Mediterranean Wishes

A 14 -day Tour of Italy & Greece
Hide Away in the Greek Isles & Italian Riviera's

Athens - Crete - Rome – Florence – Naples – Pompeii - Sorrento - Capri – Amalfi Drive

Compare with
Athens and Crete in 10-Days , add Egypt

The treasures of Greece . . . the romance of the Mediterranean and Italy ..... AAAAAAH the Greek isles. What's better than a journey with a cherished companion to one of these prized destination?
This is a trip tailored to make the most of that special company and unique occasion, be it an anniversary, a honeymoon, or a singular chance to be alone and away. We have selected superior and deluxe hotels notable for their charm, atmosphere, and, of course, fine service. Tour starts Daily in Greece : Apr - Oct

Day 1 in Athens
WELCOME TO ATHENS!
Our staff escorts you from the airport to your hotel, with time left to start exploring Athens.
Welcome fruit basket awaits you in your room. Plus one large bottled water for each guest.

Day 2 - ATHENS - Private air-conditioned vehicle. Private guide (BL)
On your first morning in Athens we show you the top sights: the Acropolis and its museum, the Temple of Olympian Zeus, Hadrian's Arch, the Theater of Dionysus.

The Acropolis hill, so called the "Sacred Rock" of Athens, is the most important site of the city. During Perikles' Golden Age, ancient Greek civilization was represented in an ideal way on the hill and some of the architectural masterpieces of the period were erected on its ground.
The first habitation remains on the Acropolis date from the Neolithic period. Over the centuries, the rocky hill was continuously used either as a cult place or as a residential area or both. The inscriptions on the numerous and precious offerings to the sanctuary of Athena (marble korai, bronze and clay statuettes and vases) indicate that the cult of the city's patron goddess was established as early as the Archaic period (650-480 B.C.).

During the Classical period (450-330 B.C.) three important temples were erected on the ruins of earlier ones: the Parthenon, the Erechtheion, and the Temple of Nike, dedicated to Athena Parthenos, Athena Polias, and Athena-Apteros Nike, respectively. The Propylaea, the monumental entrance to the sacred area was also constructed in the same period.
The monuments on the Acropolis reflect the successive phases of the city's history. Some of them were converted into Christian churches, houses of the Franks and later on, of the Turks. After the liberation of Athens from the Turks, the protection, restoration and conservation of the monuments was one of the first tasks of the newly-founded Greek state. This major effort is continued until today, with the large-scale restoration and supporting of the monuments, which started in the 1970's and is still in progress.
The first excavations on the hill were conducted between 1835 and 1837. More systematic work was carried out in 1885-1890 by Panagiotis Kavvadias.

In the afternoon, plunge into the city as you like ( on your own ) for sightseeing and shopping.

Lunch is included at a local restaurant. One large bottled water for each guest , plus tea or coffee, included with your meal.

Private air conditioned vehicle, private guide, private chauffeur

DAY 3 - CRETE (B)
As your flight over the blue Aegean lands in Crete our local rep will escort you to your hotel.
Welcome fruit basket awaits you in your room. Plus one large bottled water for each guest.
Click for more images of the Romantic Hideaways hotels of Crete.

DAY 4 - Crete - Own activities (B)
To stay in your lovely hotel and enjoy the beach, the service, and the amenities, or to venture out to explore some of the , coves, and villages , that is the question! No doubt, you'll mix a bit of both; Relax, and revisit a favorite café or shop ,sip an ouzo or retsina at a waterside café, discover a beach or two, pick up a loaf of fresh bread and cheese and olives, and picnic on a hillside as you look out to sailboats at sea. Your days will be filled. See below more details on tours in Crete.

Click for : Map & Maris Hotel - Crete * Weather Crete

DAY 5 - Crete - Own activities (B)
To stay in your lovely hotel and enjoy the beach, the service, and the amenities, or to venture out to explore some of the , coves, and villages , that is the question! No doubt, you'll mix a bit of both; Relax, and revisit a favorite café or shop ,sip an ouzo or retsina at a waterside café, discover a beach or two, pick up a loaf of fresh bread and cheese and olives, and picnic on a hillside as you look out to sailboats at sea. Your days will be filled. See below more details on tours in Crete.

DAY 6 - CRETE (BL)
Tour may vary depending on your dates. Today in Heraklion. We visit the unique 5000 year old open-air museum, enjoy lunch in a local tavern, and tour to the three-story Minoan palace of Knossos. Lunch is included at a local restaurant.
One large bottled water for each guest , plus tea or coffee, included with your meal.

Private air conditioned vehicle, private guide, private chauffeur

DAY 7 - Crete / Rome / Roma (B)
We'll call for you and see you to the airport . Air fare Crete Athens Rome is included in our rate, in economy class, tax included.

You'll arrive today at Rome's Fiumicino Airport, where your Roman host will be waiting to greet you in your preferred language, be it Spanish, Japanese, French, or English. After introductions, you'll be escorted in a private car to the hotel you've selected. You'll have a chance to discuss what you'll be doing over the next few days. Your host will make sure that you're settled in for the evening, after which you'll have a chance to make your own acquaintance with the Eternal City.

AAAAAH Bella Roma ! Whatever it is about Rome that intrigues you, fascinates you, tempts you, or entertains you, you'll find it exactly, because we will be glad to have your visit tailored exactly to your desires. Fascinated by the tastes of Roman cuisine? Your private guide will suggest the best restaurants. Drawn to the masterpieces of Michelangelo? We'll whisk you to the Vatican at the best time. Have your heart set on Italian footwear or daring designs in clothing? Talk it over with your guide-in your own language-and find out where to shop, the following is a sample suggested itinerary , we'll be glad to custom tailor it.

DAY 8 - Rome : TREASURES OF THE VATICAN ( If it falls on a Sunday : Please add 150 per person supplement to the listed rates ) (BL)

Private Mercedes. Private Chauffeur. Private Guide ( About 7 hours):
Pre-set menu Lunch is included

Your Roman host will once again call for you after breakfast at your lodgings, to take you on a private tour of Rome's universal masterpieces of religious art and architecture.
You'll travel to the Vatican, and on the way, discuss the background of this unique city-state as patron of the arts, temporal power, and beacon of faith for millions worldwide. Your morning-and more, for there's so much to see-will be devoted to the Vatican Museums and St. Peter's Basilica.

Of course, you'll see the absolute musts for anyone visiting the Holy See, including Michelangelo's ceiling frescoes in the Sistine Chapel, his Last Judgment over the altar, and masterpieces by Raphael. You'll continue to St. Peter's Basilica, the greatest church in the world by any measure, to view its grandeur as a whole, and its individual treasures, from the Pietŕ by Michelangelo to the Papal altar , the Pantheon of the ancient empire , the beloved Fontana de Trevi , the Piazza di Spagna of more recent times and Throne of St. Peter by Bernini.

Your private guide will be glad to help with any shopping tips or questions you may have at the end of the tour . Your private Mercedes and chauffeur will bring you back to your hotel late afternoon, early evening .

DAY 9 - Rome : Day on your own or ask us for optional tours (B)
Own activities or ask us for suggestion : Maybe :

This is an optional tour : Additional $$$ applies$ 350 Per person lunch included :
Private Mercedes. Private Chauffeur. Private Guide ( About 7 hours):
Pre-set menu Lunch is included :
Visit the fabulous Galleria Borghese to admire the masterpieces of Caravaggio, Raffaello, Bernini, Canova and others in the morning from 09h00 to 11h00 (reservation is a must ) , after lunch , enjoy a panoramic tour of the city with stops at:The mighty Colosseum , Castel Sant'Angelo the ancient mausoleum of Emperor Hadrian first, fortress of Popes from 1500, today holds and important art and military museum and one of the most beautiful view over the city.

Campidoglio (the City Hall of Rome) and on to the Roman Forum, Aventine Hill "Giardino degli Aranci" and Piazza del Quirinale. Your private guide will be glad to help with any shopping tips or questions you may have at the end of the tour . Your private Mercedes and chauffeur will bring you back to your hotel late afternoon, early evening.

Day 10 - Rome / Florence / Roma ( Breakfast,Lunch )
Buffet breakfast . Private air-conditioned vehicle and English speaking escort to Roma's Railway station to board your Express Train to Florence.
In Florence . Your private guide will be waiting for you with a sign , and with the privately 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. Lunch is included enroute

Shopping through the ancient School of Leather, The Piazzale Michelangelo to see the copy of the David and to admire the view of the City below with the Arno river and the famous Ponte Vecchio. We head back to the Railway Station and off to Rome , where we will meet you once again with a private air-con sedan and your hotel .

Day 11 - This portion is a group tour :
Naples / Pompeii ( Breakfast, Lunch )
Enjoy an early breakfast at the hotel . We head south by deLuxe motorcoach and always escorted by an English speaking guide along the Sun Route to Naples where we'll have a short panoramic tour of Naples, then on to Pompeii where the excavations and the famous Villa dei Misteri can be explored Lunch is included in a typical restaurant will . Reach Sorrento and your hotel around 6 PM. Evening at leisure , explore the charming old city and shopping boutiques .

You may spend the night on the Island of Capri and upgrade to the ultra deluxe
Capri Palace Hotel ( Supplement applies). The hotel is usually sold out during High Season

Day 12 - Sorrento / Capri ( Breakfast)
Breakfast in the Hotel.
Our local rep will escort you to the port around 9 AM, in time to board the 09:30 AM Jet boat , for the over day excursion to Capri , always escorted by your guide.
Full day excursion to the Island of Capri, visiting the Centre, the Parco Augusto, with the Faraglioni Rocks,Anacapri with the famous Villa Saint Michele. Remainder of the afternoon at leisure to explore the rest of the island on your own .
We meet back at the port no later than 17:30 to board the 18:00 Ferry back to Sorrento
Evening, for optional local visits, shopping or dining around.

Getting ready to board the ferry to Capri

Day 13 - Sorrento - Positano - Amalfi (BLD)
After breakfast departure for the captivating Amalfi coast with a panoramic stop to admire the views of Positano Ravell and Amalfi once a thriving Marine Republic where you can see the Cathedral of St. Andrew.
Visit of Ravello and its Villa Rufolo which gave the musician Richard Wagner the inspiration to create one of his most famous operas, “Parsifal”. Return to Sorrento and your hotel around 6 PM .

Day 14 - Sorrento - Naples Airport (B)
Enjoy Buffet Breakfast in the Hotel, before we drive to Naples Airport
Bon Voyage .

Rate per person in USD $ :

Modest Deluxe Hotels :
in Greece. Divani Palace level or similar. Four stars in Italy
Sharing in Double : $ 7535, or per person in Single : $ 9960 USD



Ultra Deluxe : The Grand Bretagne Hotel in Athens ( Deluxe Room)
Deluxe room with Private pool. Porto Elounda Hotel or similar , in Elounda Mare in Crete. One double room in four stars hotel in Italy : $9360 per person in double

 

 

First Class Modest 4 stars	Standard Room
Sharing in Double	USD$ 6855
In Single	USD$ 8140

 

 

 

 

 

 

Inclusions :

• All transfers in Italy & Greece, always in a private air-conditioned vehicle , and a private chauffeur.
  
• One complimentary guided tour in Crete as listed, including entrance fees.
  
• Air fare round trip :Athens / Rome , in economy class, tax included , as well as 2nd class train within Italy as per itinerary.
  
  
• Accommodations with breakfast (B) as indicated below, or at comparable properties, according to availability
  
  
  
• Hotel accommodation in Athens at Stanley hotel for the first class and Divani Place for 5 stars ( or similar), with breakfast & tax included.
  
  
• Accommodation in Crete at hotels listed below , or one at one of the ALL Inclusive hotels ( if you prefer ) : Pantheon ( sea View Room) for the First Class Category, and Candia Maris ( Bungalow) for the 5 stars.
  
• Private guided tours , all as per itinerary . including entrance fees.
  
• Domestic air fare round trip :Athens / Crete/ Athens, in economy class, tax included
  
  

Crete:

Heraklio / Hersonissos Area:
* Creta Maris ( 5 stars)
* Knossos Royal Village (5 stars)
* Royal Mare Village (5 Stars)
* Atlantis Hotel ( 5 stars - Town property)
* Aldemar Royal Mare (5 stars)

Heraklio /Amoudara Area:
* Candia Maris Hotel ( 5 stars)

Elounda Area:
* Hotel Elounda Mare (5 stars):
Supplement $65 per person per night with breakfast & dinner included (part of the deal, cant delete).

Lasithi Area:
* Hotel Elounda Mare (5 stars) : PRIVATE BUNGALOW with private pool: Supplement $200 Per person per night.

4 - Star Properties:

Heraklio Area:
* Sylva Maris Bungalows hotel ( 4 stars)
* Galaxy Iraklio Hotel ( Town property)
* Asotria Capsis Hotel ( Town Hotel)
* Marina Beach in Gouves area
* Pantheon Palace in Gouves area

Lasithi Area:
Miramar in Aghios Nikolaos

Rethymno Area:
Atlantis Beach

Gouves Area:
Pantheon Palace

Not Included:

• International air transportation from/to your home country .
• Optional excursions,
• cruising .
• Any meal not specifically mentioned, beverages, and personal expenses Gratuities for local personnel
• Travel insurance
• Airport taxes.