Classical Exploration
9 DAYS
Rome 3 • Sorrento 1 • Athens 3
Basic Inclusions
Accommodations
Accommodations in centrally-located three-star or four-star hotels. Rooming on a triple basis. Double rooms: $50 per night, per person.
Meals
All breakfasts. All dinners. Dinner with entertainment at Le Terme del Colosseo on Day 4. Greek Cultural Dining Experience on Day 8.
Transportation
Round-trip transportation on scheduled airline. Deluxe touring motorcoach. All public transportation tickets included where applicable.
Guide
Services of a specially-trained passports Tour Director throughout. All tips are included in the Program Cost. Whisper headsets included.
Travel Protection
Passports provides and pays for a Post Departure Travel Protection Plan that includes coverage for Trip Interruption, Trip Delay, Medical Expense and Evacuation and more.
Tour Summary
Itinerary Includes
Unlimited public transportation
Days 1-2: Home - Rome
Arrival transfer
Tour director-led walking tour from the Spanish Steps to the Trevi Fountain
Day 3: Rome
Visits to the Colosseum and the Roman Forum: 24-hour public transportation pass in Rome, Headset receiver, Local guide, Visit to the Colosseum
Visit to the Pantheon
Stroll on Piazza Navona
Day 4: Rome
Visit to the Vatican: Local guide, Headset receiver for the Vatican sites, Visit to the Sistine Chapel, Local guide, Visit to St. Peter's Basilica, 24-hour public transportation pass in Rome
Dinner with entertainment at Le Terme del Colosseo
Day 5: Rome - Sorrento
Hydrofoil Naples-Capri, Headset receiver, Local Guide, Round-trip Capri funicular, Visit to Capri's Gardens of Augustus, Hydrofoil Capri-Sorrento
Day 6: Sorrento - Athens
Visit to the excavated Roman city of Pompeii, Headset receiver
Flight to Athens, Arrival transfer
Day 7: Athens
Half-day city sightseeing in Athens: Visit to the Acropolis, Sightseeing stop at the Parthenon, Visit to the Acropolis Museum
Tour director-led walking tour to the Temple of Olympian Zeus: Panathenaic Stadium
Tour director-led walking tour of the National Gardens of Athens
Changing of the Guard Ceremony
Day 8: Athens
Excursion to Cape Sounion: Guided visit of the Temple of Poseidon
Ancient Agora: Ascent to the Areopagus (Mars Hill) viewpoint
Greek Cultural Dining Experience
Day 9: Departure
Departure transfer
UNPARALLELED STANDARD OF EXCELLENCE
Detailed Itinerary
Days 1-2: Arrival in Rome, Spanish Steps to the Trevi Fountain Walking Tour
Rome is your destination; a wide-bodied jet is your vehicle. Swoop down over the Alps and touch down on the wide concrete runway at Fiumicino Airport. You've arrived in Italy!
Proceed to your centrally-located hotel, settle in and get ready to explore your surroundings.
Enjoy a walk through the heart of Rome as you discover a maze of narrow streets, avenues and iconic sights.
Start at the Spanish Steps, a favorite spot for Romans and tourists alike. These monumental stairs lead from Piazza di Spagna, a square graced by a 17th-century fountain, to the church of Trinità dei Monti on top of the hill. Nearby, you'll see the Keats-Shelley House, last residence of the poet John Keats, the exclusive Babington Tea Rooms, and Via dei Condotti, lined with high fashion boutiques such as Armani, Prada, Versace, and Gucci.
Proceed past picturesque piazzas, restaurants and gelato shops on your way to the Trevi Fountain, which was the terminal of the Aqua Virgo aqueduct. Throw a coin over your right shoulder and into the spray to ensure your return to this wonderful city!
Overnight: Rome
Day 3: Colosseum and Roman Forum, Pantheon, Piazza Navona
Walk through the best known monuments of Ancient Rome, the Colosseo and the Foro Romano. Once the heart of a vast empire, the Forum was filled with extravagant buildings and crowded with people from all over the known world.
A headset receiver is included.
A local guide, specially-trained on the history and culture of Rome and its surroundings, will accompany your group.
Step into the heart of ancient Rome with a visit to the majestic Colosseum. This iconic symbol of Roman engineering and architecture invites you to walk through the pages of history. As you stand within its towering walls, you'll be transported back to the era of gladiators, emperors, and epic spectacles. The Colosseum is not just a monument; it's a timeless narrative of Rome's glorious past. Marvel at its grandeur, imagine the roar of a bygone crowd, and experience a pivotal piece of history. Each stone of this ancient arena tells a story of triumph, tragedy, and enduring legacy.
Your combination ticket to the Colosseum and Roman Forum also allows entrance to the Palatine Hill archaeological site and its museum: should time permits, you may want to make your way up the hill to visit the oldest and most prestigious residential area of Ancient Rome.
Inside the "Temple to All the Gods," you will understand why it has been called one of the better-preserved and most harmonious monuments of antiquity.
Walk through the plaza built on the site of Domitian's Stadium. Lined with grand buildings and trendy cafes, this oblong square is adorned with statues and fountains, notably Bernini's Fountain of the Four Rivers.
Overnight: Rome
Day 4: Vatican, Rome, Dinner with Music at Le Terme del Colosseo
Discover outstanding masterpieces collected for the Vatican Museums since the early 1500s. See exceptional statues from antiquity, such as Laocoön and His Son and the Apollo Belvedere, as well as stunning Renaissance paintings, notably the The School of Athens fresco in the Raphael Rooms.
A half-day local guide, well-educated and specially-trained on the history and culture of Vatican City, will accompany your group.
Marvel at Michelangelo's Last Judgment and brightly-colored ceiling frescoes in the Cappella Sistina.
Enter the sanctuary recognized as the world's largest church. The Basilica di San Pietro also houses priceless works of art, in particular Michelangelo's Pietà and Bernini's Dove of the Holy Spirit.
The afternoon is unscheduled.
Tonight, enjoy dinner with entertainment at the restaurant Le Terme del Colosseo, which is located between the Colosseum and the Roman Forum, in halls with arched ceilings and exposed stone. It offers a variety of Italian dishes accompanied by musical entertainment titled "Roman Fantasy," with singers in costume.
Overnight: Rome
Day 5: Isle of Capri, Sorrento
Board your coach and travel south on the autostrada to the Bay of Naples.
In Naples' port, board a fast hydrofoil for a crossing to the Isle of Capri, which rises above the Tyrrhenian Sea.
A headset receiver is included.
A half-day local guide, well-educated and specially-trained on the history and culture of Capri, will accompany you today.
Transfer by funicular to the town of Capri's main square (Piazzetta), passing tropical gardens on the way. On the island stands Villa Jovis, the imperial residence from which Tiberius once ruled his empire. Recall tales of the Emperor Augustus, and of the mischievous Caligula.
From Capri's Piazzetta, it's an easy walk to the Gardens of Augustus, a magnificent public garden landscaped in the 1930s by the German industrialist Friedrich Krupp. Its terraces adorned with colorful and fragrant vegetation are perched atop a cliff with a sheer drop to the sea. The gardens face Capri's southern coast and provide splendid views of the 14th-century Charterhouse of San Giacomo, the Bay of Marina Piccola, down below, and the Faraglioni, the needle-like rocks that soar above the sea.
A fast hydrofoil takes you to Sorrento.
The evening is free to enjoy Sorrento's scenic delights and spectacular views. For the finest overlook of all, you may want to go to Punta di Sorrento and watch the sunset from the belvedere.
Overnight: Sorrento
Day 6: Pompeii, Rome, Flight to Athens
Today's program focuses on one of the most famous Roman cities.
Walk through the Roman city recognized by UNESCO as a treasure of Western Civilization. See how well-to-do Romans lived 2,000 years ago, until Mt. Vesuvius all at once destroyed this city in one day and preserved it for all time.
A headset receiver is included.
Depart Rome and fly over the Adriatic Sea to Greece and its capital city, Athens.
Overnight: Athens
Day 7: Athens City Sightseeing, Temple of Olympian Zeus Walking Tour, National Gardens Walking Tour, Changing of the Guard Ceremony
Enjoy a coach tour of Athens, old and new.
See modern Athens, with the Greek Parliament, the 1896 Olympic Stadium, the Plaka district and Syntagma Square, where you may see the picturesque Evzones goose-stepping their way through the Changing of the Guard ceremony at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.
Visit the awesome monuments built by Pericles on the Acropolis during Athens' Golden Age in the 5th century BC. On that hill, the goddess Athena reigned supreme. You'll see the Propylaea, the Temple of Athena Nike, and the Erechtheion with the Kore Porch, famous for its Caryatid columns.
Of course, you'll visit the centerpiece of the Acropolis, the 2,500 years old yet ageless Parthenon. For this huge temple dedicated to the goddess Athena, architects skillfully avoided straight lines and right angles to counterbalance the unsightly optical illusion called optical sagging, which deforms straight lines.
Delve deeper into antiquity at the contemporary archaeological museum open in 2009 at the base of the Acropolis hill, in the hope that it will one day house the superb and much disputed 5th century BC Parthenon Sculptures that were moved to England in the 19th century by Lord Elgin. For now, visitors can view a Permanent Collection with artifacts from the 7th century BC to the 5th century AD, and peer at excavations through a glass floor.
Your walk takes you past Hadrian's Arch, built by the Roman Emperor in AD 131, on your way to the colossal ruins of the Temple of Olympian Zeus, also called the Olympieion. The largest temple in Greece, it was begun in the 6th century BC and completed by the Roman Emperor Hadrian in the 2nd century AD.
The Panathenaic Stadium, often referred to as Kallimarmaro which means "beautifully marbled," is a historic venue located in Athens, Greece. It is remarkable not only for its architectural elegance but also for its rich history that spans centuries.
Discover the serene beauty of the National Gardens of Athens, a peaceful oasis in the heart of the city. This lush, green haven offers a delightful escape from the urban hustle, inviting visitors to wander through its well-kept paths, shaded by tall trees and vibrant floral displays. The gardens, rich in history and natural charm, feature a variety of native and exotic plants, tranquil ponds, and ancient ruins. Ideal for leisurely strolls, picnics, or quiet reflection, the National Gardens provide a picturesque setting that captivates both nature enthusiasts and those seeking a moment of tranquility amidst their Athenian exploration.
Make your way to Syntagma Square or to the Presidential Palace, where the Changing of the Guard takes place every hour, daily.
On Sunday, the pageantry is even more impressive when the Guard departs Syntagma Square at 11 am for the Monument of the Unknown Soldier. There's nothing like watching the Evzones, their historic uniform, their immobility on duty when standing still, their high steps, and the slow motion of their movements during a ceremony.
Overnight: Athens
Day 8: Excursion to Cape Sounion, Ancient Agora, Greek Cultural Dining Experience
Today's excursion takes you to Cape Sounion, a spectacular rocky promontory that overlooks the Aegean Sea at the southernmost tip of Attica. There may not be a better candidate for the site Homer called "the sacred cape."
Discover the temple dedicated to the God of the Sea as it rises, in all its Doric beauty, framed by sky and waves. Your guide will tell you how it was constructed, c. 440 BC, on the ruins of an archaic temple destroyed by the army of the Persian king Xerxes. Lord Byron found inspiration on this site in 1810 for his poem The Isles of Greece,. You'll see his name carved on one of the columns, but no one can tell who's responsible for the misdeed.
Visit the Ancient Agora, a marketplace which became the political heart of the city and the birthplace of democracy. You'll walk in the footsteps of Socrates, Plato, Aristotle, the orator Demosthenes (famous for talking with pebbles in his mouth), the historian Xenophon, the Apostle Paul, and many, many more.
See the Hephaisteion, started in 445 BC and the best-preserved classical temple in Greece, the Tholos, seat of the Athenian government, and the Odeon of Agrippa, built in 15 BC. Walk past the ruins of the House of the Cobbler Simon, of the Stoa Basileios and of the Stoa of Zeus Eleutherios, all places where Socrates was reported to have discussed philosophy, and see the State Prison where he was detained and where he drank the hemlock cup in 399 BC.
Excavations have uncovered the site of the Stoa of Poecile, which gave its name to the Stoic school of philosophy founded by Zeno of Citium, who began teaching there in 301 BC.
Immerse yourself in the vibrant heart of Athens with a walking visit to the iconic Monastiraki, a historic district that seamlessly blends the ancient with the eclectic. As you stroll through the bustling flea market, each step takes you on a journey through time, where the past echoes in the shadow of the Acropolis and the centuries-old Hadrian's Library. Monastiraki is a treasure trove of history, where Greek, Ottoman, and Roman influences intertwine in the architecture and the cobblestone alleys. Explore the charming shops offering everything from antiques to local handicrafts, savor traditional Greek flavors at a nearby taverna, and soak in the panoramic views of ancient ruins against the modern cityscape.
In the footsteps of ancient Greeks, climb up to the top of prominent outcrop first known as Areopagus and later called Mars Hill, which offers a great view of the Acropolis (steps chiseled into the rock may be slippery when wet).
Before the 5th century BC, this was the seat of the Council of Elders (similar to the Roman Senate). The Acts of the Apostles, a book of the New Testament, states that the Apostle Paul delivered on this hill, in 51 AD, his most dramatic exhortation, known as "Sermon on an Unknown God."
Immerse yourself in the rich traditions of Greece with our Athens Cultural Dining Experience. Enjoy an evening filled with authentic Greek cuisine, lively music, and traditional dancing, all set in a vibrant and welcoming atmosphere. This unforgettable night captures the essence of Greek culture, offering guests a unique opportunity to savor local flavors while enjoying performances that showcase the country's rich heritage. Whether you're a first-time visitor or a seasoned traveler, this experience promises to be a highlight of your journey in Athens. Join us for an enchanting evening that blends culinary delights with cultural entertainment, creating memories that will last a lifetime.
Overnight: Athens
Day 9: Departure
It's the birthplace of Western Civilization that glides by under the right wing of your jet airplane as you head for home. Arrive home later today, eager to share your adventures with family and friends.
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Spanish Steps to the Trevi Fountain Walking Tour
Visit to the Colosseum and Roman Forum
Vatican Museums
Isle of Capri
Sorrento, Italy
Pompeii
Athens City Sightseeing
The Parthenon
Temple of Olympian Zeus
Excursion to Cape Sounion
Going Places Blog
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