Italy & Greece with Iconic Aegean Islands Cruise

16 days
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Group Tour
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,...
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Overview

Trip type
Group Tour
Lodging level
Standard - 3 star
Physical level
Very Easy

What's this trip about?

    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!

Details

Itinerary focusClassic Highlights
Group sizeStandard Group - 25 + people
Age range6 years and up
Flights and transportN/A
Start City VENICE AREA, ITALY
End CityATHENS

Travel Themes

  • 50 plus
  • Cultural

Destinations

  • Europe
  • Greece
  • Italy
  • Turkey

Attractions

  • Athens
  • Crete
  • Delphi
  • Ephesus
  • Florence
  • Heraklion
  • Kusadasi
  • Mycenae
  • Mykonos
  • Olympia
  • Pisa
  • Rome
  • Santorini
  • Venice
  • Verona

Activities

  • Culture

Itinerary

Day 1: ARRIVE IN VENICE AREA, ITALY

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. (Dinner)

Day 2: VENICE

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 glassblo...

Day 3: VENICE AREA–VERONA–MONTECATINI

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. Overnight in the Tuscan spa town of Montecatini Today’s Distance: 224 mi/ 360 km (Breakfast)

Day 4: MONTECATINI–FLORENCE–MONTECATINI

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 mast...

Day 5: MONTECATINI–PISA–ROME

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 see the Square of Miracles and the amazing Leaning Tower, then on to Rome. Today’s Distance: 255 mi/ 410 km (Breakfast)

Day 6: ROME

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 C...

Day 7: ROME–ATHENS, GREECE

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. (Breakfast)

Day 8: ATHENS–MYCENAE–NAUPLIA

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 the Mycenae archaeological site for a visit with a Local ...

Day 9: NAUPLIA–OLYMPIA

Drive south through the Peloponnese to Olympia. Take advantage of some time at leisure or make the most of the day by joining the optional tour of the ancient Olympia site, featuring the ruins of the Temple of Zeus. Today’s Distance: 118 mi/ 190 km (Breakfast)

Day 10: OLYMPIA–DELPHI

Cross the Rion-Antirion bridge and skirt the Gulf or Corinth to then turn inland to Delphi. The ancient Greeks considered Delphi the centre of the world, marked by the stone monument known as the Omphalos (navel) of Delphi. An optional site visit with a Local Guide will explain about the oracle and much more. Today’s distance: 150 mi/ 240 km (Breakfast,Dinner)

Day 11: DELPHI–ATHENS

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, or join an optional traditional Greek dinner. (Breakfast)

Day 12: ATHENS–EMBARKATION PORT–MYKONOS

Board your Celestyal cruise ship. Cruise the Aegean Sea to Mykonos, with its white houses, chapels, and windmills. Late-evening departure for Kusadasi, Turkey. (Breakfast,Lunch,Dinner)

Day 13: KUSADASI, TURKEY–PATMOS, GREECE

Two ports of call today. First, Kusadasi on the Turkish coast. An included excursion is available to the fascinating Greek, Roman, and Byzantine excavations of Ephesus. Next, discover the tiny Greek island of Patmos, where St. John the Divine wrote the Book of Revelation. The 11th-century monastery with its valuable manuscript collection is well worth a visit. (Breakfast,Lunch,Dinner)

Day 14: HERAKLION–SANTORINI

The first port of call today is Heraklion on Crete. Join the included excursion to Knossos, the hub of the 3000-BC Minoan civilization. Afternoon call (weather permitting) at Santorini, the “Black Pearl of the Aegean.” An optional shore excursion takes you up to the cliff-top village of Oia for one of the world’s most breathtaking panoramas. (Breakfast,Lunch,Dinner)

Day 15: DISEMBARKATION PORT–ATHENS

Early morning arrival. Drive to Athens and relax, visit a museum, or go shopping. (Breakfast)

Day 16: ATHENS

Your vacation ends with breakfast this morning. (Breakfast)

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Dates & Availability

Price From $4,028
Price per day$252
Last Updated: 8/3/2024
Departure Date
Finish Date
Base Price
Availability
24 Mar 2025
08 Apr 2025
$4,028
31 Mar 2025
15 Apr 2025
$4,108
28 Apr 2025
13 May 2025
$4,268
05 May 2025
20 May 2025
$4,288
12 May 2025
27 May 2025
$4,288
19 May 2025
03 Jun 2025
$4,288
26 May 2025
10 Jun 2025
$4,288
02 Jun 2025
17 Jun 2025
$4,268
09 Jun 2025
24 Jun 2025
$4,328
23 Jun 2025
08 Jul 2025
$4,268

Check Current Availability, prices, specials with Cosmos.

The total tour cost includes the tour price (regular or promotional) and the compulsory local payment. The promotional price is subject to change. Check directly with the operator for the latest price offer. The tour operator requires you to pay only the tour price to purchase your travel. The compulsory local payment will be paid when you join the trip. All prices are based on double, twin or triple share occupancy. Solo passengers will be accommodated in a double, twin or triple room according to availability with a passenger(s) of the same gender. Single supplement only needs to be paid if the passenger does not want to share and requests their own room. Discounts can only be applied at the time of booking and cannot be added at a later date, regardless of any changes made to the original booking.

Prices may vary due to local taxes and trip seasonality. Click "Request Info" to inquire directly with the tour operator for the final trip price.

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Jun 2023

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We've taken over 10 group tours using Cosmos and Gate1. This trip last month, 9000 was not very good. -During booking, incorrect information was given about airport-...

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Happy Traveler from US

Jun 2020

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Excellent Experience and Excellent Guide

I would highly recommend this company and some trips to Scandinavia and Baltic. The countries are amazing, the service and our guide Ausra Paukste was really the bes...

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Tangobeauty

Sep 2018

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Great Cosmos Value

I am a budget solo female traveler. I have traveled with COSMOS for about 20 years in the past, all over Europe, Switzerland, Turkey, etc. The best thing is that I n...

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Tour Operator

Cosmos

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Since inventing the budget vacation over 50 years ago, Cosmos has offered savvy, value-minded travelers the most affordable travel packages to the world's most captivating places - from the City of Brotherly Love to the City of Light…from the Great White North to northern Africa…from tropical Hawaii to sub-tropical Lugano, Switzerland…from the rainforests of Brazil to the Lost "City of the Incas." Our incredible value helps travel buffs travel more often.

We understand that you want to get out and experience the world. And that you'd rather spend another day in London than have a chocolate on your pillow. That's why Cosmos vacation packages include comfortable, clean, and attractive pre-selected hotels; guided city sightseeing; a dynamic assortment of transportation…to make getting there half the fun; and many meals. Our clout with suppliers is concentrated…and we pass the savings on to you.

With Cosmos, you'll enjoy the benefits, security, and convenience of escorted travel, an expert Tour Director, a greater choice of activities and excursions, and longer stays in key cities so that you can truly immerse yourself in the local culture.

You can also personalize your getaway, thanks to well-designed itineraries that feature the must-see sites as well as significant free time to explore your destination the way you want.

What they’re known for
Value vacations for savvy travelers willing to cut back on the extras in exchange for more activities and time spent at bucket list destinations.

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Logistics

Accommodation

Poppi

Terme Pellegrini

American Palace Eur

Acropolis Select

Rex

Olympia Palace

V Hotel Delphi

Transportation & Flights

Participation in this tour requires a purchase of additional local flights. ,
Travel Insurance
We strongly recommend purchasing travel insurance alongside your travel package to safeguard against unforeseen circumstances such as medical expenses, trip cancellations, and other contingencies. It offers you peace of mind and ensures you are prepared for unexpected events that may occur before or during your journey
Visa requirements
Visa requirements vary depending on your country of origin and your country of destination. It is your responsibility to familiarize yourself with the relevant requirements. For a handy tool that can help you quickly find the requirements, please visit this link .
Age Requirements
6 years and up
Additional Information
Trip ID
COSMOS-6335

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