Tour Overview
Embark on an unforgettable journey through Italy and Greece with "The Best of Italy & Greece" tour. Begin in the romantic city of Venice, where you'll glide through its iconic canals and witness the art of Venetian glassblowing. Discover the ancient Roman Arena in Verona and the architectural wonders of Florence, including the Duomo and Piazza Santa Croce. Marvel at the Leaning Tower of Pisa before heading to Rome for a guided exploration of its historic landmarks. Fly to Athens to explore the Acropolis and the Corinth Canal, then delve into the ancient ruins of Mycenae and Olympia. Conclude your adventure in Delphi, the mystical center of the ancient Greek world. Enjoy daily breakfasts, select dinners, and the company of fellow travelers as you traverse these historic lands. ...more ...less
Highlights
Itinerary
Day 1: Arrive In Venice Area,Italy
Location: Venice
Accommodation Name: Poppi
Meals Included: Dinner
Welcome to Italy! Check into your hotel. The rest of the day is free for you to explore Italy’s romantic city using your CosmosGO app. This evening, meet your Tour Director and travel companions at the welcome dinner at the hotel.
Day 2: Venice
Location: Venice
Accommodation Name: Poppi
Meals Included: Breakfast
Venice is a place of unmatched beauty and a feast of fantastic sights. View the delightful crisscrossing canals, the gondolas, arched bridges, palaces, and piazzas. Your included orientation features a boat ride to St. Mark’s Square and a visit to a Venetian glassblowing workshop. You’ll have time to explore at leisure on your own, perhaps sipping a cappuccino or the typical Venetian drink called "spritz" at one of the many bars or cafés. An optional excursion to the island of Burano will give you the opportunity to see more of the Venetian Lagoon before enjoying a delicious meal.
Day 3: Venice Area,Verona,Montecatini
Location: Verona, Montecatini
Accommodation Name: Terme Pellegrini
Meals Included: Breakfast
Travel to Verona, setting for Shakespeare’s Romeo & Juliet. Marvel at the ancient Roman Arena, built for gladiator fights but now still used as a popular venue for festivals and concerts; shop in Via Mazzini, or just wander the cobblestone streets of the city center. Tonight, experience the harmony of rural life in Tuscany with an optional farmhouse dinner in the Tuscan countryside. On the menu? Good food, better wine, and the best company! Overnight in the Tuscan spa town of Montecatini.Today’s Distance: 224 mi/ 360 km
Day 4: Montecatini,Florence,Montecatini
Location: Montecatini, Florence, Montecatini
Accommodation Name: Terme Pellegrini
Meals Included: Breakfast
Today, enjoy a full day discovering the wonders of Florence, starting with a guided walking tour, featuring some of the city’s greatest attractions. See Piazza Santa Croce; world-famous Signoria Square; 13th-century Palazzo Vecchio with its collection of artistic masterpieces; Loggia dei Lanzi; the unique Duomo with Giotto’s Gothic Bell Tower and the Baptistry’s ornate bronze door known as the “Gate of Paradise.” Return to Montecatini.Today’s distance: 79 mi /127km
Day 5: Montecatini,Pisa,Rome
Location: Montecatini, Pisa, Rome
Accommodation Name: American Palace Eur
Meals Included: Breakfast
Vistas of rolling hills, cypress trees, vineyards, olive groves, and rural villages form the backdrop of your journey through beautiful Tuscany. Stop in Pisa and enjoy a mini-train ride to the Square of Miracles and the amazing Leaning Tower, then on to Rome. Today’s Distance: 255 mi/ 410 km
Day 6: Rome
Location: Rome
Accommodation Name: American Palace Eur
Meals Included: Breakfast
The “Eternal City” is steeped in history, vibrantly alive and exciting, and absolutely unique! Start the included introduction to Rome’s landmarks from St. Peter’s Square with a Local Guide. Enjoy a drive along the iconic landmarks of the city: the Tiber River, the Caius Cestius Pyramid, the Aurelian Walls, and the Caracalla Baths. Complete the experience with a walk back in time from the Circus Maximus to the Arch of Constantine and to the fascinating Colosseum, symbol of the Roman Empire.* * For operational reasons, changes to the Rome program cannot be excluded.
Day 7: Rome,Athens,Greece
Location: Rome, Athens
Accommodation Name: Acropolis Select
Meals Included: Breakfast
Transfer to the airport for your included flight to Athens. From the capital of Italy to the capital of Greece, absorb the Mediterranean flair and discover the influence of ancient Roman and Greek civilizations on modern life and arts.
Day 8: Athens,Mycenae,Nauplia
Location: Athens, Corinth Canal, Mycenae, Nauplia
Accommodation Name: Rex
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
Join the included sightseeing tour of Athens, featuring the highlights of the city and a visit to the Acropolis. Travel to the Corinth Canal, built between 1881 and 1893 and stop here for a picture. Continue to visit the Mycenae archaeological site with a Local Guide to learn about the ancient city of Homer’s epics. Enjoy views of the rugged Peloponnese scenery on the way to Nauplia. This evening, enjoy an included dinner at a local restaurant.Today’s Distance: 90 mi/ 145 km
Day 9: Nauplia,Olympia
Location: Nauplia, Olympia
Accommodation Name: Olympia Palace
Meals Included: Breakfast
Drive south through the Peloponnese to Olympia. Take advantage of some time at leisure or score the perfect 10 with a guided optional tour of ancient Olympia, site of the first Olympic Games, featuring the ruins of the Temple of Zeus. Today’s Distance: 118 mi/ 190 km
Day 10: Olympia,Delphi
Location: Delphi
Accommodation Name: V Hotel Delphi
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
Cross the Rion-Antirion bridge and skirt the Gulf or Corinth to continue inland to Delphi. Built at the foot of Mt. Parnassus, Delphi was considered by ancient Greeks to be the center of the world where the oracles of Apollo predicted the fate of many a man. Today’s distance: 150 mi/ 240 km
Day 11: Delphi,Athens
Location: Athens
Accommodation Name: Acropolis Select
Meals Included: Breakfast
Enjoy free time in Athens to explore with the help of the CosmosGO app, visit the museums or take the tram to the coast. In the evening, enjoy the lively atmosphere of the tavernas in the old Plaka district with its narrow streets and sound of bouzouki music.
Day 12: Athens
Location: Athens
Meals Included: Breakfast
Your vacation ends with breakfast this morning.
What's Included
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Welcome Dinner
Meet your Tour Director and travel companions at the welcome dinner at the hotel on the first day.
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Venetian Glassblowing Workshop
Visit a Venetian glassblowing workshop during your orientation in Venice.
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Boat Ride to St. Mark’s Square
Enjoy a boat ride to St. Mark’s Square as part of your included orientation in Venice.
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Mini-Train Ride in Pisa
Enjoy a mini-train ride to see the Square of Miracles and the Leaning Tower in Pisa.
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Guided Walking Tour in Florence
Experience a guided walking tour in Florence, featuring some of the city’s greatest attractions.
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Introduction to Rome’s Landmarks
Start the included introduction to Rome’s landmarks from St. Peter’s Square with a Local Guide.
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Flight to Athens
Transfer to the airport for your included flight to Athens.
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Sightseeing Tour of Athens
Join the included sightseeing tour of Athens, featuring the highlights of the city and a visit to the Acropolis.
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Visit to Mycenae Archaeological Site
Visit the Mycenae archaeological site with a Local Guide to learn about the ancient city of Homer’s epics.
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Dinner at a Local Restaurant in Nauplia
Enjoy an included dinner at a local restaurant in Nauplia.
What's Not Included
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Optional Excursions
Optional excursions such as a ride on a gondola in Venice or a traditional Greek dinner in Athens are not included.
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Personal Expenses
Personal expenses such as souvenirs, additional meals, and drinks are not included.
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Travel Insurance
Travel insurance is not included and should be purchased separately.
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Gratuities
Gratuities for guides, drivers, and hotel staff are not included.
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Visa Fees
Visa fees and other travel documentation costs are not included.
Notes
Rome - the 2025 Jubilee Year events may necessitate changes in the sequence of activities or the omission of certain events/places. Every effort will be made to follow the itinerary, but it may be subject to change.
For operational reasons, schedule changes to the Rome program cannot be excluded.
This tour requires walking on uneven terrain, especially at archaeological sites, which may pose a challenge to guests with physical limitations or reliant on mobility devices such as wheelchairs.
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Accommodation
Venice Area: Poppi, Montecatini: Terme Pellegrini, Rome: American Palace Eur, Athens: Acropolis Select, Nauplia: Rex, Olympia: Olympia Palace, Delphi: V Hotel Delphi
Mode of Transport
The tour includes a boat ride to St. Mark’s Square in Venice, a mini-train ride in Pisa, and an included flight from Rome to Athens. Transfers between cities are by coach, providing a comfortable journey through Italy and Greece.
UNESCO Sites
Acropolis Athens|Archeological site of Mycenae|City of Verona|Historic Centre of Florence|Historic Centre of Rome|Piazza del Duomo Pisa|Vatican City|Venice and its Lagoon
Meals
11 Breakfasts, 3 Dinners
Check out our Q&As
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What is included in the welcome dinner on the first day?
The welcome dinner on the first day includes meeting your Tour Director and travel companions at the hotel.
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Will there be any guided tours during the trip?
Yes, there are several guided tours included, such as a guided walking tour in Florence, an introduction to Rome's landmarks with a Local Guide, and a visit to the Mycenae archaeological site with a Local Guide.
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Is there a flight included in the tour itinerary?
Yes, there is an included flight from Rome to Athens as part of the tour.
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Are meals included in the tour package?
Yes, the tour includes daily breakfast and three dinners.
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What kind of transportation is provided in Pisa?
In Pisa, a mini-train ride is provided to see the Square of Miracles and the Leaning Tower.
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Are there any optional excursions available during the tour?
Yes, optional excursions such as a ride on a gondola in Venice or a traditional Greek dinner in Athens are available but not included in the tour package.
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What kind of activities are planned in Venice?
In Venice, the tour includes a boat ride to St. Mark's Square and a visit to a Venetian glassblowing workshop.
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What is the accommodation arrangement during the tour?
The tour includes accommodations in various hotels such as Poppi in Venice, Terme Pellegrini in Montecatini, American Palace Eur in Rome, Acropolis Select in Athens, Rex in Nauplia, Olympia Palace in Olympia, and V Hotel Delphi in Delphi.
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How long has the tour company been trading?
Since 1961
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What Ethical Travel credentials does the tour company have?
Cosmos is committed to minimizing our impact on the environment and to reducing dependence on non-renewable resources. In this endeavor, we have implemented policies to support this mission and are working carefully to enhance our products with this mission and our values combined. We are committed to complying with all relevant legislation and/or regulations.
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What documents will I receive before I travel?
Travel documents, including any air tickets, itineraries, and other information, are available approximately two to three weeks prior to departure provided full payment has been received.
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What happens if I need to change my holiday date once I’ve booked?
All guests are fully vaccinated against COVID-19 for travel through February, 2023. Beginning March 1, 2023, while we highly recommend vaccination, we will no longer require it. We ask all guests to comply with airline and destination requirements, which still may apply. To check your destination requirements for your travel dates, view the Latest Travel & Health Restrictions for Travel.
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Low Deposit
Barrhead Travel requires a minimum deposit of 200 GBP per person or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 98 days before departure.
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Cancellation Policy
We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of barrhead travel charges.
Up to 98 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.
At 97 days before tour starts: Forfeit 50% of booking price.
At 74 days before tour starts: Forfeit 75% of booking price.
At 28 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of booking price.
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Terms and Conditions
The Best of Italy & Greece
12 Days Starting in Venice, Italy and ending in Athens, Greece
Visiting: Venice, Verona, Montecatini, Florence, Pisa, Rome, Athens, Corinth Canal, Mycenae, Nauplia, Olympia, Delphi ...more ...less
Tour operator:
Tour code:
6330-2025
Guide Type:
Fully Guided
Age range:
5-99
Tour operated in:
EnglishInterests:
Activities:
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