15 Day Magical Greek Islands & Italy Premium Small Group Tour
This tour features a combination of escorted and independent travel. Part of your journey will be enjoyed as a group experience, led by expert tour leaders or local guides. The remainder is self-guided—whether by rail, cruise, or overland—allowing you the freedom to travel between destinations independently and explore at your own pace.
This tour is categorised as 3 out of 5
Balanced exploration with walking tours: Our most popular style, this tour offers a good mix of planned activities and free time. Expect moderate daily walking tours, so pack comfortable shoes.
As a general requirement across all of our trips, you may be required to walk up and down stairs, get on and off transportation, handle your own luggage, and participate in all scheduled sightseeing that may be conducted on uneven ground and terrain. Any physical ailments you may have must be disclosed at the time of booking to determine your suitability and where required, supporting documentation may be requested to ensure that we are comfortable that you will enjoy your trip.
Experience a superior level of comfort. Our Small Group tours have been crafted for Inspiring Vacations travellers exclusively, with personal and unique experiences in mind. Travel with no more than 26 people, allowing for a more personalised and immersive experience. Please see the Important Information on your selected tour for the exact group size.
✓ Incredible sightseeing including guided visits in Athens, Rome, Naples, Sorrento, Amalfi and Positano
✓ Small, intimate group experience - no more than 24 people in Italy
✓ Enjoy a scenic Amalfi Coast boat excursion
✓ Explore the grandeur of the Royal Palace of Caserta
✓ Discover the historic ruin of Pompeii, and enjoy a wine tasting demonstration
✓ Immerse yourself in a memorable pizza cooking class during the farewell dinner
✓ 10 nights in centrally located, 4-star premium accommodation
✓ 5-day cruise on the Aegean Sea with Celestyal Cruises in an exterior cabin – including select drinks with meals, entertainment and port charges
✓ Airport transfers included on the first and last day of your tour
✓ Breakfast daily, 4 lunches & 8 dinners; including a glass of wine, beer or soft drinks during meals on board the Celestyal Discovery
✓ Travel in comfort with luxury coach transportation
✓ Fully escorted (except while on board the Celestyal Discovery) with a certified English speaking Tour Director
✓ Economy class flight from Athens to Rome
✈ Needing international airfares to accompany your Inspiring Vacation? You will be able to access our flight portal after securing your package to add international airfares to your booking.
Travel with the experts for a carefully curated, value-packed discovery of the world's most iconic destinations. Our tours are bursting with must-see sights, rich experiences and quality inclusions, all at an unbeatable price. Bucket list dreams are ticked off on these all-encompassing journeys.
Welcome to Athens!
In the evening, gather in the hotel's Reception Desk area to meet your Tour Director for a welcoming meeting. This is also an opportunity to get acquainted with your fellow travellers.
Enjoy a delightful dinner and settle into your accommodation at the hotel.
Arrival airport transfers are included as part of your package. You will be met upon arrival at the airport and transferred to your hotel.
If Inspiring Vacations has not provided your international airfares, please ensure you provide your flight details via your Traveller Hub portal no later than 90 days prior to travel so that your transfers can be confirmed.
Please note: if you are arriving early and have made your own arrangements prior to your tour commencing, airport transfers will not be included. However, if you are purchasing pre-nights accommodation as part of your Inspiring Vacations package, airport transfers will still be provided to the starting hotel.
Embark on an extraordinary journey aboard the Celestyal Discovery Cruise, where you'll have the opportunity to explore the enchanting Aegean Sea and its unique Mediterranean islands. Our breathtaking 4-night Iconic Aegean cruise gives you an unforgettable feast of ancient history, authentic cuisine, Greek culture and stunning vistas. Your voyage takes you through crystal-clear waters to discover an exciting blend of thrilling attractions, dramatic cliffs, rolling landscapes and all the romanticism of the Greek islands.
The magical sun-kissed island of Mykonos invites you to admire its stunning coastline, soft sandy beaches, and rugged rock landscapes. Affectionately known as the “Island of the Winds”, Mykonos is home to the 16th Century windmills that have become iconic landmarks on postcards. The energetic Greek island is well known for its beauty, diverse range of bars, cafes, restaurants and a vibrant atmosphere.
Settle into your comfortable exterior cabin and join your fellow travellers for an exclusive private welcome dinner. Enjoy your accommodation in your superior cabin for a truly luxurious experience.
Today is a day for you to savour at your leisure, embracing the pleasures of your cruise and immersing yourself in the stunning Mediterranean scenery. You'll have the freedom to select from a range of enticing shore excursions thoughtfully curated by Celestyal Cruises. Celestyal staff will be on hand to assist you in planning and arranging these excursions to suit your preferences.
The dynamic beach resort of Kuşadası welcomes you with its warm and friendly ambience. Take time to enjoy the scenic seafront promenade and the town’s impressive Grand Bazaar. Continue to Patmos, boasting a spiritual vibe thanks to the legend of St. John. Explore the lush, forest-like hills that encircle the capital.
The stunning landscape of Greece’s largest Dodecanese island, Rhodes, seamlessly incorporates dramatic ancient and historic sites with charming modern hillside villages. Here you will find the majestic medieval fortification of the Acropolis at Lindos perched on the clifftop above the crystalline Aegean. Explore the cobbled alleyways and narrow arteries in the Old Town where you will discover opulent architecture with Ottoman and Italian influence.
As we pull into Heraklion, you have the chance to snap the imposing 16th-Century walls of Koules Fortress. Here you can enjoy the calm of the stunning waterfront or opt to go on a whirlwind adventure around the Cretan countryside.
Next, the spectacular sweeping scenery of Santorini will simply take your breath away. The romantic island is the remnants of a devastating volcanic eruption in the 16th century BC. The picture-perfect scenery features clustered traditional whitewashed houses and blue-domed churches set against a beguiling brilliant blue backdrop. Here you will have the chance to experience the Mediterranean lifestyle of the idyllic oasis and relax in the island's calm and tranquillity.
Disembark the cruise after breakfast. Your Tour Director will be on hand to lead you to meet your local Greek guide, who will accompany you on a captivating exploration of the city of Athens.
Commence with a drive through the Panathenaic Stadium, a historic site that played host to the modern Olympics in 1896. The next stop will be at the Temple of Zeus, often regarded as the father of all Gods. From there, your exploration of Athens will take you to its key landmarks, including the Parliament, Currency Museum, the Catholic Cathedral, the neoclassical buildings of the Academia, the University, the National Library, and Adriano's Arch.
The highlight of your day will be the visit to the Acropolis Archaeological area, where you'll marvel at the Propylaea, the Temple of Athena Nike, the iconic Parthenon, and the Erechtheion Temple dedicated to Poseidon.
Today is a free day for you to relish at your own pace and explore the city as you see fit. It's an opportunity to immerse yourself in the local culture, visit more of Athens' remarkable attractions, sample its delicious cuisine, or simply relax and soak in the unique ambiance of this captivating city. Whether you choose to further explore its historical sites, wander through vibrant neighbourhoods, or unwind in a local café, the day is yours to savour as you wish.
Begin your day by taking a private transfer to the airport for your onward flight to Rome. Upon arrival, you will be met and greeted by our team, who will assist you in taking a private transfer to your hotel.
At 19:00, assemble at the hotel's Reception Desk area for a welcome meeting with your Tour Director. This is also a wonderful opportunity to meet and get to know your fellow travellers who will be joining you today.
Internal Flights - Luggage Allowance: Please note checked luggage allowance is 23kg.
Embark on a morning city discovery tour of one of the world's most historically significant cities, Rome. Your Rome City tour will take you on a journey through time as you explore the remarkable landmarks that define the city's rich history and culture. The tour culminates at Saint Peter's Square, situated directly in front of St. Peter's Basilica in Vatican City, the renowned papal enclave within Rome.
Following your exploration of Saint Peter's Square, you'll have the privilege of visiting the famous Sistine Chapel, with entrance included. The Sistine Chapel is renowned for its magnificent frescoes, most notably the awe-inspiring Sistine Chapel ceiling and The Last Judgment, both masterfully crafted by the genius artist, Michelangelo.
Today is a day of leisure, allowing you to fully immerse yourself in the magnificence of the eternal city of Rome at your own pace. Whether you wish to explore further, revisit favourite sites, or simply soak in the ambiance of this remarkable city, the choice is yours.
Enjoy your day, whether you choose to explore or simply relax in this captivating city.
You'll start your day with an early departure to Pompeii, where you'll embark on a remarkable journey through time. Your destination is the ancient city whose ruins were frozen in time following a devastating eruption of Mount Vesuvius. Entrance to this extraordinary archaeological site is included in your itinerary.
After immersing yourself in the history and ruins of Pompeii, what better way to continue your day than by experiencing the flavours of the region? Following your exploration of history and ruins, you'll have the opportunity to savour the local Vesuvian wine known as "Lacryma Christi." At a picturesque vineyard, you'll partake in a delightful wine tasting session and enjoy a light lunch. It's a perfect way to complement your historical journey with the rich flavours of the region and create lasting memories.
Today, you have the entire day at leisure in Pompeii, allowing you the freedom to spend your time as you please. Whether you wish to further explore the fascinating archaeological site of Pompeii, relax and soak in the local ambiance, or perhaps indulge in some local cuisine, the choice is entirely yours. Pompeii offers a blend of history, culture, and charm, providing plenty of opportunities for you to enjoy your time in this remarkable city at your own pace.
Embark on a memorable journey as you depart for Salerno. Today's adventure includes a breathtaking boat trip to explore the enchanting Amalfi Coast. Along the way, you'll make stops in the picturesque towns of Amalfi and Positano, both known for their stunning coastal beauty and unique charm.
As you cruise along the Amalfi Coast, you'll be treated to panoramic views of rugged cliffs, crystal-clear waters, and quaint villages clinging to the hillsides. Amalfi and Positano, with their colourful buildings cascading down to the sea, offer a perfect blend of natural beauty and coastal elegance. This boat trip is an opportunity to soak in the coastal splendour and capture the essence of the Amalfi Coast's allure.
Your day begins with a departure to Caserta, where you'll have the opportunity to visit the magnificent Royal Palace of Caserta (Reggia di Caserta). This former royal residence, constructed by the House of Bourbon-Two Sicilies, served as their primary residence when they reigned as kings of Naples. Notably, the Royal Palace of Caserta holds the distinction of being the largest former royal residence in the world.
After exploring the opulent grandeur of the palace, you will continue your journey back to Rome.
In the early evening, gather with your fellow travellers for a truly authentic and traditional farewell dinner at a Pizzeria cooking master class. This experience promises to be a memorable and enjoyable evening as you participate in crafting traditional Italian pizzas and savour the fruits of your labour in the form of an unforgettable dinner. It's a delightful way to conclude your journey and bid farewell to your fellow travellers, all while savouring the flavours of Italy.
Your trip now comes to an end after breakfast.
Departure transfers are included as part of your package. You will be collected from your hotel at the appropriate time and transferred to the airport to meet your flight.
If Inspiring Vacations has not provided your international airfares, please ensure you provide your flight details via your Traveller Hub portal no later than 90 days prior to travel so that your transfers can be confirmed.
XB Exterior State Room
Exterior Staterooms at deck 3 and 4 (~11 sqm) have bathroom with shower, air condition, telephone, hair dryer, safety deposit box, TV and a window. Single beds can be pushed together upon request, please contact us for more information. Size and lay out may vary within the same cabin category.
Cruise Ship information can be found HERE
Secure your trip with a $99.00 deposit per person.
Once we receive your deposit, we will send you an invoice with your remaining balance and payment options.
Instalment Schedule:
This is a land only package.
This package does not include international airfares. If you would like to add airfares to your booking our flight portal will be available via your Traveller Hub. The flight portal will allow you to search for all available airfares to your destination. The function works like most general flight search engines allowing you to select your preferred airline, book different cabin classes (eg. Business class) and view flight durations and transit times to your destination.
The flight portal will be available via your Traveller Hub once the following criteria has been met:
Visit our Flight Hub for more information on terms and conditions, amending your flights and information on luggage allowances.
Some of our packages will include airport transfers in either one or both directions when arriving or departing from your destination. To know if transfers are included please view the ‘inclusions’ section of your selected package. If airport transfers are stated, transfers will be included as advised.
If transfers are not included, we also offer the option to book your airport transfers using our online portal. Access to this portal is available through your Traveller Hub once your booking is confirmed. Transfers are readily available and do not need to be booked until your final hotel list has been confirmed. Once you have made a transfer booking, please refer to your confirmation email for all transfer details including a local contact number for the transfer company.
If you book pre and/or post-tour accommodation on your own arrangement, and the tour includes transfers, note that these will be forfeited. The transfers are only provided in line with the tour dates and pre and/or post-tour accommodation purchased through Inspiring Vacations when available.
It is the traveller's responsibility to ensure they have a valid passport. The passport must be valid for a minimum of six months from the intended date of return. Visas may be required for your destination. For further visa information, click here.
Fitness Requirements
While the tour itinerary should give you some guidance and overview to the expected requirements, to determine if this tour is right for you we categorise each of our tours in terms of their intensity. These guidelines are to ensure that each tour group is conducted as expected and to ensure the overall satisfaction of all Inspiring Vacations customers.
As a general rule, porterage is not included, therefore at all times you are expected to handle your own luggage where help may not be available.
This particular tour is categorized as a ”3”
3 – Moderate Tour: A good level of fitness and mobility is required, as this tour includes a moderate level of physical activity and is considered a medium-fast paced tour. You should be able to walk up and down stairs, get on and off the coach and able to walk reasonable distances of approximately 2 kilometres per day or more with ease. Any physical ailments you may have must be disclosed at the time of booking to determine your suitability. If you have any form of walking aids, other than a walking stick or hiking poles, then this tour is not suitable.
Tipping
A friendly reminder that tipping is not included in your package. Tipping is not compulsory on your trip, but they can make a big difference to locals employed in the tourism industry. If you feel that your guide and driver have done an impeccable job, you can choose to give a gratuity, but this is entirely your decision.
Accommodation
The accommodation listed is subject to change. Any changes will be of an equal or higher standard. Bedding configurations (double or twin) are requests only. All efforts will be made to meet your preferences, but we can’t guarantee your request will be available at all properties.
Single travellers
When booking this tour, solo travellers will be presented with two options:
1 - Single Supplement
By paying an additional $2,995.00 per person, in addition to the twin-share price, you guarantee the privacy of your own room throughout the entire trip.
2- Shared Room with a known friend
If travelling together with a friend, you can opt to share your room with him/her and avoid paying a single supplement.
You and your friend can create a unique booking each. Creating a unique booking, gives each of you the flexibility of making different travel arrangements (such adding extra accommodation, flights, etc), make separate payments and have individual access to our Traveller’s Hub
During the purchase path, you will need to provide your friend’s booking ID (if known) or at a minimum, your friend’s full name
Triple Share
Not available.
Travel Insurance
Travel insurance is recommended to protect yourself against the unexpected. In addition to the support that a policy may provide, you may be asked to present a copy of your travel insurance documentation while traveling.
We have partnered with nib to offer our customers competitive rates for their travel insurance. You can book Comprehensive or Essentials cover for your domestic, international or multi-trip journeys simply by clicking HERE.
Note that Inspiring Vacations cannot provide advice with regards to any insurance product.
Group Size
Minimum: 2
Maximum: 24
Children
Children must be 5 years old or above and share a room with parents at all times. Children are charged the same price as adults.
Tour Style
To meet the needs of various types of travelers, we choose to operate various types of tours, and depending on your selected package will mean different services are provided throughout your trip. The following descriptions of each tour style we hope will ensure that each traveller has appropriate expectations before they start their travels:
Please note: groups under 8-10 passengers will be operated with an English-speaking driver-guide.
Internal Flights - Luggage Allowance:
Please note checked luggage allowance is 23kg.
All participants must be in good physical condition to fully engage in this journey. For the safety and welfare of yourself and fellow travellers, if you are feeling unwell prior to departure, we advise staying home and contacting us to arrange alternate plans.
Prior to selecting your trip, carefully review the itinerary to assess your ability to comfortably manage our travel style. Please be aware that if, based on evaluation by our leader or local representative, a participant is deemed unable to safely complete the itinerary, we retain the right to exclude them from all or part of the trip without reimbursement.
It is advisable to consult your physician for current medical travel advisories and any required vaccinations before embarking. We recommend carrying a first aid kit and any necessary medications in their original packaging, as they may not be readily available during travel. For those carrying medication, it's essential to check your government's foreign travel guidelines for local restrictions or regulations.
Click HERE for more information on weather in Greece.
Click HERE for more information on weather in Italy.
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