Cultural Marvels: Italy & Greece in One Journey

Arrival in Venice 

Welcome to Venice - one of the most charming cities of Italy. Upon arrival, you have a private water-taxi transfer to the hotel for the check-in. The rest of the day is at your own leisure to relax after the trip.

Venice Sightseeing 

Meet your private guide in the lobby and enjoy a wonderful walking city tour of all the must-see places.

During the tour you visit St. Mark's Basilica, where you can see the astonishing Pala D'Oro altar as well as the Treasury with numerous exhibits surviving from Venice's notorious raid on Constantinople back in 1204. Next you go up to Loggia dei Cavalli to enjoy the best panoramic views of St. Mark's Square. Next on your list is the tour of the Doges Palace that includes crossing the Bridge of Sighs, visiting the old prisons and lushly decorated chambers of the Palace.

Your tour will finish in the city center. However, you can ask your guide for assistance if you need help getting to your hotel.

*Please note that Pala d'Oro may not be available for bookings made less than 2 months in advance. 

Day at Leisure & Departure 

After breakfast and check-out you can explore and enjoy Venice on your own. We suggest visiting the Peggy Guggenheim Collection or joining our carefully planned optional day trip to the islands of Murano & Burano. 

In the afternoon you are met at your hotel by an assistant for a transfer by a private water-taxi.

Arrival in Florence
Welcome to Florence! Upon arrival, your private driver transfers you to the hotel for check-in. The rest of the day is at your own leisure to relax after the trip.

Florence Sightseeing 
Meet with your private guide and go on a comprehensive walking tour of Florence's highlights.

Today's program includes exploration of the Piazza del Duomo with a visit to the Baptistery dedicated to St. John the Baptist.

As you proceed to the main square of the city - Piazza della Repubblica - you pass by the touristic area of the Strozzi Palace a bustling shopping street, via Tornabuoni.

We also visit the Galleria dell'Accademia to see the famous Michelangelo's statue David as well before ending the tour on the Ponte Vecchio.

After the tour you return to your hotel and enjoy evening at your own leisure.

Departure
Following breakfast in your hotel, you check out and meet your private driver for a transfer to the railway station.

Arrival & Highlights of Rome
After a break for lunch, you meet your guide at the hotel lobby and embark on a panoramic walking city tour to see the most famous attractions and hidden treasures of the Eternal City. 

You see the Spanish Steps, the Trevi Fountain, Pantheon, Piazza Navona, the famous Fountain of the Four Rivers, as well as witness the masterpieces by Bernini, Borromini, and many others.

After the tour, your guide takes you back to the hotel and you have the evening at leisure.

Discovering Ancient Rome
Meet your guide to discover the famous ancient treasures of the Eternal City on a walking tour. 

Your first stop today is the iconic Roman Forum, situated on low ground between the Palatine and Capitoline hills, it was the key political, ritual, and civic center of ancient Rome and can be traced 3 thousand years back. Today you can see columns and remains of ancient temples, archs and buildings, such as the Temple of Caesar and the Arch of Septimius Severus, as well as the adjacent Palatine Hill, which was the site of the city’s first settlements. 

The next place you discover today is Rome's hallmark site - the Colosseum. Originally known by the name of Flavius amphitheatre, it was the biggest and most imposing building of its kind in the Roman world, designed as an arena for the fights of Roman gladiators and could hold up to 70 thousand spectators. 

After the tour, your guide takes you back to the hotel and you have the evening at leisure.

Vatican Sightseeing
Meet your guide and have a transfer to the walled enclave and the world’s smallest independent state - Vatican*.

When inside the Vatican, you visit private apartments of Julius II, Pinecone Courtyard, Gallery of the Maps, Gallery of the Tapestries and Gallery of Candelabra.

Next, you proceed to the Sistine Chapel, where you have enough time to admire Michelangelo's famous frescoes and learn about the intense relationship between Pope Julius II and Michelangelo that drove the artist to create the greatest work of art the world has ever known.

Then your tour continues in the vast open spaces of St. Peter’s Basilica, a masterpiece of Renaissance architecture and one of the most iconic landmarks in the world. As you step into the basilica, you'll be awestruck by the grandeur of its immense, ornately decorated interiors.

The ending point of your tour is St. Peter’s Square, where you can admire Michelangelo's Dome and the gorgeous colonnades designed by Bernini.

Upon your return to the hotel, you have the rest of the day at leisure to enjoy the beauty of Rome on your own.

*Please note: the Vatican is a sacred religious site thus the dress code for visiting it is applied just as when you visit any church in Italy: no shorts – no uncovered knees and shoulders, no backpacks. Due to religious services St. Peters Basilica may be spontaneously closed, thus entrance to St. Peters Basilica may not be guaranteed.

Departure 
This is the last day of your amazing tour to Italy! After a delicious breakfast, your driver will greet you at the hotel lobby and whisk you away to the airport— but your travels aren’t over yet! Get ready for the next exciting chapter as you continue your journey to the vibrant city of Athens, Greece.

Arrival 
Welcome to Athens – the cradle of Western civilization! Upon arrival, you’ll be greeted with a private transfer to your hotel for check-in. The rest of the day is yours to unwind and explore this fascinating city at your own pace. Whether you choose to relax or take a leisurely stroll through the historic streets, you're in for a treat!

City Tour 
Following breakfast in the hotel, you set off on a wonderful walking tour to the picturesque Athens. Explore most iconic sites like Acropolis (from outside), Parthenon, Lycabettus Hill, Old Town, and other attractions. What is more, taking this tour, you can dive deep into Greek culture and learn the essence of marvelous Greek history. Hence, it's a great way to get acquainted with this fascinating country. But, in case you are still wondering how to make the most out of your trip to Greece, look no further! Be sure, this tour is one of the best ways to dive deep into Greece culture!

After the tour, you are guided back to your hotel.

Tour of Acropolis 
Following breakfast in the hotel, meet your guide and start a 4­-hour walking tour with your private guide.

Walk through Dionisiou Areopagitou street, one of the most impressive streets of Athens, offering an extraordinary view of the southern slope of the Acropolis, where some of the most significant monuments stand. You will enter the archeological area of the Acropolis on the southern slope to avoid the crowds and just to your right is the most ancient theatre of the world, the Theatre of Dionysus.

Your next stop is the Odeion of Herodes Atticus and before reaching the Acropolis top point, you pass through Beule Gate, part of the Roman fortifications of the Acropolis. See the Temple Of the Athena Victory also known as Temple of Athena Nike, a small, elegant, Ionian, amphiprostyle temple, built by the architect Callicrates in 426 - ­421 B.C. in commemoration of the victory of the Greeks against the Persians.

Reach The Propylaea is one of the masterpieces of classical architecture. Left of the Parthenon lies the Temple of Erechtheion built from 420­ - 406BC at the holiest site of the Acropolis, where the goddess Athena planted the olive tree, her sacred symbol.
Climbing down the Acropolis hill you will reach the New Acropolis museum one of the most important contemporary works of architecture in Athens. The last level (The Parthenon room) has the dimensions and the direction of the Parthenon and it is been rotated by 23 degrees in relation to the rest of the building so that the visitor would have an immediate view of the monument.

Day at Leisure & Departure 

After breakfast and check-out you can explore and enjoy Athens on your own. 

In the afternoon you are met in your hotel by private driver for a transfer to the port.

Arrival 
Welcome to Santorini – the jewel of the Aegean! Upon arrival, you’ll be greeted with a private transfer to your hotel for check-in. After settling in, the rest of the day is yours to unwind and soak in the island's breathtaking beauty. Whether you choose to relax by the pool or take a leisurely stroll through the picturesque streets, you’re in for an unforgettable start to your Santorini adventure!

Island Tour 
Following breakfast in the hotel, meet your guide and driver to enjoy a trip to scenic cliffside villages of Firostefani, Imerovigli, and Oia.

Today you witness famous blue domes and whitewashed buildings of the island, and an iconic postcard views of the sea. Your guide shows you the best places for light shopping and traditional Greek food along the way.

After the tour you are taken back to the hotel.

Departure
As your unforgettable adventure through Italy and Greece comes to a close, we want to thank you for letting us be a part of this amazing experience. After a delicious breakfast, your driver will greet you at the hotel and take you to the airport. Though your journey through Italy’s art, culture, and history, as well as the stunning landscapes of Greece, may be ending, the memories you’ve made will stay with you forever. We wish you a smooth flight back home, and we can't wait to help you plan your next exciting getaway. Safe travels, and until next time!