Rome

Welcome to Rome! Upon your arrival at the airport, we will be waiting to transfer you to your hotel. You’ll have free time to relax or explore.

07:00 p.m. – Meeting in the hotel reception. Transfer to the Esquilino area, one of the most iconic parts of Rome, located between the grand basilicas and Roman archaeological sites. Dinner will be included. Later, we’ll provide a return transfer to the hotel.

IMPORTANT:
-Please note that hotel check-in time is usually at around 02:00 p.m. If you require earlier room availability, consider booking an additional night at the beginning of your trip.
-If you requested additional nights, your room will be ready upon arrival at the hotel, but your trip guide will only contact you when the included activities begin. At the reception, you will find an information sign with our staff’s telephone number and hours of assistance. Until then, you have free time to enjoy at your leisure. The hotel staff can assist you with any information you need.

Note: The schedules provided in this itinerary are indicative. The guide may adjust them as needed to enhance the trip experience.

Rome

08:00 a.m. – In the morning, we’ll enjoy a panoramic tour of approximately three and a half hours with a local guide through the Eternal City, one of the oldest and most influential cities in Western civilization. We’ll combine a walking tour and a panoramic bus ride during which you´ll get to admire the beauty of Imperial Rome and see breathtaking sights such as the Arch of Constantine, the exterior of the Colosseum, and the Imperial Forums, an architectural complex that was the political heart in ancient times. We’ll continue to Piazza Venezia, a prominent monumental center and political symbol of the 20th and 21st centuries. The tour will include headphones to ensure you don’t miss any details.

By bus, we’ll pass by Circus Maximus, the Basilica of Saint Mary in Cosmedin with with the Bocca della Verità (the Mouth of Truth), the Republican Temples, the Baths of Caracalla, the Aurelian Walls, the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore, the Archbasilica of St. John Lateran, the Minor Basilica of Saint Mary in Domnica alla Navicella, the Pyramid of Cestius, the San Paolo Gate, Tiber Island, Lungotevere Avenue with its Babylonian-style Jewish Synagogue, and Castel Sant´Angelo.

This tour will conclude around 12:00 p.m. at Vatican City. Our guide will offer an optional visit to St. Peter’s Basilica, the Vatican Museums, and the Sistine Chapel in greater detail. The afternoon will be free.

Rome

Free day in Rome. We suggest an exciting excursion to the ancient ruins of Pompeii and the beautiful island of Capri.

Rome - Abbey of San Giovanni in Venere - Termoli - Trani- Bari

Total distance covered: 536 km.

Scenery: We’ll cross the Apennines to the Adriatic Sea coast, enjoying stunning coastal landscapes along the way.

Note: From May to mid-October, if the weather is favorable, you’ll have the chance to swim at Termoli beach. If you’re interested, please remember to bring your swimsuit and a towel.

08:00 a.m. – Departure from Rome. Today, we’ll head towards the Adriatic Sea, passing through the breathtaking landscapes of the Apennine Mountains.
11:30 a.m. – S. Giovanni in Venere Abbey (admission included). We’ll stop at this beautiful 11th-century Benedictine abbey, perched on a hill overlooking the Adriatic Sea and surrounded by vineyards and olive trees. The abbey is built on the ruins of an ancient Roman temple dedicated to Venus.

12:30 p.m. - Departure from S. Giovanni in Venere Abbey.
01:30 p.m. - Termoli. We’ll arrive in this charming seaside town, known for its walled old quarter, 13th-century castle, and Romanesque cathedral. You’ll have time for lunch and a stroll. How about taking a dip in the sea?

03:30 p.m. - Departure from Termoli. We’ll continue our journey south along the Adriatic coastal road.
06:30 p.m. - Bari. Arrival and free time to explore this beautiful port city, inhabited since before Roman times. Its historic center, with narrow winding streets surrounded by ancient walls and dominated by a Norman castle, is one of the symbols of Apulia. The city´s vibrant atmosphere makes it truly special, full of the authentic charm of southern Italy.
08:30 p.m. - Transfer to the hotel.

Bari - Brindisi - Igoumenitsa

Total distance covered: 120 km.

Scenery: Adriatic coast, plains, olive groves.

Note: Be sure to bring some warm clothing so you can enjoy the ferry deck during the beautiful journey.

After breakfast, you’ll have time to explore the old town of Bari, a port city with a history dating back to pre-Roman times. Its narrow streets, churches, and vibrant atmosphere make it a truly special place.

09:00 a.m. - Departure from Bari. We’ll continue our journey along the Adriatic Sea coast.
10:30 a.m. - Brindisi. You’ll have time to explore this walled city, whose large port connects southern Italy with Greece. Enjoy a pleasant seaside walk, visit the impressive Roman column, and wander through the old town´s charming streets.

12:30 p.m. – Departure from Brindisi. We’ll be heading to Greece! We’ll board a modern ferry for a crossing over the Ionian Sea, traveling from Italy to Greece. The scheduled departure is at 1:00 p.m.
09:00 p.m. - Arrival in Igoumenitsa and transfer to the hotel.

Notes:
-You will need to keep your luggage with you during the ferry crossing. If the group is small, you may travel without a Europamundo guide on board, but a new guide will meet you upon arrival.
-In some cases, due to limited accommodation options in Igoumenitsa, your hotel may be in a nearby town.

Igoumenitsa - Metsovo - Meteora - Kalabaka

Total distance covered: 175 km.

Landscapes: High mountains in northern Greece. Stunning landscapes in the Meteora region.

Note: We’ll visit Orthodox monasteries. Please wear appropriate clothing (women will be provided with skirts upon arrival at the monastery). Comfortable shoes are recommended as there will be a lot of stairs to climb!

09:00 a.m. – Departure from Igoumenitsa. After breakfast, we´ll journey through the tall mountains of Epirus.
10:30 a.m. – Metsovo. Arrival in this picturesque Balkan village nestled among mountains and very popular among tourists. Isolated by mountains from the rest of Greece, it preserves a distinct culture, strongly influenced by Slavic and Turkish traditions. Enjoy a leisurely stroll through its streets lined with traditional stone houses, red tile roofs, and carved wooden balconies.

12:30 p.m. – Departure from Metsovo. Continuing into the region of Thessaly.
02:00 p.m. – Kastraki. We’ll stop in this charming village with breathtaking views over the Meteora Valley where you’ll have some free time for lunch. Afterward, we’ll visit the Meteora, an awe-inspiring World Heritage Site. The name "Metéora" in Greek means "suspended in the air" or "in the sky," reflecting the monasteries perched atop immense rock formations. For centuries, monks and hermits have sought tranquility and solitude in these isolated locations. We´ll explore the entire valley and include admission to one of its most renowned monasteries. Arrival in Kalabaka. Dinner will be included.

Kalabaka - Delphi - Hosios Loukas - Athens

Total distance covered: 435 km.
Scenery: Stunning landscapes of the Mediterranean and Delphi.

Note: The order of the day’s program may vary; we may visit the Hosios Loukas Monastery before Delphi.

08:00 a.m. – Departure from Kalabaka. We’ll travel through Thessaly towards Central Greece, enjoying spectacular sea views, before reaching Delphi.
11:30 a.m. - Delphi. Admission included to the beautiful archaeological complex overlooking the Gulf of Corinth, a magical place. There will be time for lunch.

02:30 p.m. – Departure from Delphi. We’ll continue our journey amidst mountains with Mount Parnassus dominating the landscape.
03:15 p.m. - Hosios Loukas Monastery. Arrival at one of the most beautiful Byzantine monasteries in Greece, a World Heritage Site, with breathtaking 11th-century mosaics.

04:30 p.m. – Departure from Hosios Loukas.
07:15 p.m. – Athens.

Athens - Overnight on board

Note: Since we´ll be spending the night on the ferry, for your comfort, we recommend packing a small overnight bag with essentials, while your main luggage can be stored in the ferry´s hold. Please bring your passport, as it may be required for boarding. Depending on the number of passengers, your guide may not accompany you on board. In that case, a new guide will be waiting for you upon arrival on the island.

Enjoy some free time in the morning—an excellent opportunity for shopping or visiting museums.

In the afternoon, we’ll transfer to Piraeus Port to board a night ferry. The ferry offers amenities similar to those of cruise ships, with accommodations in a double cabin with a private bathroom. You’ll spend the night on board.

Note: Ferry departure times may vary. The scheduled departure time is 7:00 p.m., except from June to September when it’s scheduled for 6:00 p.m. We recommend enjoying the ship´s deck while sailing, dining at the onboard restaurant, and relaxing during the journey. Please note that breakfast is not included.

Rhodes

Arrival in Rhodes early in the morning (expected at 09:10 a.m. if departure from Piraeus is at 6:00 p.m., or at 11:10 a.m. if departure is at 9:30 p.m.). Upon arrival, enjoy a sightseeing tour of the city, including its impressive walled citadel and Old Town, showcasing influences from various cultures such as Greek, Roman, Byzantine, the Knights of St. John, Ottoman, and Italian. This two-hour tour is guided by a local expert. Afterward, we’ll provide a transfer to the hotel.

The afternoon is free for you to explore. You might want to relax on the beautiful beaches or take a stroll through this charming city on your own.

Rhodes - Heraklion

Total distance covered: 115 Km.

Scenery: Mediterranean landscapes and picturesque views over the sea.

Note: Direct flight schedules between Rhodes and Crete are limited and subject to change; sometimes the flight may occur on Friday morning or include a stopover in Athens.

09:00 a.m. – Departure from Rhodes city. Today, we’ll embark on an excursion to explore the rest of the island (included).
09:30 a.m. – Filerimos. We’ll explore its small monastery, set amidst stunning landscapes atop a hill.

10:15 a.m. – Departure from Filerimos.
11:30 a.m. – Lindos. We’ll arrive in this historic city boasting a medieval fortress and a Greek Acropolis overlooking the sea. We´ll take you by coach to St. Paul’s Bay, where tradition holds that the apostle arrived by sea in 51 A.D. to spread Christianity. This picturesque setting was also featured in the film "The Guns of Navarone." You can stroll through its charming, whitewashed streets, relax on one of its beaches, or opt for a traditional donkey ride up to the Acropolis.

03:00 p.m. – Departure from Lindos and return to Rhodes. Transfer to the airport according to flight schedule. Direct flight or flight with a stopover in Athens to the island of Crete. Arrival in Heraklion and transfer to the hotel.

Heraklion - Rethymno - Chania - Heraklion

Total distance: 145 km.

Scenery: Beautiful Mediterranean landscapes with views of mountains and the sea.

09:30 a.m. - Departure from Heraklion. Our route will follow the coastline, offering stunning sea views.
11:00 a.m. - Rethymno. Arrival in this beautiful coastal city of Venetian origin characterized by its medieval castle. You’ll have time to stroll through its historic center and enjoy lunch.

02:30 p.m. - Departure from Rethymno.
03:30 p.m. - Chania. Arrival in this captivating city boasting an impressive fortress and stately mansions. Throughout its history, Chania has been contested among Romans, Byzantines, Venetians, Genoese, Turks, Egyptians, and Greeks. Our guide will highlight the most beautiful points of interest, and you’ll have free time to explore the city.

07:00 p.m. - Departure from Chania and return to Heraklion.

Heraklion - Knossos - Agia Galini - Heraklion

Total distance covered: 180 km.

09:00 a.m. – Departure from Heraklion.
09:30 a.m. - Knossos. Our visit includes a guided tour of the Palace of Knossos, offering insights into the Minoan culture that gave rise to Greek civilization four thousand years ago.

11:45 a.m. - Departure from Knossos. We’ll travel through the island´s tall mountains, heading south towards the Libyan Sea.
01:30 p.m. - Agia Galini, a picturesque town with labyrinthine alleys, a charming fishing port, and bustling taverns. Enjoy free time to explore, have lunch, and perhaps take a swim in the sea.

06:30 p.m. - Departure from Agia Galini. Return journey to the capital of Crete.
08:00 p.m. - Heraklion. We recommend strolling through its lively historic center, brimming with activity and small restaurants.

Note: From November to April, due to the end of the summer season and business closures, we´ll visit the picturesque town of Matala instead of Agia Galini. Matala is renowned for its beautiful beach and unique landscapes of cliffs with carved caves.

Heraklion - Panagia Kera - Agios Nikolaos - Elounda - Spinalonga - Heraklion

Total distance covered: 180 km.

09:30 a.m. - Departure from Heraklion. We’ll journey to the east of the island, passing through coastal and mountainous landscapes.
11:00 a.m. - Panagia Kera. Located in a small village amidst a rich agricultural plain, we’ll visit the 13th-century church renowned for some of the best frescoes in Crete (admission included).

12:00 p.m. - Departure from Panagia Kera.
12:15 p.m. - Arrival in Agios Nikolaos, a picturesque town with a natural port. You´ll have time for a walk and lunch.

02:30 p.m. - Departure from Agios Nikolaos.
03:00 p.m. - Arrival in Elounda, once a city-state and now a beautiful tourist enclave. Enjoy some leisure time for a stroll. Here, we’ll include a boat trip (either from Elounda or nearby port of Plaka) and admission to the Fortress of Spinalonga. This ancient Venetian fortress later served as a leprosarium for many years. The boat trip takes about 15 minutes each way, with time to explore the fortress before returning by boat. Afterwards, we´ll visit the picturesque coastal town of Plaka for coffee and a stroll.

06:00 p.m. - Departure from Plaka.
07:30 p.m. - Heraklion.

Heraklion - Santorini - Athens

Total distance covered: 50 km.

Note: The schedules and frequencies of the ferries for this day’s program will vary depending on the time of year. Sometimes, the journey from Santorini to Athens may be by plane.

Early in the morning, we´ll transfer to the port. Our ferry usually departs around 07:00 or 08:00 a.m. We travel on modern, high-speed ferries, so we should reach the island of Santorini in less than two hours.

Arrival in Santorini is scheduled for 08:50 a.m. (if the ferry leaves at 07:00) or 09:50 a.m. (if it leaves at 08:00). From there, we´ll travel by bus through breathtaking landscapes to Oia, unquestionably the most spectacular town on the island: lively white streets, breathtaking views of cliffs, remnants of a castle, and windmills. You´ll have time to explore and enjoy lunch.

Next, we´ll visit Fira, the island´s capital. Those interested can descend to the port either by cable car or by donkey and admire the cruise ships.

Later, we´ll proceed to the ferry port to board another high-speed ferry departing around 03:30 p.m. We should arrive in Athens just before midnight.

Important note: From November to mid-April, we won’t visit Santorini due to the suspension of the high-speed ferry service from Heraklion. During this period, we’ll travel from Heraklion to Athens by plane.

Athens

Athens, city tour and evening transfer.

We´ll embark on a city tour guided by a local expert, covering prominent sites 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 vibrant atmosphere where you can experience the rich folklore of this country.

After breakfast, our journey will come to an end, leaving you with wonderful lasting memories.

Note: Please be aware that the hotel check-out time is usually 10:00 a.m. You can leave your luggage in reception upon check-out, allowing you to explore the city without carrying your bags. You can retrieve your luggage at your convenience later in the day. If you require additional time to use your room, we recommend booking an extra night at the end of your tour.