Mamma Mia! : Italy and Greece Highlights

In the morning, at 07:15 am, you will depart for Assisi in our luxury bus.  Assisi is a small medieval city, attractive and full of surprising buildings, which due to its welcoming character and its great historical importance is visited every day by many visitors. The recommendation is to visit the magnificent Basilica di San Francesco, decorated with frescoes by many late medieval painters, such as Giotto and Cimabue. It has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2000. You will have free time for lunch (not included) at any of the eating places dotting the main streets.

In our luxury coach you will head towards Siena, one of the most beautiful walled medieval cities in the world. You will visit the historic center with its medieval streets and Piazza del Campo, a uniquely round-shaped piazza, which hosts the twice annual Palio race. The race attracts locals and tourists alike for an incredible festival-like experience where neighborhoods of Siena race against one another. Here you will also find the mesmerizing Siena Duomo, with its incredibly intricate façade and its black and white striped columns, which give it a luxurious feel. Siena was the setting for an incredible action scene in the James Bond movie “Quantum of Solace”, which includes the traditional horse race.

Finally, you will continue your journey to Florence, for overnight

Overnight: Florence Meals: Breakfast

After breakfast,  you will visit the magnificent city of Florence, the “city of arts”. You will start with a panoramic tour of the historic center, the exterior of the Cathedral complex: Giotto’s Tower, the Baptistery with the famous Door to Paradise and the Duomo, with the spectacular Brunelleschi dome. You will continue to the Piazza de la Signoria, which was the political heart of the Florence of the Medici and finally the Church of Santa Croce, in Gothic style, which is the largest Franciscan church in Italy and holds the tombs of notable Florentines such as Galileo and Michelangelo. 

Overnight: Florence Meals: Breakfast

Optional

In the afternoon, you will have free time and the option to go on a panoramic tour of Pisa, one of the most famous cities in the world and the birthplace of Galileo Galilei. You will visit the Square of the Mircacles, a World Heritage Site, its famous 60-meter Leaning Tower, which after the recent restoration, it is estimated to maintain its stability for another 300 years,  the Duomo, a Romanesque style masterpiece, with the golden coffered ceiling and the gigantic columns as well as the imposing baptistery with its excellent acoustics.

After breakfast, you will depart for your next destination, Bologna, known as the “cultured (la dotta), red (la rossa) and fat (la grossa) city” for being the headquarters of one of the oldest universities in Europe, because of the color of the buildings and roofs and for its richly delicious gastronomy. It is one of the best preserved historical cities and has the second largest medieval old town in Europe, after Venice. It is also a perfect example of coexistence between the past and its traditions (such as architecture and Italian gastronomy) and the modernity (such as prestigious cultural events and exhibitions). 

The tour will start at Piazza Malpighi to marvel at the famous arcades and porticoes until reaching Piazza de Neptuno and Piazza Maggiore, the epicenter of the old town. Around the squares there are the most representative buildings that have been preserved since medieval times: the 16th century Neptune Fountain (they say that if you go around it twice it will bring you luck), the Communal Palace, the Palace of King Enzo, the Palazzo di Podestá and the Basilica di San Petronio, the oldest church and it was going to be the largest in the world, but it remained in fifth place.

Then you will continue your trip with a visit to the city of Padua, famous for its university and for having one of the most beautiful and beloved churches in Italy, the Basilica of Saint Anthony, known locally as “il Santo”. Finally you will travel to Venice, a magical city that amazes all who are fortunate to visit it.

Overnight: Venice Meals: Breakfast

After a tasty breakfast, you will climb on a private boat to head to Piazza San Marco to begin your city tour. You will visit: St. Mark’s Square, which began to be built in the 9th century, acquiring its current form in the 12th century.  You will visit the interior of St. Mark’s Basilica, a finest blend of Byzantine, Gothic and Renaissance architecture and houses the mortals remains of St. Mark. The Doge’s Palace, built in Venetian gothic style and pink Vernon marble is considered a coherent hodgepodge of Byzantine and Gothic architecture, along with traces of Late Renaissance architecture.  It was the historic seat of the La Serenissima, the Venetian Republic and sheathes secrets that have rarely left the walls of the Palace.

The palace boasts ornate furnishings, Venetian art pieces, lavish rooms and houses paintings by Titian, Tintoretto and Bellini. It is a symbol of the glory and power of Venice and the Bridge of Sighs or Ponte dei Sospiri connected it with the prisons that were built across the canal. Legend has it that this famous bridge took its name because prisoners who crossed the bridge on the way to their prison cells or the execution chamber would sigh as they caught their last glimpses of Venice through the tiny windows. You will have the afternoon free to enjoy this wonderful city. 

Overnight: Venice Meals: Breakfast

Optional : Gondola Ride 

During your booking, ask about the possibility of taking an optional gondola ride in the afternoon. 

After breakfast, you will leave in our luxury bus to Montepulciano in the region of the Vallle di Chiana in Tuscany famous for its wonderful wines. You will pass through landscapes full of vineyards that will remain engraved on your retina. You will visit Montepulciano, a picturesque medieval town located on a hill in the center of Italian Tuscany protected by 16th century Etruscan walls, rich in medieval and Renaissance buildings, and famous for producing one of the oldest and best wines in Italy, the “Nobile di Montepulciano “. They stand out for their beauty the Plaza Grande, the heart of the town, located at the highest point of the city with its magnificent Duomo accompanying it, the Tarugi Palace, with its marble-covered facade and the Church of Santa María dei Servi, one of the symbols of Renaissance art.

You will have lunch in a typical restaurant and then have some free time to enjoy Montepulciano at our own pace.

Overnight: Rome Meals: Breakfast – Lunch

After the visit you will return back to Rome. Arrival and accomodation at the hotel in Rome

After breakfast, you will leave between 07:45 and 08:00. to visit the Vatican Museums, the Sistine Chapel and St. Peter’s Basilica.

Together with the guide and the exclusivity of skipping the lines, you will start with the Vatican Museums, one of the most important art collections in the world. You will see the fantastic Gallery of Geographical Maps, decorated by Gregorio XIII, the Gallery of Tapestries, a collection of different manufactures from the 16th and 17th centuries and the Raphael rooms. Then you will know the incredible Sistine Chapel, one of the most famous and visited monuments in the world, commissioned in the 15th century by Pope Sixtus IV. Thanks to the genius of Miguel Ángel, you will enjoy an unforgettable experience where the frescoes surround the entire space: The Creation of Adam and the incomparable Last Judgment stand out, located on the wall of the altar.

Finally, it will be the turn of the monumental St. Peter’s Basilica, whose works lasted no less than 160 years and in which first-rate artists such as Maderno, Michelangelo and Bernini worked. The tour will end in Plaza San Pedro.

Then you will have the afternoon free, to continue enjoying the last day in the “Eternal City” at our own pace. Tip: You can visit Mount Lycabettus, whose top can be reached by a funicular or on foot, to enjoy an incredible panoramic view of the city.

Overnight: Rome Meals: Breakfast 

After breakfast, and at the time indicated, we will transfer you to Rome airport to board your flight(included)to Greece.

In Athens, the transfer to the hotel will be carried out in one of our private vehicles.  Your English-speaking assistant will be waiting to help you with the hotel check-in and inform you of all the details of your trip.  He will also clear up any doubts, answer your questions as well as give you a brief account of the city and its day to day life.

The rest of the day will be free for you to relax and start enjoying Athens at your own pace.

In the evening you will enjoy a guided walking tour through the most captivating neighborhoods of Athens, such as Anafiotika, Thisseio, Monastiraki, and Plaka.

Overnight: Athens Meals: Breakfast 

In the early morning, you will be transferred to the port to commence the Full Day Cruise to three of the most beautiful islands of the Saronic Gulf. Aegina is famous for its variety of pistacios, Poros for its scenic beauty and Hydra, the greenest of these, for its elegant stone mansions, serene atmosphere and vehicle free roads. On board the cruise ship, you will also enjoy lunch in the accompaniment of traditional Greek music and dance. 

At the end of the day you will be comfortably transferred back to your hotel.

Overnight: Athens Meals: Breakfast – Lunch

After your breakfast and at the appointed time, you will commence the panoramic tour of the Athenian Neoclassical Center: the Parliament, the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, the University, the Library, and National Academy, the Ilion Palace, the Temple of Zeus and Hadrian’s Gate, the Panathenaic Stadium, and many other monuments and sites of great interest.  You will learn all there is to know about their history and background from the licensed English-speaking Tour Guide accompanying you on this tour.

After the panoramic tour, we will visit the “sacred rock”, the spectacular, unique and magnificent Acropolis and the Acropolis Museum. The entrance fee to both sites is included.

At the end of the visit, you will be dropped off at your hotel or the closest point. 

In the evening, a walking tour is included and will take you through the prettiest areas of Athens, such as Anafiotika, Thissio, Monastiraki, and Plaka. At the end of the tour you can either choose to return to your hotel or set out on your own adventure through the charming and picturesque streets of Plaka.

Overnight: Athens Meals: Breakfast 

Today you will head towards the Corinth Canal, where you will stop briefly to take some photos and marvel at this famous channel that connects the Aegean Sea with the Gulf of Corinth.  With this impressive engineering feat, ships do not have to circumnavigate the Peloponnese peninsula for more than 400 km in order to reach the Ionian Sea.

You will continue your journey until you reach the Theater of Epidaurus, worldwide famous for its acoustics and still in use today for a number of performances, especially in the summer. You will also spend time at the museum of Asclepius, father of modern medicine, and then travel to the city of Nafplio, the first capital of the modern Greek state.  The journey will also take you to Mycenae, where you will visit the prehistoric Acropolis, the Lions Gate and the tomb of “Agamemnon”. In the afternoon you will travel across central Peloponnese and arrive in the city of Olympia in the early evening, where you will check in at your hotel, have dinner and rest.

Overnight: Olympia Meals: Breakfast – Dinner

In the morning you will visit the site of the ancient Olympic stadium, where the first games were held at around 776 BC. The importance of these games was widely accepted, given the extensive participation of the Greek cities, which suspended hostilities throughout the celebrations. The Olympiad was recognized as the only chronological event all over Greece and, basically, represented the period of four years between two consecutive events.

Olympia was also the most important sanctuary of Ancient Greece, a place to worship Zeus, the first among the gods. The gigantic gold and ivory sculpture crafted by Phidias was considered one of the seven wonders of the ancient world.

After your visit to the Museum of Olympia, you will continue your journey, across the suspension bridge of Rio – Antirion, a modern engineering wonder, until you reach your destination.

Upon your arrival at Delphi you will have dinner and a well-deserved rest.

Overnight: Delphi Meals: Breakfast – Dinner

In the morning, and after your breakfast, you will visit the archaeological site of Delphi, a UNESCO World Heritage site and the center or ‘navel’ of the ancient world.  It was here where the renowned Oracle of Delphi, a counsellor of kings and pilgrims, was to be found. Make sure you visit the Museum, which houses the “Bronze Charioteer“, a masterpiece of Greek sculpture.

At the end of your Delphi tour, you will descend the slopes of Mount Parnassus and head towards the plains of Thessaly, where the city of Kalambaka is located.     

Overnight: Kalambaka Meals: Breakfast – Dinner  

Early in the morning you will visit Meteora, declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1988. In this mysterious landscape, the natural beauty is combined with the compelling presence of the eternal monasteries suspended or “meteora” on top of the huge rocks. Currently there are only six in use, five for the male and one for the female monastic community.  

On the way back to Athens, you will briefly stop at Thermopylae, where you can see the statue of the Spartan King Leonidas, famous for leading the battle against the Persians in 480 BC. In the late afternoon you will arrive in Athens, where we will drop you off at your hotel.

Overnight: Athens Meals: Breakfast   

Dresscode to the Monasteries: Sleeveless clothing and shorts above the knee are not allowed. Skirts, shawls and trousers are available at the entrance of the Monasteries in case visitors do not have such clothing to cover themselves with.

At the appointed time, a member of our staff will drive you to Athens International Airport. End of our services.

Overnight: Not Available Meals: Breakfast   

Need an extension to Greek Islands or Turkey? Consult us during your booking.