Overview
Itinerary
Welcome to Rome, the 'Eternal City'. Join your Travel Director and fellow travelers for a Welcome Reception and evening orientation drive to view some of this city's magnificent sites. (WR) Stay: Villa Pamphili
Visit St. Peter's Basilica and view Michelangelo's Pietà with a Local Specialist. See the Circus Maximus where chariot races were held and enjoy an in depth walking experience around the walls of the Colosseum. There's time afterwards to explore the city on your own or simply relax and watch the world go by. (B)
This morning, head to the Vatican Museums with a Local Specialist. Dive Into Culture as you ascend the Bramante staircase, then admire Michelangelo's frescoed ceiling in the Sistine Chapel.
Later, drive north to Renaissance Florence in Tuscany.
Tonight, Connect With Locals at a Be My Guest experience in the Chianti countryside. (B/D) Stay: Villa Neroli
Your Local Specialist reveals Florence's rich cultural heritage during your walking tour. Visit Piazza della Signoria, with its impressive sculptures, and imposing palazzi. View the marble Duomo and the famous Baptistery, renowned for its bronze doors with relief sculptures and the Ponte Vecchio. Learn about the quality and workmanship of one of this city's historic industries at a demonstration of Florentine leathercraft. Then travel through the Apennines and cross the Veneto plains to Venice.
This evening, you may choose to take a gondola ride along the city's enchanting canals. (B) Stay: Novotel Mestre Castellana
Cruise by private launch to St. Mark's Square to see the Bridge of Sighs, St. Mark's Square, St. Mark's Basilica and the ornate Doge's Palace.
Later, you'll enjoy a memorable MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience where you'll witness the ancient Venetian tradition of glassblowing. You'll learn how the talented master craftsmen are using the same techniques their forefathers once did and how your visit helps to preserve this delicate art for generations to come. Don't resist the urge to buy a souvenir to remember the special experience before enjoying the rest of the day to explore Venice your way. You could choose to spend a lazy evening watching the traffic on the busy waterways with a Venetian Spritz, or consider taking an Optional Experience to one of the islands in the lagoon. (B)
Today we travel through Lombardy. The region is Italy's commercial powerhouse bordering Switzerland with lakes and mountains in the north and plains to the south.
Later we board our flight to Athens. (B/D)
Travel north to Kalambaka and the astonishing UNESCO-listed monasteries of Meteora. These are some of the largest and most important complexes of Eastern Orthodox monasteries in Greece. Your Local Specialist will guide you on a visit to two of the six monasteries built on sandstone rocks that tower above the town. Dine tonight at your hotel. (B/D) Stay: Amalia Kalambaka
Drive south towards Mount Parnassos and Delphi, where we will stay overnight. Join a Local Specialist and see the site of the most important oracle in the classical world and walk the Sacred Way to the Temple of Apollo where athletes competed in the Pythian Games. (B) Stay: Amalia Delphi
We depart the 'navel of the earth' today and travel to Athens where we'll discover the city's rich heritage during our morning sightseeing tour with a Local Specialist. Marvel at the Agora, the Royal Palace, the Temple of Zeus and the Acropolis. See Hadrian's Arch and the stadium where the first modern Olympics took place in 1896. Indulge in a Farewell Dinner to celebrate the end of your trip. (B/D) Stay: Divani Caravel, Radisson Blu Park, Crowne Plaza Athens
Board your ship in Athens. Cruise to the island of Mykonos and spend time discovering the town and sparkling beaches. (B/L/D) Stay: Aegean Cruise
Arrive early at the port of Kusadasi in Turkey where you will enjoy a complimentary Shore Experience to Ephesus.
Continue on to Patmos, where you might join an Optional Experience to the cave where the Book of Revelation was written. (B/L/D)
Arriving in Rhodes, you may wish to join an optional experience for an encounter with one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World today. Walk in the footsteps of the medieval knights who conquered this land. There's time to explore it for yourself as you trace the thick stone walls, gates and cobblestone lanes of its capital before returning to your cruise. (B/L/D)
You may decide to explore Crete's ancient Minoan culture and heritage at the Palace of Knossos. Admire its bright wall paintings that were restored at the turn of the 20th century and explore centuries of history that predate Christ. Or choose to drive deep into the beautiful countryside and experience the true flavor of Cretan lifestyle. Continue to Santorini, watching as this Cycladic island comes closer on the horizon, rising out of the Aegean with its distinctive cliff-top towns. You could consider an optional Shore Experience this afternoon, passing villages and vineyards bound for Oia with its white buildings and blue-domed churches which vie for the best views over the caldera. (B/L/D)
This morning, disembark from your ship for your transfer to the airport. (B)
Trip Inclusions
- Fast Track Entrance to the Vatican Museums
- Explore Rome, Florence, Delphi and Athens with a Local Specialist
- View the ancient sites of Rome, the Duomo and Baptistery in Florence, the Doge's Palace and the Basilica in Venice and the Parthenon, Royal Palace and the Temple of Zeus in Athens
- See Hadrian's Arch in Athens
- Scenic cruise by private launch to St. Mark's Square in Venice
Be My Guest
- Florence: Eight generations of history with plenty of stories to tell. Enjoy a local Tuscan Be My Guest dinner with Count Miari Fulcis on his 15th-century organic olive oil estate in the Tuscan hills, used as a location for many famous films like 'Room with a View' and 'Tea with Mussolini'.
Dive Into Culture
- Rome: Be inspired by the magnificence of Michelangelo and da Vinci at the Vatican Museums and enjoy an exclusive visit up the spiral staircase designed by the famous architect Donato Bramante in a part of the Vatican not open to the public.
Iconic Experience
- Rome: During an orientation with your Travel Director see the medieval buildings, Renaissance palaces and Baroque churches scattered throughout the city.
- Vatican: Visit Vatican City and tour St. Peter's Basilica with a Local Specialist. Witness the early genius of Michelangelo as you take in the Pietà.
- Rome: Discover ancient treasures of Rome with a passionate local. See Circus Maximus and the Ancient Forum, and stand beside the Colosseum, which bears witness to the limitless courage of the gladiators.
- Florence: Join a Local Specialist to view the multi-coloured marble cathedral, bell tower and baptistery, adorned by Ghiberti's Gates of Paradise. Visit the political heart of the city, Signoria Square.
- Florence: See the area around Santa Croce Basilica, famous for the quality of its luxury goods, and witness a gold and leatherwork demonstration.
- Meteora: With a Local Specialist, visit one of the remarkable centuries-old monasteries of Meteora, teetering on towers of rock and arguably the most spectacular place to visit in Greece.
- Delphi: With your Local Specialist, walk to The Sacred Way once lined with offertory temples. See the reconstructed Athenian Treasury and pass the superb Polygonal Wall to reach the Temple of Apollo, where people once sought divine wisdom from the mysterious Oracle.
- Athens: Delve into Athens with a Local Specialist. See the iconic highlights of this ancient city, from the Acropolis to the site of the first modern Olympics.
- Ephesus: Discover one of the world's finest ancient sites. Led by your Local Specialist, walk the Arcadian Way, see the Library of Celsus and Amphitheatre and visit the House of the Virgin Mary.
- Rhodes: With your Local Specialist, explore the classical Acropolis of Lindos and the Temple of Athena in Rhodes. These awe-inspiring ruins date back to the 4th century and offer panoramic views of the stunning coastline.
Make Travel Matter®
- Venice: Learn about the history and ancient skill of Venetian glassblowing, playing your role in ensuring the survival of this traditional craft through your visit.
- An expert Travel Director and professional Driver
- Cherry-picked hotels, all tried and trusted
- All porterage and restaurant gratuities
- All hotel tips, charges and local taxes
- Breakfast daily and up to half of your evening meals
- Must-see sightseeing and surprise extras
- Audio headsets for flexible sightseeing
- Luxury air-conditioned coach with Wi-Fi in most countries or alternative transportation (such as rail journeys)
- European flight from Milan to Athens
- Optional Experiences (Additional Cost) and free time
- Four-night Aegean Cruise
- On occasion, hotels of similar standard and location may be utilised.
- 1 Welcome Reception (WR)
- 13 Breakfast (B)
- 9 Dinner (D)
- 4 Lunch (L)
- Itinerary and inclusions are subject to change
- Price is for land, cruise and internal flights as specified. Flights not specified are not included
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. Prices and trip information are correct at the time at this point in time, however are subject to confirmation at the time of booking and are subject to change by Trafalgar. For cruise itineraries, cabin images are sourced from Trafalgar. 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.
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