Itinerary SKETCH is listed below.
Click on the button for optional excursions which are not included in the trip fee. 
 

 

    Cobblestone streets, arched white facades, ocean-blue roofs, and larger-than-life windmills are just a few of the picturesque Greek landscapes you can expect to find on this tour. Experience ancient history and open-air museums in the capital of Athens. Then, the quintessential, beautiful Greek islands you’ve been dreaming of come to life on the isles of Mykonos and Santorini.
 

Tour price includes:  Roundtrip airfare, hotel accommodations, breakfast daily, some dinners, multilingual tour director, guided sightseeing and select entrance fees.  OPTIONALS FEES ARE NOT INCLUDED IN THE FEE.

Tour highlights:  The Acropolis, the Parthenon, Temple of Zeus, windmills in Mykonos Town, black-sand beaches in Santorini, the Akrotiri excavations, Mount Profitis Illias with extension include a sightseeing tour of Rome

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Day 1:  (Thursday, June 7, 2018) Travel day…Board your overnight flight to Athens today

Day 2:  (Friday, June 8, 2018)  Athens  (2 nights)  Arrival in Athens
Welcome to Greece! After arriving, transfer to the hotel to get settled in.
This evening, enjoy a special welcome dinner. 

Day 3:  (Saturday, June 9, 2018)   Sightseeing tour of Athens.   Along the way you will see Olympic Stadium and university neighborhood.  Drive along Academy Street along Constitution Square past Zeus Temple, Parliament, and Adrian's Arch.  Drive through Plaka district to enter Acropolis.  Take a walking tour around Acropolis viewing the Parthenon building, Temple of Athena Nike, and Erechtheion.  Then enjoy free time in the Plaka district.  Spend a free afternoon in Athens or participate in an optional tour to Corinth.

Optional excursion to Corinth $65 pp (4 hrs).          Journey to Corinth.   Begin with a view of the Corinth Canal, followed by a guided tour of the archaeological site of Ancient to explore the temples, bathouse, forum and theater.     

Day 4:   (Sunday, June 10, 2018)    MYKONOS (2 nights)  Transfer by bus to the ferry terminal in Piraeus.  Board ferry (Morning departures typically between 8-9 am) for 2 hours and 45 minute ferry transfer to Mykonos. 
Visit Mykonos Town (Chora) for TD orientation including a viewing of the Church of Panagia Paraportiani, Little Venice area and the famous windmills with free time for shopping.  Enjoy an included group dinner in Mykonos this evening.

 

Day 5: (Monday, June 11, 2018)  Free day in Mykonos.  Or morning optional excursion to Delos ($79 per person) 
In the afternoon enjoy a free afternoon in Mykonos or optional Cooking Class & Dinner ($89 per person)

Optional Excursion to Delos $79 per person (5 hrs)
Journey by boat to the island of Delos, rich with mythological history and once one of Greece's most sacred spots.  Your guided tour of the island's ancient city will transport you to the time when this was an important center for trade in silk, spices and slaves.  You can explore the ruins of the Sanctuary of Apollo, the Sacred Cave, the Lion Terrace and the House Dionysus, where you will find a breathtaking mosaic of the god of wine.

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Optional Cooking Class & Dinner $89 per person (4 hrs)
Your first stop is in the village of Ano Mera where, you will pay a visit to the 18th-century Monastery of Panagia Tourliani and enjoy free time to explore the surrounding town square.  After you have worked up an appetite in town, make your way to a local farm where you will craft traditional dishes such as Mykonian pie and tzatziki.  Then, pair your creations with a tasting of three different Greek wines for a delicious dinner you will enjoy with the group.

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Day 6: (Tuesday, June 12, 2018)      Transfer by bus to ferry terminal in Mykonos.  Board the ferry mid-morning for a 2 hour 15 minute ferry transfer to Santorini.   Enjoy a free afternoon and evening in Santorini.  Or join an Optional Caldera Cruise & Dinner ($119 per person)

Optional Caldera Cruise & Dinner $119 per person (5 hrs)
Board an elegant, fully equipped catamaran and sail in comfort through Santorini's awe-inspiring caldera on this scenic excursion.  You will cruise around the volcanic island of Nes Kamenium for views of the picture perfect cliffside village of Oia (pronounced EE-ah) Situated on the western end of the island, Oia was once a maritime center and stately captains'  houses still sit on its high ridges.  Take in the scenery and the sunset (on clear days) as you enjoy a buffet-style dinner of home-cooked Greek specialities on board the boat.   Please note:  This excursion is dependent upon weather conditions.  A welcome drink glass of wine, and water are included.

Day 7:    (Wednesday, June 13, 2018)     Sightseeing tour of SANTORINI.   Enter Akrotiri Excavations to learn about ancient greek history .  Then take the bus to the top of Profitis Ilias Mountain for panoramic views with a stop in the small village of Pygos.  Enjoy a free afternoon to explore Santorini on you own or join an Optional Greek Wine Tasting & Lunch.   ($55 per person)

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Optional Greek Wine Tasting & Lunch ($55 per person) (4 hrs)
Santorini's volcanic landscape and nutrient-rich soil nurtures a wealth of outstanding vineyards.  On this excursion you will tour a local winery, enjoying a film screening followed by a wine tasting.  Taste five different varieties, including Vin Santo, a sweet wine made from dried grapes, then enjoy a light lunch overlooking the Aegean Sea.  

Day 8:   (Thursday, June 14, 2018)       Transfer to ATHENS.  Enjoy a free morning in Santorini to explore before returning to Athens for your final evening.  Transfer from Santorini to Athens by plane.   Enjoy an included group dinner in Athens this evening.     
         
Day 9: (Friday, June 15, 2018)   Those who do not extend to Italy will be transported to the airport for the flight home. Those continuing to Italy will transfer to the airport for your flight to ROME.  Enjoy a free afternoon in Rome to explore on your own. Or enjoy an Optional Dinner with Tenors ($79 per person)    

Optional Dinner with Tenors ($79 per person) (4 hrs)
End your day with an elegant four-course dinner at a local restaurant.  While you dine, you will be treated to some of opera's best loved arias, sung by professional tenors, and you might even join the singers on stage.  Don not miss this lighthearted evening of food and fun.

Day 10:   (Saturday, June 16, 2018)    Sightseeing tour of ROME.  Pass by Trajan's Column and Piazza Venezia, the city's central hub.  Stop a the ruins of the Forum once the setting of parades, elections, and trials.  View the Arch of Constantine, the Arch of Titus, and the Temple of Venus and Rome. 

Optional excursion Iconic Sights: Vatican City $99 per person 3.5 hrs  This guided tour takes you inside the world's smallest state, Vatican City.  Upon arrival you will first visit the Vatican Museums which are over 500 years old and hold many of the world's most important Classical and Renaissance era sculptures.  Next step inside the Sistine Chapel where you will gaze at what is perhaps Michelangelo's greatest masterpiece.  Finally visit St. Peter's Basilica, the epicenter of the Roman Catholic faith. Masterpieces await at every turn, from Bernini's magnificent canopy to Michelangelo's Pieta.  Please note: Backpacks are not allowed in the Vatican and a dress code of no shorts or sleeveless shirts is enforced. 

Day 11:  (Sunday, June 17, 2018)    Free day in ROME.

Opt to join an excursion to St. Paul's Basilica & the Catacombs ($65 per person). 
Optional excursion St. Paul's Basilica & the Catacombs ($65 per person)   Descend into Rome's ancient catacombs, where early Christians buried saints and popes alongside commoners.  A local guide will lead you through burial chambers before your visit to St. Paul's Basilica, one of the four most important basilicas of Rome, originally founded by Constantine the Great.  The Basilica also houses the tomb of St. Paul.  Please note:  Shorts and sleeveless shirts are not permitted within the basilica.  Also, this excursion involves extensive walking and may be inadvisable for claustrophobic travelers.

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Day 12: (Monday, June 18, 2018)    Transfer to Sorrento 4 hours by bus from Rome to Sorrento.   Take in the sweeping views from the harbor and the beach.  Enjoy a free evening to explore Sorrento on your own.   

 Day 13:  (Tuesday, June 19, 2018)   Free morning in SORRENTO or optional excursion to The Lost City of Pompeii ($89 per person)
Free evening or optional Rustic Italy: Farmhouse Dinner & Wine Tasting ($109 per person)

Optional - Lost City of Pompeii $89 per person  Travel to Pompeii for a guided tour of the famous ruins.  Discover how Roman citizens lived 2,000 years ago, before Mount Vesuvius erupted in 79 AD and smothered the town of Pompeii in a flood of volcanic ash.  View the excavated ruins of theaters, villas, temples and baths.  Pompeii is located near the idyllic Bay of Naples, known for its expansive views of the area's islands, capes and nearby Mount Vesuvius.

Optional - Rustic Italy:  Farmhouse Dinner & Wine Tasting ($109 per person)  Take a short trip outside of Sorrento for a cultural experience at an agriturismo, or farm stay.  Here you will have a chance to explore the lush gardens, cultivated fields and vegetation, typical of man Mediterranean regions.  After touring the farm, savor an aperitif of prosecco, meant to stimulate the appetite.  A four-course dinner will follow, complete with a wine tasting led by an experienced sommelier.  After an evening experiencing the Italian art of eating, return to Sorrento.


Day 14: (Wednesday, June 20, 2018)    Free day in SORRENTO or Optional Excursion to Capri. 

Optional Excursion - Capri: A Day on the Iconic Island ($105 per person)  Travel by ferry to the fabled Isle of Capri, a beloved resort since the days of the Roman Republic.  Weather permitting, you will enjoy a boat ride around the island.  Later, you will enjoy free time to discover why everyone from Roman emperors to Sophia Loren have spent their vacations in Capri.  If weather prohibits a boat ride, you will travel to the village of Anacapri, which offers stunning views of the surrounding scenery.  Please note:  This excursion is weather-dependent.

Day 15:  (Thursday, June 21, 2018)     DEPARTURE Transfer to the airport for your flight home.

THIS IS AN ITINERARY SKETCH.   ALL INFORMATION INCLUDING INCLUSIONS, AS WELL AS THE ORDER OF EVENTS, ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE.  This sketch is intended to give an outline of the possible itinerary.  After meeting with the group and hearing of traveler preferences it is SUBJECT TO CHANGE.   ITINERARY, PRICES, and EVENTS are SUBJECT TO AVAILABILITY AND CONFIRMATION.


*Optional excursions are NOT included in the base trip price.   We will discuss optionals listed above.  However; please note there are optionals that I would not recommend for our group but rather would suggest some alternative optionals.  We will discuss some of those optional choices with the group. 

*Please note insurance is NOT included in estimated pricing.

*Please check your passport information as it is listed in your account.   Make corrections or updates as needed.