01 WED. Athens
TODAY’S HIGHLIGHTS: Arrival. Transfer to the hotel. Welcome to Europe!!!.
Upon arriving at the airport we will be waiting to transfer you to your hotel. You can enjoy free time until your tour starts. Please, check the informative posters placed at the hotel reception area which have all the information about your upcoming services such as meeting place, time and the guide’s name.
02 THU. Athens
TODAY´S HIGHLIGHTS: City tour in Athens. Evening transfer.
We will enjoy a panoramic tour of the city with a local guide which includes the Presidential Palace, the Panathinaikos stadium where the first modern Olympic games were held, the national library, the bustling squares of the center; the new neighborhoods that emerged after the 2004 Olympic games. The tour will end at the Acropolis site (entry not included). In the evening we include a transfer to the PLAKA quarter, a place full of small Greek taverns where you can also enjoy this country´s folklore.
03 FRI. Athens - Corinth - Mycenae- Tripoli - Olympia
TODAY’S HIGHLIGHT: Peloponnese region. Corinth canal. Mycenae archaeological site. Dinner included.
In the morning, we leave for the Peloponnese region. We make a stop at the CORINTH CANAL. After this, we have time in the immense fortress of ACCRA CORINTH (entrance included). At the top of the settlement are the foundations of what was a temple to Aphrodite. We go on to MYCENAE, a colossal citadel from the eighteenth century BC, the birthplace of the first European civilisation (entrance included). We stop in TRIPOLI, the provincial capital of a region that produces excellent wines. In the middle of the afternoon, we go on our way to OLYMPIA. Dinner included.
04 SAT. Olympia - Patras.- boarding
TODAY’S HIGHLIGHT: Olympia archeological site. Patras Castle. Overnight voyage from Greece to Italy.
We will visit OLYMPIA archeological site with a local guide. You will have a chance to visit its museum and archeological site (ticket included) which the cradle of the Olympic games in ancient times. After this, we cross the mountainous interior of the Peloponnese. We continue to PATRAS; we include tickets to its powerful castle built in the 6th century; time for lunch.
At 17.30 (the time may change) we board a very modern ferry, much more like a cruiser. The ship sails along the Greek coast, passing the islands of Ithaca and Kefalonia and making a stop at Igumenitsa. Accommodation in double cabins with bathroom.
Notes: Sometimes, due to the weather, the servicing of the ship or changes in times, strikes, or if the ferry is full, we might take a different ferry from Igumenitsa or travel to Rome by plane. Breakfast on the ferry not included.
05 SUN. Ancona- Loreto - Rome
TODAY’S HIGHLIGHTS: Ferryboat-Loreto.
Morning resting on board on our journey through the Adriatic. Arrival in Ancona scheduled at 14 hrs., disembarkation and continuation to LORETO, time to visit the sanctuary of the Holy House, the house of the Virgin Mary, and to tour its beautiful medieval town. After that we cross the Apennines amidst beautiful countryside in the Abruzzos region. ROME -Arrival at the end of the day-.
06 MON. Rome
TODAY’S HIGHLIGHTS: City tour of Rome. Roman Coliseum (admission price included) and Vatican City. Evening transfer to the Trastevere area.
In the morning, we have a scenic tour of the city, which will be a great introduction to “The Eternal city”. We enter the tiny state of the Vatican. The Vatican City is a principal centre of Christianity in the world.
You will be able to visit St. Peter’s Basilica. And we have also included admission to the Roman Coliseum, the principal symbol of Rome.
This impressive con¬struction dates back 2,000 years and will transport us in
time so that we can learn about ancient society in the Roman Empire.
In the evening we provide
a transfer to Trastevere area. A stroll
in the narrow cobbled streets of the Trastevere district reveals hidden treasures to us, such as some modest mediaeval churches, small shops with the most peculiar of objects or scenes of daily life. Many trattorias (informal Italian eating establishments) and osterias (inns) imbued with the Italian spirit will be ready to serve you local dishes. Other restaurants serving Indian, Chinese and international food can be found in this area. Return
to hotel.
07 TUE. Rome
After breakfast, end of our services.