14 Day Italy & Greece w/ Meteora Monasteries

  

Italy & Greece w/ Meteora Monasteries
14 Day Tour • April 15 - 28, 2009


Rome, Italy


Pisa, Italy


Venice, Italy


Statue of David
 

Venice, Italy
 

Meteora, Greece
  

This fantastic tour has it all. If you have ever dreamed of doing a Greek and Italy Tour, this is the right tour at the right price.

You would make the mistake of a lifetime if you do Italy any other way than the way we do this tour. Too many make the mistake of doing Rome and Florence from a cruise ship! It is impossible to really experience these fantastic cities in the short time the ship is in port. We are also doing Greece by bus. The ship gives you a few hours in Athens, often not enough time to visit Corinth or other places outside of Athens. Only by bus can you visit the most impressive site in all of Greece – The mountain monasteries of Meteora. We consider Meteora a bigger highlight than any other place in Italy or Greece. That is why we have added this special tour of Greece to our Italy Tour.

Having taken many groups to Italy and Greece, we know how to do it right! Look at the itinerary:

•   Italy: We do Rome, Florence, Venice, Pisa, Pompeii, Assisi, San Gimignano, Ravenna, Verona and the Italian countryside by bus. We take all the time needed to really see it all and soak in the wonderful atmosphere of these special cities.
•   Greece: Athens, Meteora Monasteries, The Acropolis, Corinth, Corinth Canal, Delfi and more.

This is the right time of year to visit this part of the world. Italy has been so crowded in May through September, it almost takes away the fun of visiting the sites. This is why we are going before the first of May, avoiding the crushing crowds. It also avoids the extreme heat we have had in the summer of often over 100 degrees. This is the right tour at the right time!
Special “Whisper Perfect” Receivers
Everyone on this tour will have their own individual “whisper perfect” headset receivers. When you travel with us you do not have to struggle to be up close to the guide and strain to hear them. You will hear every word spoken by your guide, escort or educator with perfect clarity even when you step away from the group to take that very important picture.
 
Now for the best part!

This deluxe tour is only $2,595* ! This fantastic price includes:
•  14 night tour of Italy, Greece and the Meteora Monasteries
•  Deluxe hotels in Italy and Greece
•  All deluxe tours, the best guides & entrance fees throughout Italy and Greece
•  Cabin for two on overnight ferry from Greece to Italy
•  All Transfers
•  Opportunity to purchase deeply discounted airfare




Others Price: $3,595*
Fun For Less Regular Price: $2,695*
Fun For Less Member Price: $2,595*
($2,595 price above is a cash/check discount rates.)

Deeply Discounted Air
 Air from Salt Lake City to Athens and Venice back to Salt Lake City: $899*

Other cities slightly more or less

(*Prices above are cash discount rates. Price per person based on double occupancy. Does not include airfare, gratuities, fuel surcharge increases, taxes and fees.)



Day by Day Itinerary:

Day 1: April 15: Fly from the US to Athens

Day 2: April 16: Athens
Upon arrival into Athens we will head directly to the Acropolis and Mars Hill (where Paul the Apostle taught from). We will spend the afternoon on a city tour of Athens and its Olympic sites.

Day 3: April 17: Corinth - Athens
This morning we will travel to the famous Corinth Canal and then on to Ancient Corinth where Paul taught. The Apostle Paul lived in Corinth for 1 ½ years. We will return to Athens where you will have time to spend the afternoon exploring this beautiful old city.

Day 4: April 18: Athens – Delphi – Meteora Monasteries
This morning we will leave early for Meteora, on our way we will visit Delphi. Today, Delphi is one of the most attractive archaeological sites of Greece. Its rich grounds and museum represent classical antiquity with such clarity even the uninitiated visitor can grasp. Its importance as an archaeological site, coupled with its location at an idyllic landscape makes it one of the most visited sites of Greece. We will then continue through the Greece country side to Meteora.

Day 5: April 19: Meteora Monasteries – Ferry to Italy
Today is the highlight of this tour. We will spend the day visiting the Meteora Monasteries perched atop soaring stone formations, seemingly suspended in mid air. As you ponder on how these centuries old structures were built and enjoy the fantastic view they have, take time to view the priceless exquisite specimens of Byzantine art they protect. This evening we will drive to the port of Igoumenltsa to catch our overnight ferry to Italy.

Day 6: April 20: Ship – Pompeii - Rome
After departing our overnight ferry we will head to through the countryside of Italy to Pompeii. This ancient city was completely covered in ash when Mt. Vesuvius erupted in 20 AD, leaving behind artifacts and structures in near perfect condition. After Pompeii we will drive the approx. 2 hours to Rome where we will overnight.

Day 7: April 21: Rome
Today we will visit another country – Vatican City. Here we will enjoy the Vatican Museum filled with art and the Sistine Chapel, followed by a visit to the largest church in the world, the St. Peters Basilica. We will also do a tour of the city along with all the beautiful fountains. We will then return to our hotel in Rome.

Day 8: April 22: Rome – Assisi We will spend another full day in Rome visiting the Coliseum and the Forem along with the Pantheon. Late this afternoon we will leave Rome and drive the two hours to Assisi to overnight.

Day 9: April 23: Assisi – San Gimignano – Pisa
Today will be a full day as we tour Assisi and then drive the short distance to San Gimignano and it’s many towers, followed by Pisa and it’s leaning tower. We will overnight in Florence.

Day 10: April 24: Florence
We will have a full day to enjoy Florence and all that it has to offer. We will spend the day visiting the center of the Renaissance, whose liberating ideas helped pave the way for the Reformation. This city is the home to the Medici family, Michelangelo, Leonardo de Vinci and Dante. We will take a guided tour of the old city, visiting such sites as the Piazza del Duomo, including the beautiful Baptistry Doors that inspired Michelangelo. We will also visit the real statue of David in the Academy Museum. You will have time to shop in the old streets of Florence and also time to enjoy the many sidewalk cafes before returning to our hotel this evening.

Day 11: April 25: Ravenna - Venice:
This morning we will travel to Ravenna, a World Heritage Site. Here they have some of the best ancient mosaic floors and walls found anywhere in the world. This afternoon we will travel to Florence where we will spend the next two nights. We will stop for dinner on our way - (the hotel food is too expensive).

Day 12: April 26: Venice
We will spend the day in Venice. In addition to our tour, you will have plenty of time to walk the many old streets and bridges. You will also have time to take a gondola boat ride and enjoy the many sidewalk cafes. We will return back to our hotel around 8pm.

Day 13: April 27: Verona - Venice
After arriving into Italy we will travel to Verona, home of Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet. This is one of the most picturesque old cities in Europe. After a tour of the old town, you will have time to explore and have dinner at one of the many sidewalk cafes.

Day 14: April 28: Fly Home



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