Italy & Greece Highlights & 3-day Aegean Cruise (Outside Cabin) 2009
Day 1 - - Depart USA Overnight flight to Rome.
Day 2 - Arrive Rome (2 nights) Welcome to Rome, the capital of Italy, and the Eternal City! After check-in time to relax before meeting your Tour Director this afternoon for a Welcome Drink with your fellow travellers. Tonight, why not join in with the Romans on their evening 'passeggiata'"
Day 3 - Rome sightseeing & at leisure Our morning guided sightseeing tour, using the audio system, includes a visit of the Sistine Chapel and St. Peter's Basilica in the Vatican City. Then we cross the Tiber for views of the Forum and the Circus Maximus, scene of chariot races in the past, plus a visit to the mighty Colosseum. This evening, why not enjoy a concert of Italian music over dinner" (Buffet breakfast)
Day 4 - Rome — Pompeii — Bay of Naples (2 nights) We drive south today into the Lazio and past the Abbey of Monte Cassino, scene of fierce fighting during the Second World War, into the fertile land of the Campania. Here we visit the excavations of the town of Pompeii on our guided walking tour using our audio system. When the town was engulfed by the eruption of Vesuvius in AD 79 — it was literally petrified into the incredible testimony of Roman life it affords us today. Soon we arrive at our hotel in the Bay of Naples — in the shadow of the now dormant volcano. Tonight we enjoy a delicious home cooked dinner in a family run restaurant, perched high above the Bay of Naples and surrounded by the lemon groves. (Buffet breakfast / 'Be my guest' Dinner)
Day 5 - Bay of Naples — Sorrento - Excursion to Capri We drive to Sorrento for an orientation of the resort and visit to the inlaid wood workshop to see how some of the local crafts are produced. Then to the port of Sorrento to embark on our cruise to the Isle of Capri. We ascend by funicular through lemon trees and olive groves to the Piazzetta in Capri town where we will enjoy a walking tour using our effective audio system, which will take us to admire breathtaking views over the Faraglioni rocks. We return across the Bay of Naples to our hotel for dinner tonight. (Buffet breakfast / Dinner)
Day 6 - Bay of Naples — Brindisi — At Sea Today our journey takes us past Salerno and Potenza to continue east to the port of Brindisi. Here we board our overnight ferry for Patras in Greece and tomorrow our Tour Director will reveal a Hidden Treasure to us all! (Buffet breakfast)
Day 7 - At Sea — Patras — Olympia We cross the Ionian Sea, arriving in the Greek port of Patras in the morning. Then we join our coach for the journey to Olympia where we will visit the world's oldest Olympic Stadium, where the first Olympic games took place in 776 BC, plus the Temples of Zeus and Hera to explore this archeological site. Tonight we will "join the Gods" for dinner. (Buffet breakfast / Dinner)
Day 8 - Olympia — Delphi Today we make our way back to Patras and then enjoy a pretty drive to Delphi where, as part of our guided walking tour, we consult the famous Oracle and predict the future! Then we walk the Sacred Way to the Sanctuary of Apollo and visit this ancient archeological site. We continue to our hotel for dinner and overnight stay (Buffet breakfast / Dinner)
Day 9 - Delphi — Athens (2 nights) This morning after breakfast, we continue our journey past Thebes, birthplace of Oedipus, and on to Athens for our three-night stay. On arrival, our sightseeing tour includes a walking tour of the Acropolis and Parthenon. We also see the Agora where Socrates taught, plus the Royal Palace, Temple of Zeus and Hadrian's Arch, before heading to the stadium built for the first modern Olympic Games which were held in 1896. (Buffet breakfast)
Day 10 - Athens at leisure The day is yours to enjoy and tonight we get together with our Tour Director and our travelling companions for a special Farewell Dinner. (Buffet breakfast / Farewell Dinner)
Day 11 - Athens — Piraeus — Mykonos Free time today to explore the city further. Next we will transfer to Piraeus. Here we board our ship and sail to Mykonos. Enjoy a few hours at leisure on this cosmopolitan island before continuing our cruise. (Lunch / Dinner)
Day 12 - Rhodes Morning arrival at beautiful Rhodes. There's time to take an excursion to the old town or Lindos. (Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner)
Day 13 - Patmos — Kusadasi An early morning arrival at Patmos. Time to take an excursion to the Byzantine Fortress and Monastery before we continue our cruise to Turkish Kusadasi. A visit to the incredible ruins of Ephesus is a must.(Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner)
Day 14 - Disembarkation — Athens An early morning arrival at Piraeus port. We transfer to our hotel in Athens. Time to relax or maybe do some souvenir shopping. (Breakfast)
Day 15 - Depart Athens Farewell as we transfer you to the airport. (Breakfast)
Free airport transfers: Transfers on Day 1 at Rome Fiumicino Airport will operate at 09.30, 12.30, 15.30 and 18.45. Passengers arriving later should make their own way to the first hotel. Return transfers on the last touring day to Athens Airport will be provided on scheduled departure dates.
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