Escorted Italy Tour Cruise Venice to Greece Includes:
- Roundtrip Italy airfare NYC-Venice, Rome-NYC
- Submit form or Call 800-227-1577 for airfare from your city
- Airline fuel surcharges
- 16 nights First Class accommodations
- 2 nights Hotel Bucintoro, Venice. Upgrade to the Papadopoli Venice in Venice is available for Days 2-3.
- 7 nights Splendour of the Seas, Royal Caribbean International®
- 2 nights Hotel Villa Mabapa, Venice Lido
- 2 nights Grand Hotel Mediterraneo or Sheraton Hotel, Florence
- 3 nights Grand Hotel Palatino, Rome
- Italian city hotel taxes
- All transfers
- 33 meals: 16 buffet breakfasts, 6 lunches, 11 dinners
- Sightseeing per itinerary in modern air-conditioned motor coach
- Services of English-speaking tour manager (Days 11-18)
- Services of local guides in all major cities
- Entrance fees per itinerary
Special Features
- Doge’s Palace, Venice
- Wine tasting with local specialties at Tuscan countryside farm
- Michelangelo’s David, Florence
- Basilica of St. Francis, Assisi
- Evening Walking Tour of Rome
- Vatican Museum & Sistine Chapel, Rome
- Forum & Colosseum, Rome
- Dinner with Opera Singers, Rome
- Wine & mineral water with all dinners on motor coach tour
DAY 1, Wednesday – Depart the USA
Depart the USA for Italy. Your flight includes meals, drinks, and in-flight entertainment for your journey
DAY 2, Thursday – Arrive in Venice
Arrive and transfer to your hotel on your own. Balance of the day at leisure
Overnight: Venice
DAY 3, Friday – Full Day in Venice
Today is free to discover Venice on your own. Perhaps visit St. Mark’s Square or take a boat ride to the Island of Murano, known throughout the world for its fine glasswork. Be sure not to miss an opportunity to ride in a gondola on the famous canals that have made this city one of the most romantic destinations in the world
Overnight: Venice
Meals: Breakfast
DAY 4, Saturday – Embark Cruise
Enjoy the morning at leisure before transferring to the port to embark your cruise. The evening get settled in your cabin and begin exploring the many unique features of your floating hotel. The ship will sail for Bari at 5:00 pm
Overnight: Cruise
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
DAY 5, Sunday – Full Day in Bari, Italy
Arrive in Bari around 12:00pm. This seaside town on Italy’s Adriatic Coast has been inhabited since pre-Roman times. Perhaps visit the old section of the city with its twisting streets and numerous piazzas, or visit the Basilica of St. Nicholas, built in the 11th century and today houses the remains of one of the most well-known saints. Sail tonight at 8:00 pm for Corfu
Overnight: Cruise
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAY 6, Monday – Full Day in Corfu
Arrive to Corfu, Greece at 8:00 am. Known as the “Emerald Island” because of its lush greenery and breathtaking beauty, Corfu is one of the hidden treasures of the Mediterranean. The second largest of the seven Ionian Islands, Corfu has a breathtaking coastline and a lush countryside filled with olive groves, cypress, lemon and orange trees. Perhaps hike to the top of Mount Pantokrator for a panoramic view of the island’s natural beauty. Set sail at 3:00 pm
Overnight: Cruise
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAY 7, Tuesday – Full Day Mykonos
Arrive to Mykonos at 1:00 pm. Situated between Tinos and Naxos, the island is one of the most picturesque of the Cyclades archipelago and has become one of the world’s top travel destinations because of its captivating, cosmopolitan atmosphere, beautiful beaches and exciting nightlife. History buffs will not want to miss the opportunity to visit the nearby island of Delos, one of the most significant archaeological sites in the world. Continue sailing at 10:00 pm
Overnight: Cruise
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAY 8, Wednesday – Full Day in Athens
At 8:00 am arrive to Piraeus, the historical port of Athens. Enjoy a full day at leisure to explore the city on your own. At Constitution Square, perhaps catch a glimpse of the colorfully-costumed Evzone guards, outfitted in the traditional Greek style. See the Acropolis and Pantheon, walk through the impressive temples and public buildings of Ancient Agora or do some shopping in the old Plaka district. Set sail this evening at 5:00 pm
Overnight: Cruise
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAY 9, Thursday – At Sea
Enjoy a day at sea aboard the ship as you sail across the sparkling Mediterranean. Take the chance to explore the amazing amenities of your ship. Relax by the pools, take in a show at the theater or try your luck at the casino this evening
Overnight: Cruise
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAY 10, Friday – Full Day in Dubrovnik, Croatia
This morning, arrive in Dubrovnik at 7:00 am on the southern coast of Croatia. Dubrovnik is a picturesque Mediterranean city characterized by its white houses adorned with red tile roofs and surrounded by turquoise waters. The city boasts a particularly well preserved medieval section which has been declared a UNESCO World Heritage site along with the walls that enclose it. The area around the city is also known for its natural beauty including plentiful beaches, bays, cliffs and woodlands. Set sail for Venice at 1:00 pm
Overnight: Cruise
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAY 11, Saturday – Disembark, Arrive in Venice
This morning, arrive to Venice at 7:00 am. Disembark the ship and transfer to your hotel with a the balance of the day at leisure. This evening, enjoy an orientation meeting with your tour escort, followed by a welcome dinner
Overnight: Venice
Meals: Dinner
DAY 12, Sunday – Venice City Tour
Today begins with a boat ride to the Island of Murano, known throughout the world for its glass manufacturing industry. Visit St. Mark’s Square to begin a guided walking tour of romantic Venice. View the Golden Basilica of San Marco, the Bridge of Sighs and visit the Doge’s Palace, whose facade features a massive late-Gothic gate, known as the Porta della Carta. Take the remainder of the day to explore Venice on your own
Optional: Gondola Ride with Music (PM)
Overnight: Venice
Meals: Breakfast
DAY 13, Monday – Pisa Sightseeing En Route to Florence
Travel through the stunning panorama of Tuscany to Pisa. On arrival, view the famous Piazza del Miracoli with its Leaning Tower, the Baptistery, the Duomo, and the Monumental Cemetery. The four monuments of this extraordinary piazza make for a unique architectural blend of Romanesque and Gothic styles. En route to Florence, visit a local Tuscan farm in the countryside for a wine tasting with local specialties. Evening at leisure
Overnight: Florence
Meals: Breakfast
DAY 14, Tuesday – Florence City Tour
Today’s morning tour begins with a visit to the Accademia of Fine Arts, where Michelangelo’s David is housed. Walk to the Duomo, celebrated for its magnificent dome designed by Brunelleschi, and view the Baptistery’s renowned “Gates of Paradise” by Ghiberti. Continue to explore the open air art museum of Signoria Square ending at Ponte Vecchio, known as the “Old Bridge”. Enjoy the afternoon at leisure in Florence. This evening, dine in an authentic Tuscan restaurant in the countryside
(Optional Uffizi Gallery Tour PM, $65): **available for purchase Only in Italy from your tour escort. **
Florence and the fine arts are synonymous. This guided tour of the Uffizi Gallery provides insight to the history of the structure and its collections. Originally the private collection of the Medici family, the palazzo was opened to the public in 1765. Your tour highlights exceptional examples of Florentine painting with an aim to help you better understand the works of masters including Giotto, Botticelli and Leonardo da Vinci. Following the tour, enjoy a refreshment break and complimentary beverage at the museum’s cafe, which features a breathtaking view of the city. Tour participation guarantees immediate entry to the Gallery, with no lengthy waits in oftentimes two-three hour queues. **Important: Please note that the Museum has a limited maximum capacity and therefore reserves the right to restrict admission. In this case we may not be able to offer the tour. Price is based on minimum number of passengers
Overnight: Florence
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
DAY 15, Wednesday – Sun Route Via Assisi to Rome
Today travel along the famous “Sun Route” motorway to the medieval the city of Assisi, renowned for its 13th century Basilica of St. Francis and Giotto’s frescoes. Continue to your hotel in Rome
Overnight: Rome
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
DAY 16, Thursday – Vatican Museum & Sistine Chapel
Today begins with the visit to the Vatican Museums and Michelangelo’s breathtaking Sistine Chapel. Stroll through St. Peter’s Square, passing Bernini’s famous colonnade, to visit St. Peter’s Basilica, where you will view Michelangelo’s Pieta. This highly-finished marble sculpture depicts the body of Jesus in the arms of Mary after the Crucifixion and is considered to be among the most compelling of all works of art in the Western world. The remainder of the day is at leisure
Optional: Piazzas of Rome (PM)
Overnight: Rome
Meals: Breakfast
DAY 17, Friday – Tour Ancient Rome
This morning, a historic tour of “ancient Rome” takes you to the Roman Forum, the political center during the Roman Republic, the triumphal Arch of Constantine, the Arch of Titus and the Colosseum, the largest amphitheater built in the Roman Empire. Afternoon at leisure. Tonight, dine in a typical Roman restaurant with wine and music, then enjoy an illuminated tour of the city
Overnight: Rome
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
DAY 18, Saturday – Depart for the USA
Transfer to the airport for your departure flight
Meals: Breakfast