Compare Italy & Greece by Cosmos vs Greece: Ancient Ruins & Iconic Islands by G Adventures
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| Trip |
4 | Great
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5 | Excellent
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| Duration | 12 days | 12 days |
| Price From | $ 2,499 | $ 3,484 |
| Price Per Day | $ 208 | $ 290 |
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| Trip Style | Group tour | Small group tour |
| Lodging Level | Standard | Premium |
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| Flights & Transport | No | Ground transport included |
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| Meals Included | N/A | 11 breakfasts, 1 dinner |
| Description | Italy and Greece are steeped in history with a treasure trove of ancient sites and scenic beauty. On this affordable Italy and Greece tour, you’ll see the exceptional features these countries have to offer, starting in Rome and ending in Athens. In Italy, you’ll stay in Rome, Florence, and the Venice area; in Greece, you’ll stay in Olympia, Nauplia, and Athens. You’ll also spend one night on a ferry, crossing the Adriatic Sea from Ancona, Italy to Patras, Greece. Visit Rome with a local guide who brings ancient Imperial Rome back to life as you see the Colosseum. Enjoy must-see sights, including Piazza Signoria, in the middle of Florence; the Roman arena in Verona, and Pisa’s famous Leaning Tower. In Venice, take a boat ride to St. Mark’s Square and watch glassblowers create works of art as they have done for centuries – or discover the lagoon at your own pace. Step back in time on your visit to Athens’ Acropolis and the Parthenon, dating back to the 5th century BC, and the most accurate indication of the influence and wealth of Athens at its greatest peak. You’ll also visit Mycenae, dating back to 1350 to 1200 BC, where you’ll marvel at the arches, fountains, ramparts, and amazing masonry still standing. All these elements come together perfectly to create a value-minded Italy and Greece tour like no other! |
Step back in time on a journey to Greece, where iconic ruins bring ancient history to life. Explore the awe-inspiring monuments of Athens and the stunning Cyclades islands; and run and jump in the footsteps of ancient Greek athletes at the birthplace of the Olympic Games. Then venture to the olive-covered hills and rugged coasts of the Peloponnese, where some of Homer’s Iliad and Odyssey played out; and savour the delightfully fresh flavours of Greek cuisine. |
Day 1: ARRIVE IN ROME, ITALY
Check into your hotel. The rest of the day is free for you to explore Italy’s ancient capital using your CosmosGO app. This evening, meet your Tour Director and travel companions.
Day 2: ROME
The “Eternal City” is steeped in history, vibrantly alive and exciting, and absolutely unique! Start the included introduction to Rome’s landmarks from St. Peter’s Square with a Local Guide. Enjoy a drive along the iconic landmarks of the city: the Tiber River, the Caius Cestius Pyramid, the Aurelian Walls, and the Caracalla Baths. Complete the experience with a walk back in time from the Circus Maximus to the Arch of Constantine and to the fascinating Colosseum, symbol of the Roman Empire.* (Breakfast)
* For operational reasons, schedule changes for the Rome program cannot be excluded.
Day 3: ROME–PISA–FLORENCE
Vistas of rolling hills, cypress trees, vineyards, olive groves, and rural villages form the backdrop of your journey through beautiful Tuscany. Stop in Pisa and enjoy a mini-train ride to see the Square of Miracles and the amazing Leaning Tower, then on to Florence. End the day by joining the optional Gastronomy Experience in a typical restaurant. Today’s Distance: 273 mi/ 440 km (Breakfast)
Day 4: FLORENCE
Today, discover the wonders of Florence, starting with a guided walking tour, featuring some of the city’s greatest attractions. See Piazza Santa Croce; world-famous Signoria Square; 13th-century Palazzo Vecchio with its collection of artistic masterpieces; Loggia dei Lanzi; the unique Duomo with Giotto’s Gothic Bell Tower and the Baptistry’s ornate bronze door known as the “Gate of Paradise.” (Breakfast)
Day 5: FLORENCE–VERONA–VENICE AREA
Travel north and cross the Po River to Verona, setting for Shakespeare’s Romeo & Juliet. Marvel at the ancient Roman Arena, built for gladiator fights but now still used as a popular venue for the festivals and concerts; shop in Via Mazzini, or just wander the cobblestone streets of the city center. Today’s Distance: 217 mi/ 350 km (Breakfast)
Day 6: VENICE
Venice is a place of unmatched beauty and a feast of fantastic sights. View the delightful crisscrossing canals, the gondolas, arched bridges, palaces, and piazzas. Your included orientation features a boat ride to St. Mark’s Square and a visit to a Venetian glassblowing workshop. You’ll have time to explore at leisure on your own, sipping a cappuccino or the typical Venetian drink called spritz at one of the many bars or cafés. or join one of our optional excursions, like a ride on one of the most iconic boats in the world, the romantic gondola. (Breakfast,Dinner)
Day 7: VENICE AREA–ANCONA (EMBARKATION)–OVERNIGHT FERRY CROSSING TO PATRAS, GREECE
Travel across the flatlands of the Po Delta to reach Ancona on the shores of the Adriatic Sea, to embark on the ferry for the crossing to Patras, Greece. Accommodation will be in two-berth cabins with private shower and toilet.Today’s Distance by coach: 186 mi/ 300 km (Breakfast)
Day 8: PATRAS (DISEMBARKATION)–OLYMPIA
During the crossing, enjoy the ship’s amenities. Disembark in Patras and drive south into the Peloponnese to Olympia. Today’s Distance: 63 mi/ 100 km (Breakfast,Dinner) (excluding overnight ferry)
Day 9: OLYMPIA–NAUPLIA
Enjoy time at leisure or make the most of this morning by taking the optional tour of the sites of ancient Olympia, including the ruins of the Temple of Zeus. In the afternoon, enjoy the rugged scenery of the Peloponnese on the way to Nauplia. This evening, enjoy dinner at a local restaurant.Today’s Distance: 124 mi/ 201 km (Breakfast,Dinner)
Day 10: NAUPLIA–MYCENAE–ATHENS
Morning visit with a Local Guide to the impressive ruins of Mycenae, an ancient city of Homer’s epics. Later, stop to view the Corinth Canal, built between 1881 and 1893. Today’s Distance: 87 mi/ 140 km (Breakfast)
Day 11: ATHENS
Join the included sightseeing tour of Athens, featuring the highlights of the ancient capital and a visit to the Acropolis. Explore the shops and museums or take the tram to the coast. In the evening, enjoy the lively atmosphere of the tavernas in the old Plaka district with its narrow streets and sound of bouzouki music, or join an optional traditional Greek dinner. (Breakfast)
Day 12: ATHENS
Your vacation ends with breakfast this morning. (Breakfast)
Day 1 Athens
Arrive at any time.
Day 2 Athens
Considered the cradle of Western civilization, Athens is one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world. Explore the iconic Acropolis with an archaeologist guide and wander among the columns of the Parthenon, dedicated to the goddess Athena. Continue to the ancient Agora—where Athenians gathered to discuss the affairs of the day—and listen to our guide bring these timeless ruins to life. Afterwards, be enriched and refreshed with drinks and a tour of local non-profit cafe, Shedia Home.
Day 3 Athens/Delphi
Take free time to explore Athens on your own, or choose to visit the National Garden. Afterward, journey to Delphi, home to the Temple of Apollo—seat of the fabled oracle of Delphi and considered the center of the world by the ancients.
Day 4 Delphi/Olympia
Explore mystical Delphi on a guided tour, then continue discovering the ruins on your own and visit the Archaeological Museum of Delphi to admire the many artifacts discovered at the site. Travel along the breathtaking Gulf of Corinth, crossing into the Peloponnese via the Rio-Antirrio bridge, an impressively long multi-span cable-stay bridge. Wind your way to Olympia, the birthplace of the Olympic Games, and channel your inner champion as you discover this remarkable site, where ancient Greek athletes would gather every four years to compete in a series of sporting events honoring Zeus.
Day 5 Olympia/Náfplio
Browse the Olympia Museum this morning, then travel to Náfplio, a charming port town and the first capital of modern Greece. In Náfplio, lose yourself in the winding lanes of the old town, and take in glimpses of the sapphire-hued Aegean Sea from the hilltops.
Day 6 Náfplio
Embark on an excursion to the Bronze Age city of Mycenae, where the legendary king Agamemnon ruled. Take a guided tour of the ruins, enclosed within Cyclopean walls, and enter the citadel through the famed Lion Gate—one of Europe’s oldest monumental sculptures. Return to Náfplio and enjoy an afternoon at leisure. Opt to climb up to the Akronafplia fortress, or hit the beach.
Day 7 Athens/Náxos
Drive back to Athens, stopping en route at the ancient site of Epidaurus and the ruins of Corinth, where the Christian apostle Paul is said to have visited in the first century A.D. From Athens, board a ferry to the Cyclades islands. Relax on board, enjoying sparkling views of the sea, and disembark at Náxos, the largest island in the archipelago.
Day 8 Náxos
The Cyclades are known around the word for their dazzling white villages and golden beaches. On Naxos, while away your time exploring the storybook old town; opt to walk to the emblematic Temple of Apollo, overlooking the sea; or stretch out on a sandy beach.
Day 9 Santorini
Catch a ferry to postcard-perfect Santorini. Get to know this much-photographed isle at your own pace, discovering candy-colored doorways and sugar-cube buildings; and take in a spectacular sunset from the village of Oía. Savor the taste of local produce—marked by the island’s volcanic soil—or unwind at the beach.
Day 10 Santorini
This morning, sail Santorini’s breathtaking sunken caldera, and learn about the volcanic origins of the surrounding crescent-shaped ring of islands. Later, enjoy free time to explore Santorini.
Day 11 Santorini/Athens
Fly back to Athens for an adventure in Greek cookery. Head out with a local expert to a teaching kitchen and learn how to craft mezze, a platter of appetizers commonly served in southeast Europe and the Middle East. Wash down these tasty snacks with a glass of ouzo, an anise-flavored liqueur, and cheer our journey with your best “opa!”
Due to strict weight restrictions, plan on packing light for your flight. Because of current weight limits and the inability to add on more weight, checked baggage should be no heavier than 15kg, and hand luggage should weigh no more than 6kg.
Day 12 Athens
Depart at any time.
