Italy and Greece are steeped in history with a treasure trove of ancient sites and scenic beauty. On this affordable Italy and Greece tour, you’ll see the exceptional features these countries have to offer, starting in Venice and ending in Athens. In Italy, you’ll stay in the Venice area, Rome, and Florence; in Greece, you’ll stay in Delphi, Olympia, Nauplia, and Athens. Your flight from Rome to Athens is included in your package. In Venice, take a boat ride to St. Mark’s Square and watch glassblowers create works of art as they have done for centuries – or discover the lagoon at your own pace. Enjoy must-see sights, including Piazza Signoria, in the middle of Florence; see the Roman arena in Verona, and Pisa’s famous Leaning Tower…Visit Rome with a local guide who brings ancient Imperial Rome back to life. Step back in time on your visit to Athens’ Acropolis and the Parthenon, dating back to the 5th century BC, and the most accurate indication of the influence and wealth of Athens at its greatest peak. You’ll also visit Mycenae, dating back to 1350 BC, where you’ll marvel at the arches, fountains, ramparts, and amazing masonry still standing, and Delphi, known in antiquity as the “navel of the earth”. All these elements come together perfectly to create a value-minded Italy and Greece tour like no other! Spend the last few days of your affordable tour of Italy and Greece in sheer relaxation aboard your cruise ship for a 3-night cruise to some of the world’s most beautiful islands. You’ll see Mykonos, with its seafront village, sandy beaches, and whitewashed houses; Heraklion in Crete, nestled picturesquely between two mountain ranges; Santorini (weather permitting), with one of the world's most breathtaking panoramas; Patmos, where St. John the Divine wrote the Book of Revelation; and Kusadasi in Turkey, where you’ll enjoy an included visit of the Ephesus archaeological site. All these elements come together perfectly to create a value-minded Italy and Greece tour with a cruise like no other!
The world is within reach with everything you need for perfectly affordable touring. Cosmos includes hand-selected accommodations, guided sightseeing, intra-vacation flights from Rome to Athens and seamless transportation between destinations—with value-minded travel lovers in mind. Explore with expert Cosmos Tour Directors, Cruise Hosts and Local Guides, complimentary headsets, and private, first-class, air-conditioned motorcoach with free Wi-Fi, and Celestyal Discovery cruise ship. Enhance your free time to explore like a local with your CosmosGO mobile app! Your Tour Includes: • Boat ride in Venice and a glass-blowing workshop• Stop in Verona, a city famed for its timeless romance• Guided sightseeing in Florence, the heart of Renaissance art and culture• Scenic small-train trip to Pisa’s Piazza dei Miracoli, home to the legendary Leaning Tower• Guided sightseeing in Rome, featuring the iconic St. Peter’s Square• Guided sightseeing in Athens, featuring the breathtaking Acropolis• Guided inside visit of the renowned archaeological site of Mycenae• Stop in Delphi, once revered by ancient Greeks as the center of the world• Flight Rome-Athens• 3-night Aegean Islands cruise with Turkey features excursions to Kusadasi and to Heraklion on the island of Crete and stops to the island of Patmos and Santorini (weather permitting)