11-Day Complete Greece with Puglia and Campania Tour Code: 638-20629 europamundo 2606518

We'll embark on a city tour of Athens with a local guide, visiting landmarks such as the Presidential Mansion, the Panathenaic Stadium where the first modern Olympic Games were held, the National Library, and the bustling squares of the city center. We'll also explore the newer neighborhoods that developed after the 2004 Olympic Games. The tour will conclude at the Acropolis (admission not included). In the evening, we'll provide a transfer to the historical neighborhood of Plaka, renowned for its charming Greek tavernas and opportunities to immerse yourself in the rich folklore of this country.

We'll depart early in the morning towards northern Greece, stopping at Kamena Vourla, a charming seaside tourist hub surrounded by stunning landscapes. We'll then proceed north, stopping at the Thermopylae Mountain Pass, the historic site of the famous battle. Next, we'll visit Kastraki, a picturesque village with beautiful views of the entire valley, where you'll have free time for lunch. Afterward, we'll explore the Meteora, a breathtaking UNESCO World Heritage Site. Admission to one of its renowned monasteries is included. Dinner will be provided in Kalabaka.

We'll journey south through the Thessaly region, where you'll experience stunning landscapes, before reaching Delphi. Here, we'll explore the exquisite archaeological site overlooking the Gulf of Corinth, with breathtaking views. There will be time for lunch. Following that, we'll head to the Hosios Loukas Monastery, renowned as one of the most beautiful Byzantine monasteries in Greece and a World Heritage Site. Its magnificent 11th-century mosaics are truly remarkable. We'll then continue our journey towards Athens, arriving in the evening.

After breakfast, we set out for the PELOPONNESE PENINSULA, renowned for its history, landscapes, picturesque towns, and archaeological sites. We make a brief stop at the CORINTH CANAL, which links the Aegean Sea with the Ionian and is famous for its impressive rock walls.Next, we visit one of the most charming islands near the Peloponnese. From the small port of Galatas, we take a ferry that brings us in just 15 minutes to the island of Poros, a delightful destination full of tourist life, with old houses climbing up to the Clock Tower. Free time to stroll and have lunch.After lunch, we return to the mainland and travel through beautiful hilly landscapes to the ancient Theater of Epidaurus (admission included), where we'll have time to explore this magnificently preserved structure. Built 2,400 years ago, with a capacity of up to 14,000 spectators, it is still in use today.We then continue on to NAFPLIO, a charming coastal city dominated by its citadel and Venetian fortress. Free time to stroll. Dinner included.

We'll journey across the mountains of the Peloponnese hinterland to Tripoli, the capital of the Arcadia region. There will be free time to explore Areos Square with its cafes and restaurants. Afterward, we'll continue to Olympia, where we'll visit the Archaeological Site (ticket and guided tour included). This is where the first Olympic Games were held in 776 BC, attracting athletes from across Greece and its colonies. The most impressive landmarks here include the Temple of Zeus, the Stadium, the Gymnasium, and the Arena. Our next destination will be Patras, Greece's third-largest city. It's a bustling port city overlooked by a medieval fortress, home to Greece's largest cathedral, a significant pilgrimage site, along with the nearby old church of St. Andrew. Dinner will be included.

After breakfast, we'll cross the Rio-Antirrio Bridge, a spectacular suspension bridge that connects the Peloponnese with the Greek mainland. We'll travel through the regions of Central Greece and Epirus. Upon arrival in Igoumenitsa, a port town, there will be time for a stroll before boarding the modern ferry at 02:00 p.m. to sail across the Ionian Sea to Italy. We'll reach Brindisi by the end of the day, around 09:00 p.m., where we'll spend the night.

Today, we'll visit two extraordinary and authentic towns. Our first stop will be Alberobello, famous for its unique conical-shaped houses known as trulli. These distinctive structures, with their stacked stone roofs, are a UNESCO World Heritage Site and represent a remarkable example of Italian rural architecture. Next, we'll head to Matera, located in the Basilicata region, renowned for its ancient historic center and the Sassi di Matera-a complex of ancient dwellings and buildings carved into the rock, dating back thousands of years. Not only is it a World Heritage Site, but also one of the oldest continuously inhabited human settlements in the world. In the afternoon, after enjoying an included lunch in Matera, we'll continue our journey through Basilicata and Campania, taking in the beautiful mountain landscapes. We'll arrive in Naples by evening, where you'll have free time to explore.

After breakfast, we'll head to the port of Naples to board a ferry to the Island of Capri, where we recommend taking the funicular up to Capri town to stroll around and enjoy the stunning views. After lunch, we'll reboard and head to Sorrento, a charming tourist town nestled at the base of a cliff, where you'll have free time to wander. Our journey will then take us to the Gulf of Salerno, where we'll stay in the city of Salerno.

We'll begin our day with a visit to Pompeii, where you'll have the chance to admire the remains of this ancient Roman city, buried by the ashes of Mount Vesuvius (tickets and guided tour included). Afterward, we'll head to Naples, one of Italy's most captivating cities and among the oldest continuously inhabited areas in Europe. The historic quarter of Naples, one of the largest in Europe, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. You'll have time to explore and enjoy lunch. We'll then continue to Cassino, where you can visit the breathtaking abbey, the site of one of World War II's fiercest battles. Our journey will conclude in Rome, arriving in the evening.

After breakfast, our journey will come to an end, leaving you with wonderful lasting memories.