Highlights of Italy & Greece: Rome, Florence, Cinque Terre, Athens, Naxos & Santorini
Experience the best of Italy and Greece in 15 days! Explore Rome, Florence, Cinque Terre, Athens, Naxos, and Santorini with private tours, luxury accommodations, and skip-the-line access to top attractions!
Are you having a difficult time choosing between Italy and Greece for your next European vacation? With our 15 day Highlights of Italy & Greece tour, you can do both! Experience the imperial majesty of Rome, discover the magnificent treasures of Florence, and marvel at the stunning beauty of the Cinque Terre region during your time in Italy. Then in Greece, dive into the legendary backstory of Athens, enjoy the picturesque charm of Naxos, and revel in the unique splendor of Santorini.
Rome
Your trip begins in Rome, where our driver will meet you at the airport and transport you to your hotel in the heart of the city.
You’ll have plenty of time to rest up during your first night because the next day, you will take a premium tour of the Colosseum!
Skip the lines, join a smaller and more intimate group for your tour, and carpe diem (or seize the day in Latin) with this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to relive the greatest moments of the Roman Empire at the Colosseum, the Roman Forum, and Palatine Hill.
For your third day in Italy, we will send you on the ultimate tour of Vatican City. You will be paired with an expert licensed guide, and you will again have the privilege of skipping the lines when entering the Vatican Museums and St. Peter’s Basilica.
On this tour, you will see everything from Michaelangelo’s world-famous frescoes at the Sistine Chapel to Bernini’s altar at St. Peter’s Basilica, plus you will find amazing ancient artworks like the Apollo Belvedere and Laocoön and His Sons at the Vatican Museums, and you’ll have a few special surprises along the way.
Florence
On day 4, you will be leaving Rome, but we promise more great experiences ahead in Florence. In the morning, you will take the train to Florence. Then we will take care of your transportation to the hotel.
You will have the evening to yourself: Enjoy a lively night on the town, or take it easy and rest up for your upcoming adventures in town.
The following morning, you will embark on a comprehensive VIP walking tour of Florence. This includes an expedited entry into the Duomo, where you will learn more about the remarkable story of real-life Renaissance man Filippo Brunelleschi and how he designed and led the construction of one of the world’s largest domed cathedrals.
You will also get a full tour of the Galleria dell’Accademia where you will find Michaelangelo’s David and unfinished Slaves sculptures alongside additional impressive Renaissance-era works of art.
In addition, this tour will take you to many more of Florence’s best attractions, including the Piazza della Signoria, the Palazzo Vecchio, the Leather Market, and the Ponte Vecchio bridge.
Day 6 will be a full free day, so feel free to revisit your favorite places from the prior day or take this time to discover more of Florence before it’s time to hit the road again.
Cinque Terre
On the seventh day, we will arrange an easy and comfortable private car transfer so you can enjoy the ride from Florence to Italy’s own “Fab Five” towns of the Cinque Terre.
Nestled in Italy’s ruggedly scenic northwestern coast, the Cinque Terre consists of five historic towns and a national park, an official UNESCO World Heritage Site.
You will have a fabulous hotel waiting for you here, and we will give you the evening to enjoy a quiet dinner at the hotel or, perhaps, an exciting night out to get a head start on your amazing adventures in this region.
The next day is yours to do as you please. Spend the day exploring Cinque Terre’s magnificent beaches, take a hike at the national park’s wondrous cliffside trails, or take your time wandering through the lovely villages of Monterosso, Vernazza, Corniglia, Manarola, and Riomaggiore.
However you decide to spend your free day, you may want to get some rest during your final night here because you will soon be heading to Greece!
Athens
On day 9, we will provide your own private car transfer to the airport, where you will fly to Greece. Upon arriving in Athens, we will transport you to your hotel and leave it up to you to decide how you will celebrate your first night in our beloved country.
The next day, we will take you on our very own signature Mythology Tour of the Acropolis! During this private tour, you will learn more about the illustrious stories of ancient Greek mythology while seeing for yourself the Acropolis rock, the Theater of Dionysus, the Erechtheion (or cult temple of Athena), and the very site where ancient Athenians believed the battle of Athena and Poseidon occurred.
This tour will also include a visit to the Acropolis Museum, where you can view many more ancient Greek artifacts and where you can learn more of the real history behind the mythology.
Naxos
On day 11, we will handle all of your transportation, and you can enjoy a carefree morning before you fly from Athens to the island of Naxos.
According to Greek mythology, Zeus was raised in a cave on Mt. Zas as a god-child, and it’s easy to sense divine inspiration all across this enchanted isle.
We will arrange a private transfer from the airport to your hotel; then you can relax and enjoy a pleasant evening on this special island.
The following day, you will embark on our private tour of the best highlights of Naxos. This VIP tour will include a visit to the site of the unfinished archaic statue of Apollo, a walking tour at the beautiful “marble village” of Apeiranthos, a private wine and cheese tasting showcasing Naxos’ most delectable local creations, and a first-hand look at the kitron (which is a local citron liqueur) distillery in the village of Chalki!
Santorini
Though this trip will be nearing its conclusion, you’ll still have one more incredible destination to experience: Santorini!
On the morning of the 13th day, you will check out of your hotel in Naxos, and we will provide the ultimate ferry ride where you can take in some fantastic Aegean scenery en route to Santorini.
Upon your arrival on this island, we will arrange a private transfer to your hotel here.
For day 14, we will bring you along for our special full-day Highlights of Santorini tour! This private tour includes luxury transportation across the island.
You will stop at Prehistoric Thera, where you will discover the archaeological site full of incredible Minoan-era ruins and the history behind the myth of the Lost City of Atlantis.
You will learn even more about the Minoan civilization in the town of Akrotiri and at the Prehistoric Museum of Santorini, plus you will enjoy some of the island’s finest natural wonders, including the iconic Red Beach and the marvelous Blue Dome.
This tour will also include a fine 4-course lunch paired with Santorini’s four most distinctive wines!
For your final day, let us take care of your final transfer to the airport, and we will ensure you have plenty of time to catch your flight(s) back home. We hope you will have made plenty of great memories during this trip, and we’d love to tour with you again in the future!
- Retracing the steps of Roman emperors and gladiators at the Colosseum, then walking through the hallowed grounds of the Vatican’s top monuments
- Taking in the grandeur of the incredible art that can only be found in Florence
- Uncovering the amazing backstories behind the great ancient mythology of Athens
- Living the Mediterranean dream on the glorious Greek islands of Naxos and Santorini
These are our top accommodation options for this trip. We only feature particular hand-picked hotels, which our team has carefully inspected. These hotels have received great feedback from our previous guests.
Experience true romance in an idyllic setting surrounded by modern-day luxuries in the couples-only Naxian on the Beach Hotel.
Indulge in the ultimate Roman experience by choosing NH Collection Roma Fori Imperiali, where timeless luxury and prime location meet to create unforgettable memories.
Discover true luxury and timeless elegance at Palazzo Castri 1874 - an exquisite haven where every moment is a masterpiece.
Starting from EUR 770 per person for a family of 4
- Boutique 4-5* accommodation
- All private tours, as described in the itinerary
- All private transfers with luxury vehicles
- All domestic and international flights/trains/ferries
- Skip the line entrance fees at all sites
- Services of excellent licensed guides and professional drivers
- All taxes and VAT
- Meals unless mentioned in the itinerary
- Personal travel insurance
BOOK NOW
We believe in a certain way of traveling. And this does not include big bus tour groups, nor large chain hotels or just crossing destinations off your list.
- immerse yourself in the culture and the landscape of your destination
- take a moment to appreciate your surroundings and not hop from one destination to another
- exploit your limited time with the help of a knowledgeable guide who will open your eyes about what you see and give you a real perspective of living in this country
- trust an experienced, local travel specialist with whom you will design a trip tailored to your needs, avoiding endless research and first-timer mistakes
And this is what we strive to do. Either you join one of our small-group tours or design a private trip just for you, we are here to help you experience Greece in a meaningful, authentic way.
