Day 1 Overnight Flight to the "Eternal City".

Day 2 Arrive in Rome and transfer to hotel. Sample our first taste of Italy on a walking tour of the hotel vicinity.

Day 3 A guided city tour will familiarize us with some of this city's treasures. See St. Peter's Basilica, the Forum, and the Colosseum, This afternoon we visit the Appian Way, Catacombs, Spanish Steps and the Pantheon as well as one of the many Piazzas to sample Italian Cuisine. Rome has many beguiling charms.

Day 4 A pleasant journey delivers us to Florence. Florence was once the artistic center of the World. Most of the Renaissance painters/sculptors lived and worked here at one time. To see their great works we shall visit magnificent Galleries. In the Uffizi Gallery, the Birth of Venus awaits us, as well as the Primavera, and Leonardo da Vinci's Annunciation. Overnight in Florence, once home of the powerful and influential Medici Family. Overnight Florence.

Day 5 Early start on the day. Enjoy a walking tour, which visits the Academia. Here we shall see "David", Michelangelo's masterpiece, as well as the Palestrina Pieta. Continue on to Palazzo Pitti (very close by) to visit the Gallery of Painters. Visit Duomo and Piazza Della Signoria, Ponte Vecchio, Giotto's Bell Tower and the Baptistry. Then a special treat awaits us. We may visit the Church of San Miniato (or similar) to hear the "Gregorian Chants". O/N Florence

Day 6 Continue on to Venice. Walk to the motor boat station, where we catch the ferry and proceed to Doge's Palace. After lunch we shall see the Bridge of Sighs (and learn of it's intriguing name), St. Mark's Basilica, the Jewish Quarter and the Rialto Bridge. Time permitting we can visit a local glass blower and observe the creation of exquisite pieces of art.

Day 7 Travel south through Ravenna to the port of Ancona on the Adriatic Sea. Here we depart on a brand new German built super-fast ferry. The ship features duty free shop, two restaurants, and a swimming pool. Overnight is aboard the ferry in cabins with 2 or 3 berths each. Meals are on our own aboard the ferry.

Day 8 Arrive in Patras, Greece in the afternoon. Travel past quaint towns, Byzantine Churches, bays and ruined castles on the journey to Olympia. Overnight nearby.

Day 9 Tour the ruins of the mighty Temple of Zeuss, Stadion, and other relics of the birthplace of the Olympic Games. Be surprised at how the costumes of Olympians have changed dramatically (very noticeably) since the early days. Later in the day we arrive in Tolon via Tripolis. Overnight Tolon.

Day 10 The ruins of Mycenae await us. Enter through the Lion Gate and touch the giant slabs of stone that make the acropolis a wonder to behold. Visualize the mounds of gold, jewels, bowls and brilliant purple rugs that were heaped upon the steps, booty from extensive foreign wars. Learn of the unfitting end to a glorious city. Cross the Corinth Canal which was carved out of rock and is an engineering marvel. Enter Athens and overnight in this ancient metropolis.

Day 11 Our last full day in Greece is devoted to Athens. Climb the Parthenon up to the Acropolis and look back as you climb. Each glance back will reveal a new face of Athens. Explore the winding streets of the Plaka, Syntagma Square and Omonia. This evening we enjoy a farewell dinner in beautiful Athens.

Day 12 Enjoy a last morning in Greece, and then transfer to the airport for the journey home.

Tour may run in opposite direction.

Please call for a customized program and prices.