Proposed Itinerary For Italy and Greece
From St. Peter’s Square to the Acropolis, history lessons abound around every corner in these two birthplaces of Western civilization.
10 days Italy & Greece
Day 1 Flight
Overnight flight to Italy • flying across the Atlantic.
Spend the night
Day 2 Rome
Arrival in Rome •
Touch down in bella Roma, the Eternal City. Here, Charlemagne was crowned by the pope in A.D. 800. After clearing customs, you are greeted by your EF Tour Director, who will remain with you throughout your stay.
Day 3 Rome
Visit to Vatican City •
Today, you will exploreVatican City, the world’s smallest country. Begin at the Vatican Museum, where elaborate galleries filled with one artistic masterpiece after another lead you directly to the Sistine Chapel.
Between 1508 and 1512, Michelangelo painted some of the world’s finest pictorial images on the chapel’s ceiling. This was his first attempt at working in fresco, which he did by standing up and craning backward from a scaffold. Next, tour St. Peter’s Basilica, erected on the site where the saint was martyred. Enter the basilica under the watchful eyes of the brightly dressed Swiss Guard. Inside, admire Michelangelo’s Pietà, the only sculpture he ever signed.
Guided sightseeing of Rome • Get to know Imperial Rome on a panoramic tour. Then spend time exploring the mighty Colosseum, Rome’s largest amphitheater. Its elaborate construction spanned two emperors—building began between A.D. 70 and 72 under Vespasian and was completed in A.D. 80 under Titus. Originally built to accommodate nearly 50,000 spectators, the Colosseum played host
to some of the most incredible spectacles of the day, including gladiatorial combat, mock sea battles, animal hunts, executions and even dramatic performances based on classical mythology. Later, pass by the Forum Romanum, once the heart of the Roman Empire.
Walking tour of Rome • As part of your walking tour of Rome, stop at the Trevi Fountain and make sure to toss in a coin to ensure your return to Rome.
Then view the Pantheon, one of the best-preserved ancient buildings in the city, commissioned by the Emperor Hadrian around A.D. 120. This temple to “all the gods” features the second-widest dome in Rome.
Then, during free time, continue to the Piazza Navona before meeting at the Spanish Steps prior to dinner.
Day 4 Florence • Rome
Optional excursion to Florence •Watch the Tuscan landscape pass by as you travel by coach on this full-day optional excursion to Florence, birthplace of the Italian language, the Renaissance and opera. Your day includes a guided walking tour of Florence followed by a leather-making demonstration. Begin your tour in Piazza della Signoria where Michelangelo’s David originally stood: today, an
impressive replica stands in its place. Walk across the Ponte Vecchio, one of the city’s few bridges to survive WWII. Then visit the Santa Maria del Fiore Cathedral, better known as the Duomo, that dominates Florence’s skyline. The dome was sculptor and architect Brunelleschi’s finest work, and the nearby campanile (bell tower) was designed by the painter Giotto. Look for the famous bronzed doors—Ghiberti’s legendary Gates of Paradise – at the Baptistery ooposite the Duomo. Then enjoy free time before returning to Rome.
Day 5 Rome • Sorrento
Transfer to Sorrento • Experience the unparalleled beauty of Italy’s favorite resort, which overlooks the Bay of Naples.
Guided sightseeing of Capri • Cross the Bay of Naples to the captivating Isle of Capri. Travel by funicular to the town of Capri and board a cruise to catch the most spectacular views of Capri’s coast. See the Arco Naturale, a majestic stone arch on the eastern cliffs, and the famous Faraglioni, three enormous, pa
le-ochre limestone colossi that loom out of the sea.
When weather conditions do not permit a cruise, groups will visit the town of Anacapri instead.
Day 6 Sorrento • Night Ferry
Guided sightseeing of Pompeii • Learn how wealthy Romans lived 2,000 years ago on an excursion to Pompeii, one of the richest archaeological sites in the world.
When neighboring Mount Vesuvius erupted in A.D. 79, volcanic ash completely buried the Roman resort, perfectly preserving the minutiae of daily life. Now it is fully excavated, and you can see ruins of villas, ancient temples and the Stabian Baths.
Night ferry to Greece • Board a night ferry in Brindisi or Bari. Enjoy cabin accommodations as you sail across the Ionian Sea to Greece.
Day 7 Patras • Delphi
Arrival in Patras • Disembark in Patras. Capital of the Peloponnese, Patras serves as a hub for ships traveling among the Greek islands and the ports of Italy.
Transfer to Delphi • Journey through vineyards and orchards to Delphi, home of the mystical Oracle.
Day 8 Delphi • Athens
Guided sightseeing of Delphi • As you tour Delphi, ponder the mysteries of what lies in your future, as did Greece’s ancient military leaders, who left gifts for the Oracle in hopes of good fortune in battle. Then visit the Temple of Apollo where, according to legend, the god communicated with mortals. Your visit concludes with a stop at the Delphi Museum, whose collection boasts many artifacts dating back to 550 B.C., reminiscent of the mythical past of ancient Greece.
Arrival in Athens • Arrive in Athens, Cradle of Democracy and birthplace of Western civilization.
Day 9 Athens
Guided sightseeing of Athens • An expert local guide introduces you to the antiquities of Athens. Climb the Acropolis to view the majestic Parthenon, perhaps the world’s greatest architectural feat. See the Temple of Athena Nike, which once housed a gold statue of the goddess (her wings were clipped to keep her from ever deserting the city). Athens is named after Athena, the goddess of war and wisdom. After seeing the Presidential Guard in their traditional costumes, pass the stadium, where the first modern Olympics were held in 1896, as well as lively Omonia and Syntagma squares. 
During free time you may have later, use your ticket from this morning’s sightseeing to explore other sights in Athens. Visit the Agora, ancient Athens’ political, economic and commercial center, which holds the remains of the Temple of Hephaistos, begun in 449 B.C. You might also visit the Athenian Cemetery, a who’s who of Ancient Athens. It contains impressive family tombs, where statesmen, warriors and authors were laid to rest.
Walking tour of Athens • Get acquainted with the endearing Plaka district. Stroll past Hadrian’s Arch and the Temple of Olympian Zeus, built to honor the most powerful of all Greek gods—construction began in 515 B.C.
Optional Greek Evening • Tonight, opt to experience Greek culture during an evening of festive entertainment and cuisine. Witness the fancy footwork of traditional Greek dancing accompanied by musicians playing on bouzoukis, stringed instruments unique to Greece. Music and dancing have long played a central role in Greek culture with over 4,000 dances from all regions of the country. Experience firsthand this thrilling element of Greek culture!
Day 10 Home
Return home • Your tour director assists with the transfer to the airport, where you’ll check in for your return flight home.
Italy • Greece
Program Fee includes:
■Round-trip airfare
■7 overnight stays in hotels with private bathrooms plus one night ferry accomodations
■European breakfast and dinner daily
■Full time EF tour director
■6 sightseeing tours led by licensed local guides: Vatican city – Rome – Capri – Pompeii – Delphi – Athens
■2 walking tours – Rome – Athens
■8 visits to special attractions: Sistine chapel – St. Peter’s Basilica – Colosseum – Capri Island Cruise – Roman Ruins at Pompeii – Delphi site – Delphi Museim – Acropolis
For complete financial and registration details, please refer to the following site;
Group Leader: Tracy Laverty
Tour number: 576123
Hi there, anyway, thanks for the info!