Best of Italy and Greece with 4-Day Cruise

About this boat trip in Rome Fiumicino Leonardo da Vinci Airport (FCO), Fiumicino, Metropolitan City of Rome Capital, Italy

• Live guideEnglish, Spanish
• Duration14 days
• CancellationMultiday Cancellation Default Terms
• Activity levelEasy

• Food on board

Timeline: how the party goes

1. Saturday: Arrive in Rome

   Upon your arrival at Rome airport, make your own way to the hotel. The rest of the day will be free for you to relax. (Arrival transfer is optional with the upgrade of La Dolce Vita)

   Overnight: Rome Meals: Not available

2. Sunday: Rome - Colosseum, Roman Forum and Palatine Hill(*)

   After a tasty breakfast, you will meet our guide at 10:00AM (*) on Via dei Fori Imperiali, ready to discover the legendary Colosseum in a complete and exclusive tour: the perfect way to re-live the excitement that once took place in one of the most admired landmarks worldwide.

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   On the arena floor, you can see the Colosseum as those who entered two thousand years ago: not only gladiators but those condemned to death by wild animals. A professional guide will provide explanations that'll immerse you in the rich past of the most famous sporting venue in history.

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   Take your photos, and feel like the ancient warriors (or poor unfortunates) themselves, as you can almost feel the thunder of the roaring Roman crowds, now long gone...

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   Following your exclusive tour of the Colosseum, the guide will take you to the Roman Forum and Palatine Hill, explaining the relevance of these famous archaeological sites on a guided tour.

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   Overnight: Rome Meals:  Breakfast

   ­ (*) The first Sunday of each month Colosseum entrance is free so we will replace another visit or refund the cost of entrance.­

   (**) Due to the exclusivity of the tour and the limitations in the ticket management process recently incorporated in the Colosseum, the tour start time may vary up to 2 hours. This means that due to availability and operational issues, it may be moved to 10:30 am or even 12 pm at the latest, for example. The schedule is therefore indicative. This information will be provided a couple of days in advance.

3. Monday: Rome - Assisi - Siena - Florence

   Depart at 7:15 AM by A/C coach to Assisi, a medieval town surrounded by ancient walls. Visit the Basilica of St. Francis, featuring frescoes by Giotto and Cimabue and enjoy a lunch in Assisi (lunch not included). Continue to Siena, UNESCO-listed and famous for its shell-shaped Piazza del Campo and Palio horse race. Later, travel through Tuscany’s countryside to reach Florence. Check in at your hotel. Overnight stay.

   Overnight: Florence   Meals: Breakfast

4. Tuesday: Florence

   Explore Florence, cradle of the Renaissance. Visit the Duomo,  Brunelleschi’s Dome, Giotto’s Bell Tower, and Baptistery. See Piazza della Signoria, Palazzo Vecchio, and Santa Croce Basilica. Enjoy free time for lunch (lunch not included). In the afternoon, choose between free time in the city or an optional excursion to the Uffizi Gallery, one of the world's greatest art museums, housing masterpieces by Botticelli, da Vinci, and Raphael.

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   Overnight: Florence Meals: Breakfast

5. Wednesday : Florence - Bologna - Venice

   Travel to Bologna, a city rich in culture and culinary excellence.  Walk from Piazza Malpighi to Piazza Maggiore, admiring San Petronio Basilica and the Palazzo del Podestà. Free time for lunch (not included). We recommend immersing yourself in the local flavors and enjoying the delicious typical street food of Bologna, an essential experience that will allow you to authentically discover Bolognese cuisine. In the afternoon, continue to Venice. Upon arrival, check in at the hotel and relax. Overnight stay.

   Overnight: Venice (Troncehatto Area)  Meals: Breakfast

6. Thursday : Venice

   Transfer to Piazza San Marco and discover Venice’s highlights with a guided tour. Visit the Doge’s Palace (outside) and cross the Bridge of Sighs. After the visit, free time. Lunch not included. Return to your hotel. Overnight stay in Venice.

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   Overnight: Venice Meals: Breakfast

7. Friday : Venice - Tuscany - Montepulciano - Rome

   Depart Venice and travel through Tuscany to Montepulciano, a hilltop town known for “Vino Nobile” and stunning views. Upon arrival in Montepulciano, you will have free time to stroll through the historic center. Lunch on your own. After lunch, take some free time before heading back to Rome, where the tour ends.

   Overnight: Rome. Meals: Breakfast

8. Saturday : Rome to Athens (Flight)

   Breakfast and transfer to the airport and flight to Athens (in some flights there are no direct flight. We can provide connected flight) and upon arrival meet with our assistant to greet you and transfer to your hotel in Athens.

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   Overnight: Athens Meals: Breakfast

9. Sunday : Athens

   This tour gives you an opportunity to observe the striking contrasts that make Athens such a fascinating city.

   Our expert guides will take you to see the Panathenaic Stadium where the first Olympic Games of modern times were held in 1896 (short stop).

   Continue and pass by the Prime Minister's residence (ex Royal Palace) guarded by the Euzones in their colorful uniform, the Temple of Olympian Zeus, the Hadrian's Arch, the Parliament and the memorial to the Unknown Soldier, the Academy, the University, the National Library, the Constitution Square (Syntagma).

   On the Acropolis visit the Architectural Masterpieces of the Golden Age of Athens: The Propylaea, the Temple of Athena Nike, the Erechtheion and finally "the harmony between material and spirit", the monument that "puts order in the mind", the Parthenon.

   Continue and visit the place where at last the statues found their home and admire the wonders of the classical era: The new Acropolis museum.

   Overnight: Athens Meals: Breakfast

10. Monday: Athens - Mykonos

    After breakfast, transfer to the Port of Lavrion to embark on your cruise. We leave the historic and classical capital of Greece and set sail for our first destination, the beautiful island of Mykonos, also known as the Island of the Winds. As the ship approaches the island in the late afternoon, you’ll be greeted by the dazzling white buildings and iconic rocky coastline. Take an evening stroll through the atmospheric Old Town (Chora) with its immaculate whitewashed houses, winding alleys, lovely little churches, and delightful restaurants at the water’s edge in the famous neighbourhood of Little Venice. You will undoubtedly recognize the picture postcard white windmills sitting side by side, overlooking the sea – a perfect spot for that first holiday photograph as the sun begins to set.

    Trip Note: Arrive in Mykonos at 06:00 pm (tender) and depart at 11:00 pm.
    Overnight: Cruise Ship | Meals: Full board on board

11. Tuesday : Kusadasi (Turkey) & Patmos

    Wake up this morning as your ship docks in the vibrant Turkish port of Kusadasi. This is your gateway to the ancient world. From here, you have the opportunity to journey inland to explore the magnificent ruins of Ephesus, one of the best-preserved classical cities in the Mediterranean, where you can walk the same marble streets as Mark Antony and Cleopatra. After a morning of discovery, return to the ship for a relaxing lunch as we set sail once more.

    This afternoon, we arrive at the serene and spiritual island of Patmos , known as the "Jerusalem of the Aegean." Take a tender ashore to Skala, the main harbour, and feel the peaceful atmosphere that has drawn pilgrims for centuries. A short journey up the hill leads you to the magnificent, fortress-like Monastery of St. John, which dominates the island's skyline. Nearby, you can visit the sacred Cave of the Apocalypse, where St. John is said to have received the visions that became the Book of Revelation. Wander through the charming streets of Hora before descending to the waterfront for a final taste of island life.

    Trip Note: Arrive in Kusadasi at 07:00 am (docked) and depart at 01:00 pm. Arrive in Patmos at 04:30 pm (tender) and depart at 09:30 pm. Shore excursions are optional
    Overnight: Cruise Ship | Meals: Full board on board

12. Wednesday : Rhodes

    Good morning, Rhodes! Your ship is docked right in the heart of the action, with the medieval walls of the Old Town just steps away. Today, you have a full day  to explore this UNESCO World Heritage treasure, a place where the history of the Knights of St. John feels incredibly alive. Step through the ancient gates and walk along the cobbled Street of the Knights, one of the best-preserved medieval streets in Europe. Visit the imposing Palace of the Grand Master(optional) and lose yourself in a labyrinth of charming squares and side streets. For a change of pace, you could venture just beyond the walls to relax at Elli Beach or perhaps explore the ancient site of Lindos with its clifftop acropolis. As the early evening approaches, make your way back to the ship, watching the sun cast a golden glow on the old fortress walls as we prepare to set sail.

    Trip Note: Arrive in Rhodes at 07:00 am (docked) and depart at 06:00 pm. Shore excursions are optional
    Overnight: Cruise Ship | Meals: Full board on board

13. Thursday: Heraklion (Crete) & Santorini

    Today is a day of two very different Greek highlights. We begin by docking in Heraklion, the bustling capital of Crete. Though our time here is brief, it’s perfectly placed to discover the wonders of the Minoan civilisation. A short journey  from the port takes you to the legendary Palace of Knossos, the mythical home of King Minos and the Labyrinth. Walk through the ruins of this ancient palace and marvel at the reconstructed frescoes that bring its history to life.

    After re-boarding for a leisurely lunch, we set course for the highlight of the Cyclades: Santorini. As your ship sails into the caldera, you are greeted by a view that has captivated travelers for centuries – the spectacular white and blue villages clinging to the edge of a volcanic crater. Take a tender to the old port and ascend to Fira, the island's capital, via the dramatic cable car ride. The rest of the afternoon and evening is yours. Perhaps wander the cliffside paths, or take a local bus to the picturesque village of Oia, famed for its breathtaking sunsets. Find a spot with a view and witness the sky explode in color as the sun dips below the Aegean Sea – a magical end to a day of exploration. Be sure to allow time to descend via cable car for your final tender back to the ship.

    Trip Note: Arrive in Heraklion at 07:00 am (docked) and depart at 12:00 pm. Arrive in Santorini at 04:30 pm (tender) and depart at 09:30 pm. Sore excursions are optional
    Overnight: Cruise Ship | Meals: Full board on board

14. Friday: Athens Departure

    After breakfast, transfer to the airport for your onward flight. End of our services.

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    Overnight: Not available Meals: Breakfast
    
    (If you have an international flight to connect, we recommend it to be after 11:30 PM)

What’s included

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