DAY 1 Arrive Rome (2)

On arrival at Rome Fiumicino airport you are met and transferred to your hotel. After check-in time to relax before meeting your Tour Director this afternoon for a welcome drink. Tonight, why not join in with the Romans on their evening 'passegiata'?

DAY 2 Rome sightseeing & at leisure

After breakfast our  morning sightseeing tour, with a local guide using our effective audio system, includes the Forum with views over the Colosseum, a guided visit to the Sistine Chapel and St. Peter's Basilica, in the Vatican.  Then we also make a stop at the Circus Maximus, scene of 'Ben Hur' style chariot races in Roman times. This evening, why not try out some Spaghetti a la  Carbonara - a Roman speciality? (BB)

DAY 3 Rome - Brenta Canal - Venice (Mestre) (2)

Today's journey takes us into the hills of the Umbria past hilltop Orvieto.  Next we travel over the Apennine Mountains and past Bologna to the  Veneto Plains. From here we continue via Padua and enjoy a scenic drive that takes  us along the Brenta Canal, lined with Palladian villas, to magical Venice. (BB D)

DAY 4 Venice sightseeing & at leisure

We enjoy a scenic cruiseby private launch to St. Mark's Square to see the golden-globed customs house and the church of Santa Maria della Salute, plus the Bridge of  Sighs. Then, we stroll through St. Mark's Square to view the Doges' Palace and St. Mark's Basilica. Later, we will enjoy a demonstration of Murano glass-blowing before free time to explore and maybe head to Burano for lunch. (BB D)

DAY 5 Venice (Mestre) - Ravenna - Florence

This morning we drive along the Adriatic Coast past the Abbey of Pomposa to Ravenna, to visit the Church of St. Apollinaris in Classe. Then into the Apennine Hills to Renaissance Florence. Here our sightseeing  tour on foot with a local guide and audio system shows us the Piazza della Signoria, the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore and Baptistry, and visits the Santa Croce Basilica. This area is ideal for bargains in leather and gold! This evening, we enjoy dinner in a local trattoria. (BB) (HD)

DAY 6 Florence – Assisi Our first stop is at the American Cemetery and Memorial in the heart of the Chianti Hills before enjoying  a scenic drive past Lake Trasimeno, famous for its olive oil, to mystical Assisi. Here we stroll through the medieval streets up to the Basilica of St. Francis with time to visit the upper basilica with Giotto's 14th  century paintings. Later, we visit Santa Maria degli Angeli, where St. Francis  established the Franciscan fraternity of monks. (BB D)

DAY 7 Assisi - Pompeii - Sorrento (2)

This morning after breakfast, we pass by Deruta and Terni to rejoin the sunshine highway. From here we continue through the Campania to Pompeii where a local guide shows us how ancient Roman life was literally 'petrified' by the eruption of Vesuvius in AD 79. Later, we make our way to Sorrento for dinner and our overnight stay. (BB D)

DAY 8 Sorrento - Isle of Capri Excursion

After breakfast, our day begins with a demonstration of one of the area's most popular crafts – the art of inlaid woodwork. Then the highlight of our day is a cruise to the enchanting Isle of Capri. On arrival we ascend by funicular to Capri town, with its famous Piazzetta. Our local expert takes us on a walk  through the gardens and we'll view the Faraglioni Rocks. Then free time to  shop or perhaps take a ride on the Chairlift at Anacapri. Later we descend to the Marina by minibus through orange and lemon groves before our cruise 'back to  Sorrento'. This evening after dinner, perhaps join our Tour Director for an  evening stroll. (BB D)

DAY 9 Sorrento - Bari - At Sea

This morning after breakfast, we travel past Salerno and Potenza, before continuing eastward to Bari.  Here we'll board our overnight ferry for the sea-crossing to Patras in Greece. (BB  D)

DAY 10 At Sea - Patras - Olympia

We cross the Ionian Sea, arriving in the Greek port of Patras. We disembark and continue our journey by coach to Olympia for dinner and overnight stay. (BB  D)

DAY 11 Olympia sightseeing - Delphi

Today we will visit  the world's oldest Olympic Stadium, where the first Olympic  games took place in 776 B.C., plus the Temples of Zeus and Hera on our visit of this Archaeological site. Later, we make our way back to Patras for a ferry to mainland Greece. Then it's a pretty drive to Delphi for dinner and overnight stay. (BB D)

DAY 12 Delphi sightseeing - Athens (3) - Sightseeing

This morning, perhaps consult the famous Oracle and predict the future! Then walk  the Sacred Way to the Sanctuary of Apollo and visit this  ancient Archaeological site. From here we continue our journey  past Thebes, birthplace of Oedipus and on to Athens for our three-night stay. On our arrival we will enjoy a sightseeing tour which includes  the Acropolis and Parthenon. We also visit the Acropolis Museum, and  view the Agora where Socrates taught, plus see the Royal Palace, Temple of Zeus and Hadrian's Arch, before heading to the stadium built for the first modern Olympic games in 1896. (BB)

DAY 13 Athens at leisure

Enjoy a full day at leisure to explore this fascinating city, home to the 2004 Summer Olympics. Or you may wish to take a 3-day Aegean cruise, see itinerary on this page. (BB)

DAY 14 Athens at leisure

After breakfast you have a full day  at leisure to explore this exciting city. Why not enjoy lunch by the harbour, stroll  around Constitution Square or take an excursion to one of the nearby islands? Tonight, maybe enjoy an excursion to Cape Sounion and feast on Mediterranean dishes in an atmospheric setting. (BB)

DAY 15 Depart Athens After breakfast, bid farewell to new-found  friends as we transfer you to the airport for your return flight home. (BB)

OPTIONAL 3-DAY AEGEAN CRUISE

On Day 13 you have the opportunity of taking a 3-day Aegean cruise on one of the Golden Star Cruise ships around the magical Greek Isles. Excellent on board facilities include a cinema, swimming pool and library.

DAY 13 Athens - Piraeus - Mykonos

After breakfast it's an early morning transfer to Piraeus. Here we board our ship and sail to Mykonos. Enjoy a few hours at leisure on this cosmopolitan island before continuing our cruise. (L D)

DAY 14 Kusadasi - Patmos

An early arrival at Turkish Kusadasi. A visit to the incredible ruins of Ephesus is a must! Later, we cruise to Patmos, with time to visit the Byzantine Fortress and Monastery. (B L D)

DAY 15 Heraklion - Santorini

An early morning arrival at Heraklion on the island of Crete. Next, we cruise to spectacular Santorini arriving late afternoon. Perhaps take an optional shore excursion to Akrotiri. (B L D)

DAY 16 Disembarkation - Athens

An early morning arrival at Piraeus port. We transfer to our hotel in Athens. Time to relax or maybe do some souvenir shopping. (B)

DAY 17 Depart Athens Farewell as we transfer you to the airport for your return flight home. (B)

Why Choose Trafalgar

Choose a holiday: 4 easy steps is all it takes for you to get the best holiday you’ve ever had.

• Choose where you want to go...
• Choose how long you want to stay...
• Choose when you want to go...
• Then. Dream. Pack and leave......the rest to us