Itinerary
- Day 1
Rome
You'll arrive in Rome and get settled into your hotel. Spend the afternoon going through the city on your own with the CosmosGO app to navigate around at whatever pace works for you. This evening you'll meet your Tour Director and the rest of your group.
Optional Activities
- Self-guided exploration of Rome using CosmosGO app
- Day 2
Rome
Start the day with a local guide covering Rome's main attractions. You'll pass by the Tiber River, Caius Cestius Pyramid, and the Aurelian Walls before seeing the Caracalla Baths. Then it's a walk through history from Circus Maximus straight to the Colosseum, which really defined the Roman Empire.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Introduction to Rome's landmarks from St. Peter's Square with Local Guide
- Drive along Tiber River, Caius Cestius Pyramid, Aurelian Walls, and Caracalla Baths
- Walking tour from Circus Maximus to Arch of Constantine to Colosseum
Landmarks/POIs St. Peter's Square Tiber River Caius Cestius Pyramid Aurelian Walls Caracalla Baths Circus Maximus Arch of Constantine Colosseum - Day 3
Rome to Florence
Head north through Tuscany, driving past rolling hills and cypress trees with vineyards and olive groves all around. In Pisa you'll take a mini-train to see the Square of Miracles and the Leaning Tower. Later you'll arrive in Florence, where there's an option to join a traditional gastronomy experience at a local restaurant.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Mini-train ride to Square of Miracles and Leaning Tower in Pisa
Optional Activities
- Gastronomy Experience in a typical restaurant
Landmarks/POIs Square of Miracles Leaning Tower of Pisa - Day 4
Florence
A guided walk takes you through Florence's main spots, starting at Piazza Santa Croce and moving to Signoria Square. You'll see the 13th-century Palazzo Vecchio, the Loggia dei Lanzi, and the Duomo with Giotto's Gothic Bell Tower. Don't miss the Gate of Paradise at the Baptistry with its ornate bronze doors.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Guided walking tour of Florence featuring Piazza Santa Croce, Signoria Square, Palazzo Vecchio, Loggia dei Lanzi, Duomo, Giotto's Gothic Bell Tower, and Baptistry
Landmarks/POIs Piazza Santa Croce Signoria Square Palazzo Vecchio Loggia dei Lanzi Duomo Giotto's Gothic Bell Tower Baptistry - Day 5
Florence to Verona
Travel north across the Po River to Verona, where Shakespeare set Romeo and Juliet. The ancient Roman Arena still hosts festivals and concerts today. You can shop on Via Mazzini or simply walk around the charming cobblestone streets of the city center.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Visit to ancient Roman Arena in Verona
Optional Activities
- Shopping on Via Mazzini
- Self-guided exploration of Verona's cobblestone streets
Landmarks/POIs Roman Arena Via Mazzini - Day 6
Verona to Venice
Arrive in Venice and take part in an orientation that includes a boat ride to St. Mark's Square and time at a Venetian glassblowing workshop. The canals, gondolas, arched bridges, and palaces surround you here. Afterward you have free time to explore, or you can book an optional gondola ride.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
Included Activities
- Boat ride to St. Mark's Square
- Visit to Venetian glassblowing workshop
Optional Activities
- Romantic gondola ride
- Self-guided exploration with cappuccino or Venetian spritz at bars or cafes
Landmarks/POIs St. Mark's Square - Day 7
Venice to Ancona
Travel across the Po Delta to reach Ancona on the Adriatic Sea coast. You'll board an overnight ferry heading to Patras, Greece. Your cabin has two berths with a private shower and toilet for the journey.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Overnight ferry crossing from Ancona to Patras
- Day 8
Ferry Crossing to Olympia
Continue on the ferry with access to the ship's facilities and amenities. Once you disembark in Patras, you'll drive south into the Peloponnese region toward Olympia.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
Included Activities
- Ferry crossing with ship's amenities
- Day 9
Olympia to Nauplia
Morning is yours to relax or take an optional tour of ancient Olympia's ruins, including the Temple of Zeus. In the afternoon you'll drive through rugged Peloponnese scenery heading to Nauplia. Dinner takes place at a local restaurant this evening.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner (Dinner at a local restaurant)
Optional Activities
- Tour of ancient Olympia ruins including Temple of Zeus
Landmarks/POIs Temple of Zeus - Day 10
Nauplia to Athens
A local guide takes you through the ruins of Mycenae, the ancient city from Homer's epic tales. Later you'll stop to see the Corinth Canal, built between 1881 and 1893. Then it's on to Athens for the night.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Guided visit to ruins of Mycenae with Local Guide
- Stop at Corinth Canal
Landmarks/POIs Mycenae Corinth Canal - Day 11
Athens
An included tour covers Athens's highlights and a visit to the Acropolis. After that you can spend time at shops and museums on your own, or take the tram to the coast if you prefer. This evening the Plaka district comes alive with tavernas, narrow streets, and bouzouki music. There's also an option to join a traditional Greek dinner.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Included sightseeing tour of Athens with Local Guide
- Visit to the Acropolis
Optional Activities
- Shopping and museum visits
- Tram ride to the coast
- Self-guided exploration of Plaka district tavernas
- Optional traditional Greek dinner
Landmarks/POIs Acropolis Plaka - Day 12
Athens to Mykonos
You'll board your Celestyal cruise ship and head into the Aegean Sea. First stop is Mykonos with its white houses, chapels, and windmills. The ship departs late evening for Kusadasi, Turkey.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Cruise in the Aegean Sea
- Visit to Mykonos
Landmarks/POIs Mykonos - Day 13
Kusadasi & Patmos
Two ports of call today. First you'll reach Kusadasi on the Turkish coast and join an included excursion to Ephesus with its Greek, Roman, and Byzantine excavations. After that comes the tiny Greek island of Patmos, where St. John wrote the Book of Revelation. You'll visit the 11th-century monastery that houses a valuable manuscript collection.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Excursion to Greek, Roman, and Byzantine excavations of Ephesus
- Visit to 11th-century monastery on Patmos
Landmarks/POIs Ephesus Patmos Monastery of Saint John the Theologian - Day 14
Crete & Santorini
Heraklion on Crete is your first port. An included excursion takes you to Knossos, which was the center of the Minoan civilization around 3000 BC. If weather allows, you'll visit Santorini in the afternoon. There's an option to hike up to the cliff-top village of Oia for panoramic views of the Aegean.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Excursion to Knossos, the hub of the 3000-BC Minoan civilization
Optional Activities
- Shore excursion to cliff-top village of Oia in Santorini for panoramic views
Landmarks/POIs Knossos Santorini Oia - Day 15
Santorini to Athens
Early in the morning you'll arrive back in Athens. From there you'll drive into the city. Spend your time relaxing, checking out a museum, or doing some shopping depending on what interests you.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Visit a museum
- Shopping
- Self-guided relaxation and exploration
- Day 16
Athens Departure
Your trip comes to an end after breakfast this morning.
- Meals
- Breakfast
