Best of Italy and Greece with 4-Day Aegean Cruise Premier
Best of Italy and Greece with 4-Day Aegean Cruise Premier
$6018
Best of Italy and Greece with 4-Day Aegean Cruise Premier
14 Days Starting in Rome, Italy and ending in Athens, Greece
Visiting: Rome, Florence, Venice, Athens, Meteora, Delphi, Mykonos, Kusadasi, Rhodes, Crete
Tour operator:
Guide Type:
Fully Guided
Tour operated in:
EnglishTrip Styles:
Interests:
Activities:
Tour Overview
Embark on an unforgettable journey through Italy and Greece with the "Best of Italy and Greece with 4-Day Aegean Cruise Premier" tour. Begin in Rome, exploring iconic sites like the Vatican Museums and the Colosseum, before heading to the Renaissance splendor of Florence and the romantic canals of Venice. Experience the ancient art of Venetian glassblowing and enjoy a special dinner at a historic olive oil estate. Fly to Athens and delve into Greece's rich history, visiting the Meteora monasteries and the Temple of Apollo in Delphi. Conclude with a luxurious four-day Aegean cruise, discovering the stunning islands of Mykonos, Patmos, Rhodes, Crete, and Santorini, with opportunities to explore ancient Ephesus and the vibrant culture of the Greek Isles. Enjoy cherry-picked accommodations, expert guidance, and a blend of cultural immersion and relaxation on this extraordinary adventure.
Highlights
Itinerary
Day 1: Ciao Rome
Location: Rome
Accommodation Name: Midas Palace
Meals Included: Dinner
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' with a drive to the Basilica 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. This evening, enjoy dinner with your fellow travelers.
Day 2: Discover Ancient Rome And The Vatican City
Location: Rome
Accommodation Name: Midas Palace
Meals Included: Breakfast
Visit St. Peter's Basilica and view Michelangelo's Pietà with a Local Specialist. 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.
Day 3: Journey To Renaissance Florence Dive Into Culture Connect With Locals
Location: Florence
Accommodation Name: Villa Neroli
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
This morning, head to the Vatican Museums with a Local Specialist. Admire Michelangelo's frescoed ceiling in the Sistine Chapel. Later, drive north to Renaissance Florence in Tuscany. Tonight, Connect With Locals at a Be My Guest experience in the Chianti countryside.
Day 4: Venture To Venice (Mestre)
Location: Venice
Accommodation Name: Novotel Mestre Castellana
Meals Included: 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.
Day 5: Explore The Floating City Make Travel Matter
Location: Venice
Accommodation Name: Novotel Mestre Castellana
Meals Included: Breakfast
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.
Day 6: Onwards To Greece
Location: Athens
Accommodation Name: Crowne Plaza Athens City Center
Meals Included: 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.
Day 7: Monasteries Of Meteora On The Way To Kalambaka
Location: Meteora
Accommodation Name: Amalia Kalambaka
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
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.
Day 8: Onwards To Legendary Delphi
Location: Delphi
Accommodation Name: Amalia Delphi
Meals Included: Breakfast
Drive south towards Mount Parnassos and Delphi, where we 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.
Day 9: Off To Historic Athens
Location: Athens
Accommodation Name: Crowne Plaza Athens City Center
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
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.
Day 10: Embark And Cruise To Stunning Mykonos
Location: Mykonos
Accommodation Name: MV Celestyal Discovery
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Board your ship in Athens. Cruise to the island of Mykonos and spend time discovering the town and sparkling beaches.
Day 11: Continue To Ancient Ephesus And Patmos
Location: Kusadasi
Accommodation Name: MV Celestyal Discovery
Meals Included: 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.
Day 12: A Day To Explore Beautiful Rhodes
Location: Rhodes
Accommodation Name: MV Celestyal Discovery
Meals Included: 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.
Day 13: Cruise To Crete And On To Santorini
Location: Crete
Accommodation Name: MV Celestyal Discovery
Meals Included: 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.
Day 14: Disembark In Athens
Location: Athens
Meals Included: Breakfast
This morning, disembark from your ship for your transfer to the airport.
What's Included
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An expert Travel Director and professional Driver
An expert Travel Director and professional Driver are included in the tour.
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Cherry-picked hotels, all tried and trusted
Accommodation in cherry-picked hotels that are tried and trusted is included.
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All porterage and restaurant gratuities
All porterage and restaurant gratuities are included in the tour.
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All hotel tips, charges and local taxes
All hotel tips, charges, and local taxes are included.
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Breakfast daily and up to half of your evening meals
Daily breakfast and up to half of your evening meals are included.
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Must-see sightseeing and surprise extras
Must-see sightseeing and surprise extras are included in the itinerary.
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Audio headsets for flexible sightseeing
Audio headsets for flexible sightseeing are provided.
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Luxury air-conditioned coach with Wi-Fi in most countries or alternative transportation (such as rail journeys)
Travel in a luxury air-conditioned coach with Wi-Fi in most countries or alternative transportation such as rail journeys.
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European flight from Milan to Athens
A European flight from Milan to Athens is included.
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Optional Experiences and free time
Optional experiences and free time are part of the tour.
What's Not Included
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Personal Expenses
Personal expenses such as souvenirs, additional meals, and drinks are not included.
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Optional Experiences
Optional experiences and excursions are not included in the base price.
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Travel Insurance
Travel insurance is not included and should be purchased separately.
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Flights to and from the Starting/Ending Locations
International flights to Rome and from Athens are not included.
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Visa Fees
Visa fees and related expenses are not included.
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Gratuities for Tour Director and Driver
Gratuities for the tour director and driver are not included.
Dining Summary
- 9 Dinner (D)
- 13 Breakfast (B)
- 4 Lunch (L)
Check out our Q&As
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What unique experiences are included in the tour?
The tour includes a private after-hours visit to the Mouth of Truth in Rome, a Be My Guest dinner at a 15th-century organic olive oil estate in Florence, and a MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience in Venice where you can witness the ancient Venetian tradition of glassblowing.
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What kind of transportation is used during the tour?
The tour uses luxury air-conditioned coaches with Wi-Fi, a scenic cruise by private launch in Venice, and a European flight from Milan to Athens. It also includes a four-night Aegean cruise.
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Are there any special dining experiences included?
Yes, the tour includes a Be My Guest dinner with Count Miari Fulcis at his 15th-century organic olive oil estate in Florence, which has been used as a location for many famous films.
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What is the accommodation like during the tour?
Accommodation includes cherry-picked hotels such as Midas Palace in Rome, Villa Neroli in Florence, Novotel Mestre Castellana in Venice, Crowne Plaza Athens, Amalia Kalambaka, Amalia Delphi, and a four-night Aegean cruise aboard the MV Celestyal Discovery.
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What are some of the key sites visited in Greece?
In Greece, the tour visits the monasteries of Meteora, the Temple of Apollo in Delphi, and the Acropolis in Athens. It also includes a cruise to the islands of Mykonos, Patmos, Rhodes, Crete, and Santorini.
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What is the MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience in Venice?
The MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience in Venice involves witnessing the ancient Venetian tradition of glassblowing, where you learn how the talented masters use the same techniques as their forefathers, helping to preserve this delicate art for future generations.
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Who will be my travelling companions on the tour?
The beauty of taking a guided holiday with us is that you’ll have the opportunity to meet and travel with people from all over the globe.
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What policies are in place for Covid-19?
Vaccination against Covid-19 is not mandatory to travel with Trafalgar. However, we strongly recommend that guests are vaccinated before travelling. Please note that airlines and/or other authorities may have different requirements. It is the guest's responsibility to comply with these requirements at all times.
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How long has the tour company been trading?
Since 1947
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What Ethical Travel credentials does the tour company have?
Trafalgar is a founding partner of the TreadRight Foundation, a not-for-profit organisation established in 2008. So far, the charity has donated more than US$2 million to help underprivileged communities and support sustainable tourism around the world.
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Will the accommodation included meet local health and safety regulations?
Yes
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Low Deposit
Trafalgar requires a minimum deposit of 350 USD per person or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 90 days before departure.
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Cancellation Policy
We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of trafalgar charges.
Up to 91 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.
At 90 days before tour starts: Forfeit 50% of booking price.
At 29 days before tour starts: Forfeit 80% of booking price.
At 1 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of booking price.
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Terms and Conditions
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