Italy & Greece with Iconic Aegean Islands Cruise
Italy & Greece with Iconic Aegean Islands Cruise
Italy & Greece with Iconic Aegean Islands Cruise
16 Days Starting in Rome, Metropolitan City of Rome Capital, Italy and ending in Athens, Greece
Visiting: Rome, Pisa, Florence, Verona, Venice, Ancona, Patras, Olympia, Nafplion, Archaeological site of Mycenae, Athens, Mykonos, Kuşadası, Ephesus Archaeological Site, Patmos, Heraklion, Knossos, Thera
Tour operator:
Tour code:
6485-2024
Guide Type:
Fully Guided
Group size:
25 - 43
Age range:
5-99
Special diets catered:
Vegetarians
Tour operated in:
EnglishTrip Styles:
Interests:
Tour Overview
Italy and Greece are countries steeped in history with a treasure trove of ancient sites and scenic beauty. On this affordable Italy and Greece tour, you’ll see the exceptional features these countries have to offer, starting in Rome and ending in Athens. In Italy, you’ll stay in Rome, Florence, and the Venice area. In Greece, you’ll stay in Olympia, Nauplia, and Athens. You’ll also spend one night on a ferry to cross the Adriatic Sea from Ancona, Italy to Patras, Greece and then on a cruise ship for a 3-night Aegean Islands sea cruise. Visit Rome with a local guide who brings ancient Imperial Rome back to life as you see the Colosseum. Enjoy must-see sights, including Piazza Signoria in the middle of Florence: the Roman arena in Verona, and Pisa’s famous Leaning Tower. In Venice, take a boat ride to St. Mark’s Square and watch glassblowers create works of art as they have done for centuries—or discover the lagoon at your own pace. 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 the 5th Century BC, where you’ll marvel at the arches, fountains, ramparts, and amazing masonry still standing. Spend the last few days of your affordable tour of Italy and Greece in sheer relaxation aboard your cruise ship for a 3-night cruise to some of the world’s most beautiful islands. You’ll see Mykonos, with its seafront village, sandy beaches, and whitewashed houses; Heraklion, Crete, nestled picturesquely between two mountain ranges; Santorini (weather permitting), with one of the world's most breathtaking panoramas; Patmos, where St. John the Divine wrote the Book of Revelation; and Kusadasi, Turkey, where you’ll enjoy an included visit of the Ephesus archaeological site. All these elements come together perfectly to create a value-minded Italy and Greece tour with a cruise like no other!
Highlights
Itinerary
Day 1 : Arrive In Rome, Italy
Location: Rome
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: American Palace Eur
Meals Included: No Meals
Check into your hotel. The rest of the day is free for you to explore Italy’s ancient capital using your CosmosGO app. This evening, meet your Tour Director and travel companions.
Day 2 : Rome
Location: Rome
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: American Palace Eur
Meals Included: Breakfast
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.* * For operational reasons, schedule changes for the Rome program cannot be excluded.
Day 3 : Rome,Pisa,Florence
Location: Rome, Pisa, Florence
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: B&B Firenze City Center
Meals Included: Breakfast
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 Florence. End the day by joining the optional Gastronomy Experience in a typical restaurant. Today’s Distance: 273 mi/ 440 km
Day 4 : Florence
Location: Florence
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: B&B Firenze City Center
Meals Included: Breakfast
Today, discover 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.”
Day 5 : Florence,Verona,Venice Area
Location: Florence, Verona, Venice
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Hotel Poppi
Meals Included: Breakfast
Travel north and cross the Po River 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 the festivals and concerts; shop in Via Mazzini, or just wander the cobblestone streets of the city center. Today’s Distance: 217 mi/ 350 km
Day 6 : Venice
Location: Venice
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Hotel Poppi
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
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, sipping a cappuccino or the typical Venetian drink called spritz at one of the many bars or cafés. or join one of our optional excursions, like a ride on one of the most iconic boats in the world, the romantic gondola.
Day 7 : Venice Area,Ancona (Embarkation),Overnight Ferry Crossing To Patras,Greece
Location: Venice, Ancona
Accommodation: Overnight Ferry
Meals Included: Breakfast
Travel across the flatlands of the Po Delta to reach Ancona on the shores of the Adriatic Sea, to embark on the ferry for the crossing to Patras, Greece. Accommodation will be in two-berth cabins with private shower and toilet.Today’s Distance by coach: 186 mi/ 300 km
Day 8 : Patras (Disembarkation),Olympia
Location: Patras, Olympia
Accommodation Name: Olympia Palace
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
During the crossing, enjoy the ship’s amenities. Disembark in Patras and drive south into the Peloponnese to Olympia. Today’s Distance: 63 mi/ 100 km (excluding overnight ferry)
Day 9 : Olympia,Nauplia
Location: Olympia, Nafplion
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Hotel Rex
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
Enjoy time at leisure or make the most of this morning by taking the optional tour of the sites of ancient Olympia, including the ruins of the Temple of Zeus. In the afternoon, enjoy the rugged scenery of the Peloponnese on the way to Nauplia. This evening, enjoy dinner at a local restaurant.Today’s Distance: 124 mi/ 201 km
Day 10 : Nauplia,Mycenae,Athens
Location: Nafplion, Archaeological site of Mycenae, Athens
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Acropolis Select
Meals Included: Breakfast
Morning visit with a Local Guide to the impressive ruins of Mycenae, an ancient city of Homer’s epics. Later, stop to view the Corinth Canal, built between 1881 and 1893. Today’s Distance: 87 mi/ 140 km
Day 11 : Athens
Location: Athens
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Acropolis Select
Meals Included: Breakfast
Join the included sightseeing tour of Athens, featuring the highlights of the ancient capital and a visit to the Acropolis. Explore the shops and 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.
Day 12 : Athens,Embarkation Port,Mykonos
Location: Athens, Mykonos
Accommodation: Overnight Cruise
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Board your Celestyal cruise ship. Cruise the Aegean Sea to Mykonos, with its white houses, chapels, and windmills. Late-evening departure for Kusadasi, Turkey.
Day 13 : Kusadasi,Turkey,Patmos,Greece
Location: Kuşadası, Ephesus Archaeological Site, Patmos
Accommodation: Overnight Cruise
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Two ports of call today. First, Kusadasi on the Turkish coast. An included excursion is available to the fascinating Greek, Roman, and Byzantine excavations of Ephesus. Next, discover the tiny Greek island of Patmos, where St. John the Divine wrote the Book of Revelation. The 11th-century monastery with its valuable manuscript collection is well worth a visit.
Day 14 : Heraklion,Santorini
Location: Heraklion, Knossos, Thera
Accommodation: Overnight Cruise
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
First port of call today is Heraklion on Crete. Join the included excursion to Knossos, the hub of the 3000-BC Minoan civilization. Afternoon call (weather permitting) at Santorini, the “Black Pearl of the Aegean.” An optional shore excursion takes you up to the cliff-top village of Oia for one of the world’s most breathtaking panoramas.
Day 15 : Disembarkation Port,Athens
Location: Athens
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Acropolis Select
Meals Included: Breakfast
Early morning arrival. Drive to Athens and relax, visit a museum, or go shopping.
Day 16 : Athens
Location: Athens
Meals Included: Breakfast
Your vacation ends with breakfast this morning.
What's Included
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Meals
As detailed in the itinerary
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Fully Guided
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Transport
Private, first-class, air-conditioned motorcoach with free Wi-Fi
What's Not Included
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Airport Transfers at Destination
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Insurance
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International Travel
UNESCO Sites
Acropolis Athens|Archeological site of Mycenae|City of Verona|Historic Centre of Florence|Historic Centre of Rome - various properties Vatican City|Piazza del Duomo Pisa|Vatican City|Venice and its Lagoon
Meals
Buffet breakfasts daily; 3 dinners, including dinner at a local restaurant in Nauplia; full board on cruise
Notes
Security cruise regulations require clients’ passport information at time of booking.Please ask your Travel Consultant for cruise ship details. The ship scheduled to depart for the cruise portion of your vacation is the Celestyal Olympia, operated by Celestyal Cruises. Rotation of ports of call may vary for congestion reasons at certain ports with or without prior notice.Prices are based on inside cabin (category IB) - All air-conditioned cabins with private shower and toilet. Upgrades available.Full entertainment program on board.Included basic drink package: selection of non-alcoholic & alcoholic drinks.Included select excursions as per detailed itinerary.Cosmos Host service throughout the cruise.
Accommodation
American Palace Eur
Hotel American Palace Eur is situated in the southern area of Rome near the EUR business district and is extremely well connected thanks to its vicinity to the subway station Laurentina which make both city center and airports easy to access. All 196 guest rooms have bathrooms en-suite and are furnished in a modern style with carpet or wooden floor. Every room is equipped with minibar, safe, heating, a/c, digital tv, direct line telephone, hairdryer, desk and courtesy set. The hotel offers on-site bar, restaurant and a free 24-hour gym.
B&B Firenze City Center
This stylish modern 99-room hotel is located in the Santa Croce district, in the center of the city, just a short walk away from the Basilica. Guest rooms have sleek, minimalist decor and are equipped with air-conditioning, in-room safes, Sky TV and Free Wi-Fi internet access. A rich buffet breakfast is served in the bright breakfast room and a selection of drinks and snacks can be purchased in the handy B&B lobby shop.
Poppi
Situated on the Riviera del Brenta and founded in 1965,the hotel is still family run. hotel Poppi offers 100 rooms and a renowned restaurant.
Olympia Palace
The Olympia Palace is a 3-storey building with 65 spacious rooms, indoor and outdoor restaurants, located in the town on Ancient Olympia.
Rex
Hotel Rex is located in the city center of Nafplio,very close to the port in a cozy atmosphere guarantees a pleasant stay.With 42rooms and a cafeteria-bar the hotel offers rest and relax to the customers .All the archailogical sites and museums are very close to the hotel and that gives you the opportuity to visit them very easy.
Acropolis Select
Hotel is located in the city center, next to public transportation and within walking distance from the New Acropolis Museum, the ancient site of the Acropolis and the Plaka district.The Temple of Olympian Zeus, the Flee Market and Syntagma Square are within easy reach.
Check out our Q&As
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What is the maximum group size?
Usually max 43 people
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Will there be an escort accompanying this tour?
Yes
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Are the local guides on the tour English speaking?
Yes
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Will passengers from another country be participating in the tour?
Yes
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Are children permitted to take part in the tour?
Yes, 5 years or above
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Will I know the names and details of all the accommodation before I depart?
Yes
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How long has the tour company been trading?
Since 1961
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What Ethical Travel credentials does the tour company have?
Cosmos is committed to minimizing our impact on the environment and to reducing dependence on non-renewable resources. In this endeavor, we have implemented policies to support this mission and are working carefully to enhance our products with this mission and our values combined. We are committed to complying with all relevant legislation and/or regulations.
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What documents will I receive before I travel?
Travel documents, including any air tickets, itineraries, and other information, are available approximately two to three weeks prior to departure provided full payment has been received.
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What happens if I need to change my holiday date once I’ve booked?
All guests are fully vaccinated against COVID-19 for travel through February, 2023. Beginning March 1, 2023, while we highly recommend vaccination, we will no longer require it. We ask all guests to comply with airline and destination requirements, which still may apply. To check your destination requirements for your travel dates, view the Latest Travel & Health Restrictions for Travel.
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Low Deposit
Cosmos requires a minimum deposit of 200 GBP per person or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 90 days before departure.
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Cancellation Policy
We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of cosmos charges.
Up to 91 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.
At 90 days before tour starts: Forfeit 50% of booking price.
At 29 days before tour starts: Forfeit 80% of booking price.
At 1 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of booking price.