Complete Greece, Puglia, Campania and Sicily

Welcome to Greece! Upon your arrival at the airport, our representative will greet you and arrange your transfer to the hotel. Check the information boards in the hotel reception area for details about the welcome meeting with your guide and fellow travelers.

Today, we will explore Athens with a local guide. We will visit the Presidential Palace, the Panathinaikos stadium, the national library, and the bustling squares of the city center. The tour will conclude at the Acropolis site. In the evening, we will head to the Plaka area, a neighborhood filled with quaint Greek bars, where you can immerse yourself in the rich folklore of Greece.

We depart early in the morning towards the North of Greece. Our first stop will be in Kamena Vourla, a beautiful seaside resort surrounded by stunning landscapes. We will then proceed north, making a brief stop at the site of the Battle of Thermopylae. Our next destination is Kastraki, a picturesque village offering beautiful views of the valley. After lunch, we will visit the breathtaking Meteora valley, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and one of its famous monasteries. We will conclude the day with dinner in Kalambaka.

Today, we will travel south through the Thessaly region, taking in the wonderful landscapes along the way. We will arrive in Delphi, where we will visit the beautiful archaeological complex that overlooks the Gulf of Corinth. After lunch, we will visit the Osios Loukas Monastery, one of the most beautiful Byzantine monasteries in Greece and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. We will then continue our journey towards Athens, arriving in the evening.

Today, we will embark on a special journey to the Greek islands. We will depart early in the morning to catch the ferry to Aegina, an island inhabited for more than 4,000 years. After exploring Aegina, we will take the ferry to Poros, a charming island full of tourist life. After lunch, we will travel to Galatas, a small harbor in the Peloponnese, and then to Epidaurus, where we will visit its ancient theater. We will end the day in Nauplia, a charming coastal city dominated by the citadel and the Venetian fortress.

We will travel across the mountains of the Peloponnese hinterland to Tripoli, the lively capital of the Arcadia region. After some free time in Tripoli, we will continue to Olympia, where we will visit the archaeological site, the birthplace of the Olympic Games. We will then proceed to Patras, the third-largest city in Greece, known for its port, medieval fortress, and the largest cathedral in Greece.

After breakfast, we will cross the Rio-Antirrio bridge to the Greek mainland and travel through the Central Greece regions and the Epyrus. We will stop in Igoumenitsa, a coastal city, before taking the ferry across the Ionian Sea to Italy. We will arrive in Brindisi by the end of the day.

Today, we will visit two spectacular and authentic Italian towns. First, we will explore Alberobello, a charming town famous for its unique conical-shaped houses known as 'trulli'. We will then continue to Matera, known for its ancient historic center with its 'Sassi di Matera', a complex of ancient houses and buildings carved into the rock. After a walk and lunch in Matera, we will continue through Basilicata and Campania, admiring their beautiful mountain landscapes. We will arrive in Naples in the evening.

Today, we will have some free time to explore Naples before boarding a boat to the Island of Capri. You may take a boat to the Blue Grotto or the cable car to Capri city. We will then continue to Sorrento, a charming tourist town at the base of a cliff. After some free time in Sorrento, we will continue to the Gulf of Salerno, where we will stay for the night.

We will travel to the south of Italy, crossing the Cilento National Park. We will arrive in Paola, where we will visit the sanctuary of St Francis of Paola and have free time for lunch. We will then continue to Villa San Giovanni, where we will take a short ferry crossing to the island of Sicily. We will arrive in Messina, where we will have time for a stroll and to visit the cathedral before continuing to Taormina.

We will start the day in Taormina, a beautiful city at the foot of the Etna volcano. After exploring Taormina, we will continue our route towards the center of the island. We will stop in Caltagirone, a city declared a World Heritage Site for its great Baroque legacy. After lunch, we will visit the Villa Romana del Casale, a World Heritage Site known for its magnificent 4th-century mosaics. We will then continue to Palermo, arriving at the end of the day.

Today, we will have a city tour of Palermo with a local guide. We will admire the cathedral with its mix of styles, the Norman Palace, its fountains, its markets and gardens. During the visit, we will also go to Monreale, where we will visit its cathedral, a World Heritage Site known for its impressive golden mosaics. You will have free time in the afternoon to explore Palermo at your own pace.

After breakfast, our memorable 13-day tour through Greece and Italy comes to an end. We hope you enjoyed your journey and look forward to welcoming you back on your next adventure.