Best of Italy and Greece
Experience Overview
Admire the art and architecture of Rome and the rich cultural heritage of Florence. Visit the monasteries of Meteora and see the site of the most important oracle in the classical world.
Highlights
Dining Summary
- 9 Dinner (D)
- 13 Breakfast (B)
- 4 Lunch (L)
Be My Guest
- Florence: The Pazzi and de Medici feud is brought to light on this visit to the 12th-century Castello del Trebbio. Meet Anna and Alberto, enjoy a traditional Tuscan buffet, explore the cellars, and indulge in olive oil and wine tasting.
Iconic Experience
- Enjoy an after-hours visit to the Basilica of Santa Maria in Cosmedin. Get up close to the legendary Mouth of Truth, an ancient Roman marble mask said to bite any liar who places their hand in the mask’s mouth. Dare to test the legend yourself and take one of the city’s most coveted photos.
- Rome: During an orientation with your Travel Director see the medieval buildings, Renaissance palaces and Baroque churches scattered throughout the city.
- Rome: Be inspired by the magnificence of Michelangelo and da Vinci at the Vatican Museums.
- Rome: In the Vatican City visit St Peter's Basilica with a Local Specialist. Witness the early genius of Michelangelo as you take in the Pietà.
- Florence: Join a Local Specialist to view the multi-colored marble cathedral, bell tower and baptistery, adorned by Ghiberti's Gates of Paradise. Visit the political heart of the city, Signoria Square.
- Florence: See the area around Santa Croce Basilica, famous for the quality of its luxury goods, and witness a gold and leatherwork demonstration.
- Meteora: With a Local Specialist, visit one of the remarkable centuries-old monasteries of Meteora, teetering on towers of rock and arguably the most spectacular place to visit in Greece.
- Delphi: With your Local Specialist, walk to The Sacred Way once lined with offertory temples. See the reconstructed Athenian Treasury and pass the superb Polygonal Wall to reach the Temple of Apollo, where people once sought divine wisdom from the mysterious Oracle.
- Athens: Delve into Athens with a Local Specialist. See the iconic highlights of this ancient city, from the Acropolis to the site of the first modern Olympics.
- Ephesus: Discover one of the world's finest ancient sites. Led by your Local Specialist, walk the Arcadian Way, see the Library of Celsus and Amphitheater and visit the House of the Virgin Mary.
- Rhodes: With your Local Specialist, explore the classical Acropolis of Lindos and the Temple of Athena in Rhodes. These awe-inspiring ruins date back to the 4th century and offer panoramic views of the stunning coastline.
MAKE TRAVEL MATTER®
- Venice: Discover the ancient skill of Venetian glassblowing and play a part in preserving this traditional craft. Your visit directly supports United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities.
Must-see Highlights
- Fast Track Entrance to the Vatican Museums
- Explore Rome, Florence, Meteora monasteries, Delphi and Athens
- Visit the Vatican Museums, St. Peter's Basilica and the Sistine Chapel in Rome, Piazzale Michelangelo and Piazza della Signoria in Florence, a glassblowing factory in Venice, the monasteries of Meteora, the Temple of Apollo in Delphi and the Acropolis in Athens
- View the ancient sites of Rome, the Duomo and Baptistery in Florence, the Doge's Palace and the Basilica in Venice and the Parthenon, Royal Palace and the Temple of Zeus in Athens
- See Hadrian's Arch in Athens
- Scenic Cruise by private launch to St. Mark's Square in Venice
Trip Details
Product Code: 35298
Tour Type: Group Tour
Accommodation: Deluxe
Transport: Private
Guide Language: English
Travel Styles:
Family, 55+
Tour Operator:
Trafalgar (CA)
Supplier Code: 57.249A
Starts: Rome, Italy
Finishes: Athens, Greece
Duration: 14 days
Departures: Guaranteed
Physical Rating:
Easy
Includes
Whats Included
- An expert Travel Director and professional Driver
- Cherry-picked hotels, all tried and trusted
- All porterage and restaurant gratuities
- All hotel tips, charges and local taxes
- Breakfast daily and up to half of your evening meals
- Must-see sightseeing
- Audio headsets for flexible sightseeing
- Luxury air-conditioned coach with Wi-Fi in most countries or alternative transportation (such as rail journeys)
- European flight from Milan to Athens
- Optional Experiences and free time
- Four-night Aegean Cruise
- On occasion, hotels of similar standard and location may be utilized
Price
Price per person: (Double Occupancy) CAD $6,898 ($493 /day)
Itinerary
2025 marks a Jubilee Year, a momentous Roman Catholic event celebrated every 25 years, turning Rome into a center of celebration. As festivities unfold, itineraries may be adjusted to ensure you make the most of your time as you visit the Eternal City.Benvenuti a Roma! Open your heart to a whirlwind of antiquities and local flavors. Join your Travel Director for an introduction to the 'Eternal City'. This evening, enjoy dinner with your fellow travelers.
Accommodation: Midas Palace
Meals: Dinner
Venture across the Tiber River to Ancient Rome and see the mighty Colosseum and Circus Maximus, where daring chariot races were once held to thunderous applause. Drive to the Basilica of Santa Maria in Cosmedin for a private after-hours visit to the Mouth of Truth. See the church, crypt, and relics of the famous saint of love, Valentine, and learn about the legend of the Mouth of Truth.
Accommodation: Midas Palace
Meals: Breakfast
This morning, head to the Vatican Museums with a Local Specialist and admire Michelangelo's frescoed ceiling in the Sistine Chapel. Visit St Peter's Basilica and view Michelangelo's Pietà. Later, drive north to Renaissance Florence in Tuscany. Tonight, Connect With Locals at a Be My Guest experience in the Chianti countryside. Due to increased demand during the Jubilee year, access to the Vatican Museums may be limited. If tickets are unavailable during your visit, your sightseeing will instead explore the Capitoline Museums, home to the Capitoline Wolf, ancient Roman bronzes and Renaissance art. From its spot on Capitoline Hill, you’ll have the chance to take in views of the Roman Forum.
Accommodation: Villa Neroli
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Your Local Specialist reveals Florence's rich cultural heritage during your walking tour. Visit Piazza della Signoria, with its impressive sculptures, and imposing palazzi. View the marble Duomo and the famous Baptistry, renowned for its bronze doors with relief sculptures and the Ponte Vecchio. Learn about the quality and expertise of one of this city's historic industries at a demonstration of Florentine leathercraft. Then travel through the Apennines and cross the Veneto plains towards Venice. This evening, you may choose an Optional Experience to take a gondola ride along the city’s enchanting canals.
Accommodation: Novotel Venezia Mestre Castellana
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Cruise by private launch to St. Mark's Square to see the Bridge of Sighs, St. Mark's Basilica and the ornate Doge's Palace. Later, you’ll enjoy a memorable MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience where you’ll witness the ancient Venetian tradition of glassblowing. You’ll learn how the talented masters are using the same techniques their forefathers once did, and how your visit helps to preserve this delicate art for generations to come. Don’t resist the urge to buy a souvenir to remember the special experience before enjoying the rest of the day to explore Venice your way. You could choose to spend a lazy afternoon watching the traffic on the busy waterways with a Venetian Spritz, or consider taking an Optional Experience to one of the islands in the lagoon.
Accommodation: Novotel Venezia Mestre Castellana
Meals: Breakfast
Today, travel through Lombardy. The region is Italy's commercial powerhouse bordering Switzerland with lakes and mountains in the north and plains to the south. Later, board your flight to Athens.
Accommodation: Crowne Plaza Athens City Center
Meals: Breakfast
Travel north to Kalambaka and the astonishing UNESCO-listed monasteries of Meteora. These are some of the largest and most important complexes of Eastern Orthodox monasteries in Greece. Your Local Specialist will guide you on a visit to one of the six monasteries built on sandstone rocks that tower above the town.
Accommodation: Amalia Kalambaka
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Drive south towards Mount Parnassos and Delphi, where you will stay overnight. Join a Local Specialist and see the site of the most important oracle in the classical world and walk the Sacred Way to the Temple of Apollo where athletes competed in the Pythian Games. Join a fun, interactive Greek Culinary Optional Experience and taste your creations along with other dishes prepared by your cheery chef.
Accommodation: Amalia Delphi
Meals: Breakfast
We depart the 'navel of the earth' today and travel to Athens where we'll discover the city's rich heritage during your sightseeing tour with a Local Specialist. Marvel at the Royal Palace, the Temple of Zeus and the Acropolis. See Hadrian's Arch and the stadium where the first modern Olympics took place in 1896. Indulge in dinner to celebrate the end of your trip.
Accommodation: Crowne Plaza Athens City Center
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Board your ship in Athens. Cruise to the island of Mykonos and spend time discovering the town and sparkling beaches.
Accommodation: MV Celestyal Discovery
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Arrive early at the port of Kusadasi in Turkey where you will enjoy a complimentary Shore Experience to Ephesus. Continue on to Patmos, where you might join an Optional Experience to the cave where the Book of Revelation was written.
Accommodation: MV Celestyal Discovery
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Arriving in Rhodes, you may wish to join an optional experience for an encounter with one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World today. Walk in the footsteps of the medieval knights who conquered this land. There’s time to explore it for yourself as you trace the thick stone walls, gates and cobblestone lanes of its capital before returning to your cruise.
Accommodation: MV Celestyal Discovery
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
You may decide to explore Crete's ancient Minoan culture and heritage at the Palace of Knossos. Admire its bright wall paintings that were restored at the turn of the 20th century and explore centuries of history that predate Christ. Or choose to drive deep into the beautiful countryside and experience the true flavor of Cretan lifestyle. Continue to Santorini, watching as this Cycladic island comes closer on the horizon, rising out of the Aegean with its distinctive cliff-top towns. You could consider an optional Shore Experience this afternoon, passing villages and vineyards bound for Oia with its white buildings and blue-domed churches which vie for the best views over the caldera.
Accommodation: MV Celestyal Discovery
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
This morning, disembark from your ship for your transfer to the airport.Note: please do not book flights before midday.
Meals: Breakfast
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Tour Operator
Trafalgar (CA)
Family owned and run since 1920, The Travel Corporation (TTC) is the world leader in immersive travel experiences across an extensive range of travel categories. Each year TTC's 40 award winning hospitality and travel brands connect over 1 million happy travellers to the world. We give you access to the 12 DMC’s behind these brands, so you can build your business by capitalizing on the extensive experience, local expertise, and financial assurance of TTC. LOCAL EXPERTISE The world leaders in travel for over 100 years, we offer unparalleled local expertise with a global footprint. Our 12 DMCs, led by experienced in-destination teams, deliver experience rich travel solutions in more than 80 countries. Additionally, our market based teams are on hand to support across our 40 offices worldwide
In Business Since 1931
Reviews
Anonymous - Traveled, April 2024
Amazing tour director and service was of the highest quality! Our tour director was amazing! He made the trip it was planned with excellence and we enjoyed every second of the vacation.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 05/01/2024
George Curry - Traveled, April 2024
The tour guide, the activities, and the sites visited were all excellent. Our tour guide was excellent! He is knowledgeable and kept us informed and on schedule.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 05/01/2024
Anonymous - Traveled, April 2024
Great Tour Directors and top of the line busses. Unfortunately, they let 5 year olds on the tour with 42 grown adults.......very bad service to the 42 grown adults. The adults ended up being his babysitter because the Mother did very little to nothing to curtail her child's antics......what a horrible time was had by many of us! The itinerary was exceptional, as was our Travel Director, *Personal information removed by Feefo*. However, had I known there would have been ONE (1) 5 hear old male child on the tour, I would have either cancelled, or moved to a different tour. He was obnoxious, unruly, loud and downright rude....and his Mother did nothing to keep him in line. He ruined the trip for me, and many others. I feel Trafalgar should compensate us in some way, even if it's for a voucher for something on our next tour. I can't give a 5 star review because of this. Thank you.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 05/01/2024
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