TODAY’S HIGHLIGHTS: Arrival. Transfer to the hotel.

Reception. Transfer to hotel and free time. You will receive information about the start of the circuit during the afternoon, or you can check the informative panels in the hotel reception area.


IMPORTANT - IF YOU REQUESTED ADDITIONAL NIGHTS on arrival at the hotel you will have your booking made but the guide of your trip will normally not arrive until the start of the included activities. YOUR TIME BEFORE THIS MOMENT IS THEREFORE FREE. At your hotel they can help you with all the information you need.


NB: The schedules you will find in this itinerary are approximate. The guide, depending on the situation and in order to improve the development of the circuit, may adjust the schedules.

Athens.-

TODAY´S HIGHLIGHTS: City tour in Athens.


We will enjoy a panoramic tour of the city 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 end at the Acropolis site (entry not included).


In the evening we include a transfer to the area of PLAKA, a place full of small Greek taverns where you can also enjoy this country´s folklore.

Athens - Corinth - Mycenae- Tripoli - Olympia.-

Total distance: 310 km

Countryside: Very pretty scenery with the sea in the background. Mountains of the interior of the Peloponnese.
NB: We suggest comfortable footwear to see the archaeological complexes. It is also recommendable to take sun protection and a bottle of water in the hotter months.


09.00 hrs - Athens -departure.
10:30 hrs Corinth Canal - A short stop to photograph this millenary work.
11.00 hrs - Acrocorinth. Entrance included to this immense mediaeval fortress alongside the ancient city of Corinth. At the top of the settlement of what was one of the largest Acropolis of ancient Greece are the foundations of what was formerly a temple to Aphrodite.


12.00 hrs - Acrocorinth. Departure.
13.00 hrs Mycenae. - Arrival to the colossal eighteenth century BC citadel, the cradle of the first European civilisation (tickets included). Time to visit and for lunch


15:30 hrs -Mycenae. Departure.
16:30 hrs Tripoli. A stop to stroll in the provincial capital of this region that produces excellent wines.


17:30 hrs Tripoli. Departure.
19:30 hrs Olympia – Arrival, accommodation and dinner included.

Olympia - Patras.- boarding.

Total distance: 105 km.

Note: This evening involves an overnight journey. We recommend that you pack a small travel bag containing the items that you will need for the night. The suitcases will remain in the luggage compartment of the coach. Please have your passport in hand as it is often requested for embarkation.


Visit the archaeological site of Olympia which was the cradle of the Olympic Games in ancient times in the company of a local guide (entry ticket included). After the visit you have some free time; if you wish you can visit the museum on your own.


11.00 hrs- Leaving Olimpia, we continue along the route to Patras.
13.15hrs- Patras. Arrival to the third largest city in Greece. We visit the Cathedral of Patras, the largest in Greece, dedicated to the first apostle, Andrew. This Orthodox basilica is a place of Christian Pilgrimage as it contains the relics of St. Andrew the Apostle. There is time to wander through its lively centre, full of commercial activity and have lunch before boarding our ferry.


17.30 (time may change) we board a very modern ferry, much more like a cruiser. The ship sails along the Greek coast, passing the islands of Ithaca and Kefalonia and making a stop at Igoumenitsa. Accommodation in double cabins with bathroom. Remember, breakfast is not included during the trip.


Note: Occasionally, due to weather conditions, vessel inspection or schedule changes, strikes, fully booked ferry or other reasons, we are forced to take a different vessel from Igoumenitsa or even make the journey to Rome by plane.


Note: from July 1st to September 9th the ferry departure time from Patras will be at 14.30hrs, the itinerary being modified as follows: 07.30hrs departure from the hotel in Olympia. 08.00hrs visit of the archaeological site. 10.30hrs departure from Olympia and pass through Patras to go to the port to board our ferry departing at 14.30hrs. On Sunday, arrival in Ancona at 11.00hrs- 12.00/14.00hrs stop in Loreto for a walk and lunch. 16.00/18.00hrs- Additional stop in Assisi. Arrival in Rome at 20.30hrs.

Ancona- Loreto - Rome.

Total distance covered: 330 km.

Morning resting on board on our journey through the Adriatic. Arrival in Ancona scheduled at 14 hrs.


14:30 hrs- (approximately, depending on the disembarkation time. Ancona– Departure.
15.30 hrs.- Loreto- time to visit the sanctuary of the Holy House, the house of the Virgin Mary, and to tour its beautiful medieval town.


16.30 hrs.- Loreto, departure. We cross the Apennines. Beautiful mountain scenery in the Abruzzo region. We travel back to Rome.
20:15 hrs –Rome –Arrival.

Rome.

TODAY’S HIGHLIGHTS: City tour of Rome. Imperial Forums (admission price included) and Vatican City. Evening transfer to the Trastevere area.

08.30hrs- In the morning, we have a scenic tour of the city, which will be a great introduction to “The Eternal city”. We enter the tiny state of the Vatican. The Vatican City is a principal centre of Christianity in the world. You will be able to visit St. Peter’s Basilica. We continue visiting the Imperial Forums (entrance included), an impressive architectural ensemble formed by buildings and monumental squares center of the political activity of the moment.



18.30hrs- In the evening we provide a transfer to Trastevere area. A stroll in the narrow cobbled streets of the Trastevere district reveals hidden treasures to us, such as some modest mediaeval churches, small shops with the most peculiar of objects or scenes of daily life. Many trattorias (informal Italian eating establishments) and osterias (inns) imbued with the Italian spirit will be ready to serve you local dishes. Other restaurants serving Indian, Chinese and international food can be found in this area. 20.30hrs- Return to hotel.


Note: on many occasions during the low season, as well as in some specific dates of the rest of the year, instead of the entrance to the Imperial Forums, we will enter the Roman Colosseum, symbol of Rome.

Rome - Florence.-

Total distance: 320km
Scenery: Apennine Mountains and Tuscan vineyards.
Note: We recommend you wear comfortable shoes as the tour of Florence involves walking.


08:00h Rome – Departure, passing through the Tiber Valley.
12:15h Florence – Our first contact with the Renaissance city is Piazzale Michelangelo, a viewpoint with marvellous views of the city. Don’t forget to take your camera!
Walking tour with local guide, lasting two and a half hours. We visit the Duomo, Piazza della Signoria, Ponte Vechio, Straw Market, Piazza Republica, Palacio Vecchio. Free afternoon to explore and visit the city’s historical markets and museums.


The city has many restaurants that offer a wide variety of local and international food, where you can dine. Return to hotel.

Florence - Venice.-

Total distance: 310km
Scenery: we cross the Apennines and the Po Valley.


08.15h Florencia – Departure, passing through mountain scenery.
12:00 h Venice – Arrival at Tronchetto Gate where we take the boat and cross the Giudecca to the Island of Venice. Comprehensive tour with a local guide to St. Mark’s Square and the interior of St. Mark’s Basilica (admission included). Visit to the Murano Glass Factory where we will see a demonstration of how this ancient glass is made. Free afternoon.

19:00h Return to firm land and transfer to hotel. Accommodation in the Mestre district.

Venice - Innsbruck- Zurich.-

Total distance: 680km

Scenery: Breathtaking alpine scenery, lakes and snow-peaked mountains.
Note: do not forget to bring your passport, as it might be requested when crossing into Switzerland.


08.00 hrs. Venice – Departure, we will cut across the Po Valley on our way to Austria.
13.00 hrs.- Innsbruck.- time to take a stroll in its historic town centre and to have lunch.


15.30 hrs.- Innsbruck departure. We will continue our journey through the wonderful Tyrolean sceneries as we cross into Switzerland.
19.30hrs- ZURICH, – Free time in the historic city centre which sits right by the lake. There is a wide variety of local and international restaurants where you can have dinner at. Return to the hotel.

Zurich - Grindelwald - Lucerne - Zurich.-

Total distance: 280 km
TODAY´S HIGHLIGHTS: Admire the fantastic landscapes. Cable car included to Grildelwald First. Lunch included
Note: Wear warm clothing and comfortable shoes to walk, and bring your camera.
Note: Due to weather conditions (strong wind) or maintenance reasons, the cable car may not operate at certain times. If this happens, we will provide an alternative transportation to another similar place.


07.30 hrs- Zurich- departure to a spectacular stage with beautiful landscapes with high mountains and lakes.
10.00 hrs.- Grindelwald. Time to have a coffee in this mountain resort in the Bernese Alps before taking the cable car to Grindelwald First (ticket included), the largest ski center in the region. We will walk along the path (30 minutes) in which we will have the opportunity to walk on the suspended bridge over breathtaking alpine landscapes, enjoying the glaciers that surround us; Lunch included for all passengers (vegetarian option available).


13.45 hrs- Grindelwald departure. We continue to Lucerne.
15.30 hrs- Lucerne- arrival in time to explore one of the most interesting Swiss cities and see the KapellBrück, covered bridge over the river Reuss, the Town Hall and Square with its Clock Tower and its pedestrian streets and elegant shops. Time for a stroll to enjoy the city.


17.30 h. Return to Zurich.
18.30 h. -Zurich - arrival and time for a walk in the city before boing to the hotel.


Note: The guide will offer you the possibility of a full day optional visit, leaving in the morning and, after some free time to discover Lucerne, we take a rotating cable car to reach the top of Mount Titlis. At the alpine summit, at over 3000m above sea level, you will enjoy breathtaking views of the glacier and the Alps.

After breakfast, end of our services.

Note: Remember that 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.