Compare Italy & the Greek Islands by EF College Break (EF Ultimate Break)
Compare details and see what other travelers are saying.
| Trip |
3 | Average
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| Duration | 15 days |
| Price From | $ 2,644 |
| Price Per Day | $ 176 |
| Highlights |
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| Trip Style | Group tour |
| Lodging Level | Standard |
| Physical Level |
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| Travel Themes |
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| Countries Visited | |
| Cities and Attractions |
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| Flights & Transport | Airfare included |
| Activities |
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| Meals Included |
Daily breakfast & three-course Farewell Dinner |
| Description |
Ancient history meets epic parties on Italy and the Greek Islands. See Michelangelo’s David up close and personal in Florence, envision yourself as a Gladiator in the Colosseum of Ancient Rome and travel back in time to where Western Civilization began on the Acropolis of Athens. After all that history, unwind on a white sand beach, drink in hand, on two of Greece’s most iconic islands: Paros and Santorini. |
Day 1: Overnight Flight To Florence
Meals: Dinner
Board your overnight flight. You’re heading to Italy & Greece, the yin and yang of classical history; home to endless sunshine and stylish Mediterranean living.
Day 2: Arrival In Florence
Meals: Breakfast and Dinner
Welcome to Florence, Tuscany’s top city! The “Cradle of the Renaissance” helped usher in a more modern Europe thanks to its transformative effect on arts and architecture. Cozy up to the to top art museums, amazing food and great nightlife; Florence is Italy at its best.
Today's Highlights:
Meet an EF representative at the airport
Transfer to your accommodation and check in
Receive the latest schedule from your Tour Director
Meet the other travelers as they arrive
In the evening, it’s time for our Welcome Mixer. Enjoy appetizers and drinks with fellow travelers at an authentic local spot. Afterwards, take the party elsewhere.
Day 3: Explore Florence
Meals: Breakfast and Dinner
Join a local guide for a spirited walking tour featuring the best of the city’s Renaissance artwork.
Today's Highlights:
Cross the Ponte Vecchio, the oldest bridge in Florence, home to many jewelers and art merchants
Stroll the Piazza della Signoria, where you’ll find Uffizi Gallery and a copy of Michelangelo’s David
Check out the celebrated Baptistry doors, the first product of the Renaissance
Visit the Duomo Cathedral; return during your free time to climb up 463 steps for stunning views of the city
Free Time Suggestions
Take a Hike: Snap the perfect picture of Florence’s skyline after hiking up to San Miniato al Monte.
Shop 'til You Drop: The area between Ponte Vecchio and the Duomo is our favorite.
Day 4: Cinque Terre + Free Day In Florence
Meals: Breakfast and Dinner
Enjoy a full free day in Florence, or take an excursion to the gorgeous Italian Riviera & Cinque Terre.
Free Time Suggestions
Art Class: View the Medici Family’s art collection at the Uffizi Gallery, one of the best art museums in the world.
One Goliath of a David: See Michaelangelo’s David at the famous Galleria dell’ Accademia.
Excursion:
The Italian Riviera & Cinque Terre (extra cost; weather permitting)
Spend a full day exploring the Italian Riviera's gem—the tiny seaside villages of Cinque Terre. Ride up the Italian coast and catch a train to the village of Riomaggiore. After a quick tour, the rest of the day is yours to explore. A train connects the five villages, so pick one or two to visit. Our recommendation: Don’t miss beautiful Vernazza, where you can explore, grab lunch and swim in the cove. We also can’t get enough of Monterosso; the white sandy beaches and crystal blue waters dazzle every time.
Day 5: Travel To Rome Via Orvieto
Meals: Breakfast and Dinner
Board your private coach for a delightful drive through the Tuscan countryside en route to Rome.
Today's Highlights:
On the way to Rome, stop in Orvieto, a quaint Italian hill town perched atop a rock cliff
Marvel at the artistry of the facade of Orvieto’s stunning cathedral
Look out at the cypress-dotted plains of Umbria
Benvenuti a Roma!
Settle in at your accommodations and then head out and explore Rome on your own. Tomorrow, you’ll explore the ancient Colosseum and Roman Forum.
Day 6: Explore Ancient Rome
Meals: Breakfast and Dinner
Walk in the footsteps of the likes of Caesar, Cicero and Augustus; visit the Colosseum and the palaces and temples where Rome grew into one of history’s great empires. Skip the line with guided tours of the Colosseum and Roman Forum.
Today's Highlights:
Experience the heart of ancient Rome with visits to the Colosseum and Forum
Walk the Via Sacra, the ceremonial and public main street of Ancient Roman life
Stand where gladiators battled to the death in mortal combat
See the ruins of several Roman temples, including the Temple of the Vestal Virgins
Day 7: Vatican City + Pasta-Making Class
Meals: Breakfast and Dinner
Peace be with you as you stroll the home of the Pope and capital of Catholicism: Vatican City. Then, do as the Romans do and learn how to make authentic pasta by hand.
Today's Highlights:
Get an in-depth look into Papal history and politics with an expert guide
Cross another country of your list (Vatican City is an independent nation)
View the frescos of the Sistine Chapel, Michelangelo’s greatest work
Visit the Vatican Museum, one of the largest, most renowned art collections in the world
Excursion:
Taste of Italy: Pasta-Making Class (extra cost)
When in Rome, do as the Romans do best: cook awesome food. It starts with crafting the dough for homemade pasta, and finishes with a delicious meal prepared by your own hands. Along the way, you’ll get to taste some of the finest olive oil and vinegar with a local food guide while learning about Italian food traditions throughout the ages. This is truly an authentic cuisine experience you can’t find anywhere but Italy itself.
Day 8: Travel to Athens
Meals: Breakfast and Dinner
Welcome to Athens! 2,500 years ago, it was one of the most important cities in the world; its art, politics, architecture, and literature have reverberated down through the ages. Today, Athens is a vibrant metropolis, and a perfect jumping-off point for any adventure in Greece.
Today's Highlights:
Board your early flight to Athens
Arrive and check in to accommodation
Feel the glory of ancient Athens on a guided tour of the Acropolis, including the Parthenon
Enjoy stunning views of Athens from the top of the Acropolis
See the famed Kore statues in the Acropolis museum
The rest of the day is yours to explore! Your Tour Director will have suggestions, but here are some College Break favorites:
Fill Up: Sample ouzo, the local aperitif, at an authentic Greek taverna.
Get Your History Fix: The National Archaeological Museum is revered for its extensive collection of classical antiquities.
Day 9: Free Day in Athens
Meals: Breakfast and Dinner
Your Tour Director may arrange an optional group activity, but the day is completely yours to explore Athens as you wish.
Free Time Suggestions
Lunch Break: Roam the Athens central markets and grab a bite to eat. This is a great place to try some local fare
Gifts for Mom: Shop the Monastiraki Flea Market for interesting curios or the perfect souvenir, then take in the nearby vintage shops and galleries.
Day 10: Travel to Santorini
Meals: Breakfast and Dinner
Escape the hustle and bustle of Athens and immerse in island life, Mediterranean style. After a short, 30-minute flight to Santorini, you’ll enjoy endless sunshine, whitewashed buildings and volcanic beaches.
Today's Highlights:
Board your 30-minute flight to Santorini
Arrive and check in to your accommodation
Join your Tour Director for a group activity or explore the island on your own
Free Time Suggestions
Fira Way: Check out the cliffside bars, which overlook the Caldera and are a great vantage point for sunset.
Beach Time: Visit one of Santorini’s top beaches for an evening swim—there are dozens to choose from.
Day 11: Explore Santorini
Meals: Breakfast and Dinner
Continue to explore Santorini’s volcanic landscape. You have one more day in this island paradise; head out for an optional wine tasting at sunset, or do your own thing.
Today's Highlights:
Join your Tour Director for a hand-picked a group activity or plot your own adventure; you’re free to customize your day however you’d like!
Excursion:
Cliffside Wine Tasting & Village Tour (extra cost)
Leave mid-afternoon for Profitis Elias, the highest point of Santorini, for views of the beautiful beachscape and caldera. Then, go off the beaten path and explore the small, winding streets and terraces of traditional Greek villages before a wine tasting at Santorini’s vineyard—the rich soil makes the island a great place to grow wine. Finally, head to Oia, one of the best places to take in the sunset.
Free Time Suggestions
The Found City of Atlantis: The Akrotiri Ruins are a Minoan Bronze Age settlement buried in volcanic dust, this site predates Pompeii and is considered by many to be the famed lost city of Atlantis.
The Thira of Everything: This Greek and Roman archaeological site is perched high atop the cliffs on the southeast part of the island.
Museum On: The Archaeological Museum of Thera and the Museum of Prehistoric Thera are great options.
Day 12: Set Sail for Paros
Meals: Breakfast and Dinner
Set sail for Paros in the heart of the Cyclades Islands. With over 75 miles of golden sand beaches, Paros is one of the true delights of the Greek Islands. This is where locals go to vacation.
Today's Highlights:
Depart Santorini in the morning
Arrive in Paros and check in to your accommodation
Join your Tour Director for a hand-picked a group activity, or plot your own adventure; you’re free to customize your day any way you’d like!
Free Time Suggestions
Sunset: Enjoy a legendary Paros sunset anywhere on the western coast of the island.
Naoussa Nightlife: When the sun sets, everyone on the island heads from the beaches to the bars; Naoussa is where it begins and ends.
Day 13: Explore Paros
Meals: Breakfast and Dinner
Keep exploring the best of Paros. Recharge, relax and spend the days under the blue skies on one of the island’s best beaches. Bring a bottle of wine, a book and your personal playlist—you’re in a beach paradise.
Today's Highlights:
Free day! Your Tour Director may coordinate a group activity, but you’re welcome to experience Paros as you’d like.
Free Time Suggestions
Chill Out: Try a quiet meal or drink inland at the village of Lefkes, a serene and rustic village in the hills above the beaches.
Go Back in Time: Stroll Parikia’s narrow, pebble-lined streets and the Frankish Castle built from the masonry originally used on an ancient temple.
Day 14: Return to Athens
Meals: Breakfast and Dinner
It’s back on to the azure waters of the Aegean, this time returning to Athens via ferry. You’ve got one last chance to bask in the city that gave us democracy, epic poetry, tragedy, history writing, philosophy and much more.
Today's Highlights:
Board your ferry to Athens
Join your Tour Director for a group activity or plan an adventure of your own
Return the streets of Athens to explore the city one more time
Enjoy a farewell dinner with your group
Free Time Suggestions
Dig It: The National Archaeology Museum is considered one of the greatest museums in the world.
Follow the Light: Flood-lit like a beacon towering over the city, Mount Lycabettus offers a spectacular view of the city.
Farewell Dinner
Share some last laughs (and maybe shed a few tears) at an included farewell dinner with the group.
Day 15: Fly Home
Meals: Breakfast
It's time to say your goodbyes. Head to the airport for your flight back home.
