Italy-Greece Tour Packages

Arrives Rome airport, our representative will meet you and transfer to hotel.  Rest of the day free for your own activities, overnight stay at hotel.

Breakfast at hotel and proceed for half day sightseeing tour of Vatican Museums, Sistine Chapel and St.Peter’s Basilica.  The Vatican Museums attract millions of tourists every year and it’s clear to see why. Come and see for yourself the beautiful artwork and artefacts which inhabit the museums from Vincent Van Gogh’s Pietà, after Delacroix, which is housed in the Collection of Modern Religious Art, to the Augustus of Prima Porta in the Braccio Nuovo. The various sculptures and paintings are a sight to behold and at night they’re even more so.After the visit to the Museums you will be taken to the renowned Sistine Chapel, the official residence of the Pope in Vatican City. Get a taste of the architecture and art which has gone into making the Sistine Chapel what it is today, with work from some of Italy’s most famous Renaissance artists, including Michelangelo and Pinturicchio. See the gorgeous Sistine Chapel Ceiling, covered in art including The Creation of Adam and many more pieces by Michelangelo.

Visit the renowned St Peter’s Basilica. Venture inside the Basilica and find yourself lost in the amazing architecture and artworks which have gone into bringing this magnificent building to life. Created during the Renaissance period, the building is filled with art from famous Italian artists of the time and was even designed by the famous Michelangelo himself. See the beautiful altar which sits above the resting place of the tomb of St Peter himself, taking pride of place as the centrepiece of this wonderful example of Renaissance architecture. Take this fascinating tour through the Vatican City.  Overnight at hotel

After breakfast, proceed for a half day tour of Colosseum, Roman Forum and Palatine Hill Walking Tour.

Colosseum

The Colosseum is the world’s largest amphitheatre, built by the Romans in 80 AD. More than 50,000 people would have gathered here to watch gladiatorial contests and many other kinds of public spectacles. Known also as the Flavian, its name was appropriately given as it was built on the site where once stood a 115-foot-tall bronze statue of the emperor Colossus of Nero. Whilst visiting this giant amphitheatre, take some time to consider the discrimination in Roman society and the fate of the fighters in the gruesome blood sport at the gladiator’s playground.

Roman forum

In its heyday, the Roman Forum was the very heart of the ancient world, crowded with people from all corners of the empire. From elections, public speeches, gladiator matches, and even criminal trials, it was from this very location that the Romans transformed civilisation.

Palatine Hill

It is thought that this area is where it all began. In Rome there is a very fine line between myth and historical fact. According to Roman mythology, twin brothers Remus and Romulus were abandoned by their parents on the hill and discovered and nursed by a wolf before being found by a shepherd.Legend has it that when they became adults they decided to build a city where the wolf had found them. After quarrelling about the location, Remus was said to have been murdered by his brother, thus leaving Romulus as the founder of the city to which he gave his name. Over a hundred years ago archaeologist Rodolfo Lanciani, excavated a site on the hill and uncovered the remains of an Iron Age settlement dating back to 900 BC giving evidence to the existence of the early founders of Rome.

Back to hotel, overnight at hotel.

Breakfast at hotel, transfer to airport to catch the flight to Athens.  On arrival at Athens airport our representative will meet you and transfer to hotel.  Overnight at hotel.

After breakfast, half day Athens city tour.  Learn all about Athens’ ancient and modern history on this half-day tour of the city. Take a trip alongside expert guides, who will knowledgeably let you in on all there is to know and more about this fascinating city, in which past and present constantly blend. First, discover the breath-taking Panathenaic Stadium, a magnificent construction erected on the remains of an ancient Greek stadium. Here you will enjoy a 15-minute photo stop (approx.) at the astonishing site where the first Olympic Games of modern times were held in 1896.Then, as you continue, pass by the Royal Palace, the private residence of Greece’s Prime Minister. Keep a lookout for the Euzones, the Palace’s guards in their colourful uniforms! You will also be able to appreciate many incredible landmarks drenched in history, such as Hadrian’s Arch, the Greek Parliament in Syntagma Square and Athens’ memorial to the Unknown Soldier. Also discover the beauty of world-renowned modern institutions such as the University, the National Library and the Academy, named after the famous Academy founded by the philosopher Plato in the classical Greek era. Last but not least, you will visit the Acropolis, an old plateau abundant with various symbols of ancient Greece, the most magnificent of which are the remains of the Parthenon. For roughly two hours, you will be able to contrast this wonder of antique architecture with its modern attaché, the New Acropolis Museum, also an aesthetically astounding construction, as is, perhaps, the whole city of Athens, or at the very least, its history. With about 90 minutes in the museum, you will have ample time to admire the timeless exhibitions.  Overnight at hotel.

Breakfast at hotel, proceed for a full day tour. Discover Greek culture and lifestyle with a cruise to Poros, Hydra and Aegina – on the same day. Start the adventure in the port of Athens (if you have selected the option with transfers, you will take a transfer from the hotel to the port), from where we will sail to the island of Poros, one of the most beautiful islands in Greece, head ashore to the island of peace, romance and fun and explore the colourful island at your own leisure for an hour. Return to the boat and glide over to Hydra, the second stop of the day. As you approach the island, admire the very special architecture and dramatic landscapes of this island, whose old traditional stone houses and mansions silently stand witness to a long and turbulent history. Listen as your guide provides handy tips on what to see and do on the island. Make the most of the unique charms of Hydra Island, whose amphitheatre once served as a safe shelter for Saronic Pirates. Enjoy 90 minutes of free time to stroll down the narrow lanes, relax over a refreshing cup of coffee, or browse the shops.Round your experience off with a visit to the quaint and beautiful island of Aegina, where you can again explore at your own leisure with two hours of free time! If you fancy, perhaps, opt for an excursion on your own (not included) to the temple of Afaya, the best-preserved ancient site on the island. Once back on the boat, sit back, relax and be entertained with a traditional Greek dance and dance show.  Overnight at hotel.

After breakfast, checkout from hotel.  Transfer to airport to catch the flight.