Overview
In Venice, take a boat ride to St. Mark’s Square and watch glassblowers create works...read more of art as they have done for centuries – or discover the lagoon at your own pace. Enjoy must-see sights, including Piazza Signoria, in the middle of Florence; see the Roman arena in Verona, and Pisa’s famous Leaning Tower…Visit Rome with a local guide who brings ancient Imperial Rome back to life.
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 BC, where you’ll marvel at the arches, fountains, ramparts, and amazing masonry still standing, and Delphi, known in antiquity as the “navel of the earth”. All these elements come together perfectly to create a value-minded Italy and Greece tour like no other!
Itinerary
Welcome to Italy! Check into your hotel. The rest of the day is free for you to explore Italy's romantic city using your CosmosGO app. This evening, meet your Tour Director and travel companions at the welcome dinner at the hotel. (D)
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, perhaps sipping a cappuccino or the typical Venetian drink called spritz at one of the many bars or cafes. Alternatively, join one of our optional excursions, like a ride on one of the most iconic boats in the world, the romantic gondola. (B)
Travel 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 festivals and concerts; shop in Via Mazzini, or just wander the cobblestone streets of the city centre. Overnight in the Tuscan spa town of Montecatini. Today's Distance: 224 mi/ 360 km (B)
Today, enjoy a full day discovering 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." Return to Montecatini. Today's distance: 79 mi /127km (B)
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 Rome. Today's Distance: 255 mi/ 410 km (B)
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. (B)*
* For operational reasons, changes to the Rome program cannot be excluded.
Transfer to the airport for your included flight to Athens. From the capital of Italy to the capital of Greece, absorb the Mediterranean flair and discover the influence of ancient Roman and Greek civilizations on modern life and arts. (B)
Join the included sightseeing tour of Athens, featuring the highlights of the city and a visit to the Acropolis. Travel to the Corinth Canal, built between 1881 and 1893 and stop here for a picture. Continue to the Mycenae archaeological site for a visit with a Local Guide to learn about the ancient city of Homer's epics. Enjoy the rugged scenery of the Peloponnese on the way to Nauplia. This evening, enjoy an included dinner at a local restaurant. Today's Distance: 90 mi/ 145 km (B/D)
Drive south through the Peloponnese to Olympia. Take advantage of some time at leisure or make the most of the day by joining the optional tour of the ancient Olympia site, featuring the ruins of the Temple of Zeus. Today's Distance: 118 mi/ 190 km (B)
Cross the Rion-Antirion bridge and skirt the Gulf or Corinth to then turn inland to Delphi. The ancient Greeks considered Delphi the centre of the world, marked by the stone monument known as the Omphalos (navel) of Delphi. An optional site visit with a Local Guide will explain about the oracle and much more. Today's distance: 150 mi/ 240 km (B/D)
Enjoy free time in Athens to explore with the help of the CosmosGO app, visit the 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. (B)
Your holiday ends with breakfast this morning. (B)
Trip Inclusions
- 11 Breakfasts
- 3 Dinners
- Venice Area Poppi (Superior Tourist-Class)
- Montecatini Terme Pellegrini (Superior Tourist-Class)
- Rome American Palace Eur (First-Class)
- Athens Acropolis Select (First-Class)
- Nauplia Rex (First-Class)
- Olympia Olympia Palace (First-Class)
- Delphi V Hotel Delphi (First-Class)
- Airport transfers at your arrival and departure destination are not included in the price of the tour.
- Itinerary and inclusions subject to change.
- Price is for land, cruise and specified internal flights. International flights not included.
- For operational reasons, schedule changes for the Rome program cannot be excluded.
Enjoy inside visits to Europe's the must-see sites with a great mix of included excursions, free time and affordable value. Read more
Cosmos build free time into every one of their holidays, so you can eat, shop, and explore the way you want. Read more
Cosmos' easy going, fun-filled and multilingual Tour Directors and Local Guides love exploring as much as you do. Read more
Availability
A definite departure means minimum numbers have been reached for this departure to operate. Your Global Journeys Travel Advisor will check the availability of your departure date when you enquire. Additional savings may apply. We guarantee the lowest price in Australia. T&C’s apply.
Tour & cruises prices are per person. Prices shown have savings applied, are subject to availability and may be withdrawn at any time without notice. Pricing and trip details are correct at this point in time, however are subject to confirmation at the time of booking and are subject to change by Cosmos. For cruise itineraries, cabin images are sourced from Cosmos. These should be treated as indicative only. Cabin inclusions, upholsteries and room layout may differ to the image(s) shown depending on the ship selected and your sailing dates.
