Epicurean Expedition: Florence, Bologna, Naples, Athens, Nafplio, & Kalamata

On day 4, we will take you to Florence’s train station, where you will then catch the train to the beautiful city of Bologna. After you check into your new hotel in Bologna, we will send you to a very special cooking class.

You will meet a local cook at her home, and she will teach you how to make Bolognese-style pasta. This cooking class experience will include Prosecco and additional snacks, plus you’ll even get to make and taste your own tiramisu for dessert!

For your fifth day, we will send you on the train to Modena for a wonderful day trip and a private walking tour. During this tour, you will discover the majestic Piazza Grande with its Romanesque Duomo di Modena cathedral, feast your eyes on the Baroque masterpiece that is Modena’s Ducal Palace, stop at the medieval Santa Maria della Pomposa church, and wander the food stands of the Albinelli covered markets.

You will even learn about famous local resident Enzo Ferrari, whose need for speed forever changed the course of history for luxury sports cars!

On day 6, you will have to depart Bologna, but many more delicious discoveries await you. We will pick you up at your hotel and take you to the train station, where you will catch the train and enjoy a scenic ride down to Naples. At Naples, we will transport you to your new hotel in the city.

Later that day, you will learn the many savory secrets of Naples’ most famous creation: pizza!

On this tour, you will get to speak with local pizzeria owners and chefs about the pizzas they make, and you will taste for yourself the magic of authentic Neapolitan pizza at two pizzerias.

You will also visit a fresh produce shop and a neighborhood grocery store to sample the high-quality ingredients that locals use to make their own pizzas.

The following day, you will embark on an incredible tour of Pompeii, where you will tour the ancient ruins that continue to captivate the world to this day.

With an expert archaeologist as your guide, you will visit the ancient Roman Forum, discover ancient fast-food joints, walk the main street, find some ancient local homes, and even stop at the site of Pompeii’s ancient supermarket!

Once you’re done in Pompeii, we will provide your transportation back to Naples.

On your eighth day, it’s time for you to make your way to Greece! We will pick you up at your hotel in Naples, then we will take you to the airport, where you will catch your flight to Athens. We will also arrange your transportation from Athens Airport to your new hotel in the city.

The following day, we will send you on our signature private Mythology Tour of the Acropolis. With an expert archaeologist and licensed tourist guide, you will ascend the Acropolis rock, encounter the wondrous Theater of Dionysus, experience the mystical beauty of the cult temple of Athena at the Erechtheion, and make a pilgrimage to the Parthenon that continues to symbolize Athens’ role as the birthplace of democracy.

While you’re in the neighborhood, you will also have time to explore the Acropolis Museum, which houses many more treasures of ancient Greece.

On day 10, you will be leaving Athens to experience more of Greece in the Peloponnese region!

We will provide your transportation from Athens to Nafplio, and you will get to do a special wine tasting in the ancient village of Nemea along the way. Once you arrive at Nafplio, you can check into your new hotel and get settled.

The next day, we will send you on an exhilarating tour of the ancient archaeological sites of Mycenae and Epidaurus. At Mycenae, you will discover the Lion Gate, which served as the gateway to the Bronze Age citadel that once stood here, as well as the incredible Tomb of Clytemnestra and the Treasury of Atreus.

At Epidaurus, you will head to the Sanctuary of Asclepius and the Ancient Theatre, which are so remarkable that they became a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1988. Following your day trip, we will return you to the hotel in Nafplio for the night.

For the final leg of this trip, you will head to the stunning port town of Gythio. We will pick you up in Nafplio, and then take you on a scenic drive through the Peloponnese to the enchanting Mani Peninsula.

We will drop you off at your final hotel for this trip, in the beautiful coastal village of Gythio.

The next day, we will take you to a real medieval castle! We will pick you up at your hotel and transport you to the marvelous 13th-century Castle of Androusa.

Then, you will walk inside the Byzantine-era castle, enjoy the amazing views of the nearby olive groves, and learn more about the history, tradition, and mythology of Androusa’s olive trees.

From there, you will walk to the nearby olive mill and learn how the tradition continues at this working farm.

You will also get to taste the olive oils made here at this estate, and you will even enjoy a full mezedes-style Greek lunch on site! After your tour, we will take you back to Gythio.

For your final full day in Greece, we will let you decide how you want to finish this trip.

There’s so much more to see and do in and around town, so feel free to embark on one more epic adventure in the Peloponnese. or to kick back, relax, and enjoy a “lazy day” in town.

After 15 days of fantastic experiences across Italy and Greece, it’s time to conclude this trip. We will provide one more private car transfer from Gythio to Athens Airport, where you should have plenty of time to catch your flight(s) home.

Thank you for touring Italy and Greece with us, and we’d love to tour with you again in the future!