Day 1: Rome
Welcome to ROME! Upon your arrival at the airport, we will be there to transfer you to your hotel. You will find all the details you need to meet your guide at the hotel on the information boards. In the late afternoon, we will provide a transfer to the Esquilino neighborhood, an excellent introduction to Rome with its grand basilicas and the Colosseum. Dinner will be included.
Day 2: Rome
In the morning, we´ll enjoy a three-hour guided tour of the Eternal City, combining a walking tour of Imperial Rome with a panoramic bus ride to admire one of the oldest and most influential cities of Western civilization. During the tour, we’ll see iconic sites such as the Arch of Constantine, the exterior of the Colosseum and the Imperial Forums, the Circus Maximus, the Baths of Caracalla, the Basilica of Saint Mary Major, the Pyramid of Cestius, and Castel Sant’Angelo. The tour will end in VATICAN CITY around 11:30 a.m. Free time in the afternoon.
Day 3: Rome
Enjoy a free day to take in the charm of this city, exploring and discovering its memorable places.
Day 4: Rome - San giovanni in venere abbey - Termoli - Bari
Today, we’ll travel toward the Adriatic Sea, passing through the stunning landscapes of the Apennine Mountain range. Our first stop will be the San Giovanni in Venere Abbey (admission included), a beautiful 11th-century abbey built on the ruins of an ancient Roman temple. Next, we’ll visit Termoli, a charming coastal city where the beach is framed by the walled old town, with its 13th-century castle and Romanesque cathedral as the main attractions. You’ll have time to enjoy lunch and take a leisurely walk. We’ll then continue to Bari, a historic port city inhabited since before Roman times. Here, you’ll have the opportunity to explore and stroll through the old town. Its narrow streets, beautiful churches, and vibrant atmosphere make it a truly special city, full of southern Italian charm.
Day 5: Bari - Brindisi - Brindisi - Igumenitsa Ferry - Igoumenitsa
After breakfast, we’ll continue to Brindisi, where you can go on a nice walk along the sea, see the impressive Roman column and explore the old town. Later, we’ll board a modern ferry (scheduled departure at 1:00 p.m.) for our journey across the Ionian Sea. We’ll arrive in Igoumenitsa, Greece, after an 8-hour journey and head to our accommodation.
Day 6: Igoumenitsa - Metsovo - Kalambaka
After breakfast, we´ll journey through the tall mountains of Epirus to reach Metsovo, a charming Balkan village nestled between mountains. Isolated by rugged terrain, this area retains a unique culture influenced by Slavic and Turkish traditions. Take time to wander its streets lined with traditional stone houses, red tile roofs, and intricately carved wooden balconies. Continuing into Thessaly, we´ll stop in Kastraki, a quaint village offering stunning views of the Meteora Valley. Enjoy lunch before exploring the Meteora, a remarkable World Heritage Site. The name "Metéora" in Greek means "suspended in the air" or "in the sky," aptly describing the towering rock formations crowned with monasteries. These secluded sites have been havens for monks seeking solitude and tranquility for centuries. Our visit includes admission to one of its most renowned monasteries. We´ll end our day in Kalabaka, where dinner will be included.
Day 7: Kalambaka - Delphi - Hosios Loukas - Athens
We’ll journey south through the Thessaly region, where you’ll experience stunning landscapes, before reaching Delphi. Here, we´ll explore the exquisite archaeological site overlooking the Gulf of Corinth, with breathtaking views. There will be time for lunch. Following that, we´ll head to the Hosios Loukas Monastery, renowned as one of the most beautiful Byzantine monasteries in Greece and a World Heritage Site. Its magnificent 11th-century mosaics are truly remarkable. We´ll then continue our journey towards Athens, arriving in the evening.
Day 8: Athens
We´ll embark on a city tour of Athens with a local guide, visiting landmarks such as the Presidential Mansion, the Panathenaic Stadium where the first modern Olympic Games were held, the National Library, and the bustling squares of the city center. We´ll also explore the newer neighborhoods that developed after the 2004 Olympic Games. The tour will conclude at the Acropolis (admission not included). In the evening, we´ll provide a transfer to the historical neighborhood of Plaka, renowned for its charming Greek tavernas and opportunities to immerse yourself in the rich folklore of this country.
Day 9: Athens
Free day to continue exploring the city.
Day 10: Athens - Corinth - Poros - Epidaurus - Nafplio
After breakfast, we set out for the PELOPONNESE PENINSULA, renowned for its history, landscapes, picturesque towns, and archaeological sites. We make a brief stop at the CORINTH CANAL, which links the Aegean Sea with the Ionian and is famous for its impressive rock walls.Next, we visit one of the most charming islands near the Peloponnese. From the small port of Galatas, we take a ferry that brings us in just 15 minutes to the island of Poros, a delightful destination full of tourist life, with old houses climbing up to the Clock Tower. Free time to stroll and have lunch.After lunch, we return to the mainland and travel through beautiful hilly landscapes to the ancient Theater of Epidaurus (admission included), where we’ll have time to explore this magnificently preserved structure. Built 2,400 years ago, with a capacity of up to 14,000 spectators, it is still in use today.We then continue on to NAFPLIO, a charming coastal city dominated by its citadel and Venetian fortress. Free time to stroll. Dinner included.
Day 11: Nafplio - Tripoli - Olympia - Patras
We´ll journey across the mountains of the Peloponnese hinterland to Tripoli, the capital of the Arcadia region. There will be free time to explore Areos Square with its cafes and restaurants. Afterward, we´ll continue to Olympia, where we´ll visit the Archaeological Site (ticket and guided tour included). This is where the first Olympic Games were held in 776 BC, attracting athletes from across Greece and its colonies. The most impressive landmarks here include the Temple of Zeus, the Stadium, the Gymnasium, and the Arena. Our next destination will be Patras, Greece’s third-largest city. It´s a bustling port city overlooked by a medieval fortress, home to Greece´s largest cathedral, a significant pilgrimage site, along with the nearby old church of St. Andrew. Dinner will be included.
Day 12: Patras - Igoumenitsa - Igumenitsa - Brindisi Ferry - Brindisi
After breakfast, we’ll cross the Rio–Antirrio Bridge, a spectacular suspension bridge that connects the Peloponnese with the Greek mainland. We’ll travel through the regions of Central Greece and Epirus. Upon arrival in Igoumenitsa, a port town, there will be time for a stroll before boarding the modern ferry at 02:00 p.m. to sail across the Ionian Sea to Italy. We’ll reach Brindisi by the end of the day, around 09:00 p.m., where we’ll spend the night.
Day 13: Brindisi - Alberobello - Matera - Naples
Today, we’ll visit two extraordinary and authentic towns. Our first stop will be Alberobello, famous for its unique conical-shaped houses known as trulli. These distinctive structures, with their stacked stone roofs, are a UNESCO World Heritage Site and represent a remarkable example of Italian rural architecture. Next, we’ll head to Matera, located in the Basilicata region, renowned for its ancient historic center and the Sassi di Matera—a complex of ancient dwellings and buildings carved into the rock, dating back thousands of years. Not only is it a World Heritage Site, but also one of the oldest continuously inhabited human settlements in the world. In the afternoon, after enjoying an included lunch in Matera, we’ll continue our journey through Basilicata and Campania, taking in the beautiful mountain landscapes. We’ll arrive in Naples by evening, where you’ll have free time to explore.
Day 14: Naples - Capri - Pompeii - Rome
We’ll take a ferry to Capri, and after a 45-minute crossing, we’ll arrive on this island, famous for its natural beauty and luxurious lifestyle. If you’d like, you can take a boat to the Grotta Bianca or ride the cable car up to Capri town and visit the Gardens of Augustus for stunning panoramic views. We’ll then return to Naples, where you’ll have time for a walk and lunch. In the afternoon, we’ll visit Pompeii (admission and guided tour included), the once-thriving city that was buried under ash and rubble when Mount Vesuvius erupted in 79 AD. We’ll continue to Rome, arriving at the end of the day.
Day 15: Rome
After breakfast, our journey will come to an end, leaving you with wonderful lasting memories.
