast, transfer to the airport. Arrivederci Italia! After two-hour flight, arrive in Athens, Greece. Upon Arrival transfer to your hotel. and the rest of the day is free at leisure. 

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Overnight: Athens Meals: Breakfast 

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After your breakfast, you will commence the panoramic tour of the Athenian Neoclassical Center: the Parliament, the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, the University, the Library, and National Academy, the Ilion Palace, the Temple of Zeus and Hadrian’s Gate, the Panathenaic Stadium, and many other monuments and sites of great interest. You will learn all there is to know about their history and background from the licensed English-speaking Tour Guide accompanying you on this tour.

Your next stop will be the “sacred rock”, the spectacular, unique and magnificent Acropolis and the Acropolis Museum. The entrance fee to both sites is included. At the end of the visit, you can either choose to return to your hotel or set out on your own adventure through the charming and picturesque streets of Plaka. Afternoon free at leisure. 

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Overnight: Athens Meals: Breakfast 

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Breakfast and leave for Delphi via Thebes, Levadia and the picturesque village of Arachova, on the slopes of Mount Parnassus, arrive in Delphi and visit the Archaeological Site (Archeological site is included but the Museum in Delphi is not included) . After the visit depart for Kalambaka, passing through picturesque villages and towns of Central Greece. Dinner and overnight.

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Overnight: Delphi Meals: Breakfast - Dinner

Visit Meteora and enjoy a unique and most impressive scenery with ageless Monasteries(ladies, for the visit of the Monastery, need a long skirts  and the gentlemen long trousers)  , containing priceless historical and religious treasures, standing between earth and sky atop huge rocks. Return to Athens via Trikala, Lamia, Thermopylae (short stop to see across the road the Leonida's Monument), arrive in Athens early in the evening.

Overnight: Athens Meals: Breakfast 

Morning transfer from your hotel to the port by our taxi driver to embark on the ferry to Mykonos. On arrival you have a transfer to your selected hotel for a 2-night stay.

Overnight: Mykonos Meals: Breakfast

At leisure to explore the famous island, a meeting point of the international “jet set”. Discover its amazing beaches, and enjoy the unique night-life. 

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Overnight: Mykonos Meals: Breakfast

Morning transfer from your hotel to the port to embark on the ferry to Santorini. On arrival you have a transfer to your selected hotel for a 2-night stay.

Overnight: Santorini Meals: Breakfast

At leisure to explore the magical island of Santorini. Discover Fira & Oia with the breathtaking views to the volcano, and enjoy one of the best sunsets in the Aegean. Explore the unique black-sanded beaches or take a boat tour to the islands of the caldera.

Overnight: Santorini Meals: Breakfast

At the agreed time, you will be transferred to the airport of Santorini, from where you will board your flight back to Athens. Your arrival at the airport will correspond to your international flight, which should preferably have a departure later than 12:00 pm

Overnight M/A Meals: Breakfast