Highlights Of Greece Sicily and Rome

Make your own way over to your selected gateway airport for your international flight to Athens.




Overnight Onboard Flight

Welcome to Athens! Upon arriving at the airport, you will be transferred to the hotel. You can enjoy free time at leisure. Check the information board in the hotel reception area for details regarding the meeting place, time, and the guide's name. Enjoy leisure time to explore the local market or relax in your hotel room.




Overnight in Athens

Start your day after breakfast with a guided city tour, beginning at the Presidential Palace and then moving on to the historic Panathenaic Stadium, where the inaugural modern Olympic Games took place. Delve into the treasures of the National Library and the vibrant squares of the city center, as well as the newer neighborhoods developed after the 2004 Olympic Games. The tour wraps up at the Acropolis site (admission not included). Later in the evening, you'll be transferred to the Plaka area, famous for its quaint Greek bars, offering an opportunity to fully immerse yourself in the rich folklore of Greece.




Overnight in Athens

Following breakfast, you'll visit the Corinth Canal, a remarkable engineering feat from the late nineteenth century, before traveling through the mountains to reach Tripoli, the capital of the Arcadia region. Take time to explore this vibrant city, strolling around Plaza Areos with its charming cafes and restaurants. The journey continues to Olympia, where you'll explore the archaeological site with a local guide, including attractions like the Temple of Zeus and the stadium, which hosted the first Olympic Games in 776 B.C. Afterwards, you'll head to Patras, Greece's third most populous city, known for its bustling port and medieval fortress. The city's cathedral, the largest in Greece, and nearby St. Andrew's Church, a significant pilgrimage site, offer cultural and historical insights. Dinner at hotel




Overnight at Patras

Today, we will explore two extraordinary and authentic towns. Our journey begins in Alberobello, renowned for its iconic trulli—unique conical-roofed houses constructed from stacked stone. This UNESCO World Heritage Site showcases a remarkable example of Italian rural architecture. Next, we travel to Matera in the Basilicata region, famous for its ancient historic center and the Sassi di Matera—a network of ancient cave dwellings carved into the rock, dating back thousands of years. Recognized as both a World Heritage Site and one of the oldest continuously inhabited settlements in the world, Matera offers a fascinating glimpse into history. After enjoying an included lunch in Matera, we will continue our journey through the scenic landscapes of Basilicata and Campania. By evening, we will arrive in Naples, where you will have free time to explore at your leisure.Overnight in Naples

Post breakfast, your day starts with exploring two spectacular and authentic towns. First, Alberobello, a charming town famous for its unique conical-shaped houses known as \"trulli.\" These unique structures with their stacked stone roofs, are World Heritage Sites and considered to be an outstanding example of Italian rural architecture. Then, you will continue to Matera, located in the Basilicata region known for its ancient historic center with its \"Sassi di Matera\", a complex of ancient houses and buildings carved into the rock that date back thousands of years. It is a World Heritage Site and is one of the oldest continuously inhabited human settlements in the world. There will be time for a walk and lunch. In the afternoon, continue through Basilicata and Campania, admiring their beautiful mountain landscapes. Arrive in Naples in the evening, with free time to explore the historic city.




Overnight in Naples

Following your morning meal, you'll have leisure time for a stroll in Naples before embarking on a boat trip to the stunning Island of Capri. Once there, you can choose to visit the enchanting Blue Grotto or take the cable car up to Capri city. After exploration, we'll regroup and continue our journey to Sorrento, a picturesque town nestled at the base of a magnificent cliff. Here, you'll have ample free time to wander and soak in the charming atmosphere. Our adventure then takes us to the Gulf of Salerno, where we'll spend some time in the delightful city of Salerno. Enjoy the sights and experiences this coastal gem has to offer before checking in to your hotel.




Overnight in Salerno

After breakfast, you will start your journey south to a beautiful place called Cilento National Park. It's really pretty there! Then we go to Paola, a nice town by the sea. We visit a special place called the sanctuary of St. Francis of Paola and have lunch in the old part of town. After that, we go to Villa San Giovanni and hop on a short ferry to Sicily, an island nearby. In Sicily, we stop in a city called Messina. We check out the big church there and take a walk around. Finally, we head to Taormina for dinner. Just so you know, we'll be staying in the Taormina area, but sometimes we might stay in Messina instead.




Overnight in Taormina or Messina

Following a delicious breakfast, we will procced for the city tour of Taormina situated at the foot of the Etna volcano. Churchill once described it as the most beautiful place on earth. We took a leisurely stroll through the bustling old town and admired the Greek theater, which offered breathtaking views of the surroundings. Following a 12-day journey from Athens, Greece, we continued our trip towards the heart of the island. Our next destination was Caltagirone, a city renowned for its Baroque architecture. We hopped on a tourist train to explore the city and learn about its main attractions, particularly its famous ceramics. Later, we visited the Villa Romana del Casale, a UNESCO World Heritage Site celebrated for its remarkably preserved Roman mosaics. Crossing the mountainous terrain of the island, we finally arrived in Palermo by the day's end.




Overnight in Palermo

Post breakfast, meet the local guide for a city tour of Palermo, starting with the impressive cathedral, showcasing a blend of architectural styles and housing royal tombs (admission included). Explore the history of the Norman Palace, once a royal residence, with its picturesque fountains, lively markets, and tranquil gardens. Our journey continues to MONREALE, home to a UNESCO-listed cathedral adorned with stunning golden mosaics (admission included). Enjoy some free time in the afternoon to further explore the city. Note: Occasionally, if there are few travelers, the tour may not be private and could be conducted as part of a regular excursion organized by local tour operators.




Overnight in Palermo

After following morning meal, you will procced for Palermo airport for your flight to Rome. Upon arriving at the airport, you will be transferred to the hotel. You can enjoy free time at leisure. Check the information board in the hotel reception area for details regarding the meeting place, time, and the guide's name. Enjoy leisure time to explore the local market or relax in your hotel room.




Overnight in Rome

In the morning after breakfast, you will set out on a panoramic tour of Rome, the capital of Italy and one of the oldest and most influential cities in Western civilization. Explore iconic landmarks like the Colosseum, the Roman forums, the charming squares, and majestic fountains in the city center, immersing yourself in its vibrant atmosphere. The tour culminates at St. Peter's Basilica in the Vatican, an independent state within Rome and the heart of the Catholic Church, where you can marvel at the basilica and explore its museums. In the evening, we'll provide a transfer to Trastevere, a bustling neighborhood renowned for its quaint, traditional restaurants, allowing you to savor authentic Italian cuisine in a lively setting.




Overnight in Rome

Enjoy your breakfast, make your own way to Rome International Airport to prepare for your flight back home.