The Ancient World of
Italy, Greece and Egypt

This 16 -day tour with a 3 day Greek Cruise, takes you to Athens and Classical Greece

then onward to view the highlights of ancient Cairo and Luxor . Explore the best of Italy :
Assisi - Siena - Florence - Padua - Venice and, of course, Eternal Rome. We will be your guides as you do Italy without a care.
Start weekly in Athens every Tuesday, April through Oct

Compare with the 11 day or 12 day version , add a Nile Cruise

DAY 1- ATHENS Tue
Our local personnel meets you at the airport and escorts you to your accommodations. You'll have time on your own to explore the Greek capital, browse for treasures and curios, and venture to a terrace cafe or a fine meal in the old Plaka district. Welcome fruit basket awaits you in your room with our compliments

DAY 2 - ATHENS (B) Wed
A half-day city tour will orient you to the high points of Athens. We'll visit Syntagma Square, at the very heart of the city; the Parliament; Hadrian's Arch; and culminate with the Acropolis and the Parthenon. Your afternoon is free for further exploring, shopping, or, perhaps, another visit to the Plaka.

DAY 3 - ATHENS (cB) Thu
You'll set your own program today from the many choices available. We've even given you a guidebook to assist you. Get together with new friends for cafe-sitting and people-watching in the Plaka. Prowl the many shops, or return to the Acropolis. We suggest an optional tour to Argolis or Delphi. Our optional tour to Argolis takes you across the historic Corinthian Canal to Mycenae, where you'll visit the Lion Gate and the tombs of Agamemnon and Clytemnestra. After a seaside lunch in Nauplion, you'll visit the theater of Epidaurus, known for its perfect acoustics. You'll return to Athens in the evening, after seeing the museum and Askelpeion. Our optional Delphi excursion takes you through Thebes, Levadia, and Arachova. In Delphi, you'll see renowned classical bronzes, and visit the Temple of Apollo, the Athenian Treasury, and Castalian spring.

DAY 4 - ATHENS / CRUISE TO MYKONOS (cBLD) Fri
Our staff will escort you to Piraeus, the port of Athens, to embark on your three-day cruise. You'll sail into the Aegean, and by sunset, reach the jet-set isle of Mykonos. Stroll at your own pace along lanes lined with whitewashed houses, up to the Church of Paraportiani, or along the shore to the island's signature windmills. Enjoy an ouzo or a glass of retsina at a waterside cafe. Re-embark for a nighttime sailing.

DAY 5 - RHODES (BLD) Sat
Our cruise ship arrives early at the harbor, allowing a full day on the Island of Roses. The compact, cobbled medieval city is perfect for exploring on your own. You'll want to visit the Palace of the Knights of St. John, take a look at the wares in the boutiques, and spend some time in a seaside cafe. We also offer an optional excursion to the Acropolis of Lindos and the Valley of the Butterflies. Spend a restful night on board as we sail to our next destination.

DAY 6 - KUSADASI (Turkey), PATMOS (cBD) Sun
We anchor at 7 a.m. your ship will call at the island of Patmos. Here you can visit the Monastery of St. John where the Book of Revelations was written.
You'll re-board in time for a late morning sailing. In the late afternoon, we reach Kusadasi, on the Turkish mainland, gateway to ancient Ephesus. Stroll the streets and stop in at shops filled with leather goods and bargains in gold. Our optional tour takes you to Ephesus, one of the best-preserved archaeological sites in the world.

DAY 7 - ATHENS / CAIRO (B) Mon
You'll sail into Piraeus early in the morning. Our Athens-based personnel will take you to the airport to catch your flight for Cairo ( air fare is included Athens/Cairo) , where our local staff whisks you through the excitement and hubbub of the terminal, and onward to your hotel . Complimentary visa for Egypt, issued upon arrival for American Canadian, Australian, NZ, EU, Singaporean & Japanese citizens (your passport must be valid for at least 6 month beyond the date of arrival). Welcome fruit basket and a warm pot of coffee or tea will be delivered to your room upon arrival.

DAY 8 - CAIRO (BLD) Tue
Today, you'll explore the wonders of the Egyptian Museum, with its treasures of the ancient pharaohs: mummies, statuary, precious stones and metals. Travelers have long come to Cairo just to gaze on the sights, but your day has just started. You'll lunch at a charming local Restaurant, then depart to Giza for an afternoon visit to the mysterious Sphinx, the Pyramids, and the Valley Temple. Taking a camel ride is entirely your own choice! Conclude a memorable day as we host you on a Nile dinner cruise complete with exotic Egyptian entertainment.

DAY 9 - LUXOR Wed (cBLD)
Very early morning breakfast before we fly to Luxor, from the airport we proceed to cross the Nile to visit the Valley of the Kings and the Colossi of Memnon. After lunch in Luxor, we tour the Great Temple of Amon at Karnak, and visit the Sacred Lake . We have a quick look at the great temple of Amon Ra at Luxor on our way to the airport for our flight back to Cairo, and our hotel.

DAY 10 - Cairo (B) Thu
You'll enjoy a full day on your own in the Egyptian Capital, maybe to go back to the Egyptian Museum or on to Memphis, Sakkara or Dahshour.

DAY 11 - Cairo /Rome (BD) Friday
You'll enjoy an early breakfast before we escort you to the airport for your flight to Rome, where we meet you& escort you to your hotel. Dinner is included at the hotel. Evening at leisure. Depending on the season/month we'll confirm a specific hotel at the time we receive your booking.

DAY 12 - Saturday - ROME - ASSISI - SIENA - FLORENCE (BD)
Continental Breakfast at the hotel. Proceed on your own to the tour coach terminal, we'll provide you with the address & departure times. Early morning departure for ASSISI, the mystic town of Saint Francis still surrounded by ancient walls. Visit the Basilica of Saint Francis with its early Renaissance masterpieces by Giotto and Cimabue. Proceed on to SIENA, the beautiful medieval city renown for the Palio. Then on to FLORENCE. Dinner and overnight. Hotel Grifone or similar

Day 13 - Sunday- FLORENCE (BD)
Continental breakfast. Guided sightseeing tour of the cradle of the Renaissance. Visit the beautiful Piazza del Duomo, the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore, Giotto's Bell Tower, the Baptistery of St. John, the Academy of Fine Arts Gallery housing the "David" by Michelangelo, and Santa Croce, the 13th century Franciscan church with Cimabue's famous crucifix. Rest of the day at leisure for optional sightseeing or shopping. Dinner and overnight at the hotel.

Day 14 - Monday- FLORENCE - PADUA - VENICE (BD)
Continental breakfast. Departure for Padua, where you will visit the famous Cathedral of St. Anthony, guarded by Donatello's Gattamelata. Continue on to Venice and upon arrival enjoy a walking tour of this unique city. You will see the Piazza and Basilica of St. Mark, the Doge's Palace, the Bridge of Sighs and the Prisons. Then visit a glass factory to see the molding of glass. Hotel Continental - Amadeus in Venice ( or similar) . Dinner and overnight.

Day 15 - Tuesday - VENICE (BD)
Continental breakfast. Day at leisure for optional tour to the islands of Murano, Burano and Torcello by motor-launch or for shopping. Dinner and overnight.

Day 16 - Wednesday- VENICE (B)
Buffet breakfast. End of our service. Bon Voyage.

Among the Highlights in Italy

* Assisi: View of the Churches of St. Francis and St. Claire
* Siena: View of Piazza del Campo and the Municipal Palace
* Florence: Visit of the Accademia, home of Michelangelo's "David"
* Padua: see Donatello's masterpiece, the Gattamelata
* Venice: Visit the famous Square of St. Mark and the Bridge of Sighs

Scenic Drives in Italy :

* The beautiful Autostrada del Sole
* The Tuscan countryside through medieval towns
* The lovely Emilia Romagna region
* The Veneto region, world famous for its Villa of Palladio

Rates per person in US$, Double Occupancy outside Cabins with 2 lower beds, or Upper and lower

Rate includes:

• Three -day cruise to Greek Islands and Turkey.
  
  
• International Air Fare ATHENS / CAIRO / ROME one way " Y" economy class , including tax.
  
  
• Egyptian Domestic Air Fare: CAIRO / Luxor / Cairo, round-trip" Y" economy class , including tax.
  
  
• Hotel accommodation as listed, please note that in Athens & Egypt, you have a choice of :First , First Class Superior or deluxe hotels. But in Italy the group tour is limited to :Three star hotels, downtown location,all rooms are with private bathroom facilities including tax, service charges & continental breakfast daily

• Athens, Luxor & Cairo sightseeing tour as per itinerary including English speaking guide & entrance fees.
  
  
• Local English speaking guide for all the sightseeing in Italy as per itinerary , including all entrance fees with an English speaking tour escort
  
  
• Breakfast daily at the hotel. And a dinner cruise on the Nile in Cairo.
  
  
• All meals during the Greek cruise.
  
  
• Greeting and assistance on arrival, and transport to hotel (Cairo & Athens) , to cruise ship, and back to airport ( Athens & Piraeus).
  
  
• Hotel service charges, taxes, and hospitality services .
  
  
• Greek Port taxes .
  
  
• Lonely Planet guide books.
  
  
• Complimentary visa for Egypt, issued upon arrival for American Canadian, Australian, NZ, EU, Singaporean & Japanese citizens (your passport must be valid for at least 6 month beyond the date of arrival).
  

Not included:

• Shore excursions.
• International airfare from/to your home country .
• Gratuities Personal expenses, beverages, and meals not specifically listed.
• Trip Cancellation Insurance/Travel Insurance (Please ask us for the flyer ).