13-Day Athens, Peninsula and Complete Sicily Tour from Athens: Patras, Brindisi, Naples, Salerno, Taormina, Agrigento, Palermo, Rome | Ticket Admission Included |

Welcome to Athens! 

Transfer to the hotel and free time. You will be provided with the information required for the beginning of the trip in the afternoon; otherwise, the information will appear on the information panels at the hotel reception area.

Note:

- Remember that hotels check-in time is usually at 14:00 hrs. If you require more hours of room availability, consider booking an additional night at the beginning of your trip.

- The schedules that you will find in this itinerary are indicative. The guide, depending on the situation and in order to improve the development of the trip, may adjust the schedules

- All the following hotels are for your reference only, you may check-in other similar hotels.

 

We will enjoy the city tour with a local guide which includes the Presidential Palace, the Panathinaikos stadium where the first modern Olympic games were held, the national library, the bustling squares of the center; the new neighborhoods that emerged after the 2004 Olympic games. The tour will finish at the Acropolis site (entry not included).

In the evening we include a transfer to the PLAKA area, which is full of small Greek bars and where you will be able to enjoy the rich folklore of this country.

Landscapes: Views over the sea. Fantastic landscapes in the Meteoras region.

08.00 hrs- Athens.- Departure. We travel to the Peloponnese region.

09.15 hrs- Corinth Channel. We make a brief stop to see this impressive work from the end of the nineteenth century to link the Isthmus of Corinth with the Aegean Sea, thus facilitating maritime transport.

09.30 hrs- Corinth Channel, departure. Once on the Peloponnese peninsula, we continue among mountains.

10.45 hrs- Tripoli. We stop in the active capital of the Arcadia region, with time for a stroll around the Areos Square area with its cafes and restaurants.

11.45 hrs- Tripoli, departure

13.45 hrs- Olympia. Time for lunch and visit the archaeological site (entrance and visit with a local guide included), the place where the first Olympic games were held in 776 B.C., with athletes from all over Greece and its colonies participating. Highlights include the Temple of Zeus, the stadium, the gymnasium and the arena. After the visit, free time; If you wish, you can visit the museum (not included).

16.45 hrs.- Olympia – departure. Mountain landscapes, some picturesque villages on our route.

18.45 hrs- Patras. Arrival in the third most populated city of Greece, a port lively city, with a remarkable medieval fortress, its cathedral is the largest church in Greece, next to it the small church of St. Andrew is a place of pilgrimage. Dinner included.

Scenery: way across Central Greece. Ferry across the Ionian Sea.

Note: Please consider taking some warm clothes with you to enjoy the crossing on the ferry's deck.

INDICATIONS: Please, do not forget your passport; you will need it when crossing the border.

It is an hour earlier in Italy: when it is 12:00h in Greece, it is 11:00h in Italy.

Note: on the way from Greece to Italy, the bus will not travel in the ferry; therefore, you will have to carry your luggage with you.

08.00h- Patras. After breakfast, we will cross over the Rio-Antirrio bridge, a spectacular cable-stayed bridge which connects the Peloponnese with the Greek continent. We travel across Central Greece and Epyrus.

11.45h- Igoumenitsa, arrival at this port city; free time for a walk.

13.30h- Transfer to the port to get on the ferry (departure time expected at 14:00h) on which we will cross the Ionian Sea to Italy. We recommend enjoying the crossing on the deck.

21.00h (local time, one hour earlier than Greece)- Brindisi- Arrival, transfer and lodging.

 

Scenery: today we will visit two spectacular and authentic towns.

Note: wear comfortable shoes, especially for Matera.

09.00 hrs. - Brindisi, departure.

10.15 hrs. – Alberobello - Time to discover this charming town famous for its unique conical-shaped houses known as "trulli". These unique structures, with their stacked stone roofs, are a World Heritage Site and are considered an outstanding example of Italian rural architecture.

11.15 hrs. - Alberobello, departure. We continue to the Basilicata region.

13:00 hrs. – Matera – We will make a stop to see this spectacular city known for its ancient historic center with its "Sassi di Matera", a complex of ancient houses and buildings carved into the rock that date back thousands of years. This town is a World Heritage Site and is one of the oldest continuously inhabited human settlements in the world. Time for a walk and lunch.

15:30 hrs. - Departure. We continue through Basilicata and Campania, admiring their beautiful mountain landscapes.

19:00 hrs. - Naples, arrival in the evening. We recommend you having a walk through this impressive city.

Scenery: Very beautiful landscapes in the Bay of Naples and Sorrento.

Notes: Part of this trip is by boat, we recommend that you bring some warm clothes during this day. Do not forget to bring your camera as the landscapes today are very beautiful. Due to weather conditions, in some cases the ships that connect Naples with Capri or Capri with Sorrento do not operate; in these cases the route would be modified arriving at Sorrento by highway and visiting Amalfi instead of Capri.

A time to stroll in Naples before taking our ferry (departure scheduled at 09:30 hrs). The boat trip to the Isle of Capri lasts about 50 minutes, with beautiful scenery.

10.40 hrs. CAPRI.- Free time for lunch on the island. Optionally you can take a boat to visit the White Grotto and cliffs or take the funicular to go up to Capri.

15.15 hrs- We take a ferry (schedules variable), this time, towards Sorrento; Beautiful scenery while arriving to Sorrento.

16.00 hrs - SORRENTO - We are in a small very picturesque and lively town, with the port located in the lower area, and the town at the base of a cliff.

18.00hrs-. Sorrento, departure.

19.45 hrs. - SALERNO. Accommodation. Would you like to take a stroll through this active southern italian city?

Note: During the winter months the schedules will be modified (leaving earlier from Naples) in order to take advantage of the sunlight.

Landscapes: Mountains, sea, villages en route.

Note: We recommend you to take warm clothes to enjoy the crossing on the ferry between the Italian Peninsula and Sicily.

07.30 hrs- Salerno. Departure. We travel to the south of ¨the boot¨. Attractive southern Italian scenery as we cross the Cilento National Park.

11.30 hrs- We arrive in PAOLA, on the shores of the Tyrrhenian Sea, we visit the sanctuary of St Francis of Paola and we have free time for lunch in its pretty historic centre.

14.00 hrs- We go on our way to VILLA SAINT GIOVANNI where at around 16.30 hrs we take a 20 minutes short ferry crossing to the island of SICILY.

17.30 hrs- Arrival in MESSINA where we will have time for a stroll in the center of this great city, our meeting with the island of Sicily.

18.30 hrs.- Messina, departure.

19.30 hrs- TAORMINA. Arrival.

Note: Accommodation in the "region of Taormina", the accommodation may sometimes be in Messina.

Note: In some cases, the lunch included the next day will be changed for the dinner in Taormina upon arrival.

Free day on your own to enjoy the very little beautiful city of TAORMINA at the foot of the Etna volcano. Taormina was defined by Churchill as the prettiest place on earth. Time to stroll around the ancient city centre full of life, its Greek theatre overlooking unforgettable scenery. You can also enjoy the beach. Lunch and dinner included.

Note: in some cases, instead of the included lunch for this day, dinner will be provided upon arrival in Taormina the previous night.

08.30 hrs- Taormina, departure. Very beautiful landscapes following the Mediterranean.

10.30 hrs.- SYRACUSE, Arrival to this city which for a time rivalled Athens and Rome for its power and splendour. In addition to its impressive archaeological site, you have time to visit its magnificent historic centre and lose yourself walking through the narrow streets. Time for lunch.

14.00 hrs- Syracuse. Departure.

14.45 hrs.- NOTO, arrival to this small city that seems to have stopped in time, the Baroque jewel of Sicily. Walk with our guide through this as yet almost undiscovered city at a touristic level that preserves a monumental heritage.

16.30 hres- Noto. Departure. Small roads in the interior part of the island.

20.00 hrs.- AGRIGENTO .- Arrival . In the coach we see the magnificent temple complex. Dinner included.

 

Today we know arechaeological sites that remind us the importance of the ancient Greece in Sicily. With a local guide we visit the Valley of the Temples, an impressive archaeological site considered the most complete complex of Greek temples (ticket not included).

11.00 hrs.- Agrigento.- Departure.

13.30 hrs- MARSALA, arrival to a historic city with a lot of atmosphere and a famous wine, and time for lunch.

15.00 hrs.- Marsala departure.- We go on around the Marsala salt marshes.

16.15 hrs.-ERICE, a very picturesque Phoenician town perched at the top of a hill and overlooking the sea. Time to stroll.

17.15 hrs.- Erice- Departure.

19.15 hrs- PALERMO. arrival and Dinner included.

Note: Don´t forget to prepare a small bag for the night cruise. The bulky luggage will remain tonight in the bus depot.

09:00 hrs. After breakfast, guided tour of Palermo including a transfer to the beautiful village (today the outskirts of the city) of Monreale, with its beautiful Arab-Norman cathedral (entrance included) a World Heritage Site for its impressive golden mosaics covering the interior. In Palermo the cathedral (entrance included) stands out with its mixture of styles and its royal tombs inside, the Norman palace (former Royal Palace), its fountains, its markets and its gardens. After the panoramic tour, which ends at the Square of the Massimo Theatre, free time for lunch and a stroll.

18.00 hrs.- Transfer to the port, we board a modern night ferry, leaving at 20.00 hrs. Night cruise through the Mediterranean, accommodation in double cabins with bathroom. Remember that breakfast is not included in the ferry. These ferries are modern with all the conforts, restaurants, bars, party room and specious lounges. Accommodation in a double cabin with private bathroom.

Note: Occasionally, due to weather conditions or changes in the schedules of the ferries operating on this route, we may have to take a different ferry than originally scheduled. These changes are usually communicated at very short notice. In such a case, services scheduled for Sunday could be affected.

Arrival at the port of Naples around 07:30 hrs. Disembarkation and departure to Pompeii, the Roman city that two thousand years ago was covered by the ashes of the volcano Vesuvius. Admission and visit with a local guide included, where we will learn about the history of this site.

11.30 a.m.- Pompeii –departure-.

12.00 hrs- Naples- arrival in one of the most fascinating cities in Italy and one of the oldest and most continuously inhabited in Europe. The old town of Naples is one of the largest in Europe and has been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Time for a stroll and lunch.

14.30 hrs- Naples, departure.

16.00 hrs.- Cassino –Arrival-. It was here that the largest battle of the Second World War in Italy took place. We´ll visit the Polish cemetery will remind us of this. Afterwards, time in the immense abbey, with its magnificent views.

17.30 hrs.- Cassino –departure-.

20.15 hrs. - Arrival in Rome.

After breakfast, end of our services.

Note: Remember that hotels check-out time is usually at 10.00 hrs. In most cases, you can leave your luggage at the hotel reception at check-out time, so you can enjoy the city and pick it up at the time you require that same day. If you need more time to use your room, please consider booking an additional night at the end of your tour.