ITINERARY DETAILS
DAY 1
Rome, Italy
Benvenuto in Italia, the home of world-sculpting civilizations and Renaissance masterpieces. At Rome International Airport, your private driver will be waiting to take you to your five-star hotel. Enjoy the afternoon and evening at your own pace, exploring the Eternal City's rich blend of artistic and architectural masterpieces, classical ruins, and extravagant baroque churches and piazzas. Rome is considered Italy's treasure trove, packed with two millennia of artistic achievement. For culture-seekers and historians, this city oozes with possibilities for discovery, giving tourist the opportunity to step back into time, with one foot firmly in the present. Ask your leisure travel consultant for recommendations of their favorite activities in Rome.
DAY 2
Rome - Half-Day Private Colosseum with Arena and Roman Forum Tour
Begin your journey with a private tour of the Colosseum, including exclusive access to the legendary arena floor. Stand where gladiators once faced roaring crowds and experience the atmosphere of one of history's greatest amphitheaters. Walk through towering arches and sunlit corridors as your expert guide brings to life the stories of emperors, citizens, and epic spectacles. Continue to the Roman Forum, the political and cultural heart of ancient Rome, where temples, basilicas, and triumphal arches reveal the grandeur of a bygone empire. Designed to be engaging for both adults and children, this immersive experience offers an unforgettable exploration of Rome's most iconic landmarks.
DAY 3
Rome- Half-Day Private Vatican Museum Tour
After breakfast, you will begin your private tour of the Vatican Museums, home to one of the world's most celebrated collections of art and history. Walk through vast galleries adorned with tapestries, maps, and sculptures as your expert guide shares captivating stories behind the masterpieces. Marvel at Michelangelo's extraordinary frescoes in the Sistine Chapel before continuing to St. Peter's Basilica, the spiritual heart of Catholicism. Here, discover Bernini's magnificent Baldachin and Michelangelo's moving Pietà, completing an unforgettable journey through the treasures of the Vatican.
DAY 4
Rome to Athens, Greece
After breakfast, meet your driver in the lobby of your hotel for transfer to the Fiumicino Airport for your flight to Athens. Upon arrival, you will be transferred to your centrally located hotel. Enjoy your first evening by walking around the city center or strolling through the main shopping street of Athens, Ermou Street.
DAY 5
Athens - Full-day private tour -Following the Footsteps of St. Paul, an Acropolis & Ancient Agora experience
Today you will discover with your English-speaking guide the ancient Agora, once the vibrant heart of Athens and a gathering place for Saint Paul and the earliest Christian followers. Continue to the Areopagus, where Apostle Paul addressed Athenian philosophers with his famed speech on the “Unknown God,” introducing the transformative message of the Resurrection. Visit Socrates' Prison on Filopappou Hill, traditionally regarded as the site of his confinement before trial in 399 BC. Conclude the experience at the Acropolis, entering through the grand Propylaea to stand before the Parthenon, a timeless symbol of classical heritage and enduring influence on modern history.
DAY 6
Athens - Full-Day Argolis Tour
Get ready to set out on a full-day journey across the Peloponnese, beginning with a scenic drive along the Saronic Gulf to the Corinth Canal, a marvel of engineering and a perfect stop for photographs. Continue into Argolida to discover the legendary citadel of Mycenae, the realm of King Agamemnon. Enter through the imposing Lion's Gate, admire the Cyclopean walls, and explore the Royal Tombs and the famed Treasury of Atreus. Pause in the charming seaport town of Nafplion, known for its Venetian architecture and coastal views, before concluding the day at the ancient Theater of Epidaurus. Celebrated for its remarkable acoustics and timeless design, this masterpiece of classical architecture remains one of Greece's most treasured landmarks.
DAY 7
Athens to Meteora
Meet your driver in the lobby of your hotel for private transfer from Athens to Meteora, where centuries-old monasteries crown towering sandstone cliffs, offering a breathtaking blend of natural wonder and spiritual heritage unlike anywhere else in the world. Enjoy a welcome dinner paired with the region's signature local products.
DAY 8
Meteora - Private Half-Day Morning Meteora Tour and Monastery visits
Journey to Meteora, where centuries-old monasteries crown towering rock formations in one of Greece's most striking landscapes. Travel through the countryside and visit all six Holy Monasteries, with the opportunity to explore three in depth alongside your expert guide. Learn about the spiritual traditions and remarkable history of this UNESCO World Heritage Site while taking in breathtaking panoramas from carefully chosen viewpoints. Short walks and scenic stops provide time to admire the geological wonders and capture unforgettable photographs of this extraordinary monastic enclave.
DAY 9
Private Transfer from Meteora to Thessaloniki
After breakfast, set off on a scenic drive from Meteora to the vibrant city of Thessaloniki, a historic port intimately connected to St. Paul, who preached here during his second missionary journey and later addressed the early Christian community through his Epistles to the Thessalonians. Upon arrival, check in to your hotel and then take time to soak in the city's charm. Stroll along the sparkling waterfront promenade, admire the iconic White Tower, and linger over a coffee or lunch at one of the inviting cafés overlooking the sea, embracing the lively atmosphere of this beautiful northern Greek city.
DAY 10
Thessaloniki- Full day tour with guide and driver: Amphipolis - Filippi - Kavala Tour
Discover the heart of Macedonia on a private journey through its remarkable archaeological treasures and legendary histories. Start in Amfipoli, the site of historic Spartan-Athenian battles and Alexander the Great's strategic maneuvers and admire the imposing 4th-century BC Lion of Amphipolis. Continue to Filippi, founded by King Philip II, where the ancient theater, Roman forum, octagonal church, and the Apostle Paul's cell reveal layers of classical and early Christian heritage. Conclude your day in Kavala, a vibrant port city, and take in its Byzantine fortresses, aqueduct, and historical landmarks, including sites connected to Muhammad Ali, offering a rich blend of past and present.
DAY 11
Thessaloniki to Izmir
After breakfast, meet your driver in the lobby of your hotel for transfer to the Airport of Thessaloniki for your flight to Izmir in Turkey. Upon arrival, you will be transferred to your centrally located hotel. Enjoy your first evening relaxing by the pool, enjoy local cuisine at the hotel restaurant, or unwind with a spa treatment while taking in views of Izmir's vibrant cityscape.
DAY 12
Izmir- Full day private tour to Ephesus
Begin your private tour with a drive to Ephesus, guided by an expert who will bring the ancient city to life. Start at the House of the Virgin Mary, believed to be where she spent her final years. Continue to the famed ruins of Ephesus, once renowned throughout the ancient world for the Temple of Artemis. Explore the Odeon Theatre, where civic affairs were conducted, and the Hadrian Temple, dedicated in 118 AD to Hadrian, Artemis, and the people of Ephesus, later reconstructed in the 4th century. Discover the remarkable Celsus Library and the Great Theatre, originally built during the Hellenistic period and expanded by the Romans to seat 25,000 spectators. Walk along the Marble Road, the sacred avenue linking the Library and Theatre, and admire the Terrace Houses, once homes of the city's elite. Pause for a set-menu lunch at a local restaurant before concluding your day at the Basilica of St. John, where John and the Virgin Mary are said to have lived between 42 and 48 AD. Return to Izmir, completing an unforgettable journey through history, faith, and ancient grandeur.
DAY 13
Day at Leisure
As the day winds down, begin to prepare for your journey tomorrow to Istanbul, a city where continents meet and history comes alive. Let the anticipation build as you pack your bags and look forward to the vibrant energy, rich culture, and unforgettable experiences that await you there.
DAY 14
Izmir to Istanbul
After breakfast, enjoy a private transfer to Izmir Airport for your flight to Istanbul. Upon arrival, you will be welcomed and escorted to your centrally located hotel, where the day is yours to unwind. Spend your evening soaking up the city's energy—relax by the pool, indulge in local cuisine at the hotel restaurant, or treat yourself to a rejuvenating spa experience while taking in the stunning views of Istanbul's skyline.
DAY 15
Istanbul - Private Guided Full-Day tour Istanbul Highlights - Hagia Sophia, Blue Mosque, Underground Cistern and Hippodrome
Discover the heart of Istanbul on a private full-day tour that weaves together iconic landmarks, ancient secrets, and vibrant culture. Begin at the awe-inspiring Hagia Sophia, where Byzantine grandeur meets Ottoman artistry, and admire the intricate mosaics and majestic dome that have captivated visitors for centuries. Pause to appreciate the exterior of the striking Blue Mosque before visiting the Hippodrome, the ancient center of Byzantine life, home to the 3,500-year-old Egyptian Obelisk. Descend into the mystical Underground Cistern, where softly illuminated columns create a serene and otherworldly atmosphere. Enjoy a lunch of authentic Turkish cuisine at a carefully selected local restaurant before exploring the bustling Grand Bazaar, a labyrinth of over 60 streets and 2,000 shops brimming with silk, ceramics, jewelry, and carpets. Guided by your expert, uncover the hidden gems and craftsmanship that make Istanbul's markets legendary, completing an unforgettable immersion into the city's rich history and culture.
DAY 16
Istanbul - Departure
After breakfast, meet your private driver for your transfer to The Istanbul New International Airport to connect with your departing flight. Depending on your flight schedule, you may wish to enjoy some final leisure time in the city, savoring a last Turkish tea or coffee or taking a short stroll through the vibrant neighborhoods before your journey home.
