Rome, Complete Greece and Sicily

Welcome to Rome! Upon your arrival at the airport, we will be there to transfer you to your hotel. You will find all the details you need to meet your guide at the hotel on the information boards. In the late afternoon, we will provide a transfer to the Esquilino neighborhood, an excellent introduction to Rome with its grand basilicas and the Colosseum. Dinner will be included.

In the morning, we´ll enjoy a threehour guided tour of the Eternal City, combining a walking tour of Imperial Rome with a panoramic bus ride to admire one of the oldest and most influential cities of Western civilization. During the tour, we’ll see iconic sites such as the Arch of Constantine, the exterior of the Colosseum and the Imperial Forums, the Circus Maximus, the Baths of Caracalla, the Basilica of Saint Mary Major, the Pyramid of Cestius, and Castel Sant’Angelo. The tour will end in VATICAN CITY around 11:30 a. m. Free time in the afternoon.

Free day to explore. A day to enjoy the moment, discover new landscapes, and let every corner reveal its own story and beauty in peace.

Today, we’ll travel toward the Adriatic Sea, passing through the stunning landscapes of the Apennine Mountain range. Our first stop will be the San Giovanni in Venere Abbey (admission included), a beautiful 11thcentury abbey built on the ruins of an ancient Roman temple. Next, we’ll visit Termoli, a charming coastal city where the beach is framed by the walled old town, with its 13thcentury castle and Romanesque cathedral as the main attractions. You’ll have time to enjoy lunch and take a leisurely walk. We’ll then continue to Bari, a historic port city inhabited since before Roman times. Here, you’ll have the opportunity to explore and stroll through the old town. Its narrow streets, beautiful churches, and vibrant atmosphere make it a truly special city, full of southern Italian charm.

After breakfast, we’ll continue to Brindisi, where you can go on a nice walk along the sea, see the impressive Roman column and explore the old town. Later, we’ll board a modern ferry (scheduled departure at 1:00 p. m. ) for our journey across the Ionian Sea. We’ll arrive in Igoumenitsa, Greece, after an 8hour journey and head to our accommodation.

After breakfast, we´ll journey through the tall mountains of Epirus to reach Metsovo, a charming Balkan village nestled between mountains. Isolated by rugged terrain, this area retains a unique culture influenced by Slavic and Turkish traditions. Take time to wander its streets lined with traditional stone houses, red tile roofs, and intricately carved wooden balconies. Continuing into Thessaly, we´ll stop in Kastraki, a quaint village offering stunning views of the Meteora Valley. Enjoy lunch before exploring the Meteora, a remarkable World Heritage Site. The name "Metéora" in Greek means "suspended in the air" or "in the sky," aptly describing the towering rock formations crowned with monasteries. These secluded sites have been havens for monks seeking solitude and tranquility for centuries. Our visit includes admission to one of its most renowned monasteries. We´ll end our day in Kalabaka, where dinner will be included.

We’ll journey south through the Thessaly region, where you’ll experience stunning landscapes, before reaching Delphi. Here, we´ll explore the exquisite archaeological site overlooking the Gulf of Corinth, with breathtaking views. There will be time for lunch. Following that, we´ll head to the Hosios Loukas Monastery, renowned as one of the most beautiful Byzantine monasteries in Greece and a World Heritage Site. Its magnificent 11thcentury mosaics are truly remarkable. We´ll then continue our journey towards Athens, arriving in the evening.

We´ll embark on a city tour of Athens with a local guide, visiting landmarks such as the Presidential Mansion, the Panathenaic Stadium where the first modern Olympic Games were held, the National Library, and the bustling squares of the city center. We´ll also explore the newer neighborhoods that developed after the 2004 Olympic Games. The tour will conclude at the Acropolis (admission not included). In the evening, we´ll provide a transfer to the historical neighborhood of Plaka, renowned for its charming Greek tavernas and opportunities to immerse yourself in the rich folklore of this country.

Free day to explore. A day to enjoy the moment, discover new landscapes, and let every corner reveal its own story and beauty in peace.

Today´s journey is quite special because Greece is home to nearly 6,000 islands, more than 100 of which are inhabited. Various ships connect these islands to the mainland, and today we’ll visit two of the Saronic Islands. Our day will start early in the morning by taking a ferry from the hotel to Aegina, an island that has been inhabited for over 4,000 years and is less than an hour away. You´ll have the chance to explore the picturesque harbor, wander through traditional neighborhoods filled with charming houses and ancient churches or visit the Greek Temple of Apollo. Afterward, we´ll take another ferry for about 1 hour and 15 minutes to reach Poros. Enjoy some free time on this charming island, filled with lively tourist activity and old houses that climb up to the clock tower. There will be time for a stroll and lunch. After lunch, we´ll take a short 15minute journey to Galatas, a small coastal village in the Peloponnese. From there, we´ll continue by road through stunning hillside landscapes until we reach Epidaurus. Admission is included to the Ancient Theatre, built 2,400 years ago and remarkably wellpreserved. It´s still used today and can host up to 14,000 spectators for performances. Then, we´ll head to Nafplio, a charming coastal city characterized by its citadel and Venetian fortress. You´ll have free time to explore the area. Dinner will be included. Note: Ferry schedules can change, especially during the low season months when ferries between Aegina and Poros may not operate. If this is the case, we will not visit Aegina Island.

We´ll journey across the mountains of the Peloponnese hinterland to Tripoli, the capital of the Arcadia region. There will be free time to explore Areos Square with its cafes and restaurants. Afterward, we´ll continue to Olympia, where we´ll visit the Archaeological Site (ticket and guided tour included). This is where the first Olympic Games were held in 776 BC, attracting athletes from across Greece and its colonies. The most impressive landmarks here include the Temple of Zeus, the Stadium, the Gymnasium, and the Arena. Our next destination will be Patras, Greece’s thirdlargest city. It´s a bustling port city overlooked by a medieval fortress, home to Greece´s largest cathedral, a significant pilgrimage site, along with the nearby old church of St. Andrew. Dinner will be included.

After breakfast, we’ll cross the Rio–Antirrio Bridge, a spectacular suspension bridge that connects the Peloponnese with the Greek mainland. We’ll travel through the regions of Central Greece and Epirus. Upon arrival in Igoumenitsa, a port town, there will be time for a stroll before boarding the modern ferry at 02:00 p. m. to sail across the Ionian Sea to Italy. We’ll reach Brindisi by the end of the day, around 09:00 p. m. , where we’ll spend the night.

Today, we’ll visit two extraordinary and authentic towns. Our first stop will be Alberobello, famous for its unique conicalshaped houses known as trulli. These distinctive structures, with their stacked stone roofs, are a UNESCO World Heritage Site and represent a remarkable example of Italian rural architecture. Next, we’ll head to Matera, located in the Basilicata region, renowned for its ancient historic center and the Sassi di Matera—a complex of ancient dwellings and buildings carved into the rock, dating back thousands of years. Not only is it a World Heritage Site, but also one of the oldest continuously inhabited human settlements in the world. In the afternoon, after enjoying an included lunch in Matera, we’ll continue our journey through Basilicata and Campania, taking in the beautiful mountain landscapes. We’ll arrive in Naples by evening, where you’ll have free time to explore.

After breakfast, we’ll head to the port of Naples to board a ferry to the Island of Capri, where we recommend taking the funicular up to Capri town to stroll around and enjoy the stunning views. After lunch, we’ll reboard and head to Sorrento, a charming tourist town nestled at the base of a cliff, where you’ll have free time to wander. Our journey will then take us to the Gulf of Salerno, where we’ll stay in the city of Salerno.

We’ll journey to the south of the boot, marveling at the stunning southern Italian scenery as we cross the Cilento National Park. We’ll arrive in Paola, located on the shores of the Tyrrhenian Sea, where we’ll visit the Sanctuary of St. Francis of Paola and enjoy free time for lunch in its charming historic center. Our adventure will then take us to Villa San Giovanni, where we’ll board a short ferry crossing to the island of Sicily. Upon arrival in Messina, we’ll have time to stroll around the cathedral. Finally, we’ll continue to Taormina. Dinner will be included. Note: Accommodation will normally be in the Taormina region, but on certain dates, lodging may be provided in Messina.

At the foot of Mount Etna lies the enchanting city of Taormina, once described by Churchill as the most beautiful place on earth. You´ll have time to explore the lively historic quarter, with its Greek theater dominating the mesmerizing landscape. You can also relax on the beach. Dinner will be included.

We’ll travel to Catania, a city founded by the Greeks, which, despite the destruction caused by volcanic eruptions, still boasts a beautiful baroque center. Next, we’ll head to the heart of the island to visit Caltagirone, a UNESCO World Heritage city. You’ll enjoy a ride on the tourist train and have time to stroll through the streets and admire its famous Sicilian ceramics. After lunch, we’ll continue to the impressive Villa Romana del Casale (admission and tour included), renowned for its remarkably wellpreserved Roman mosaics, considered some of the most beautiful in the world. We’ll then proceed to Agrigento, where, before heading to the hotel, we’ll enjoy views of the magnificent Valley of the Temples from the comfort of our coach. Dinner will be included.

We’ll visit the Valley of the Temples with a local guide, an impressive archaeological site known as the most complete complex of Greek temples (admission included). Then, we’ll travel to Marsala, a historic city renowned for its vibrant atmosphere and famous wine, where we’ll have time for lunch. Our journey will continue around the scenic Marsala salt pans to Erice, a charming Phoenician town overlooking the sea, perfect for a leisurely stroll. Finally, we’ll head to Palermo. Dinner will be included.

After breakfast, we’ll explore Palermo, starting with a transfer to the picturesque village of Monreale, now on the outskirts of the city. We’ll visit the breathtaking ArabNorman cathedral, a World Heritage Site famed for its magnificent golden mosaics (tickets included). Palermo is a city rich in contrasts, reflecting the history of Arabs, Normans, and Baroque splendor. Key sights include the Cathedral (tickets included) and the Norman Palace, featuring the exquisite Palatine Chapel. After our tour, we’ll enjoy some free time. Later in the afternoon, we’ll board a modern night ferry. Accommodation will be in double cabins with en suite bathrooms.

We’ll arrive in Naples early in the morning (breakfast not included) and continue to Pompeii, where we’ll admire the remains of this ancient Roman city, buried under the ashes of Mount Vesuvius. A local guide will accompany us (tickets and tour are included). Afterward, we’ll explore Naples, one of the most fascinating cities in Italy and among the oldest populated places in Europe. The historic center of Naples, one of the largest in Europe, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. There will be time for a stroll and lunch. We’ll conclude our day with an arrival in Rome.

After breakfast, our journey will come to an end, leaving you with wonderful lasting memories.