Italy & Greece Cruise Group

Package Price Includes:

Package Price: $5,695*

*Per person cash discount price, based on double occupancy. Does not include International air or tips.

This is a partial list and is subject to change as needed to accomplish everything we can in each area we visit. We will have local guides who will make sure we see the very best in the time we have.

Day 1: September 21: Fly to Venice
We depart our home and travel to Venice.

Day 2: September 22: Verona – Venice
This morning, after arriving into Venice, we will drive the short distance 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 lunch at one of the many sidewalk cafes. This evening, we will head to Padova to overnight at your deluxe hotel.  (Transfers are included if you booked our group airfare or your flight arrives on or before and departs on or after our group flights.)

Day 3: September 23: Venice
Today, we will start our tour of Venice.  Today we will visit this beautiful city.  We will have plenty of time to walk the many old streets and bridges in Venice.  You will have time to enjoy a gondola boat ride and eat in one of the many quaint sidewalk cafes.  We return to Padova, where we will overnight.

Day 4: September 24: Pisa
This morning, we will drive to Pisa and visit the leaning tower. Later this afternoon, we will travel to Florence, the home of the Medici family, Michelangelo, Leonardo de Vinci, and Dante, where we will stay for the next two nights.

Day 5: September 25: Florence
Today will be a full day in Florence, where we will spend time visiting the center of the Renaissance, whose liberating ideas helped pave the way for the reformation.  We will take a guided tour of the old city, visiting sites like the Piazza del Duomo, including the beautiful Baptistery Doors that inspired Michelangelo.  We will also visit the original 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 6: September 26: San Gimignano / Rome
We will spend the day traveling through the Tuscan countryside. We will visit San Gimignano before heading to Rome where we will overnight.

Day 7: September 27: Rome
Today we will visit a separate country, Vatican City.  We will visit St. Peters Basilica (the largest church in the world), St. Peters Square, the Vatican Museum, and the Sistine Chapel.  We will then visit the Pantheon and Trevi Fontain and then return to our hotel where we will overnight.

Day 8: September 28: Rome
This morning we will visit the Coloseum and Forum and then we transfer mid-afternoon to our cruise ship to check-in.

Day 9: September 29: Naples
For those who purchase our optional shore excursion package, we will drive along one of the most beautiful coastlines in the world on our way to the city of Sorrento.  Sorrento is fabled to be home to the sirens who attempted to lure the mythological figure Ulysses onto the rocks.  We also take you to the fascinating city of Pompeii which was buried by Mt Vesuvius in 79AD.   You will be able to walk through the ancient streets that are considered to be the very best example of ancient Roman life.  Pompeii was home to many wealthy ancients who craved a leisure lifestyle.  For this reason, Pompeii is home to many lavish baths, temples, and richly decorated mansions.  As the ash and pumice stone rained over Pompeii time stood still, preserving life as it was in 79AD.

Day 10: September 30: Messina, Sicily
Today for those on our optional excursion in Messina, Sicily, we will visit Taormina (about 1 ½ hour drive) where we visit the ancient Greek Theater and have some free time to explore.

Day 11: October 1: Day at Sea
Today will be a free day to relax and enjoy your day at sea.

Day 12: October 2: Santorini, Greece
Not all islands are created equal.  Santorini is a ten on a scale of one to ten and is the most beautiful of the Greek Islands. This is a tendered port, which means that we will take tender boats from the ship to shore. Those that purchased our excursion package will explore Santorini’s unique history as we walk narrow winding streets while admiring the traditional architecture. The tour starts with a visit to the village of Oia – pronounced “Eee-ah”. The village is approximately 500 feet above sea level. The beauty of Oia is unsurpassed. In fact, it is almost impossible to describe in words. Small white house’s terrace the hillside, interspersed by splashes of rich okra, deep fuchsia, cobalt blue, oyster pink and earthy red. It is one of the most photographed places in Greece. It has inspired artists, poets and every visitor who visits Santorini. In Oia there are two types of dwellings, the cave houses dug into the volcanic rock on the Caldera cliffs, and the captain’s houses. The cave houses used to be the homes of ship crews, whereas the captain’s houses belonged to the affluent class of ship owners. After exploring this wonderful village, we will return to Fira where you will have time to shop and explore before taking a cable car back to the ship.

Day 13: October 3: Ephesus Turkey
The ship is parked in Kusadasi, a fair distance from Ephesus.  Those who purchased our optional shore excursion package will visit Ephesus and the surrounding area.

Day 14: October 4: Mykonos Greece
We will not be offering a tour in Mykonos.  You will have a free day to explore the beautiful island of Mykonos.  The best way to enjoy Mykonos is to simply wander the twisting narrow streets, visit local museums (there are several including a folklore museum, archaeological museum even a windmill museum), shop for local souvenirs, or take a cab to one of the local beaches.  If you are interested, the cruise line does offer excursions.

Day 15: October 5: Athens, Greece
Today we say goodbye to our beautiful cruise ship.  Today we will have a wonderful sightseeing tour of Athens and the Acropolis. There is a lot of walking on this tour, including stairs, so make sure that you have good walking shoes.  Some sites you may see along the way include; the Temple of Zeus, the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, the Parliament, the Presidential Palace, and the Panathinaikon Stadium.  The tour highlight will be the Acropolis, where you will travel 150 stairs up to the top of this famous hill.  We will see the Propylaea Entrance, the Erectheum, the Temple of Wingless Victory, and of course, the Parthenon. We will head to the Corinth Canal and the ruins of Corinth, where Paul taught and wrote letters.  After our tour we will transfer to our hotel and overnight.

Day 16: October 6: Fly home
This morning, we will head to the airport for your flight back to the US and home.  (Transfers are included if you booked our group airfare or your flight arrives on or before and departs on or after our group flights.)