Day 1: Arrival at ATHENS
Arrival to Athens and transfer to the hotel. At night we provide and evening transfer to PLAKA area. This neighborhood is full of small Greek taverns where you can enjoy the rich folklore of this country.
Day 2: City Tour- ATHENS
In the morning, we will enjoy a panoramic tour of the city with a local guide which includes the Presidential Palace, the Panathinaikos stadium where the first modern Olympic games were held, the national library, the bustling squares of the center, the new neighborhoods that emerged after the 2004 Olympic games. The tour will end at the Acropolis site (entry not included).Free time during the day to walk around and discover unforgettable places.
Day 3: ATHENS - CORINTH - MYCENAE - TRIPOLI - OLYMPIA
In the morning, we leave for the Peloponnese region. We make a stop at the CORINTH CANAL. After this, we have time in the immense fortress of ACCRA CORINTH. At the top of the settlement are the foundations of what was a temple to Aphrodite. We go on to MYCENAE, a colossal citadel from the eighteenth century BC, the birthplace of the first European civilisation. We stop in TRIPOLI, the provincial capital of a region that produces excellent wines. In the middle of the afternoon, we go on our way to OLYMPIA. Dinner included.
Day 4: OLYMPIA - PATRAS-BRINDISI FERRY
We will visit OLYMPIA archeological site with a local guide. You will have a chance to visit its museum and archeological site (guided tour, ticket to the park not included) which the cradle of the Olympic games in ancient times. We will get back on route to PATRAS, Greeces third largest city. We will visit its active, lively centre. Afterwards, we will travel to Northern Greece, AMFILOCHIA. Short stop in this quiet coastal town ARTA, a city in the Epirus region that has a Roman bridge. Arrival in IGOUMENITSA. Suppertime and boarding to cross the Ionian Sea. Night on board, overnight accommodation in double cabins with private bathroom (we recommend bringing a handbag along to spend the night on board. Breakfast on the boat Sunday morning is not included).Note-The ferry used, which is the only one available, leaves at one in the morning, but boarding is not usually possible until after midnight. Sometimes due to late arrival, the ferry might be delayed. It is a simple ferry (double cabins with private bathroom). Occasionally, due to weather conditions, vessel inspection or shedule changes, strikes, fully booked ferryboats or other reasons, we are forced to adapt the schedules of the following day itinerary according to the berthing time of the ship or fly from Athens to Rome, in which case the visits to Amfilochia and Arta are cancelled and a Sunday visit to Naples and Pompeii is included.
Day 5: PATRAS-BRINDISI FERRY - TRANI - NAPLES - ROME
Arrival in BRINDISI early in the morning. We will follow the Adriatic coastline in Southern Italy. We will visit TRANI, a picturesque little town by the sea, and its fishing port, its old cathedral and its lively streets. Lunchtime. We will resume our trip to NAPLES, where we will arrive in the afternoon. Short sightseeing tour in its historic centre before resuming our journey to ROME.
Day 6: City Tour - ROME
In the morning, we will have a tour of the city, which will be a great introduction to The Eternal city. We enter the tiny state of the Vatican. The Vatican City is a principal centre of Christianity in the world. You will be able to visit St. Peters Basilica. We will also enter the Roman Colosseum (admission price included), the principal symbol of Rome. This impressive construction dates back 2000 years and will transport us in time so that we can learn about ancient society in the Roman Empire. In the evening we will transfer you to the Via Cavour area, where you will find many international restaurants to enjoy your dinner at. After dinner return to the hotel.
Day 7: ROME - FLORENCE
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 centre, 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.
Day 8: FLORENCE - VENICE
Today we enjoy stunning mountain landscapes while crossing the Apennine Mountains. We will arrive in VENICE and board a Vaporetto to travel around on the canals in the historic centre. With a local guide, we will visit the marvellous St. Marks Square and enter the Basilica (entrance included). Afterwards, 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. In the late afternoon, you will have the chance to get dinner in the Mestre area, where you can choose from many restaurants.
Day 9: Departure
After breakfast, end of our services.