Highlights of Italy & Greece

(16 Days - Departs Daily on a Private Basis)
Venice, Florence & Tuscany, Rome, Athens, Mykonos, Santorini

This tour includes the highlights of Italy's most famous cities—Venice, Florence, and Rome—and three of the most popular destinations in Greece—Athens, Mykonos and Santorini. Stay at beautiful hotels or resorts throughout and enjoy personalized touring with your own guides and drivers.

Begin in Venice. During flexible private touring, visit favorite local neighborhoods, museums, architectural landmarks, outdoor markets and specialty shops. Also enjoy a gondola ride with musicians through the narrow canals and a tour of the Doge's Palace. Upon request, Artisans of Leisure can arrange activities such as shopping for high-quality glass and silks, a private Venetian mask-painting lesson, special access to museums and art sites, and much more.

Next, drive to Florence. With your private expert guide, tour the city's highlights according to your interests. Enjoy skip-the-line access at world-renowned museums such as the Uffizi and Accademia, browse antiques and artisan workshops of the Oltrarno district, tour historic squares, learn about Tuscan cuisine at specialty food shops and the Mercato Centrale, see the impressive Great Synagogue or stroll through the beautiful Boboli Gardens. Perhaps also visit less-frequented but fascinating museums, such as the Convent of San Marco Museum, with its frescoes by Fra Angelico, local fashion museums (Gucci, Ferragamo and others) or the excellent Museo del Bargello, a prison in the 13th century and now home to sculpture by Michelangelo and Donatello. During free time, enjoy leisurely meals, walks along the Arno River and shopping for Florentine gold jewelry, handmade paper, leather goods, antiques and housewares. Upon request, Artisans of Leisure can arrange additional touring such as access to private art collections and specialty museums, visits to renowned local gardens, and activities such as an Italian cooking lesson.

Continue by private car to Rome. En route, enjoy a private excursion into Tuscany. Travel through olive groves and vineyards to explore celebrated hill towns such as Siena and San Gimignano. Walk medieval alleys and admire palazzi and ancient towers, and enjoy free time to browse for olive oil, wine, baskets, cheeses, olive wood, and ceramics. Taste wines at their source, listen to white-robed monks sing haunting Gregorian chants in a Romanesque church, or shop for designer goods at excellent outlet shops—the day's itinerary will be determined by your interests.

In Rome, enjoy comprehensive private touring and experience the best of Roman culture, history and lifestyle. Discover ancient pagan and Christian monuments, the splendors of Baroque and Renaissance palaces and churches, and the surprising urban additions of the modern city. Highlights include the Roman and Imperial Forums, the Colosseum, the Pantheon, the Vatican, Saint Peter's Basilica, the Sistine Chapel, Via Veneto, the morning fruit and flower market of Campo dei Fiori, Trevi Fountain, the Spanish Steps, Villa Borghese, the Jewish Quarter, the ruins along the Appian Way, beautiful Aventine Hill, and the catacombs and "Underground Rome." Artisans of Leisure can also arrange special activities such as visits to other ruins and museums according to your interests, a private cooking class, tickets to evening cultural performances, tours of important churches, garden tours, wine tasting and more. During free time in Rome, enjoy la dolce vita and the city's excellent restaurants and boutiques.

Next, fly to Athens, the capital of Greece and a showcase of ancient civilization. During private touring with your expert guide, visit the city’s top sights such as the breathtaking Acropolis, a UNESCO World Heritage Site of ancient ruins (including the Parthenon), and the wonderful Acropolis Museum. Also explore the Agora, local markets, and the charming, taverna-lined Plaka neighborhood. Depending on your interests, other options include riding the funicular up Mount Lycabettus or visiting specialty museums such as the Benaki Museum, Museum of Cycladic Art, National Museum of Contemporary Art and Stavros Niarchos Foundation Cultural Center. If desired, take an excursion along the beautiful coast to Cape Sounion to watch the sunset at the ancient Temple of Poseidon. There will also be time to enjoy the city’s excellent restaurants and lively neighborhoods.

Next, stay at a luxury beach resort on the island of Mykonos. Enjoy a guided excursion to the nearby island of Delos, which was the religious and political center of the Greek Isles for 1,000 years and has impressive ruins and artifacts. There will also be plenty of time to relax at your resort or explore the boutiques, restaurants and whitewashed backstreets of Mykonos Town.

Conclude on unforgettable Santorini, a beautiful volcanic island with dramatic landscapes, and stay in a luxury resort overlooking the caldera. During private touring, visit the photogenic clifftop village of Oia, enjoy a wine tasting of Santorini’s refreshing white and rose wines, and tour the fascinating ruins of the ancient city of Akrotiri. One day, enjoy a private boat excursion in the caldera to watch the sunset and enjoy opportunities for swimming and stopping at the island's distinctive black- and red-sand beaches. Also enjoy time at leisure to relax at your resort. Upon request, Artisans of Leisure can arrange additional touring and activities, such as hiking or biking along the wine routes.

Itinerary Overview

Day 1 Arrive Venice, Italy Private arrival transfer to hotel for 2 nights Day 2 Venice Full-day private tour, including gondola ride Day 3 Venice – Florence Private transfer to hotel for 3 nights Day 4 Florence Half-day private walking tour Day 5 Florence Half-day private walking tour Day 6 Florence – Tuscany – Rome Full-day private excursion en route to hotel for 3 nights Day 7 Rome Full-day private tour Day 8 Rome Half-day private tour Day 9 Rome – Athens, Greece Private airport transfer (flight to Athens not included). VIP airport assistance on arrival. Private arrival transfer to hotel for 2 nights Day 10 Athens Full-day private city tour Day 11 Athens – Mykonos Private transfer to airport for flight to Mykonos. Private arrival transfer to resort for 2 nights Day 12 Mykonos Privately guided morning tour of Delos. Afternoon at leisure Day 13 Mykonos – Santorini Private transfer to port for high-speed ferry to Santorini. Private transfer to resort for 3 nights Day 14 Santorini Private island touring, including optional wine tasting Day 15 Santorini At leisure. Late afternoon private sunset cruise in the caldera Day 16 Santorini – Depart Athens Private airport transfer for flight to Athens. VIP connection assistance to onward flight

Hotels

Venice: Belmond Hotel Cipriani, Gritti Palace or Aman Venice Florence: Four Seasons Florence or St. Regis Florence Rome: Hotel de Russie or Hotel Eden Athens: Four Seasons Astir Palace, King George Hotel or Hotel Grande Bretagne Mykonos: Kalesma Mykonos or Santa Marina Resort Santorini: Canaves Oia Suites or Grace Santorini

Cost

Upon request