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The complete italy and greece trip itinerary.

Blessed with sunny climates, thousands of years of history, idyllic beaches, and the most delicious and fresh cuisine, both Italy and Greece are both fantastic choices for a Mediterranean vacation. This Italy and Greece itinerary is perfect for anyone that wants to explore both countries.

It can be so difficult to choose one over the other!

On an Italy trip , you can explore a Seventh Wonder of the World, sail on mountain lakes, and see world-famous artworks like Michelangelo’s David. In Greece , you can island-hop in the Cyclades, stroll through white-washed cobblestone villages, and witness Greece’s ancient history at the Acropolis.

We’ve been lucky enough to visit both Italy and Greece. They are both incredible countries that I love. I’ve been getting a lot of questions recently about combining a trip to Greece and Italy. If you’ve got enough time to explore both destinations, I say go for it!

I would recommend allotting at least 10 days to each country. I’ve written this Italy and Greece itinerary to help you decide where to go, but if you’d like a more detailed Italy and Greece Trip Itinerary, I recommend downloading our combo guide written by myself and Kids are a Trip .

Should I go to Italy or Greece?

Both countries have similarities but they offer totally different cultural experiences. So, if you have the time, why not travel to Italy and Greece?!

Combining visits to both countries into a three-week vacation package will result in the most life-changing, memorable trip.

Following a three-week Italy and Greece itinerary also makes sense on a practical level. They’re both Mediterranean countries separated only by the Adriatic Sea, so there are lots of flight, ferry, cruise, and sightseeing tour travel options.

You won’t have to pack for two completely different sets of climates, either. Both countries boast dry and sunny weather for most of the year.

As you digest this three-week Italy and Greece itinerary and learn all the cool things to do in both places, you’ll realize that you simply cannot miss out on any of these amazing experiences.

Best Time to Visit Italy and Greece

The best time to visit both Greece and Italy is in the shoulder season from April – June and September – October. Italy’s and Greece’s warm climate ensures you will still be able to enjoy all the outdoor activities that you can do in summer while avoiding the intense, often dangerous heat of midsummer as well as the crowds and high prices.

Getting Between Italy and Greece

Unless you enjoy long bus rides or hauling your luggage between train connections, the best way to travel from Italy to Greece is either by flying or taking the ferry.

A local specialist in traveling throughout this region will probably tell you that flying is way faster and cheaper. But you might be in the mood (and have the time) for an epic sailing adventure! Either way, you have lots of options.

Fly between Greece and Italy

Thanks to Europe’s several budget/low-cost airlines, you could get round-trip flights booked from Italy to Greece for less than $40! In peak season, you can still find tickets for less than $100 if you book ahead.

Check out airlines like Jet2, Easyjet, and Ryanair for the best deals. Aegean Airlines, ITA, and Volotea also fly between Italy and Greece so it’s worth checking those too.

Ferry from Greece and Italy

The ferry schedule between Venice (where the Italy portion of this itinerary ends) and Athens (where the Greece section begins) is fairly limited. There are only four sailings a week and single tickets start from $250+ per person.

Oh, the journey time for this ferry ride is approximately 33 hours.

So no, you’re probably not going to sail from Italy to Greece or from Greece to Italy, but it’s an option if you have a big pile of books you want to read sitting on your nightstand. You also don’t need to rent a car to follow this itinerary so there’s no reason why you would have to take a ferry.

What’s the Best Way to Visit Greece and Italy in One Trip?

There are several ways to organize your Greece and Italy itinerary and each of them is great for different reasons. You should choose the option that best fits your needs. Take into consideration budget, mobility, time, and style of travel. For example, if you get very sea sick and don’t like being able to be on your own schedule, then a cruise might not be the best option for you.

If you don’t like to be around a lot of people, a tour might not be a good idea fit either. But if you’re traveling solo and you don’t feel comfortable planning and running your own trip, a do-it-yourself option may not be a good choice for you. I’ll lay out the pros and cons of each option below.

Cost Analysis of Italy and Greece Trip Options

Greece and italy tours.

Embarking on a three-week adventure to two countries that you might not have visited before can be daunting, even a guaranteed amazing trip like this one.

If you’re nervous or traveling solo, booking a multi-day Italy or Greece tour has a lot of benefits. You’ll get a tour director who is a local specialist in traveling this region with a lot of insider tips . Often, tours include some meals like a welcome and farewell dinner, plus you’ll get to make friends with your like-minded, fellow group members.

This two week Italy and Greece tour is a great option for anyone looking to travel in a group and not have to worry about any logistics. It’s also a fantastic price for a trip this length and has great reviews. It’s run by Trafalgar which is a very reputable tour company.

Pros of taking an Italy and Greece Tour

• Most things are taken care of for you
• Ability to pay over time
• Great option for solo travelers who want to make friends
• Good for those who don’t drive

Cons of taking an Italy and Greece Tour

• It’s very people-y
• You’re not on your own schedule
• Not a lot of flexibility
• Can be pricey

Italy and Greece Cruises

Another great way to explore these two beautiful countries is to take a cruise of the Aegean and Adriatic seas, allowing you to visit port cities in Greece and Italy. There are several great cruise options. If you’re on a budget, this 16-day cruise is only $3,200 USD and hits so many incredible places in both countries.

Pros of taking an Italy and Greece Cruise

• Accommodations and most food is taken care of for you
• Chances to make friends for solo travelers
• You get to see a lot of ocean

Cons of taking an Italy and Greece Cruise

• Not great if you get seasick
• Can be expensive
• You don’t get to see a lot of the interior of each country
• You’re only in each location for a short time

Do it Yourself Italy and Greece Itinerary

If you don’t think a tour or cruise will be a good option for you, then a DIY Italy and Greece Itinerary is probably going to be the best fit.

This is a detailed, day-by-day itinerary for exploring Italy and Greece over three weeks. If you’re based in the US, there tend to be more direct flights to Italy than Greece and they’re often more affordable.

However, you might personally find it more convenient and cheaper to fly to Greece. Feel free to book round-trip flights to one city in Italy or Greece or fly into one country and out of the other. It all depends on what works for your schedule, vacation time, and the deals you can find.

If you want a more detailed itinerary, I highly recommend downloading our Italy Greece Combo guides. They cover 20 days (10 in each country) and walk you through each day, giving you recommendations, schedules, tours, restaurants, and more. We’ve helped thousands of people travel to Italy and Greece with these guides.

Visiting all of the iconic cities and resort towns in Italy would take months if not years! This 10-day Italy itinerary is the perfect balance between bustling cities and picturesque countryside.

You’ll visit the capital city of ancient Rome, the floating city of Venice, and Florence as well as the regions of the Amalfi Coast, Cinque Terre, and the northern lakes.

Day 1: Arrive in Rome

If you’re flying from the continental US, Rome is around nine hours ahead to six hours ahead. Excluding early morning departures, this itinerary works for anyone arriving in Rome on a red-eye flight or the day before.

Without delay, welcome to the Eternal City! Rome is Italy’s bustling ancient capital and the best place to begin a first-time Italian adventure.

After breakfast, spend your first morning on a Vespa or walking tour to see the highlights and orientate yourself in this sprawling city. Here are some of the top sights you can expect to see on a guided tour of modern and ancient Rome:

• Trevi Fountain
• The Pantheon
• Spanish Steps
• Monument to Victor Emmanuel II
• Roman Forum
• Castel Sant’Angelo
• Piazza Navona
• Piazza del Popolo
• Campo De Fiori Market

Ask your tour director for advice on where to eat a typical Italian meal during your time in Rome. They are a local specialist, after all! Try street food like the Roman suppli (a fried rice ball similar to Sicilian arancini) or porchetta panini as well as delicious dishes in restaurants.

You should leave room in your schedule to visit the Colosseum, not just see the outside. Book a guided tour to avoid long lines and to learn about the history.

On your first free evening, head across the River Tiber to the cool Trastevere neighborhood.

Day 2: Rome

It’s only possible to snap photos of the Trevi Fountain without the crowds if you visit very early in the morning. If you’d rather sleep in, after breakfast, spend your morning in Vatican City.

Don’t miss St. Peter’s Basilica, the largest church in the world, and the Vatican Museums, home of the Sistine Chapel. Book a tour of the Vatican Museums so you don’t have to wait in a long line.

After visiting Vatican City, book a cooking class so you can learn how to make more authentic meals in contrast to the Italian dishes you’re probably used to making at home! And it goes without saying, but you should be eating as much homemade gelato in Rome as you can too.

Walk off all those delicious plates of Roman pasta and desserts in Villa Borghese before spending the evening in the Jewish Quarter.

Day 3: Amalfi Coast

It’s time to leave Rome and head south to the Amalfi Coast . This UNESCO-listed region offers charming hillside villages, calm waters, and beautiful white sands.

It takes around three and a half hours to travel there via Naples on the train , so set off early.

Here are some fun things to do during your free day on the Amalfi Coast:

• Positano Beach
• Villa Cimbrone
• Sunset at Ravello
• Fiordo di Furore
• Emerald Grotto
• Explore Sorrento
• Day Trip to Pompeii

Spend the night on the Amalfi Coast .

Day 4: Florence

Now, it’s time to visit the City of the Renaissance! Florence is the capital of Tuscany and a must for history lovers and culture vultures.

Take the train to Florence from the Amalfi Coast via Naples in the morning and arrive by early afternoon. Here are some of the best things you can do on your free afternoon in Naples:

• Climb the Dome of Florence’s Duomo
• Baptistry of St. John at the Duomo
• Walk Across Ponte Vecchio
• Michelangelo’s David at the Accademia Gallery
• Uffizi Gallery
• Piazzale Michelangelo for views
• Basilica of Santa Croce
• Boboli Gardens
• Gelateria Santa Trinita
• Piazza della Signoria

Spend the night in Florence.

Day 5: Florence and Pisa

On your final morning in Florence, you may want to check out some of the top attractions you didn’t get around to visiting the day before.

Accademia Gallery, for example, usually opens at 8:15 am. This is a great time to see the Statue of David as it’s usually packed out!

The train from Florence to Pisa takes less than an hour and it’s en route to the colorful, coastal Cinque Terre villages so it’s the perfect stopover. Spend a few hours here taking Instagrammable photos of the famous Leaning Tower of Pisa and the Cathedral before hopping back on the train to head north.

Ideal towns to stay in on Cinque Terre for this itinerary are Monterosso al Mare or the nearby city of Levanto.

Day 6: Cinque Terre

Start off your full day in Cinque Terre in the picturesque village of Monterosso al Mare. This is the northernmost town of the five lands that make up Cinque Terre. The other four, from north to south, are Vernazza, Corniglia, Manarola, and Riomaggiore.

There are three ways you can explore Cinque Terre:

• By train – Purchase a Cinque Terre rail pass at any station to visit all five villages
• By ferry – Head to the dock for a day pass but note they don’t stop at Corniglia
• By foot – The Blue Trail connects all five villages but parts are often closed for maintenance

Exploring by train is the quickest and most efficient way to see all five villages. Enjoy the epic viewpoints, gelato, seafood, and watching the sunset from any of the Cinque Terre towns.

Day 7: Milan and Lake Como

Wake up bright and early to take the train from Cinque Terre. Plan to arrive in Milan early afternoon for a short stopover.

Here are some things you can see in Milan during your afternoon there:

• Milan’s Duomo Rooftop
• The Last Supper Painting by Da Vinci
• Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II

Head to the town of Bellagio on the banks of Lake Como where you’ll spend the night. You can take a train to Como and then a bus, but you might prefer to hire a driver for convenience.

Day 8: Lake Como

There’s only one way to spend your free day in Lake Como : sailing on the lake and exploring charming lakeside villages!

You have three sailing options:

• Catch a round-trip ferry
• Book a private boat tour
• Rent a boat

Spend the day stopping off at as many beautiful villages as you can and seeing incredible villas. Here is some inspiration:

• Town of Varenna
• Town of Menaggio
• Villa Balbianello in Lenno
• Villa Melzi in Bellagio
• Villa Carlotta in Tremezzo

Spend a second night in Bellagio.

Day 9: Venice

It’s time to explore the romantic, floating city of Venice! Book a driver for your return trip to Milan and take the train to Venice.

The first thing you should do is take a gondola ride along the Grand Canal and down the waterways that run beside Venice’s narrow streets. You’ll be able to see lots of churches, city squares, and bridges from the viewpoint that Venice is meant to be seen.

Spend your free evening eating cicchetti (Venitian tapas) and if you’re in the mood for after-dinner drinks, head to Harry’s Bar where Hemingway once frequented.

Day 10: Venice

After breakfast, spend your last day in Italy seeing as many of Venice’s top sights as you can. Be an early bird to avoid the cruise ship crowds! Here are some suggestions:

• St. Mark’s Square and Basilica
• Doge’s Palace
• Rialto Bridge and Market
• Peggy Guggenheim Collection
• St Mark’s Campanile
• Bridge of Sighs
• Libreria Acqua Alta
• Islands of Murano, Burano, and Torcello

Depending on your travel plans, either fly out to Athens tonight or enjoy your last night in Venice.

After spending over a week on a sightseeing tour of Italy doing what the Romans do, it’s time to explore the island nation of Greece. This 10-day itinerary offers heaped helpings of ancient history with a side dish of wonderful beaches and glistening turquoise waters on the Greek Islands.

You’ll visit the ancient city of Athens on mainland Greece before venturing on an island-hopping Greece tour of Crete and two islands in the Cyclades, Santorini and Naxos.

Day 11: Arrive in Athens

Welcome to Greece and its capital city, Athens! Note that Greece is one hour ahead of Italy.

Depending on what time to arrive, you may be able to start exploring Ancient Athens today. Look at the list of things to do on tomorrow’s date as there are endless things to do here to fill your time.

Day 12: Athens

Continue exploring Athens and all of its spectacular ancient sites, some of which are thousands of years old. Here are all of the sites you can visit just within the Acropolis Hill area:

• The Parthenon
• Odeon of Herodes Atticus
• Monument of Agrippa
• Temple of Nike Athena
• Porch of the Caryatids at the Erechtheion
• Old Temple of Athena Polias
• Olive Tree of the Pandroseion

Spend the rest of your day exploring the Acropolis Museum, which has an on-site restaurant, and the Ancient Agora of Athens.

Day 13: Chania, Crete

Take a flight out to Chania airport on Crete, the first of the three Greek Islands you’ll visit on this trip, to start your island-hopping adventure.

Once you arrive in Crete, here are some things you can do in Chania or nearby:

• Samariá Gorge
• Elafonisi Beach
• Adkadi Monastery
• Balos Lagoon

Spend the evening wandering through the old port of Chania. Don’t miss out on tasting local cheeses served with olives and herbs, typically freshly prepared.

Day 14: Chania, Crete

There are tons more places to explore on your full day in Chania. Start your day wandering around Old Chania Market, which is also known as the Agora. You can buy lots of local fresh produce or souvenirs here.

Next, take a day trip to Falassarna Beach which is only an hour’s drive away.

When you get back, check out the Minoan Ruins of Chania and the Church of Agios Nikolaos before enjoying a relaxing evening.

Day 15: Eastern Crete

Who’s ready for a mini road trip?! Rent a car or book a driver and head to Eastern Crete making some stops along the way:

• Stop 1 – Fortezza in Rethymno
• Stop 2 – Rimondi Fountain
• Stop 3 – Neratze Mosque
• Stop 4 – Archaeological Museum of Rethymnon
• Stop 5 – Porta Guora

Stay near the towns of Malia or Elounda.

Day 16: Spinalonga or Heraklion

You have a free day to do whatever you please! Hang out at your resort, book a day trip with a tour director who is a local specialist in Crete, or explore independently with a rental car. Here are some great choices of what to do with your day:

Option 1: Palace of Knossos and Heraklion Archaeological Museum

Option 2: Island of Spinalonga

You can either catch a ferry to Spinalonga or book a sightseeing tour extension online or through your hotel.

Day 17: Santorini

The white-washed island of Santorini is a must-visit on any first trip to Greece. Head to the ferry terminal and hop on a boat to Athinios Port.

Some of the best places to stay in Santorini are Oia, Imerovigli, and Fira.

Spend your first day relaxing on one of the wonderful beaches on this island before enjoying a sunset boat ride. You’ll get the best view of the Oia windmills!

Day 18: Santorini

To make the most of your day in Santorini, book a sightseeing tour of the island’s highlights. Here are some of the hotspots you should aim to see on a day tour:

• Ancient Ruins of Akrotiri
• Santorini Vineyards
• Mount Profitis Ilias
• Monastery of Profitis Ilias
• Fira and Oia Hiking Path

If you drink wine, compare a Greek wine tasting with glasses you enjoyed in Italy. After a few sips, you’ll not be able to say which you prefer.

Day 19: Naxos

Take the two to four-hour ferry from Santorini to your final island in Greece, Naxos. Because it’s a long boat ride and you probably won’t arrive until lunch, spend your afternoon relaxing on one of the best beaches in Naxos:

• Agios Giorgios
• Agios Prokopios
• Plaka Beach

Spend the night at your resort before your last full day of sightseeing tomorrow.

Day 20: Naxos

Rent a car, book a driver, or join a group tour to see the highlights of Naxos.

Here are some of the top attractions you shouldn’t miss:

• Eggares Olive Oil Museum
• Kouroi of Melanes
• Apeiranthos
• Zas Mountain
• Town of Chalki
• Limpertas Manolis Pottery
• Temple of Demeter

Spend your last evening enjoying dinner with a beach view or getting stuck into a Greek cooking class.

Day 21: Return to Athens

Take the ferry or fly from Naxos to Athens. Ferries take around three hours but the flight is only 45 minutes.

Or you can take a direct flight from Naxos to Rome if you booked a round-trip flight to Italy from your home airport.

Use this Guide to Plan an Epic Italy and Greece Trip

This Italy and Greece itinerary includes plenty of inspiration, logistical info, and advice so you can enjoy an incredible three-week vacation.

You do not have to choose between Greece or Italy and there is absolutely no doubt that you will have an unforgettable time on this amazing trip exploring both countries. I hope this helps you have the best trip ever!

And if you need help deciding what to do, the best tours, restaurants and more, be sure to download our Italy Greece Itinerary – an amazing 2 for 1 combo!

Not the Trip You Need?

Not exactly the trip you’re looking for? Don’t worry, I also offer custom trip planning by request for many destinations! Learn more here.

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THE PERFECT ITALY AND GREECE ITINERARY

For many people visiting Italy and Greece is a dream come true but it can be a long way to go and often a once in a lifetime trip. If you have never been to either country but have limited vacation time to use then how can you maximise your Italy and Greece itinerary to make the most of your trip?

This 3-week itinerary for Greece and Italy trip covers many of the main highlights for each country as well as a few hidden gems as well.

PLANNING A TRIP TO GREECE?

Whether you’ve been before or it’s your first time it can be hard to process all the information out there. Be sure to check out our complete Planning Guide as well as our FREE 13-page downloadable itinerary.

If you are feeling really overwhelmed you might like a Trip Consultation perhaps!?

And come join our private Facebook Group where you can ask questions and get advice from real travellers!

Note: This article may contain affiliate links.

When to visit Italy and Greece

The best times to visit the Mediterranean are April-June and September-October. The weather is mild and the crowds are generally low.

High season is late June to early September, and prices will reflect that as will the crowds, the number of cruise ships and accommodation availability.

Despite being busy summer is still great, especially for beach time and in some of the lesser known spots. The water is warm, there are blue skies every day and a fun holiday atmosphere.

Orthodox Easter is an especially wonderful time to visit Greece as it becomes very festive with parades, parties, and on many islands bonfires , fireworks and other activities and traditions.

In Italy Carnivale in Venice  ends with the Christian celebration of  Lent , forty days before Easter so it occurs usually in February and March while the La Biennial di Venezia, Europe’s premier arts showcase, starts in May.

Christmas in both countries is very special as are the many religious holidays and celebrations. 

Best beach and swimming weather: June to September Best sightseeing weather: March to June and September/October

DAY 1- Athens

Athens is the capital of Greece and home to some of the most iconic and important historical sites and monuments in the world.

There are several ways to get to Athens which cover air, sea, rail, driving and even on foot. Once you’ve arrived it’s easy enough to get into the city centre and having a private driver waiting for you is our favourite way to do it!

With two days in Athens you can see and do a lot and if you can increase it to three or four days you will not be disappointed – there are so many amazing day trips you can do.

Spend your first day in the Athens exploring the ancient centre. Everything is very compact and its easy to get around, in fact most things can be seen easily on foot.

Apart from the many things you can do in Athens including great shopping, incredible food, and all the ancient sites there is also great nightlife with a plethora of bars, tavernas, and clubs to choose from. There are a lot of new hotels and restaurants many with incredible rooftop views , especially of the Acropolis.

The Acropolis Museum is world-class and needs to be enjoyed either before or after you visit the Acropolis so it’s the perfect activity for your second day. Make sure you read our complete guide for lots of great tips including how to beat the crowds!

Where to stay in Athens

For couples : Zillers Hotel has only 10 rooms and some have amazing Acropolis views. There is a lovely rooftop bar and restaurant and it’s right on Mitropolous dining street. Also check out The Foundry Suites in Psiri which is a very cool converted former Foundry with lots of retro elements.

For families and groups : The Pinnacle is a 2 bedroom suite that sleeps 6 or these Twin Lofts can sleep up to 12!

Solo : I love to stay at Ergon House when I’m on my own. Its across from Zillers and part of the famous Ergon House food emporiums. They have a small business centre and very helpful and attentive staff.

Things to do in Athens on Day One

• wander down Ermou Pedestrian Street
• Visit Syntagma Square and see Parliament House and the Changing of the Greek Presidential Guard – the Evzones
• explore Plaka and the many cafes, shops and galleries
• stop by the Monastaraki flea market

DAY 3 – Meteora 

Day 4 – Santorini 

Santorini is a bucket list destination for most people for good reason. It is one of those places that not only meets your expectations but probably exceeds it.

We love to stay in Oia which is considered the most picturesque village, although a lot of people also enjoy Imerovigli which is about a 20-minute walk along the nice flat footpath that runs along the Caldera seam. For a truly authentic Greek experience consider staying in the interior village of Pyrgos.

There are a surprising amount of things to do on Santorini with beaches, wineries, hot springs, great shopping and some of the worlds most iconic and photographed sunsets.

How to get to Santorini

You can travel to Santorini by ferry or by plane from Athens. Return to Athens from Meteora either on your overnight tour, by driving or by train.

The small international airport has several flights to Athens a day as well as regular flights in summer from other European destinations like Rome and England. Check flight schedules HERE.

There are also many ferries each day, year-round. Most service either the Western or Eastern Cyclades Islands and on to Athens whilst some come from Crete.

TIP : Both the port and the airport can be very busy in summer and there can be long waits for the cablecar, taxis and donkeys. It pays to have a private transfer waiting for you!

Where to stay in Santorini

For couples : Ducato Di Oia ( adults only) suites in Oia or Above Blue Suites in Imerovigli for more isolation and at a lower price point.

For families and groups : White Harmony Suites have 2 bedroom suites or Theoxenia Boutique Hotel have squad rooms and are not far from, dare I say it, McDonalds.

Solo : Kivotos in Imerovigli for a splurge or Abelonas Retreat on a budget.

Things to do in Santorini on Day One

• explore the maze of streets in Oia including Panagia Platsani Church
• visit famous Atlantis Books for a unique bookshop experience
• check out the many upmarket boutiques and jewellery shops in Oia
• walk down to Oia Castle

Day 5 – Santorini 

More cool things to do in Santorini 

• a half day tour of the island
• tour the world renowned wineries with a sommelier
• do wine tasting AND a cooking class
• swim at Black Beach, Red Beach and Kamari Beaches
• visit authentic Pyrgos village and see what Santorini is like for long time locals
• attend a ‘traditional’ Greek wedding !
• have a professional photographic session done – hard to beat the backdrop!

Day 6 – Naxos 

Naxos is the largest of the Cyclades Islands and is famous for its lush and fertile valleys, its picturesque, whitewashed villages and towns and beautiful beaches.

Despite being such a large island it has a small local population and there is a surprisingly wide array of things to see and do. It’s a very laid back destination and its easy to see why Naxos is so popular, especially with families .

It’s also a very affordable island and represents great value for money for all types of travellers.

How to get to Naxos 

Most people travel to Naxos from Sanotirini by ferry which takes about 2 hours. There are several ferries each day, year-round. The main town of Chora is also the main port.

It is possible to fly but you will need to connect with another flight back at Athens airport.

Where to stay in Naxos 

For couples : Antony Suites are gorgeous, right near St.George beach and are Adults Only

For families and groups : Ippokampos apartments are in the Chora and can sleep up to 5 while Aegean Land have 2 bedrooms apartments right on the beach at Plaka

Solo : Mystique of Naxos is right near the beach in the Chora and has stunning rooms and a great little rooftop pool and sundeck. You can walk to everything and it’s very affordbale too!

Things to do in Naxos  

• Explore the Chora including the Old Market
• visit the Kastro
• drop into the Bazeos Tower
• spend some time at the Folklore Museum
• Visit the Portara at sunset
• wander down to Saint George Beach for a swim and perhaps stay for dinner

Day 8 – Paros

For many people Paros is the perfect Greek island. It’s not too big nor too small, and there are things to see and do that suit everyone. It’s also a busy ferry stop from Athens to the other popular Cyclades islands being only 30 minutes from Naxos or 60 from Mykonos.

It’s also got a great little neighbour right next door called Anti-Paros which is a wonderful destination in itself.

We like to stay in Naoussa on Paros which many say is like a small, cheaper version of Mykonos with a lively mix of tavernas, bars, and nightclubs as well as lovely whitewashed alleys full of great cafes, bars, beautiful artisan stores and boutiques and gelati shops.

The port town of Parikia is also nice and a little more affordable than Naoussa. Spend your first day on Paros exploring your local town or villages, swimming at the beach and enjoying a long, lazy dinner as the sun goes down.

There’s plenty of time to take in the sights exploring the many things to do on Paros over the next day. Hire a car for at least a day and do a full loop of the island – there’s many wonderful surprises!

How to get to Paros

You can also travel to Paros by ferry from Naxos which takes about 30 minutes.

There are many ferries each day, year-round. The port town is called Parikia and that, or Naoussa are the best options to base yourself.

Where to stay in Paros  

For couples : Lilly Residence is stunning and Adults Only or Senia Hotel is a perennial favourite year round.

For families and groups : Paliomylos Hotel and Spa is where we chose to stay for special birthday celebrations with 38 family and friends and have since returned several times. Chrys and the team are amazing!

Solo : Parian Village Beach Hotel is right across from the beach near the port town of Parikia and have great value single rooms with beautiful sea views and a nice pool.

Further reading: Where to stay on Paros  

Things to do in Paros on your first day

• Explore the villages of Naoussa or Parikia depending on where you are staying.
• Naoussa: don’t miss the Venetian Fort, the old fishing port, Kapopoulos Fine Arts Gallery,  the ducks at the Harbour Bridge and  the Church of the Virgin Mary ( Panayia).
• Parakia: The Church of 100 doors ( and its museum), the Frankish Castle, the Archaic Temple of Athena, the myriad of shops and cafes in the back alleys and the Port.

Lavrio is a town south of Athens on the Greek Mainland. The word Lavrion comes from ‘Lavra’ which means alley or paths and the area is thought to have been inhabited since Neolithic times.

It is a much prettier (and smaller) port than Pireaus and is also closer to the airport which is about 35 minutes’ drive away. Stopping here for a night will give you a feel for the area called the ‘Athenian Riviera” and it’s a very pleasant way to end your time in Greece.

There are not as many ferry connections to Lavrio as there are to Pireaus but there are regular connections from Paros, Mykonos,Syros and Tilos – something only seasoned travellers seem to know about!

The main point of interest in Lavrio is the fishing village itself, the Mineralogical Museum and nearby Temple of Poseidon at Cape Sounio, a 15-minute drive away.

Further reading: Best hotels near Athens Airport

How to get to Lavrio

You can travel to Lavrio by ferry from Paros which takes about 3 hours but you may need to connect on Syros or Mykonos. Timetables for this route are often not released until Spring so keep an eye on schedules HERE.

If a ferry is not running at the time you require you can fly to Athens from Paros and catch a taxi to Lavrio.

Where to stay in Lavrio 

Cape Sounio, Grecotel Exclusive Resort  is a sprawling resort on the beachfront and is a great choice for all travellers.

Day 10 – Rome

The ‘Eternal’ city is one of the most iconic cities in the world and a place that’s sure to capture a piece of your heart.

As the capital of Italy, it has the busiest airport in the country and Rome is where many people visit before moving on to explore other areas.

There is a lot to see and do in Rome and many people will tell you even a week is not enough, but the main attractions are very close together and you can see many highlights in a short time ourselves.

Of course you cannot miss a visit to the Pantheon, the Colosseum or St. Peters Basilica and the Vatican – all in close proximity to each other and all incredible.

The Spanish Steps, Trevi Fountain, Roman Forum and the various Piazza’s are also world-famous and wonderfully trattorias, wine bars, high-end boutiques and beautiful gardens are all not to be missed.

Transport Infrastructure in Italy is good and with few islands, it is easy to get from one place to another quickly.

How to get to Rome from Athens

The easiest way to get to Italy from Greece is to fly. Lavrio is close to Athens airport and within a few short hours, you can be on the ground in Rome.

There are regular daily flights between Athens and Rome with Aegean Airlines and Air Italia, sometimes more in Summer. Other airlines servicing the route usually include Easyjet, RyanAir and Lufthansa.

It is also possible to get to Italy from Greece by sea with regular ferries between Patras and the Ionian Islands and Brindisi and Bari in Italy. You would then need to drive or catch the train to Rome.

If you would prefer not to organise everything yourself in Italy check out this very popular 5 day – Best of Italy tour !

Where to stay in Rome

For couples :   It’s hard to beat J.K. Place Roma with its central proximity to the Spanish Steps and the Pantheon and its incredible roof top bar. Casa del Moro is a very romantic loft with beautiful views from the room balcony and is a very affordable option too.

For families and groups : Hotel Cosmopolita is in a great location near the Trevi Fountain and they have quad rooms. Just around the corner is Filo Black , a stylish 2 bedroom apartment that sleeps 6 and is fully self-contained. We also love Raphel’s Pallette which also sleeps 6, is very spacious and a design lovers dream!

Solo : Apollo Rooms Colosseo is a fairly new establishment with friendly owners and quiet rooms. As the name suggests it is quite close to the Colosseum and well located to see most of the highlights of room on foot or by public transport.

Things to do in Rome on your first day

• Walk down the Spanish Steps. Take in the view at the top and wander down slowly exploring Pincio, Piazza Del Popolo and Santa Maria del Popolo Church
• Stop for a coffee or Spritz at the garden of Hotel du Russie, one of Rome’s best-kept secrets
• Stroll down Via Condotti and see all the high-end fashion brands
• Finish at the Pantheon, one of the most incredible buildings in Europe with the world’s largest unreinforced concrete dome
• do a Foodie Cycling tour with a local Chef
• participate in a Pasta and Tiramisu lovers workshop

Things to do in Rome on your second day

• Start the day with coffee at one of the many cafes on the Borgo Pio
• Beat the crowds and take in an early small-group tour of the Vatican Museums and the Sistine Chapel. Be sure to add a tour of St Peter’s Basilica as well!
• If time permits and you are up to it climbing the dome will reward you with incredible views
• Walk around St.Peter’s Square. If you are lucky you may get a wave from the Pope!
• Walk back over the Tiber River and over to Palazzo Navona which has so much to see and do
• Take a VIP tour of the Colosseum, Palatine and the Roman Forum
• do a magical Rome-by-night e-bike tour
• explore the creepy hidden Bone Crypts of Ancient Rome

Express entry - Vatican/Sistine Chapel/St Peters

Dont queue with the crowds. Book these tickets in advance for faster than skip-the-line entry!

Day 12 – Amalfi Coast

The stunning Amalfi Coast is located in southern Italy’s Campania region and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Located south of Naples the Amalfi Coast starts just behind Sorrento and continues for 60 kilometres (37 miles) along the coast including the towns of Positano, Ravello, Praiano, Amalfi, Minori and Cetara.

The region is bordered by the dramatic Lattari Mountains on one side and the sparkling Mediterranean Sea on the other.

It is one of the most popular and most photographed destinations in Europe where people come from all over the world to experience the classic ‘la dolce vita’ atmosphere.

How to get to the Amalfi Coast from Rome

The Amalfi Coast does not have an airport, a large port, nor a train station so it is a little tricky to get to. This is probably a good things or visitor numbers would be out of control!

Most people make their way to Naples, either by train or plane and then on to Sorrento and the Amalfi Coast.

You can get the fast train from Rome to Naples very easily but then you do have to change to a local train to get down to Sorrento and then catch a taxi, a bus or book a private driver from there.

The Amalfi Coast is very beautiful but with one narrow coastal road in summer it can be very congested and difficult to get around. There are also a lot of stairs!

Some people choose to stay in Sorrento and explore the coast on day trips . Sorrento is a lovely town and relatively flat with good transport connections to the islands as well as Pompeii and other attractions.

Where to stay on the Amalfi Coast

For couples : Buca Di Bacco has an amazing, much-photographed restaurant with lovely rooms with views over the iconic town. It is located next to much-coveted Le Sirenuse but is much more affordable. Il San Pietro di Positano is our pick for a splurge and is truly a dream to stay at.

For families and groups :  Groups should check out Residence Villa Yiara which is a gorgeous family-run hotel with incredible views and budget-friendly prices. Villa Celentano Apartments Hotel is also a great option as they have well-priced rooms with kitchenettes.

If you would prefer a private villa then check out Claudia’s Fairytale , a simply gorgeous 4 bedroom house that has hosted celebrities and dignitaries such as US Presidents.

Solo : Hotel Dimora Fornillo is a modest small hotel with spacious rooms and beautiful patios that overlook the sea. There is a path right down to the sea and breakfast is included.

Fun things to do on the Amalfi Coast

• Explore the coastline on a luxury cruise
• A private tour of Pompeii and incredible Herculaneum – some say even better than Pompeii
• Join a private walking tour of the hidden alleys high up in Ravello 
• Visit the beautiful,cool and lush Mills Nature Reserve – cool and lush
• Head over to the island of Capri for the day
• A private Wine Tour to Irpinia
• attend a ceramics workshop with a local potter

Tour the Amalfi Coast with a private driver and car

Day 15 – 18 : florence.

Florence is the capital of Tuscany and thought by many to be one of the most beautiful cities in Europe.

Famous for its magnificent Duomo, the Statue of David, the ancient Ponte Vecchio bridge and heaving with works by Michelangelo and other artists it is also the gateway to the beautiful green hills of Tuscany and the many wineries, villages and sun-baked olive groves that call it home.

The Duomo of Santa Maria dell’Assunta in Florence is a perfect example of Roman-Pisan Gothic architecture and is completely made of white marble. It’s designed in the shape of a Latin cross with an interior constructed of black, white, and grey marble.

Lucca is just one hour from Florence so it is really worth a day trip to this charming town, and then head to nearby Pisa as well.

Pisa of course is famous for the leaning Tower of Pisa , the huge cathedral, and the Baptistery. Don’t forget the obligatory selfie holding up the tower!

Other day trips from Tuscany that are worth mentioning are visiting the towns of Sienna or region of Chianti or even a visit to Cinque Terre.

How to get to Florence

Florence is well connected with the rest of Italy and Europe and is easy to get to by air or on the ground.

Aeroporto di Firenze-Peretola is the International Airport and is located just 4kms from the city centre. The airport is usually serviced by some of Europe’s best-known airlines including Alitalia, Lufthansa, British Airways and KLM.

Florence is also a key stop on the Italian Rail network . It has good connections with Rome, which is only 90 minutes away and the main cities in the north.

It is also possible to arrive by road. Eurolines has the most extensive bus network and is generally reliable and well priced. If driving then the main road artery, the A1, links the north and south of the country running right past Florence.

To get from the Amalfi Coast to Florence you can either reverse your trip back to Rome and continue from there ( train is the most enjoyable) or fly from Naples.

Where to stay in Florence

For couples: Four Seasons Hotel Firenze is hard to beat and offer the impeccable standards of service and luxury that this brand is famous for. We also love San Firenze Suites and Spa with their wonderful Duomo views or beautiful Palazzo Castri 1874 with their lovely gardens.

For a great budget option check out BandB Firenze 8 Cittadella 8.

For families and groups: Groups love staying at The Legendary Giulia which is a sprawling Villa in the Tuscan countryside that has 4 bedrooms and a swimming pool as well! If you want to stay in the heart of Florence then Nutmeg is a 4 bedroom apartment right near the Arno River or Jacopo has 3 bedrooms with views over the famous Duomo and rooftops of the city.

Solo: Il Diospero B&B have modest rooms in their family palazzo and friendly home cooked meals and personal service. Hotel David is also worth a look with its great views, excellent service and a pretty garden to use as well.

Cool things to do in Florence

• Uffizi Gallery – VIP priority access!
• Enjoy the original Florentine Steak experience – heaps of fun!
• Join a small group walking tour – an Introduction to Florence  
• A private day trip to Siena, San Gimignano and Chianti
• Take a balloon ride over breathtaking Tuscany
• See Florence from the rooftops – get the best,hidden photo locations!
• Do a Chainti Wine and Food Safari
• A full day private tour to Cinque Terre
• do a wonderful Tuscan cooking class and learn to make Italian like Mama!
• go truffle hunting in the Chianti Hills

Day 18 -21 : Venice

Be sure to plan your arrival in Venice on a Vaporetto – a water bus, which is a great way to get a feel for the city and an exhilarating way to start. The boat will lead you down the Grand Canal towards your hotel, or somewhere near it and you will be speechless as you see the city around you.

After you have settled into your hotel head to Piazza San Marco and St Mark’s Square which is one of the most famous squares in the world. The Piazza houses remarkable buildings like St Mark’s Basilica and the Doge’s Palace.

Head to Rialto Bridge, the oldest and most magical of Venice’s bridges and then simply stroll through the narrow streets around the area, with its many small canals, trattorias, wine bars, small shops and much more.

Be sure to visit Doge’s Palace with its exquisite rooms and decoration, its prison and the famous Bridge of Sighs. Then head to the most important religious edifice in Venice, the Basilica di San Marco.

After the Basilica, explore the Campanile. This structure is one of the most photographed in Venice and the Cathedral’s bell tower and is the symbol of the city.

Cross the Ponte di Rialto to reach the Rialto Market, one of the best in Venice and bustling with vendors selling produce and handicrafts. Some of the best tomatoes you will ever see, or smell!

If you are an art lover then the Gallerie dell’Accademia focuses on pre-nineteenth century art and is one of the largest in the world. Also be sure to visit the Peggy Guggenheim Collection and Punta della Dogana.

The next day take a water bus to the Sestiere Cannaregio, which is located north of the Grand Canal. Get off at “Ferrovia” cross the Ponte delle Guglie and walk to the Jewish Ghetto , a fascinating and somewhat sobering area where the Jews were forced to live during the Venetian Republic.

We also recommend exploring Cannaregio with its charming little canals, pretty houses and churches. It is one of the most authentic areas in Venice and very charming. Fondamenta della Misericordia is also worth checking out especially in the evening when it can get very lively.

Of course no trip to Venice is complete without a Gondola ride which are especially romantic as the sunsets of course.

How to get to Venice

Venice is a series of small islands but it is very well connected to the mainland and other nearby islands. Being one of Europes most popular cities it is relatively easy to get to.

It is possible to fly from Florence to Venice but you will likely connect in Rome. Most people do the trip either by train or car.

Venice’s central train station, Venezia Santa Lucia railway station, connects the city with numerous countries and other Italian towns. Many people fly into Rome or Milan and catch the train to Venice from there. It is the easiest and most comfortable way of getting around Italy and a style of travel we highly recommend.

Check Rail Europe and/or Seat61 for timetables and bookings

Only a small part of Venice is accessible to motor vehicles so you have to leave your car in a parking garage such as  Garage San Marco or Garage Autorimessa Comunale , in Piazzale Roma.

Where to stay in Venice

For couples : The Gritti Palace hotel is considered one of the best in the world for good reason and it is also one of the most photographed, with its central location right on the Grand Canal.  For something cheaper, Hotel Antiche Figure is a small boutique hotel in a wonderful canal location with a small restaurant and bar and excellent service.

For families and groups :  Aqua Apartments are great for families as they have small kitchenettes where you can keep supplies and self-cater. Apollonia is a rather extraordinary grand Venetian home filled with Renaissance Art and with a roof terrace – it sleeps up to 7 in 3 bedrooms. For something even bigger check out Repubblica Heights , a huge 5 bedroom apartment that oozes the splendour of the Doge’s era in every room.

Solo : Charming House IQs have beautiful, designer suites in a converted Palazzo in a quiet spot near the Grand Canal. No crimson bedspreads here!

Cool Things to do in Venice

Best of Venice Tour – St. Marks Square, St. Marks Basilica & Campanile & more

Do a Doge’s Palace: Secret itinerariares Tour

Visit the islands of Burano, Murano and Torcello by boat

Sail, swim and cook in the Venetian Lagoon

Take a private class with a renowned glass artist

Relax in the cool gardens of Giardini della Biennale

Ride a Gondola with a Gondolier seranade

Spend a day in the sparkling Prosecco Hills!

Create a Carnivale mask with a master mask maker

With this Italy and Greece itinerary, you will spend 3 glorious weeks exploring two of the most interesting and most beautiful countries on the planet.

Of course, you can adjust it for a slower pace simply by extending a few places by a day or two – perhaps the Cinque Terra in Italy or Crete in Greece?

We guarantee you will have the trip of a lifetime and will cover some of the very best highlights for both countries that are on offer, and more.

 Salute & Yamas!  

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Italy and Greece Itinerary

Greece › Itinerary for Italy & Greece Updated: April 21, 2022 By Santorini Dave

• Where to Go in Greece
• Complete Greece Travel Guide
• Where to Go in Italy
• Complete Italy Travel Guide

Magical Positano on Italy’s Amalfi Coast .

Where to Go in Greece and Italy One Week Itinerary : visit Greece or Italy but not both. Two Weeks or More : divide time evenly between the two countries. One Week in Greece and Italy 7 to 10 days is not enough time to visit both Greece and Italy. Pick one and stick to it. No sense wasting time traveling between the two when time is limited. Be sure to fly into one place and fly out of a different place so you don’t spend time retracing your steps. If you’re somewhere in-between (say, 12 days) it’s a coin flip – though I’d err on the side of spending more time in one country than a limited amount of time in two countries.

One Week in Greece – Itinerary

Suggested Itineraries for Greece (reverse order is fine): • 1 day in Athens , 2 in Mykonos , 4 in Santorini (fly into Athens, fly out of Santorini) • 1 day in Athens, 3 in Naxos or Paros , 3 in Santorini (fly into Athens, fly out of Santorini) • 2 days in Mykonos, 2 in Naxos or Paros, 3 in Santorini (fly into Mykonos, fly out of Santorini) • 4 days in Crete , 3 days in Santorini (fly into Heraklio or Chania, fly out of Santorini)

One Week in Italy – Itinerary

Suggested Itineraries for Italy (reverse order is fine): • 2 days in Rome , 3 in Florence and area, 2 days in Venice (fly into Rome, fly out of Venice) • 2 days in Venice, 2 in Milan , 3 in Lake Como area (fly into Venice, fly out of Milan) • 4 days in Rome, 3 in the Amalfi Coast (Fly into Rome, fly out of Rome or Naples) Two Weeks in Greece and Italy With 14 days spend one week in Greece and one week in Italy. Use the above itinerary recommendations. Like above be sure to fly in and out of different cities. E.g. If you’re coming from London: Fly London to Venice, train to Florence, train to Rome, fly to Mykonos, ferry to Naxos, ferry to Santorini, fly Santorini to London. Three Weeks or More in Greece and Italy With 20 to 30 days you can visit all the must-see places: Rome , Florence , Venice , Athens , Santorini , and Crete . But also some less touristy spots: Naples , Perugia, Matera , Naxos , Milos , and Nafplio come to mind. Oh, and the wonderful Agriturismo in Tuscany and Umbria . Both countries are loaded with wonderful destinations. And when it comes to the Greek islands you really can’t go wrong: point at the map and pick any island. I’d be shocked if you left disappointed.

Map of Greece and Italy with Key Ferry Ports

The 10 Best Places to Go in Greece and Italy Santorini, Greece – Incredible views, great food, fun tours, and fantastic things to do. One of the best honeymoon destinations in Europe. Crete, Greece – The best beach in Greece is Elafonisi in southwestern Crete. The island is loaded with wonderful places to visit: Chania, Rethymno, Samaria Gorge, Agios Nikolaos, and the top notch historical site at Knossos. Naxos, Greece – The magical Chora (capital town) of Naxos island at dusk in the Cyclades. Above the town is the castle of Sanoudos. Naxos is filled with wonderful beaches and great local food. Athens, Greece – One of the greatest historical marvels in the world. Athens’ top sites are in a compact center making a 1 or 2 day visit perfect for seeing the highlights. Mykonos, Greece – The island is famous for dance clubs, nightlife, and lively beaches. But if you’re not interested the party scene is easy to avoid and the island has plenty of quiet beaches. Rome, Italy – The best of history, food, and art all in one city. Rome is a can’t miss destination. Florence, Italy – My favorite place in Italy. The city could easily fill a week of sightseeing but 2 full days can allow for visits to most of the top sights. Nearby Tuscan towns (San Gimignano, Siena, Lucca) make for wonderful day trips. Perugia, Italy – This is an incredible historical city and a delight to explore. Nearby towns like Orvieto, Todi, and Assisi make it a great base for exploring Umbria. Venice, Italy – The magical setting of Venice is one of kind. It shouldn’t be missed but a short visit (one or two days) is enough for most travelers. Agriturismo in Italy – This is a highlight of a visit to Italy. Stay at a working farm and enjoy the local food and wine. Accommodations can range from simple and inexpensive to luxury and boutique. (Those are my boys playing in the pool at an agriturismo in Tuscany.) Getting Between Italy and Greece For most travelers flying will be the best way to get between Italy and Greece. There are ferries from the east coast cities of Italy (Venice, Ancona, Bari, and Brindisi) to the west coast of Greece (Patras, Igoumenitsa, Corfu, Kefalonia, and Zante) but if time is any concern these are not the best ways to get between Greece and Italy. There are no ferries from Italy to Santorini, Mykonos, Crete, or Athens. Popular Flights Between Italy and Greece Flights from Italy to Athens will fly year-round. Flights from Italy to the Greek Islands (Santorini, Mykonos, and Heraklio, Crete) will typically run May to October. Search Kayak.com for routes, times, and fares. • Rome-Athens • Rome-Santorini • Rome-Mykonos • Rome-Heraklio • Milan-Athens • Milan-Santorini • Milan-Mykonos • Milan-Heraklio • Venice-Athens • Venice-Santorini • Venice-Mykonos • Naples-Athens • Naples-Santorini • Naples-Mykonos

About Santorini Dave

Hi Dave! just curious. I always wanted to go to Naples, primarily for the food. But Santorini is my dream destination. If I had two weeks and wanted to spend a good 4 days in Santorini, what would you suggest as an itinerary?

There are often direct flights (in summer) between Naples and Santorini so a trip that combines both places is easily accomplished. Throw in some time in Rome and Mykonos, Naxos, or Athens and your two weeks will be accounted for. Be sure to fly in (e.g. Rome) and out (e.g. Athens) from different airports to save time and money.

Hi Dave – we are looking at flying into Venice in February for my 30th however we want to avoid the carnival on the weekend of 16th/17th. So I was thinking of flying into Venice for 14/15th then on to Rome for the 16th/17th so 2 days in each City. Do I have to fly from Venice to Rome and is it worth it? Thank you!

Train is more relaxing and less hectic and stressful than taking the plane. It does take a little longer but when you factor in getting to and from both airports and then dealing with check-in and security lines the difference is less than 2 hours.

We are planning a 3 week honeymoon to Greece and Italy. Where in either country would we find the best beach? We’re not huge beach fans but would like one stop (for two or three days) for beach relaxing and swimming. We’d also like good restaurants and a place or two to get a drink within walking distance. Thanks.

Greece has more great beaches than Italy. So, you’ll certainly want to have your beach stop be in Greece. Beaches high on my list would be Saint Georges beach in Naxos (to be close to great restaurants), Agia Anna or Prokopios beachbes in Naxos (if the beach is more important but fewer good places to eat), Platys Gialos beach in Mykonos, and Mylopotas beach in Ios (good restaurants nearby but for the best take the short bus ride in the Chora).

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10-Day Italy and Greece Tour of Rome, Venice, and Athens

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From ancient whispers of Rome to Santorini's whitewashed dreams, Italy and Greece unfold a tapestry of memories. Explore iconic ruins and charming towns, bask on stunning beaches and azure seas. Savor mouthwatering moussaka, wander sun-kissed piazzas, and indulge in history and culture. From Tuscany's warmth to Santorini's charm, a feast for the senses awaits.

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• Welcome to the Eternal City—Rome! Upon your arrival at Rome Fiumicino Airport, your friendly driver will be waiting for you in the arrivals hall.
• Relax and travel comfortably as you enjoy a private transfer to your comfortable hotel in Rome.
• Step into the Eternal City's heart as your private driver whisks you to the Colosseum. An expert guide awaits, ready to begin unlocking the secrets of this ancient marvel on a stress-free 3-hour journey .
• Skip the queues and immerse yourself in the Colosseum 's captivating history. Witness the arena where epic battles unfolded and feel the echoes of the gladiators still resonating in the air.
• Journey to the Arch of Constantine , a triumphal testament to Roman power. Wander across the verdant slopes of Palatine Hill and delve into the vibrant history of the Roman Forum .
• Conclude the tour with a comfortable transfer back to your hotel.
• Embark on a journey into the heart of Catholicism with a private transfer to Vatican City. Your expert guide awaits there, eager to unlock its treasures in 3 hours.
• Glide through the Vatican Museums with skip-the-line access and marvel at Laocoon's writhing agony and Apollo's celestial glow. Let the Gallery of Maps and Gallery of the Candelabra dazzle your senses with intricate frescoes and sparkling gems.
• Prepare to be awestruck by the Sistine Chapel . Feel the weight of Michelangelo's genius as "The Creation of Adam" sweeps across the ceiling.
• Step inside St. Peter's Basilica and be mesmerized by its architectural blend and stunning artworks. Admire Michelangelo's famous dome and the poignant beauty of his Pietà sculpture.
• Upon completion of the tour, we provide seamless transportation back to your hotel.
• Make the most of your free time to explore Rome one last time before your driver transfers you to Roma Termini train station for a fast train to Florence.
• Upon arriving at Firenze S.M. Novella train station, your driver will welcome you and transfer you to the hotel.
• Embrace the rest of the day for independent exploration and have a first taste of Florence at your own pace.
• Uncover the secrets and curiosities of the Accademia Gallery and Uffizi Gallery in a 4-hour private tour .
• Skip the queues at the Accademia Gallery and explore Michelangelo's iconic David, gazing in awe at its intricate details.
• Prepare to be dazzled by the Uffizi Gallery , home to masterpieces by Giotto, Masaccio, Botticelli, Leonardo da Vinci, and Michelangelo.
• After delving into Renaissance masterpieces, return to your hotel with lingering inspiration.
• In the afternoon, embark on a delightful 3-hour Florence foodie tour (Join in). Delve into the city's rich culinary history with a visit to the renowned San Lorenzo food market, savoring traditional Tuscan delights and unveiling the secrets of local cuisine.
• Unwind and explore Florence one last time before your driver whisks you away to Firenze S.M. Novella train station for a high-speed train to Venice.
• Glide through the canals in a private motorboat to your Venice hotel upon arriving at Santa Lucia train station.
• Embrace the rest of your Venetian adventure and savor your first taste of the city.
• Immerse yourself in the enchantment of Venice with a 2-hour highlights tour led by an expert guide.
• Enjoy a stroll to iconic Piazza San Marco , home to the legendary Basilica of San Marco and Doge's Palace.
• Discover the opulence and beauty of the Basilica of San Marc o , with its stunning golden mosaics, polychrome decorations, five domes, and the legendary Pala d'Oro.
• Explore the dynamic Venetian Gothic masterpiece Doge's Palace , showcasing vibrant cultural connections between the Serenissima Republic and other European states.
• Cross the poignant Bridge of Sighs , a reminder of the prisoners' fate.
• Let the sights and sounds of Venice serenade you as you glide through the canals, past grand palazzos and romantic bridges on a half-hour gondola ride .
• Enjoy a 3.5-hour join-in Venetian Aperitivo Tradition tour in the Cannaregio neighborhood. Discover the aperitivo spots, indulge in the local delicacies, and learn about Venetian culture and cuisine from the foodie guide as you visit five bars.
• Savor a new day Venetian sunrise before gliding through the canals for your flight to Athens.
• Welcome to Athens! Upon arrival at Athens Airport, our friendly driver will meet you and transfer you to the hotel.
• The rest of the day is at your leisure to explore this historic city and create your first impressions.
• Discover the historical sites of Athens with your private guide.
• Explore  the city center ,  and visit the Hellenic Parliament in the Old Royal Palace, the National Library, and the Presidential Mansion.
• Witness the Evzones in their traditional uniforms at Syntagma Square and the Memorial to the Unknown Soldier.
• Discover the Hadrian's Arch, the Temple of Olympian Zeus, and the Panathenaic Stadium , famed for holding the first modern Olympic Games in 1896.
• Ascend the sacred hill of the Acropolis , an ancient citadel crowned by iconic monuments. Immerse yourself in history amidst the Propylaea gateway, the graceful Temple of Athena Nike, and the majestic Parthenon, its grandeur echoing millennia of stories.
• Wrap up your day's exploration with a visit to the Acropolis Museum , where the treasures unearthed from the ancient citadel come alive.
• Make the most of your remaining time in Athens before a private transfer whisks you off to the airport for your Santorini flight.
• Upon arrival at Santorini Airport, settle into your private transfer and relax on the scenic journey to your hotel.
• Spend your free Santorini afternoon : capture the beauty of the caldera, meander through Fira's picturesque streets, or savor delicious Greek cuisine - this afternoon is yours to explore.
• Spend a leisurely morning exploring Santorini before embarking on a 5-hour join-in sunset cruise tour with transfers.
• Sail around the island, visiting the renowned Red Beach and the pristine White Beach, known for its turquoise waters for swimming and snorkeling.
• Enjoy a delicious Greek barbecue and Santorinian wine onboard.
• Witness the awe-inspiring sunset painting the Caldera with fiery hues as you sail beneath the charming village of Oia .
• Conclude this unforgettable evening with a return transfer.
• Glide in a private transfer to the pier, board your high-speed ferry, and whisk away to Mykonos. A smooth transfer awaits at the dock, delivering you straight to the Mykonos hotel.
• Free to choose your adventure! Walk through the local market, say hi to Peter the Pelican, explore the Folklore Museum or head to Paraportiani Church and Little Venice; this afternoon is yours to discover.
• Indulge in a tranquil day on the stunning beaches, reading a book, swimming in the waves, or simply basking in the sun.
• Savor your final moments on the charming Mykonos Island, exploring its wonders before your driver whisks you to the airport for your flight home.

Hand-picked Hotel

Price includes.

*Price from $6,844 per adult

*The price is based on two adults in 4-star hotels during the low tourist season(Nov.-Feb.). We can offer an even more competitive price for groups of 4 or more people. (tour code: gh-eu-1)

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Grand Tour of Italy & Greece

4.6 out of 5 stars

You have up to 60 days to get a full refund

Feel good about putting a tour on the calendar today: Enroll in AutoPay or pay in full when you book, and if you change your mind,  you’ll get your money back .†

See the highlights of two of Europe’s most sought-after destinations

Italy and Greece often find their way to the top of many travel bucket lists—and for good reason. Both countries shine when it comes to their fresh cuisine, dreamy views, and dynamic cultures. Find inspiration in Italy as you visit Venice, Florence, and Rome. Then, head to Greece to uncover history in Delphi, Olympia, and Athens.

Your tour package includes

• 12 nights in handpicked hotels
• 12 breakfasts
• 5 dinners with beer or wine
• 7 sightseeing tours
• Expert Tour Director & local guides

Included highlights

• St. Mark’s Basilica
• Florence Duomo
• Ponte Vecchio
• Spanish Steps

An expert specializing in tours of this region is here to help.

Day-by-day itinerary

Board your overnight flight to Venice.

Welcome to Italy! Meet your Tour Director and fellow group members at tonight’s welcome dinner.

Admire historic churches, winding canals, and picture-perfect piazzas on a guided tour of the city known as the Queen of the Adriatic.

• Marvel at the Bridge of Sighs, the link between Doge’s Palace and the New Prison.
• View the stately Doge’s Palace, built in the Venetian Gothic style in 1340.
• Step into the iconic St. Mark’s Square and enter St. Mark’s Basilica.
• See a glassblowing demonstration to learn about the city’s most celebrated art.

Enjoy a free afternoon in Venice or add an excursion.

Please note: On some departures travelers may enter St. Mark's Basilica after the sightseeing tour based on ticket time availability.

Gondola Ride: Venice Canal Cruise

From $89 per person

Private Gondola Ride: Canal Cruise for Two

From $165 per person

Cross through the Apennine Mountains as you make your way to Florence. Once you arrive, get to know the city with a local guide.

• View the legendary Florence Cathedral, known as the Duomo.
• Pass Giotto’s Campanile, a masterpiece of Gothic architecture.
• Walk past Piazza della Repubblica to the medieval Ponte Vecchio.
• Stroll along the Arno River and through the courtyard of the Uffizi Gallery to Piazza della Signoria, center of Florentine life.

Spend a free day in Florence or add an excursion.

San Gimignano: Medieval Sights & Tuscan Flavors

From $115 per person

Depart Florence for Rome, where you’ll explore the ancient city on a guided tour.

• Stroll past the Spanish Steps, where Bernini’s Baroque-style fountain has stood since the 1600s
• Walk to the intricately carved Trevi Fountain, and toss a coin for good luck
• Step inside the Pantheon, home to the world’s largest unreinforced concrete dome
• Learn about the engineering skills of the ancient Romans and how they created this well-preserved temple
• End at Piazza Navona and see the Fountain of the Four Rivers

Enjoy a free day in Rome or add excursions.

Iconic Sights: Vatican City

From $125 per person

Pasta-Making Class & Dinner

From $119 per person

Spend a free morning exploring Rome or add an excursion.

This evening, enjoy an elegant, four-course dinner at a local restaurant with live musical entertainment.

Ancient Rome: St. Paul’s Basilica & the Catacombs

Fly to Athens, Greece this morning. Then, continue on to Delphi.

Set off on a guided tour of Delphi, home of the mystical oracle. You’ll visit the Temple of Apollo where, according to legend, the gods once communicated with mortals. 

Cross onto the Peloponnese peninsula as you make your way to the Olympia region this afternoon.

Tour the historic city of Olympia with a local guide.

• View the ruins of the Temple of Zeus, known as one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World.
• See the ancient Gymnasium and site where the first Olympic Games took place.
• Step inside the Archaeological Museum of Olympia and enjoy free time to explore the exhibits.

Spend a free afternoon in the Olympia region or add an excursion.

Greek Cooking Class & Folkloric Show Dinner

From $69 per person

As you make your way to Athens, stop to visit several historic sites.

• Head to the UNESCO-listed Archaeological site of Mycenae.
• Take a guided tour of the ancient Mycenaean city and learn about its connection to Homer’s famous Greek epics the Iliad and the Odyssey.
• Snap a photo of the Corinth Canal, which separates the Peloponnese peninsula from mainland Greece.

A local guide introduces you to the highlights of this bustling ancient capital, home to the world’s first democracy.

• Pass by the Olympic Stadium, Syntagma Square, and the Arch of Hadrian.
• View the sixth-century Temple of Zeus.
• See the classically inspired Old Royal Palace, home of the Hellenic Parliament, and drive through the Plaka district.
• Set off on a walking tour around the ancient Acropolis, site of the Parthenon, Temple of Athena Nike, and Erechtheion.

Enjoy a free afternoon in Athens or add an excursion.

Celebrate your trip with your fellow group members at a farewell dinner this evening.

Cape Sounion

From $75 per person

Transfer to the airport for your flight home or continue on to visit Santorini and further explore Athens.

Take a ferry to Santorini, then enjoy free time to discover the island’s charming culture and awe-inspiring landscapes.

Take in the local sights on a guided tour of Santorini, a volcanic isle known for its black-sand beaches, cliff-lined shores, and stunning whitewashed architecture.

• Visit the prehistoric settlements that were unearthed during the archaeological excavations at Akrotiri.
• Ride to the top of Mount Profitis Ilias for panoramic views of the whole island.
• Stop in the small, picturesque village of Pyrgos.

Spend a free evening in Santorini or add an excursion.

Santorini Caldera Cruise & Dinner

From $149 per person

Enjoy a free day in Santorini or add an excursion.

Please note: For an additional cost, you can book a visit to the village of Oia through your Tour Director. The visit will either take place on the evening of day 14 or 16 depending on the ferry schedule.

Greek Wine Tasting & Lunch

Fly back to Athens today. Then, gather with your group members and raise a toast to your trip with a farewell drink.

Transfer to the airport for your flight home.

Book for just $99 down

That’s all it takes to secure your spot on tour with AutoPay. Then, pay for your trip in interest-free, monthly installments.†

Overall rating 4.6 out of 5

5 out of 5 stars

The tour was a view of the world as experienced in Italy and Greece. Very informative and exciting. The tour guide Francesco was par excellent very caring and attentive to all tour members. We celebrated birthdays and the group felt like one family.

Our tour director Francesco was extremely efficient at handling every aspect of our tour. Moving 35 people and all their luggage from each location without losing anyone or anything was remarkable. Francesco kept us on time and on track. He was interesting, entertaining and responsive. A true pro...

This was a huge decision, but we bit the bullet and have not regretted it. The guide was amazing, professional, and knowledgeable, and took care of any issues that came up. This vacation was all I dreamed of and more. Money well spent

Thank you for sharing your experience with us! We'...

Traveler photos

Hotels, flights & FAQ

This Art Nouveau hotel is located in Lido di Venezia. Guests enjoy a private beach area, restaurant and bar, and library. Nearby, you’ll find Lido Bea...

This charming hotel is located near the Santa Maria Novella train station in Florence. Guests enjoy free Wi-Fi and a restaurant. Nearby, you’ll find t...

This modern hotel is located in near Termini station. Guests enjoy free WiFi, a minibar, and laundry center. Nearby, you'll find Museo Nazionale Roman...

This modern hotel is located at the foot of Mount Parnassus in Delphi. Guests enjoy the outdoor pool, beautiful views, and manicured gardens. Nearby, ...

This modern hotel is located in the Agios Georgios neighborhood. Guests enjoy a restaurant, bar, and pool. Nearby, you’ll find the Archimedes Museum, ...

This modern hotel is located in the Ilisia neighborhood. Guests enjoy a fitness center, restaurant, and lounge. Nearby you’ll find the Byzantine and C...

This beautiful hotel is located in the heart of Fira, the capital of Santorini. Guests enjoy a pool, outdoor bar, and stylish accommodations. Nearby, ...

• Round-trip flight for your tour
• Airport transfers at your destination
• A great price locked in today
• 24/7 support from our dedicated service team
• Options for arriving early, staying longer, or requesting an upgrade
• Flexible rebooking options if your tour itinerary changes
• Find out more about flights
• This tour visits Italy and Greece. In order to enter these countries, U.S. and Canadian citizens need a valid passport with an expiration date extending at least six months beyond the date of reentry.
• We recommend having at least one blank passport page for entry stamps.
• Beginning in 2025, U.S. and Canadian passport holders must register for an ETIAS travel authorization in order to enter many European countries.
• Passport holders from over 60 visa-exempt countries (including the U.S. and Canada) will need to apply for an ETIAS travel authorization in order to visit 30 European countries. That means that even if you’ve previously traveled to any of these European countries without a visa, starting in 2025, you’ll need to get ETIAS authorization to visit them again. If you’re traveling to multiple countries with this requirement, you only need to complete the form once. All Go Ahead travelers are responsible for obtaining their own ETIAS travel authorization before departure. For more details, please visit our Help Center .
• If you are not a U.S. or Canadian citizen, you must contact each country’s consulate for your specific entry requirements.
• You can see the most up-to-date entry requirements for the destination(s) you’ll visit on tour by going to goaheadtours.com/entry-requirements and searching the code IGC.
• Round-trip flights booked through Go Ahead Tours arrive in Venice and depart from Athens.
• Transfers to and from the airport at your destination are included for travelers who have purchased their flights through Go Ahead Tours. Travelers who purchase their own flights may request airport transfers with Go Ahead Tours for an additional cost if they are arriving or departing on the standard day.
• When you arrive in Venice, a Go Ahead representative will be waiting for you in the arrivals hall with a Go Ahead sign or a sign with your name(s). If you don’t see a representative immediately, please be patient and stay in the arrivals area. They may be assisting another traveler who has also just arrived and will be back shortly.
• Please note that your arrival transfer may be via water taxi.

Physical Activity Level

This is a high physical activity-level tour. You can expect to be on the move on a regular basis throughout the course of the tour.

Tour Pacing

This is a steady-paced tour. The pace of a tour itinerary considers how often you’ll switch hotels, the amount of planned daily activities, and how you’ll get from place to place. You can expect:

• One 1-night stay
• 3 full days of included activities in a row (more if you add excursions)
• Most transportation by motor coach with occasional transport by boat and plane
• About 4 hours of bus time daily

Walking, Terrain & Physical Requirements

• Travelers should be prepared to walk 2-3 miles per day over varying terrain - this includes city streets, cobblestones, rocky or slippery paths, uneven stairs, and steep hills.
• Stone and marble walkways may be slippery even when dry.
• The city of Venice is fully pedestrian with 3-5 steps leading up and down the many bridges throughout the city.
• The terrain around the Roman Forum and the Colosseum includes inclines and uneven stairs.
• Access to the Acropolis requires travelers to navigate a steep hill including uneven stairs with no railing.
• Travelers should be healthy enough to participate in all included walks without assistance.
• Please Note: Adding optional excursions may increase the total amount of walking on tour.

Climate Considerations

• In the summer months (June-September), travelers can expect heatwaves with temperatures consistently above 90F.
• Venice experiences the Acqua Alta, or high water, during the fall and winter months. During this time, travelers can expect the lower parts of the city to flood for a few hours during the day.
• In July and August, Greece experiences Meltemi, or strong winds, which can make for rough ferry rides. Travelers who experience motion sickness should take the proper precautions. 

Physical Activity & Tour Pace Questions

• Go Ahead Tours and the Tour Director who accompanies your group are unable to provide special mobility or luggage handling assistance to travelers on tour. The responsibility of the Tour Director is to ensure the group enjoys a smooth and informative journey, and they can’t be relied on to provide individualized assistance to any one traveler.
• This tour moves at a reasonable pace to avoid missing scheduled stops. The rest of the group cannot miss any scheduled activities because of the needs of an individual.
• Due to the pace and physical activity level of this tour, mobility aids such as wheelchairs or walkers will be difficult to use and are not recommended. Please notify Go Ahead Tours before your departure if you plan to bring these on tour with you.
• If you have mobility concerns or tour pace questions, please visit our Help Center or send a message to our Customer Experience Team. We’re here to help!
• This tour includes various modes of transportation, including plane, water taxi, ferry, and private motor coach. Some modes of transportation will have raised platforms or steps and often not provide access to ramps or lifts.
• A flight from Rome to Athens is included in the price of your tour (the tour extension also includes a ferry from Athens to Santorini and a flight from Santorini to Athens).
• All other included transportation on this tour is by private motor coach.
• Please note that our travelers are limited to one checked bag and one carry-on bag per person due to storage limitations on motor coaches and other transfers, which include flights and ferries.
• Some airlines may impose additional charges if you choose to check any baggage or exceed baggage size and weight restrictions. Be advised that you are responsible for any baggage fees incurred on all flights.
• Contact your airline(s) for baggage size and weight restrictions for your flights. Please note that your included on-tour flights may have more restrictive baggage limits.
• Make sure you label your baggage and keep valuables, medication, and documents in your carry-on bag.
• Travelers must manage their own luggage throughout tour as porters are not guaranteed. This includes at hotels, airports and while boarding ferries.
• Travelers need to be prepared to manage their own luggage during ferry transfer. This includes carrying your luggage up/down the boarding ramp, lifting luggage onto racks, and managing crowded spaces with other people and motor vehicles.
• We recommend packing lightweight, loose-fitting clothing that can be easily layered to accommodate varying temperatures, as well as a light jacket or rainwear.
• A sturdy pair of walking shoes or sneakers is recommended for sightseeing.
• You may want to pack dressier attire if you plan to visit a high-end restaurant or attend a special performance.
• It is preferable not to visit churches or other religious sites with bare legs and shoulders (and entrance may be denied on this basis).
• We recommend packing a reusable water bottle to cut down on single use plastic waste.
• Travelers who experience motion sickness should take the proper precautions for the ferry crossings.
• We recommend packing a universal adapter, as well as a voltage converter if you plan on using your own hairdryer or other device without a built-in converter.
• We recommend packing your Insurance Card (from your primary insurance provider) in your carry on luggage.
• Go Ahead handpicks every hotel to strike the balance of comfort, location, and local charm.
• Accommodations are typically three to four star hotels.
• All accommodations include a private bathroom.
• Most rooms will include a safe for valuables.
• Your hotels will have Wifi, but it may be limited to common areas.
• Elevators in hotels are not guaranteed.
• Some hotels on this tour require travelers to walk with their luggage a few blocks as buses cannot drop travelers off right out front.
• Please be advised that the strength of the air conditioning in European hotels/buildings is often not as strong or as cool as what you might be used to in the U.S. or Canada.
• Italy operates on the European standard 220-240 volts and uses Types C, F, or L plugs with two or three small, round pins.
• Greece operates on the European standard 220-240 volts and uses Types C, E, or F plugs with two small, round pins.
• We cannot guarantee that your hotel accommodations will have laundry services or facilities. We recommend checking directly with the hotel once they are confirmed about 30 days prior to departure.
• Specific accommodations will vary based on your departure date.
• Excursions are available for purchase prior to departure, and most excursions will be available for purchase while you are on tour directly through your mobile app for an additional $10 USD.
• We recommend purchasing excursions at least 3 days prior to your tour departure. Please note some excursions have advance booking deadlines. Check your tour itinerary for more information to ensure you don’t miss the deadline to add them.
• Optional excursions may be canceled on tour due to reasons like low enrollment, weather or unexpected closures. If an excursion you signed up for is canceled by Go Ahead Tours, you will be refunded the full cost of the excursion. Please note it may take up to 60 days for your refund to be processed.
• Your Tour Director may offer their own optional excursions which can only be purchased on tour via cash (in local currency).
• At least 60 days prior to departure, check with your doctor or healthcare provider for the latest updates and entry requirements, or visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's website at cdc.gov .
• If you have dietary restrictions and/or food allergies, please notify Go Ahead Tours at least 30 days prior to your departure by logging in to your account and updating your traveler info. To update this information closer to your departure date, please contact our Customer Experience Team.
• If you have medication that you take daily, be sure you have enough for each day of the tour as well as any possible delays encountered.
• Most of our itineraries include headsets used during certain sightseeing tours so travelers can hear their guides or Tour Director. If you use an assisted listening device, such as a hearing aid or cochlear implant, please visit our Help Center for more information or contact our customer experience team. Please note that at this time not all our destinations offer headsets due to supplier limitations.
• Please note that codeine (commonly found in headache medications) is banned in Greece, and you may face prosecution if you bring it into the country.
• Take proper care with sun exposure, as the sun can be especially strong in some of the regions on this tour.
• The water is safe to drink throughout your tour unless posted otherwise.
• This tour includes five dinners. Included meals may be plated set menus, buffet or family style depending on the location. Dinners include one glass of beer, wine, or soft drink and water, coffee and tea.
• Breakfast each morning is also included at the hotel and is typically buffet style with hot and cold options.
• Venice and Northern Italy are known for flavorful meats and pastries.
• Tuscany is world-famous for its wine, oil, sauces, and pasta. Menus favor subtle, lighter pastas and desserts made with nuts, fruit, and honey. Try a dish featuring the region’s Chianina beef, perhaps the most prized breed of cattle in all of Italy. For wine, popular Tuscan reds include Chianti, Brunello di Montalcino, and Vino Nobile di Montepulciano, which are primarily made from the Sangiovese grape. Well-known white wines are also made around the San Gimignano region.
• Roman food is typically freshly prepared and varies depending on the season. Must-try bites include cacio e pepe (a simple dish of pasta, cheese, and pepper) and supplí (a fried rice ball similar to Sicily's arancini).
• For more authentic meals, try local trattorias, small restaurants set away from the main piazzas. A typical Italian meal includes wines and the occasional beer, followed by a few sips of after-dinner drinks like grappa or limoncello.
• Greece’s warm climate ensures a constant supply of fresh, high-quality fruits and vegetables. Salads served with aromatic olive oil, feta cheese, and oregano are plentiful. Simple grilled fish and meat are integral to Greek cuisine, as well as squid and octopus. Don't miss the spinach and cheese pies, called spanakopita.
• At the conclusion of your tour, it is customary to offer your Tour Director and driver a gratuity in local currency. Please keep current exchange rates in mind.
• We recommend tipping the equivalent of $10-$12USD per person per day for your Tour Director and the equivalent of $3USD per person per day for your driver.
• If applicable, we also recommend the equivalent of $2USD per local guide.
• Tips can only be paid in cash.
• If you are traveling to multiple countries with different currencies and the same Tour Director, ask them what currency they prefer for their tip.
• The cost of porterage is included in your tour price, and it is not necessary to tip baggage handlers.
• You will use the euro on tour.
• Better rates of exchange are usually available overseas, although it’s worth ordering some currency from your local bank to use when you first arrive.
• We strongly advise that you take debit/bank cards and credit cards, which can be used to withdraw cash at local banks as needed.
• You can use most debit/credit cards at ATMs on the international networks Cirrus and Plus, but make sure to check with your home bank about withdrawal fees.
• International banks and businesses primarily accept debit and credit cards that work with the EMV chip system. If you do not already have at least one debit or credit card with a chip in it, we strongly recommend requesting one from your bank prior to your tour.
• Plan ahead and bring cash to tip your tour director, local guides, and bus drivers. We also recommend keeping coins in the local currency on hand, as some public bathrooms may charge a fee for use.
• To ensure you feel prepared before traveling on tour, we strongly recommend you download the EF Go Ahead Tours mobile app. The app is free and provides important deadlines, entry requirements, your detailed itinerary, packing tips and more. You can also connect with fellow travelers through the chat feature in the app.
• Wifi is available in most hotels, though some charges may apply.
• There is no Wifi on any of the motor coaches.
• Please contact your mobile service provider for information on roaming charges.
• Your Tour Director will be leading your group throughout your journey. You will have the same Tour Director throughout your tour.
• The role of the Tour Director is not only to provide information and context on the destinations you visit, but also to confirm services, coordinate inclusions, prepare each days’ activities and support travelers while on tour. As such, they must focus on the success of the group, and cannot provide individualized assistance to any one traveler.
• One of the benefits of traveling with EF Go Ahead Tours is our on tour emergency support team.
• Our extensive network of offices around the world, and our integration of ISO 31000: Risk Management Guidelines, help our dedicated 24/7 Emergency Service teams anticipate and address on-tour challenges in a flexible and iterative way.
• This team supports travelers and Tour Directors using a combination of extensive training, simulations, incident response planning, and decades of experience to help manage emergencies if they arise, ranging from personal health concerns or injuries to major world events.
• As needed, On Tour Support can facilitate additional support for travelers on tour, arrange assistance from outside specialists, and liaise with local and international authorities to help solve on-the-ground issues. In addition, the team is dedicated to supporting and facilitating communication between travelers and families in the event of an emergency while on the road or at home.
• Italy is one hour ahead of Greenwich Mean Time (GMT) and six hours ahead of Eastern Time (ET).
• Greece is two hours ahead of GMT and seven hours ahead of ET.
• When it’s noon in New York, it’s 6pm in Italy and 7pm in Greece.
• When you travel with EF Go Ahead Tours, you’ll make a positive impact on the places you visit, and the people and animals you meet along the way. That’s because our three core Responsible Travel commitments—protecting the environment, supporting local communities, and promoting animal welfare—are at the heart of every tour we offer.
• Travel, when done responsibly, can make an enormous socio-economic impact to communities. To maximize your impact, eat at locally owned restaurants and shop at local businesses. Ask your Tour Director to point out restaurants they recommend.
• Prepare for your trip: be aware of the monetary norms such as tipping and negotiating in a market, learn about the destination’s forms of etiquette, and take some time to learn a few words in the local language.
• When interacting with locals, make sure to ask people for permission before you take their picture, and approach cultural differences with empathy and an open mind.
• EF Go Ahead Tours encourages our travelers to limit their waste while on the road, especially single use plastics. You can avoid single use plastics by packing your own toiletries, using electronic documents, and bringing a reusable water bottle and shopping bag. If you need to use plastics or paper, please recycle.
• Environment: On this tour, we recommend the use of a reusable water bottle, as the local drinking water is safe for travelers. Your Tour Director can provide additional guidance on local water standards. Make sure to bring a reusable water bottle to cut down on single use plastics.
• If you are interested in visiting any of Florence's many museums during your free time, we recommend that you make reservations in advance. See  uffizi.org  for the Uffizi Gallery or  accademia.org  for the Accademia Gallery. Please note that the museums are closed on Mondays.

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From Paris to Rome: The Ultimate Europe Itinerary

Posted on Last updated: April 25, 2024

Looking for the best itinerary for Europe trip? Well, look no further than my epic guide to help you plan an unforgettable Europe itinerary!

I’ve mapped out a 4 week European itinerary that will lead you through some breathtaking  city breaks in Europe , stunning islands, and of course plenty of iconic historical landmarks.

In all honesty, you need more than 4 weeks in Europe to really see it. But in 4 weeks you can cover a lot of ground! So I’d say if you are planning on backpacking across Europe then you are going to need at least a month to cover some decent ground.

Every day on your itinerary for Europe trip, backpacking in Europe will hold a new adventure, and a new opportunity to create some unforgettable travel memories.

So, let’s pack our bags and get ready to have some travel adventures!

  Quick View 4 week Europe Itinerary

Itinerary for europe trip week 1: spain and portugal.

What’s a better place for your 1 week Europe trip than Spain and later take it to Portugal ? I love the food, music, views, and vibes in both places.

So in my 4 week Europe itinerary, Spain and Portugal come first. You won’t have to travel much to reach beautiful places. They are everywhere in these countries, so why not enjoy that?

• Spend 3 Days Exploring Madrid, Its Museums and Nightlife

In your Europe itinerary 1 week is all you need to immerse yourself in Madrid’s vibrancy and passion. From the moment you step off the plane, you will feel the city’s incredible art, delightful cuisine, and pulsating nightlife. Madrid is a city that doesn’t sleep, and it teems with energy and culture.

Begin backpacking in your European trip itinerary by exploring Madrid’s “Golden Triangle of Art,” the THREE world-class art museums.

If you’re an art lover planning your 1 week Europe trip, The Prado is a paradise for art lovers, where you can spend hours admiring masterpieces from the likes of Goya and Velázquez. At the Reina Sofia, prepare to have your mind blown by modern art, including Picasso’s Guernica – a real showstopper.

The real charm of Madrid is its buzzing nightlife that will surely fill up your Europe itinerary 1 week trip. If you love booze and wish to live in the moment, Plaza Santa Ana is a great starting point, with lively tapas bars and flamenco clubs begging to be explored.

• Take A Day Trip to Toledo, A Historic City Near Madrid

On Day 4 of your backpacking trip to Europe , visit Toledo , an incredible city that’s like stepping into a time machine. This UNESCO World Heritage site is a testament to Spain’s historical and cultural diversity. The weather is generally nice, so you’ll be comfortable roaming around here.

Don’t miss out on the breathtaking Toledo Cathedral in your 1 week Europe trip, the serene Synagogue of Santa María la Blanca, and the commanding Alcazar fortress tell the tale of a city shaped by many cultures. And guys, don’t miss the city view from the Mirador del Valle. It’s a vista that’ll stay with you forever.

• Take An Overnight Train To Lisbon, Portugal

Say goodbye to Spain and hello to Portugal because there’s a lot to cover in your 4 week Europe itinerary. Take a train from Madrid to Lisbon , where you can see the European country vibe while traveling comfortably. European trains are a class apart, so enjoy it while the journey lasts.

Quick Tip:  Book accommodation, tours, and transport ahead of time online to save money and stress.  Best Europe Tours :  Click here to check out the top Europe tours Best Europe Accommodation: Click here to check out the best accommodation in Europe Best Europe Transport: Click here to book a bus, ferry, or train in Europe

• Spend 3 Days Exploring Lisbon’s Historic Neighborhoods And Landmarks

As you continue your journey on 1 week Europe trip, I recommend starting your Lisbon adventure in Alfama, Lisbon’s oldest district. It’s a delightful maze of narrow streets leading to the impressive São Jorge Castle.

Do you hear that soulful music wafting through the air? That’s Fado, a traditional Portuguese music genre best enjoyed with a hearty meal in the Bairro Alto district.

While in Lisbon, don’t miss the architectural grandeur of the Jerónimos Monastery and the iconic Belém Tower. Catching the sunset along the Belém waterfront is a must – it’s the perfect end to your Lisbon sojourn.

• Take A Day Trip To Sintra, A Beautiful Town With A Palace And Castle

If you’ve ever dreamt of wandering through a fairy tale, Sintra is that dream come to life. The first stop has to be the Pena Palace . Perched high on a hill, the palace’s vibrant colors stand out against the lush greenery that surrounds it and make backpacking for Europe a must-do.

Every corner you turn, every room you enter, you’ll find a mix of styles that somehow works together perfectly, just like the Moorish tiles contrasting with the Manueline motifs.

• End The Week In Porto, Portugal, And Explore The City’s Famous Port Wine Cellars And Charming Streets

As you leave the fairy-tale behind, head towards Porto , a city where the houses are colorful, the streets narrow, and the vibe quintessentially Portuguese.

Don’t forget to head to one of the many cellars in the Vila Nova de Gaia district for a tasting tour, this would be a highlight of your 1 week Europe trip. A glass of Tawny or Ruby Port overlooking the city at sunset to conclude your 1st week of 4 week Europe itinerary ? Yes, please!

Looking for somewhere to stay? Check out these options!

Ten To Go Hostel

La Cocotera Boutique Hostel & Coworking

Betica Hotel Rural

5ª Vigia

Europe Itinerary Week 2: France and Italy

A 2 week Europe trip should ideally put these places in the center, as each corner in France and Italy is brimming with stories of the past and whispers of the present.

In your 2 week Europe trip itinerary, you should explore the rich history and vibrant culture of France and Italy as you visit iconic landmarks and savor exquisite cuisine along the way.

• Take A Train From Porto To Paris, France

Your 2 week Europe itinerary begins with a train ride from Porto straight to Paris. As the train chugs along, you’ll see the landscapes change, transitioning from the cozy countryside of Portugal to the lively, energetic urban expanse of France .

• Spend 3 Days Exploring Paris’s Iconic Landmarks And Museums

Continue your 2 weeks in Europe in Paris with the Eiffel Tower . This giant iron structure is really cool to see up close. And the view from the top? Amazing. But only when there’s no rush. So wake up early to catch a good view of the Eiffel.

After that, you should go to the Louvre Museum . It’s one of the largest art museums in the world and has all sorts of art, from paintings to sculptures. You can even see the famous Mona Lisa, which will be memorable for your 2 week Europe trip!

During your 2 weeks in Europe, don’t miss the Notre Dame Cathedral , either. This grand church is a must-see.

• T ake A Day Trip To Versailles Or The Palace Of Fontainebleau

If you’re doing your 2 week Europe itinerary by train, take a break from the city and go on a day trip to either Versailles or Fontainebleau . The Palace of Versailles has beautiful gardens, and the inside is just as stunning. If you choose Fontainebleau, you’ll get to see a castle that was home to French kings for centuries.

• Take An Overnight Train To Venice, Italy

For the best 2 week Europe itinerary, in the evening, get ready to take an overnight train to Venice for some calm time and to make your backpacking in Europe more diverse. The cheapest way to complete this almost 12-hour distance is via train, and if you want things to be more comfortable, get on a plane to Venice.

• Spend 2 Days Exploring Venice’s Canals And Architecture

Arrive in Venice and spend the day exploring. This city is famous for its canals, so a gondola ride is a must-do. Check out St. Mark’s Square and the Doge’s Palace , too.

On your second day in your two week Europe trip, see more of what Venice has to offer. Visit the Rialto Bridge and the markets around it. You might also want to see some of the smaller islands like Murano , known for glassmaking.

• Take A Train To Florence, Italy

After enjoying Venice in your 2 week Europe trip, it’s time to board a train to Florence, the next captivating destination on your itinerary . The journey is about 2 hours and quite convenient, so you won’t spend much time out of your 4 week European itinerary while going to and fro from cities.

• Spend 2 Days Exploring Florence’s Art Museums And Churches

Continue your 2 week Europe Itinerary in Florence with a visit to the Uffizi Gallery . One of the most important Italian museums and among the most visited in the world, it holds a collection of priceless works, particularly from the period of the Italian Renaissance.

As you move from one room to another, you’ll witness the works of art legends such as Botticelli, Michelangelo, Leonardo da Vinci, and Raphael.

As you enjoy your 2 weeks in Europe, you can end your day with a visit to the Basilica of Santa Croce, also known as the Temple of the Italian Glories, as it is the burial place of some of the most illustrious Italians, such as Michelangelo, Galileo, and Machiavelli.

Enzo Hotels Reims Tinqueux by Kyriad Direct

Hotel Elysees Opera

Glamour Suite Cagliari

Hotel Mondschein

💡Quick Tip View my full Europe packing guide here including a downloadable checklist . And check out my Europe Essentials shopping list here .

Europe Trip Itinerary Week 3: Italy And Greece

I suggest dedicating a part of your 3 week Europe itinerary to Italy . Backpacking trips to Europe feel incomplete if you don’t do justice to Italy because, honestly, you can dedicate a whole 10-day Europe itinerary to it. My stay in Italy was incredible, and I am biased toward it.

• Take A Train To Rome, Italy

Start your 3 week Europe itinerary by taking a train from Florence and heading to Rome , the capital city of Italy. It’s a pretty cool ride, and in a couple of hours, you’ll be in the city’s heart. Rome is one of the oldest cities in the world, and it’s like stepping back in time.

• Spend 3 Days Exploring Rome’s Ancient Landmarks And Food Scene

Have fun in this ancient place on your Europe itinerary 3 weeks in duration by beginning your Rome visit with the Colosseum, the largest ancient amphitheater ever built. It’s amazing to think of all the history that took place there. You’ll also find the Roman Forum nearby, the ancient city’s main square. Walking around, you’ll see ruins of old government buildings.

On day two of your 3 Week Europe trip, check out the Pantheon , a former Roman temple that’s now a church. It’s got the world’s largest unreinforced concrete dome, which is pretty impressive. After that, head to the Trevi Fountain, a huge and beautiful fountain that’s famous all over the world. Remember to throw in a coin for good luck (we never know if it works out, right?).

Also, during your 3 weeks in Europe you can’t leave without having some authentic Italian pizza, pasta, and gelato – it’s almost blasphemous, IMO.

Spend the last day visiting Vatican City , where you can see St. Peter’s Basilica and the Vatican Museums. Don’t miss the Sistine Chapel in your 3 weeks in Europe itinerary, it is known for its ceiling painted by Michelangelo.

• Take A Train Or Flight To Athens, Greece

After three days in Rome on your 3 week Europe trip, hop on a train or flight to Athens, Greece . It’s the capital of Greece and one of the world’s oldest cities. Athens is known for its ancient buildings and monuments, so you’re in for a treat.

If you travel via local public transport during your 3 weeks in Europe, you must have the best travel bag for Europe that’s waterproof and strong enough to bear the brunt of being relocated.

• Spend 3 Days Exploring Athens’s Acropolis And Other Ancient Sites

In your itinerary for Europe trip, I think your first stop in Athens has to be the Acropolis because of its vibe. This ancient hill holds several buildings, including the Parthenon, an old temple dedicated to the goddess Athena. The view of the city from up there is also stunning, and the weather will make it even better.

In your 3 weeks in Europe itinerary, other places to explore in Athens are Ancient Agora, a former marketplace, and the Temple of Olympian Zeus, once the largest temple in Greece.

Before you leave Athens, make sure to visit the National Archaeological Museum . I assure you it’s the best Europe itinerary for you to include!

• Take A Ferry To Santorini, Greece

Continue your 3 week Europe Itinerary by taking a ferry to Santorini. It’s to get those Insta-worthy pictures clicked because no place is better than Santorini on your backpacking for Europe . From Athens, take a ferry to Santorini . This island is known for its beautiful beaches and blue-domed churches.

• Spend 2 Days Exploring Santorini’s Beautiful Beaches And Blue-Domed Churches

On your first day in Santorini during your 3 week Europe trip, visit Red Beach, named for its distinctive red volcanic sand. Remember to bring your camera, as the contrast between the red cliffs, blue sky, and turquoise sea is a sight.

Spend your second day in Oia, one of Santorini’s most picturesque towns. The narrow winding streets are lined with small local shops offering everything from handmade jewelry to local wines and olive oil.

The town is famous for its blue-domed churches, which are scattered across its skyline. These iconic structures against the backdrop of the deep blue sea make for postcard-perfect photos of your Europe trip itinerary.

But the real magic happens at sunset, which will make your 3 weeks in Europe itinerary perfect! Find a good spot to watch the sun go down – it’s a sight that will stay with you forever as the sky explodes in hues of orange, pink, and red over the calm Aegean Sea.

Looking for somewhere to stay in Greece? Check out these options!

Delina Mountain Resort

Eagles Nest

Calistus Mykonos

Best Europe Itinerary Week 4: Greece and Germany

If you started traveling with a Europe trip itinerary 4 weeks, Santorini is a good place to conclude it. But I say the best backpacking trips to Europe give you enough leg space to travel to all places nicely. So plan a 4 week Europe itinerary and end it in Germany .

• Take A Ferry Or Flight To Mykonos, Greece

After soaking in the beauty of Santorini, you can continue the 10 day europe itinerary by heading over to the energetic island of Mykonos . Take a ferry or catch a flight, and in no time, you’ll be in the heart of Greece’s party paradise, where summer parties are the most fun.

• Spend 2 Days Exploring Mykonos’s Party Scene And Beaches

Spend your precious 4 weeks in Europe in Mykonos with a visit to its famous beaches. Visit Super Paradise Beach , known for its clear waters and golden sand. It’s a great spot to relax, soak up some sun, and maybe even make a few new friends. If you’re up for it, you can also try water sports.

In your 4 week European itinerary, when the sun goes down, the island comes alive with music and dancing. Head to one of the many beach clubs or bars and join in the fun. It’s a great way to experience the lively spirit of the island.

• Take A Flight To Berlin, Germany

Let’s move to the mainland on our Europe itinerary 4 weeks in duration, by doing backpacking across Europe excursions . Catch a flight to Berlin , the capital of Germany.

In your backpacking Europe itinerary 4 weeks will allow you to explore a diverse range of cultures, landscapes, and experiences, from the historic streets of Athens to the vibrant energy of Berlin.

• Spend 3 Days Exploring Berlin’s Museums And History

Brandenburg Gate, one of the city’s most famous landmarks, is a good starting point for your Berlin stay. After that, walk along the East Side Gallery, a stretch of the Berlin Wall that’s now covered in art.

Check out Museum Island, home to five of Berlin’s most important museums. Also, don’t miss the Pergamon Museum, which holds a huge collection of ancient art.

For your final day in Berlin during your 4 weeks in Europe, consider visiting Checkpoint Charlie , one of the most famous crossing points between East and West Berlin during the Cold War.

• Take A Day Trip To Potsdam Or Sachsenhausen Concentration Camp

Before you finish your 4 weeks in Europe, consider taking a day trip from Berlin to either Potsdam or the Sachsenhausen Concentration Camp . Potsdam is home to beautiful palaces and gardens, while Sachsenhausen is a former Nazi concentration camp and a sobering reminder of Germany’s past.

End The Trip In Munich, Germany, And Spend 2 Days Exploring The City’s Beer Halls And Landmarks

As an addition to this itinerary for Europe trip, after your day trip, head back to Berlin and catch a train or flight to Munich . This city is famous for its beer halls, so you’re in for a treat. But the weather here is quite cold, so plan your packing list for backpacking in Europe well. Keep jackets and warmers along, so you don’t catch a cold.

In your itinerary for Europe trip, Plan a trip to Marienplatz to start your Munich visit with the city’s main square. You should remember the New Town Hall and its famous Glockenspiel. After that, head to the Munich Residenz, a former royal palace that’s now a museum.

As I said, Munich is famous for its beer halls, so visit at least one to have your own version of best Europe itinerary. The most famous is the Hofbräuhaus, which has been serving beer since 1589. Enjoy a traditional Bavarian meal with a pint of local beer to wrap up your amazing 4-week European itinerary.

Did You Get Travel Insurance Yet? The Insurance companies I recommend are  Hey Mondo and Safety Wing Hey Mondo  is great if you are looking for a great value flexible policy. They offer single-trip cover, annual multi-trip cover, and long-term travel cover. Safety Wing  is great value, with monthly coverage starting at $45.08. It’s super easy to use, and it just renews each month. I currently use them as they offer me free cover for my son as part of my policy. Read my full  travel insurance post  here, where I go into detail about all companies. 

Looking for somewhere to stay in Germany? Check out these options!

Roomingtons Laichingen Alb

Das Hotel Ostseeblick

BrombachSeeZeit

Map of Accommodation in Europe

Europe travel guide planning.

🧳 Any recommendations on what I should pack for Europe?

Yes! I have created a whole packing guide to Europe which you can read here and you can also check out my packing list for Europe on Amazon here .

👩‍⚕️ What is the best insurance to have while traveling?

I recommend using Heymondo for a great value policy. The app also offers you 24/7 Dr Chat. For Digital Nomads check out SafetyWing digital nomad insurance. I have also written a blog post covering all my recommended travel insurance here

✈️ Any flight recommendations?

WayAWay offers you cheap flights with cashback. You can use this code CLAIRE22 to get 10% off. Otherwise, Skyscanner or Expedia are my go-to flight searching platforms.

🎫 Where can I buy tickets for museums, attractions, and tours in Europe?

I recommend either Viator or GetYour Guide . They have a lot of options available!

🚗 Where can I book rental cars or private transportation?

I strongly recommend using RentalCars . They are available in more than 60.000 locations and customer service support in more than 40 languages.

📱What do you use for internet connection while traveling?

I’m a big fan of personal WiFi devices and they have saved my ass so many times when traveling. I wrote a full review of the top travel WiFi devices you can read here . I personally use GlocalMe as I can either pop in a physical sim card or use their local carrier.

With regards to my phone connection, I use e-sims while traveling, so rather than having to swap out my regular sim card I can download the app and buy a virtual sim card. I recommend using either Airhub or Alosim . Both have great coverage of multiple countries and are very easy to use.

🛏️ What is the best platform to use for booking accommodation?

The 3 best platforms that I normally use are Booking.com , Hotels.com , and Expedia . They offer great deals and multiple options. I always check all three to be sure of the best deals.

🛅 Do you have any luggage recommendations for traveling?

I do have a complete list of the best packing and luggage products that I recommend, you can check the list here . I’m currently traveling with this suitcase and this backpack .

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Final Thoughts On This One Month Europe Itinerary

My biggest advice to anyone planning Europe trip itinerary is to embrace the diversity and let the journey guide you. Don’t stress too much about seeing everything.

Instead, focus on experiencing the places you visit, whether that means sitting at a café and watching the world go by or joining the locals for a beer in Munich . And of course, keep my 4 weeks backpacking through Europe itinerary blog post handy and you will be stress-free!

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Claire Summers

Hi I’m Claire!

At 34 I sold all my worldly possessions that wouldn’t fit into 3 boxes or my backpack and hit the road.

I started Claire’s Itchy Feet to inspire women to pack their bags and travel more. With no plans to stop anytime soon I’m always looking for my next adventure be it attempting to surf or climbing a volcano I’ll try (almost) anything once!

© 2023 Claire’s Itchy Feet  

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11 Best first-time Europe itineraries for 1, 2, or 3 weeks

Europe is going to be very busy in the summer of 2024 as the world is back to normal and travel demand is higher than ever. One other key factor is that most European currencies are still hovering at lower levels historically compared to the US dollar, which means that Europe will feel somewhat cheap again this year. In fact, according to our World Backpacker Index , European cities like Lisbon, Madrid, and Munich are about 30% cheaper to visit than Boston, Chicago, and New York City. In other words, flying to Europe might seem expensive, but most things will be cheaper once you get there compared to the costs of visiting a large US city.

Below you’ll find 11 of the most popular and best itineraries for a first visit to Europe. Your first visit is not really the time to be different or creative, and the famous destinations tend to be popular for a reason. In other words, it’s kind of silly to visit, say, Bulgaria, if you’ve not yet been to France or Italy. I lay out the best options along with how long to stay in each place as a general guide. I also discuss Mediterranean cruises, which can actually be an amazing way to see a lot of Europe on your first visit, especially if you don’t like going back and forth to train stations and airports every 2 or 3 days.

For a bit of fun you might be interested in the cheapest 5-star hotels in Europe , which start at US$80 per night for really nice hotels. It helps show that if you choose some of the cheaper cities, you can treat yourself to some luxury that you can’t afford in most other places.

This article was last updated in March, 2024.

There are 11 starter itineraries described in detail below

• Classic London and Paris
• England and Scotland
• Paris and Italy
• Mediterranean cruise
• France, Belgium, and Netherlands
• Paris and elsewhere in France
• Switzerland
• Best of cheap eastern Europe

For each itinerary there are suggestions of other destinations that are easy to add on to the main cities.

Note: This article was most recently updated in March, 2024

Building the best itinerary for your first trip to Europe

Below there are 11 popular itineraries for one week in Europe. If you’ve only got a week then choose one of them and assume you’ll return again to conquer more of this amazing part of the world. If you’ve got more time then you can choose from some of the top add-on suggestions for each one.

Start in the most famous cities

Your first visit to Europe is no time to try to be different or edgy. I recommend that you  focus on these 5 great cities  before you start branching out into cheaper or more obscure places.

Keep your travel days to a minimum

Spend 3 (or 4) nights in almost every major city

So many first-time visitors are initially planning on spending only 1 or 2 nights in major cities that I wrote a detailed explanation of why  3 nights is ideal for almost all European cities , even if you want to see as much as possible.

3 (or 4) nights will be enough for any city on your first trip

Most first-time visitors are tempted to move too quickly, but it can also be a mistake to move too slowly. It’s really amazing how much you can see in two full sightseeing days. If you spend too long in one city you’ll end up seeing things that are way down your list, while you could be in another city seeing things at the top of your list there.

Choose cities that are easy to reach from each other

For your first trip it’s best to visit cities that are no more than a 5-hour train ride apart.

Choose cities that are connected by reasonable train rides rather than flights

To build on the point above, finding cheap flights within Europe is easy, but train travel is about a million times more enjoyable and less stressful. You’ll enjoy the train rides almost as much as the cities, so focus on places that are within 5 hours of each other by train.

Start with one of the classic itineraries below, and then add to it if you have more time

If you only have 7 days then you’ll find a list below of classic itineraries that are well-suited to a first visit to Europe. Hopefully you have more than 7 days though, and if you do you can add in one or more of the suggested add-on cities to build an itinerary that appeals most to you.

Best 1-week itineraries for the first time in Europe

Itinerary 1: classic london and paris.

• London  (3 or 4 nights)
• Paris  (3 or 4 nights)

Fly into either city and take the 2-hour Eurostar train between them

London highlights

• Big Ben and Parliament
• Westminster Abbey and St. Paul’s Cathedral
• Tower of London and Tower Bridge
• West End shows (Broadway equivalent) and classic pubs
• Buckingham Palace and Windsor Castle

Paris is actually far more beautiful than London and the food is famously much better as well. Since Paris gets so many tourists from non-French speaking countries, it’s easy to get by on just English, and the Metro system makes it fast and easy to get around. The architecture of both cities is amazing from the Tower of London, Big Ben, Westminster Abbey to the Louvre and the Eiffel Tower. These cities each pack a huge punch and they are very different from each other as well. Actually, England is arguably the best choice for your first trip to Europe .

Paris highlights

• Eiffel Tower
• Louvre Museum and Museum de Orsay
• Arc de Triomphe and other monuments
• Montmartre neighborhood and Sacré Coeur Cathedral
• Probably the world’s best affordable restaurants and wine

Best add-ons to London and Paris

• Edinburgh  (2 or 3 nights, from London)
• Amsterdam  (2 or 3 nights, from Paris)
• Bruges  and  Brussels  (2 nights, from Paris)

>>> Best one-week London and Paris itinerary in detail >>> Check London hotel deals >>> Check Paris hotel deals

Itinerary 2: England and Scotland

• York (1 night)
• Edinburgh, Scotland  (2 or 3 nights)
• Inverness, Scotland (2 or 3 nights)

York is a small Roman city with intact city walls and one of the most famous cathedrals in Europe. Edinburgh is not only the capital of Scotland, but it’s easily the second most interesting city in all of Britain. If your time is short, skip York and spend more time in Edinburgh.

If you prefer to focus on the south of England on your first trip then the best option is to go to Bath or nearby Bristol after London. Bath is another of England’s top destinations and it’s a gorgeous city that has been a spa resort for many centuries. It’s also reasonably close to Stonehenge. You can also easily get to Cornwall in England’s southwest corner from Bath, and that’s a whole different and fascinating experience (with nicer weather than up north).

If you’ve got more than a week and want to spend more time in Scotland, especially in the summer months, the place to head to is Inverness. It’s a small town that is considered the gateway to the Scottish Highlands, but it’s an interesting and charming place on its own. You can take day-trips by bus to the highlights of the Highlands including the Isle of Skye and Loch Ness. Between you and me, it’s better to minimize time in Loch Ness or skip it altogether because it’s not one of the more photogenic parts of Scotland and the monster has always been a hoax.

Travel times between the recommended places

• London to York by train: 2 hours
• York to Edinburgh by train: 2.5 hours
• London to Edinburgh by train: 4 hours
• Edinburgh to Inverness by train: 3.5 hours
• London to Bath by train: 85 minutes

Best add-ons to England and Scotland

• Paris  (3 or 4 nights from London)
• Amsterdam  (3 nights from Paris)

If you think you want to spend your whole trip in Britain you should have a look at our article on the  best itineraries in England, Scotland, and Wales .

>>> Check London hotel deals >>> Check Edinburgh hotel deals

Itinerary 3: Paris and Italy

• Paris (3 or 4 nights)
• Venice (1 night)
• Florence (2 or 3 nights)
• Rome (3 nights)

From Paris you can easily fly to Venice (or nearby Treviso) where you should try to spend about 24 hours. Venice is small enough to see in a full day, and so crowded that most people are satisfied to leave after that day. The key is to stay in the main part of the main island so you can enjoy Venice before the cruise passengers and day-trippers arrive, and also after they leave for the day. Two nights in Venice would not be wasted time, and it’s possibly the most gorgeous city in the entire world, but you can see the best of it in a bit over 24 hours.

Rome also lives up to the hype and spending a day in the Vatican City will be a highlight even for non-Catholics, but it’s also a crowded and busy city so three days is usually enough for most people. Similar to Paris, Rome is an unusually beautiful city from almost any angle when you are in the historical center. You’ll walk through a stunning piazza (town square) and then turn a corner and you’ll see gorgeous buildings or public statues that are as nice as anything in the museums. Seriously, it’s worth a visit.

Paris to Venice flight: 1 hour 35 minutes Venice to Florence by train: 1 hour 53 minutes Florence to Rome by train: 1 hour 16 minutes

You can of course instead fly from Paris to Rome and then go north to Florence and then to Venice and fly home (or back to Paris) from there, and it would be just as enjoyable.

Best add-ons to Paris and Italy

• Nice/Cannes/Monaco  (2 or 3 nights)
• Avignon (2 nights)
• Bourges (2 nights)
• Bordeaux (2 nights)
• Aix-en-Provence (2 nights)
• Reims (2 nights)
• Dijon/Burgundy (2 nights)
• Milan  (1 or 2 nights)
• Lake Como (2 nights)
• Siena (2 nights)
• Cinque Terre (1 night)
• Naples / Sorrento /Amalfi Coast/Pompeii/Capri (3 to 5 nights)
• Sicily (3 to 4 nights)

>>>Much more information in this article about the best France and Italy itineraries >>> Check Paris hotel deals >>> Check Venice hotel deals >>> Check Florence hotel deals >>> Check Rome hotel deals

Itinerary 4: Mediterranean cruise

In spite of the reputation of cruises to be floating buffets, they can actually be an excellent way to visit a great number of amazing European cities in a short time. The ship typically is in port from the early morning until mid evening, often giving you the opportunity to have dinner in the city (unlike Caribbean cruises). Better still, the cruise ports are often near the center of town, so you can just walk off the ship and do sightseeing on foot or by public transportation.

Mediterranean cruises usually start at 7 nights but can go up to 3 weeks, which can provide an amazing tour of the entire region without having to pack and repack your bags more than once. They also can provide excellent value, especially compared to the price of taking trains or flights and finding new hotels in every destination.

Most popular Mediterranean departure ports

Barcelona, Spain – It’s an easy port to reach. Ships generally go from Barcelona with stops in France and then Italy.

Rome (Civitavecchia), Italy – The port isn’t very close to Rome, but it’s easy to get back and forth. Ships go west to France and Spain as well as south around the tip of Italy and then on to Croatia, Venice, and to Greece.

Venice, Italy – The cruise ships no longer dock close to the best tourist areas, but it’s easy enough to visit Venice for a day or two before boarding a ship. Ships starting in Venice go south and then head west and to Rome and then to France, or they go south to Croatia and then head east to Greece.

Athens, Greece – The cruise port of Piraeus is just south of Athens and easy to reach. Ships from Athens usually head west towards Croatia, Italy, France, and Spain, but there are also ships that visit Greek islands and Turkey.

>>> Check for deals on Mediterranean cruises

Alternative to consider: a river cruise

Amsterdam ,  Budapest , and  Prague  are some of the most popular river cruise ports, but there are dozens of others including many smaller towns in France where few other tourists will be when you stroll off the ship. There is little or no entertainment on the river cruise ships, but passengers don’t miss it because the entire day and into the evening is spent just steps from local cultural offerings and restaurants.

>>> Check for Europe and river cruise deals

Itinerary 5: France, Belgium, and Netherlands

• Paris  (3 nights)
• Brussels  and  Bruges  (1 or 2 nights)
• Amsterdam  (2 or 3 nights)

Paris to Brussels: 1 hour 22 minutes Brussels to Bruge: 58 minutes Bruges to Amsterdam: 2 hours 45 minutes Amsterdam to Paris: 3 hours 17 minutes

Spending 4 nights in Paris and 3 nights in Amsterdam would be a great trip, but if you want to see something else you’ve got a couple options in between. My advice is to spend an afternoon looking around the Grand Place (main square) in Brussels and then hop a 58-minute train ride to Bruges for a night or two. Brussels isn’t a great tourist city, but Bruges really is so it’s a better option for most people. Whatever you choose out of this group, you can be back in Paris on another high-speed train for your flight home.

Best add-ons to France, Belgium, and Netherlands

• Luxembourg City  (1 or 2 nights)
• Cologne, Germany (1 or 2 nights)
• Interlaken, Switzerland  (2 or 3 nights)

>>> Check Paris hotel deals >>> Check Bruges hotel deals >>> Check Amsterdam hotel deals

Itinerary 6: Paris and elsewhere in France

And a choice of:

• Normandy (2 nights)

While Nice is a wonderful tourist city for a look at the French Riviera, the other larger cities of Lyon and Marseilles are probably better saved for a future trip because they are light on key sights compared to many smaller towns. Wine lovers can rent a car or take trains into Bordeaux or Burgundy. Since you can get between most of these towns by train in 2 hours or less, spending only 2 nights in each one is a reasonable option if you want to see a lot in a short time.

Normandy is an interesting choice and easy to reach in only about two hours by train from Paris. Some visitors like to see the famous WWII beaches and memorials, while others (especially in summer) like to check out one or more of the beach-resort towns. Deauville is one of the more famous of those, and it’s also famous for its horse race track and as one of the epicenters of the industry in Europe.

Best add-ons to Paris and elsewhere

• More France, of course

>>> Check Paris hotel deals >>> Check Nice hotel deals

Itinerary 7: Italy

• Rome  (3 nights)
• Florence  (2 or 3 nights)
• Venice  (1 or 2 nights)

Rome to Florence: 1 hour 16 minutes Florence to Venice: 1 hour 53 minutes

Venice is small enough that you can see the main sights in about 24 hours, and it’s so insanely crowded that many people tire of it after about a day as well. It’s better to pay more for a hotel to be on the main island and visit quickly than to save money with a hotel on the mainland where you’ll be in crowds going back and forth as well. Florence is the most relaxing of the 3, and also a great base for side trips to Pisa, Siena, and Cinque Terre, just to name a few.

Going to Italy? Here are the  best first-time Italy itineraries for 3 days to 2 weeks  (in much greater detail)

Best add-ons to Italy

>>> Check Rome hotel deals >>> Check Florence hotel deals >>> Check Venice hotel deals

Itinerary 8: Spain

• Madrid  (4 nights) (including day trip to Toledo)
• Barcelona  (3 nights)

Madrid to Barcelona: 2 hours 30 minutes

A huge part of Spain’s tourism industry is built around its southern beaches and islands such as Ibiza, Mallorca, and Tenerife (in the Canary Islands). For most people it’s best to ignore those places on your first trip because none of the beaches are special enough to spend days on them compared to the culture of the cities.

Best add-ons to Spain

• Valencia  (2 nights)
• Seville  (2 or 3 nights)
• Granada  (2 or 3 nights)
• Lisbon  (3 nights)

By popular demand, I’ve added a full article on where to go in Spain with itineraries from 7 to 10 days up to two weeks .

>>> Check Madrid hotel deals >>> Check Barcelona hotel deals >>> Check Lisbon hotel deals

Itinerary 9: Germany

• Berlin  (3 nights)
• Munich  (2 or 3 nights)
• Rothenburg ob der Tauber (1 night)
• Füssen (1 night)

Berlin to Munich: 6 hours 2 minutes Munich to Rothenburg ob der Tauber: 2 hours 56 minutes Munich to Füssen: 2 hours 4 minutes

Those two cities are the keys to a Germany visit, and after that you’ve got a wide variety of choices. I cover most of the popular choices in my article on  where to go in Germany , which covers several smaller towns that are major highlights.

Best add-ons to Germany

• Cologne (1 or 2 nights)
• Hamburg  (2 or 3 nights)
• Amsterdam  (3 nights)
• Prague  (3 nights)
• Salzburg  (2 or 3 nights)
• Vienna  (3 nights)
• Interlaken, Switzerland  (3 nights)
• Lucerne, Switzerland  (2 or 3 nights)

>>> Check Berlin hotel deals >>> Check Munich hotel deals

Itinerary 10: Switzerland

• Interlaken  (3 nights)
• Bern (1 night)
• Lucerne  (3 nights)

Zurich Airport to Interlaken: 2 hours 10 minutes Interlaken to Bern: 53 minutes Bern to Lucerne: 1 hour 50 minutes Lucerne to Zurich Airport: 1 hour 3 minutes

Interlaken is the best hub for the most dramatic Alps views and experiences. The one-hour cable car ride up to the Schilthorn observation deck is something you’ll never forget, and the only thing that might be more dramatic is the train ride up to the Jungfraujoch station, which is the highest in Europe. Lucerne is almost as beautiful with a scenic lake at its heart and also great mountaintop views nearby. If you do want to see a Swiss city then the capital of Bern is the most interesting and photogenic on a short visit. Read more about  where to go in Switzerland  for even more ideas.

Best add-ons to Switzerland

• Munich  (3 nights)
• Italy (as long as you’ve got)

>>> Check Interlaken hotel deals >>> Check Lucerne hotel deals

Itinerary 11: Eastern Europe’s best cheap cities

• Budapest  (3 nights) and/or
• Krakow  (3 nights)

Each of these cities is beautiful and historic, but English is less widely spoken so they can also be quite a bit more challenging for a first-time visitor. Another difficulty is that the trains between them are still quite slow compared to the high-speed rail in the West, so it takes most of a day from one to another, and a bus is often a better choice. I cover this best cheap Europe itinerary more fully in the linked article.

Prague to Budapest: 6 hours 41 minutes Budapest to Krakow: 9 hours 54 minutes (flying might be better)

Best add-ons to cheap Eastern Europe

• Cesky Krumlov, Czechia  (2 nights)
• Ljubljana, Slovenia  (2 or 3 nights)
• Split, Croatia  (3 nights)
• Belgrade, Serbia  (2 or 3 nights)
• Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina  (2 or 3 nights)
• Sofia, Bulgaria  (2 or 3 nights)

>>> Check Prague hotel deals >>> Check Budapest hotel deals >>> Check Krakow hotel deals

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11 Best first-time Europe itineraries for 1, 2, or 3 weeks " --> All Comments

Hi Roger, was reading your article and reply to various questions and its actually too good and kind from you. if you pls,help me out a route plan for 15days. but my catch is, i have to start from Stockholm.i like to end in rome to head back home. in between what should be my plan?thanks

I’m happy to help. Stockholm to Rome could be done in 15 days, but it would require skipping quite a few great places along the way. My recommendation would be to choose 5 or maybe 6 cities total and spend 3 days in each. If Stockholm is one of your cities you’d only have 12 days left but even if Stockholm didn’t count on the 15 days I think it’s probably best to fly from Stockholm to a city closer to Italy and then do the rest of it on shorter train rides. You could do Stockholm to Copenhagen by train, but those are pretty long train rides and honestly those two cities are pretty similar to each other.

So maybe Stockholm and then a flight to Paris and then trains to Venice, Florence and Rome? That sort of thing. Stockholm is just so remote that it would require at least 3 or 4 longer train journeys but if you flew from Stockholm to Paris (or Berlin or Prague or Budapest or wherever) the remaining train rides would be relatively short. I hope this helps and let me know if you have any other questions. -Roger

Firstly, I would like to thank you for the article and itineraries; they are very helpful.

My wife and I are planning a 3 to 4-month trip around the EU (Western Europe). Before I delve into the specifics of our itinerary, I am wondering if the same 3 to 5-day in each-city principle applies for cases where travellers will spend more time travelling around?

I look forward to hearing from you. Thanks Raf

Wow. That sounds amazing! Even when traveling for longer periods like that I’d recommend a minimum of 3 nights in almost any place you go. The main reason is your travel days tend to be kind of long when you factor in everything from checking out of one hotel to getting to the train station and waiting and then the journey time and then getting to your next hotel and getting situated. All of that usually takes 4 to 6 hours even when the train journey is only an hour or two, so you just don’t get much sightseeing done on those days. So if you only stay 2 nights in each city it means every other day is a travel day and that just takes up too much time.

That said, I think 3 or 4 days is enough time in most places as well. If you really want to get to know Paris, for example, you might stay a week there. But for most cities there are diminishing marginal returns starting on day 3 or 4. In other words, you’ll be able to see the 10 things that most interest you in 3 days or so, and at that point you might be ready to see the Top 10 things in the next city instead of the #11 through #20 things in the first city.

Another thing that is important with longer trips like that is to plan some down time at least every few weeks. If you try to do sightseeing 7 days per week for weeks at a time it starts to feel like a job. What I like to do is every two or three weeks find a smaller town or cheaper place where I can rent a little apartment or some place larger and more comfortable than a typical small European hotel room. And I like to stop in places without many sights otherwise it’s too tempting to keep sightseeing every day.

I’ve actually done quite a few long trips like this and I’m happy to help with any other advice if you like. -Roger

Comment*We are planning on Athens to Amsterdam from June 4, 2024 to Amsterdam June 24th.

We are thinking trains to major cities inbetween Athens and Amsterdam. We are open to anything and everything.

Priorities: Parthenon in Athens, Art Museums in Amsterdam (3-5 days in Amsterdam) Can you help us?

That is a tricky one. Both Athens and Amsterdam are great and very worthwhile, but once you go north of Athens to Thessaloniki in northern Greece, the train service is spotty and very slow all the way until you reach Budapest. Strangely enough, buses tend to be faster and much more frequent in those “eastern” countries like Bulgaria and Romania. Also, being perfectly honest, most of those in-between cities such as Sofia and Belgrade are kind of dull by European standards, although they are quite cheap.

If you really want to visit Athens I’d definitely start there and then after a few days fly to Budapest or some other city in that area that interests you and then carry on from there by train. In fact, Athens to Budapest and then trains to Prague then Berlin and then Amsterdam could be perfect. You could even add in a couple of days in Cesky Krumlov near Prague if you want to include a gorgeous smaller town among the big cities.

Those are all first-class cities and several of them are quite affordable as well. I hope this helps and let me know if you have any other questions. -Roger

Hi, my wife and I would like to visit Rome, Florence, Italy, Venice, Prague, Berlin and maybe Switzerland. This will be the first time travelling to Europe and I would appreciate your help in planning where to start, where to stay, how to get there and where to go. We will be coming from Trinidad and Tobago for 2 weeks. If possible, i would like a day-to-day plan.

Unfortunately I don’t have time to do a day-by-day plan for you, but I can help get you started. If you’ve got 14 nights I would keep the list to 5 total cities. If you tried to include Switzerland on this trip it would mean spending only 1 or 2 days in some cities and that means spending every other day on trains.

I think the best thing to do would be to fly into Berlin or Prague and then spend 3 days there and then take a train to the other one and spend 3 days there and then fly to Venice. Spend 1 or 2 days in Venice and then take a short train ride to Florence for 2 days or so and then a train ride down to Rome for your final 3 days and then a flight home or back to your starting city if that is cheaper. I’m happy to help if you have any other questions. -Roger

Hi, Roger. My wife and I (56 and 63) want to do our first trip to Europe from Canada and would like to start by visiting Portugal (Lisbon and Porto) and Spain (Madrid, Barcelona, Valencia, Granada y Sevilla with day trips to close small cities in between). What it would be your suggestion for: 1. Stay in each city for a 15/17 days trip? 2. any additions/modifications? 3. Train over flights internally? 4. If we travel with one suitcase of 50 Lbs would it work to take public transit when required? 5. Instead of this plan, would it be better to visit 1/2 famous city in different countries? Would appreciate your inputs. Than you Roger

If you’ve only got about 16 days I’d recommend choosing 5 or maybe 6 cities in total. I strongly believe that 3 nights is the best amount of time to stay in each city so you have two full sightseeing days in each one, although some smaller cities can be done a bit quicker. I go over the reasons in detail on this other article about how long to stay in each European city , but the main point is that if you stay only two nights it means literally spending every other day on trains or in airports and such and you just don’t get much sightseeing done on those travel days with all of the packing and unpacking and checking in and out of hotels.

I’d definitely include Lisbon, Madrid, and Barcelona. You could add a 2-day visit to Porto and 2 or 3 days each in Sevilla and Granada. I’d save Valencia for a future trip. It’s nice, but aside from the new buildings clustered in one area, it’s more generic than any of the others on your list.

The only train between Portugal and Madrid goes over night and I’m not a fan of those so I’d fly on that leg. But from there I’d definitely take the high-speed trains, which are fast and comfortable. Buy your tickets at least a couple months in advance for the best fares.

There will be room for a 50 lb suitcase on the flights (of course) and on the trains as well. On older trains they have you put them on racks above the seats, but on most of the more modern ones (like the high-speed trains) they also have room for larger bags at each end of the carriage. If you can lift them, there will definitely be room for them.

I think your plan sounds really good and those are all great cities. That said, for most first-time visitors to Europe I’d recommend Paris and Italy as those are really more dramatic and interesting, although also more crowded and somewhat more expensive as well. I think once you do the Iberia trip you’ll be hooked and you’ll start planning a trip to France and Italy for the coming years. Let me know if you have any other questions. -Roger

Hi, Roger. Thank you for your comments and recommendations and also for your prompt response. I have modified my plan as I have now 22 days. My Itinerary is Porto(3), Lisbon(3), Seville(2), Malaga(2), Madrid(3),Barcelona(3), Zaragoza(2) and Bilbao(3). What do you think? is this a good plan? Any suggestions? I am still debating between Malaga and Granada though. I included Bilbao to visit friends. The question on the luggage was more related to the comfort to pull a large back in public transit than the allowance in the planes or trains. I will appreciate your inputs. Thank you again, Roger

Those six more days will help a lot. I think your new plan looks really good. You can probably enjoy Porto in 2 days and add an extra day somewhere else, but you might also be dealing with jet-lag so 3 days might be better. Your itinerary looks efficient and logical.

I really like Granada and Malaga, but I think if I were to choose between the two I would go with Granada. Malaga is (in my opinion) an underrated city that is close to some extremely popular beach towns and it’s got a lot going for it, but if you aren’t also going to be staying by the beach I think I’d save it for another trip. Granada has got the Alhambra and Generalife Gardens and those are unlike anything else in Spain or the world for that matter. Granada is small enough to enjoy in two days and I think seeing the Alhambra will be more memorable than anything in Malaga.

Buy your train tickets as early as possible for the best times and fares, and the flight for Lisbon to Seville (or you could take a bus).

And again, your 50 lb suitcase will fit on city to city trains (although not as well on buses or trams within a city), but still (as the saying goes) no one ever went on a trip around Europe like this and swore they would pack more stuff the next time. In other words, 40 lbs is much easier than 50 lbs and getting laundry done cheaply in a country like Spain is quite easy. Let me know if you have any other questions. -Roger

Comment*Hi travelling first time to europe next year we are 55 years age group any suggestions for 10-12 days itenary with guided tour would be nice if any suggestion are there also april or may better time to visit there anil

Actually, all of my best suggestions for first-time visits to Europe are in the article above. If you specifically want a guided tour you’ll obviously just be choosing from the ones that are available from the companies you look it, although many of those should resemble the itineraries in my article. Planning your own trip to Europe is actually quite easy, and especially if you are going to the classic and most popular cities. I’ve got lots of articles that could help you.

I’m not sure how many guided tours you’ve done, but one thing to consider is that they always move at the speed of the slowest person in the group. If YOU are the slowest person in the group then it’s fine, but if you are 55 then you should be much faster than most other people on a guided tour. For example, if you have a coach/bus tour for a day with 5 or 6 stops, you always have to wait for the slowest people to get on an off the bus. I’ve done countless day tours this way and it can be frustrating waiting 10 extra minutes many times each day as slow people are trying their best.

I think my top two best suggestions are London and maybe another stop or two in England and then Paris and other stop or two in France, OR, Paris then another stop in France and then Venice, Florence, and Rome. It obviously depends whether England or Italy sounds more interesting. Let me know if I can be of any other help. -Roger

Planning a family trip with a adult and nearly adult children. Hoping to be able to do 18 to 20 days. Must sees are Paris, Venice, England, and Prague but would adore seeing more! What route would you suggest and should we rent a car, fly, train, river cruise? There are so many options and I’m completely overwhelmed! A suggested itinerary would be amazing!! Thank you!

That sounds like a great start to a plan. As far as “England” is concerned it’s probably best to just think of it as 3 or probably 4 nights in London. With 4 nights you’d have enough time for a good day trip to Bath/Stonehenge and Windsor or to Oxford or even York, but London is big enough to keep you busy and it’s probably best to just stay there and then take the Eurostar train to Paris for 3 or 4 nights.

Prague is a bit out of the way, but you can fly there cheaply enough if you want and then after 3 nights fly to Venice. After 2 nights in Venice I’d take a train down to Florence for 2 nights and then another train to Rome for 3 nights. That would be just about a perfect 18 to 20 day trip including Prague. I definitely wouldn’t rent a car as they tend to be counter productive when visiting a string of large cities that have bad traffic and expensive parking. Your itinerary doesn’t really work with a river cruise at all, but hopefully you can plan one in the future.

It would probably be cheapest to fly from Rome back to London for your flight home (being careful of which of London’s 5 airports you fly into because your flight home will almost certainly go out of Heathrow), but if you can get a flight home straight from Rome for a good price, that would be even better. Getting around by train in Europe is by far the best way wherever it’s close and fast enough, so I’d focus on trains in the places I mentioned. I hope this helps and let me know if you have any other questions. -Roger

Yes, I meant London. Thank you for picking up on that. After reading though your site and many, many of these informative comments, I think I have figured out a basic itinerary and would love your feedback and suggestions!

-Fly into London London(3 days) -Eurostar Train to Paris Paris (3 days) -Train to Switzerland – unsure which train company Switzerland (3 days) -Train to Venice?? Venice (2 days) -Train to Florence – which train company? Is there a pass? Florence (2 days) -Train to Rome Rome (2 days) -Fly to Prague Prague (3 days) -Fly home out of Prague

Very interested to hear your feedback. I know you suggest 3 nights but I am ok with missing out on some things in Rome/Florence if needed. Would love train suggestions and if passes are best. NO idea on how the trains operate in Europe.

Thank you so much for your time!

This itinerary looks amazing. My only real suggestion would be to spend only one day in Venice and three days in Rome, or at least a day and a half in Venice rather than two, but you’ll enjoy it no matter what. The thing is that Venice is about the size of a theme park like Disneyland and from 9 AM until 5 PM it feels even more crowded than Disneyland. It’s absolutely amazing, but also easy to get tired of the crowds and you’ll do your best sightseeing in the mornings before the day-trippers come and in the evenings after they’ve left. And Rome is huge with a long list of really cool sights so with only one full sightseeing day you’ll miss quite a few of them. But again, you’ll enjoy it no matter how you divide your time.

In most of Europe including between France and Switzerland and Italy, there is just one rail company per country so just book whatever comes up. From Paris to Basel, Switzerland you’ll take the France national service and then change trains to a Swiss train for your ride to Interlaken or Lucern. Then from Switzerland you’ll take (probably) a Swiss train to Spiez or Brig and then change there for an Italian train to Venice. You’ll buy it just as one ticket and it’ll include all the legs required to get from one city to your final city, and usually come with seat reservations as well (except in Switzerland).

My favorite site for checking schedules all over Europe is the Trainline . But you can also check the official rail sites of each country involved and I’d definitely check those prices before booking anything. My article on buying European train tickets in advance is still pretty much up to date and it has links to the various national train companies.

It will be cheapest if you lock in your dates and buy all of your train tickets as early as possible, which will be around 3 months out in most cases. The tickets start off really cheap and go up in price as more seats are sold on each train, so earlier is always better. There are no rail passes that would be helpful on a trip like this, but that’s mostly because the tickets will be pretty cheap already, especially the ones within Italy.

Trains in Europe are really fun and shockingly easy once you get started. All the important signs will be in English as well as a local language. For most of them you can literally walk aboard just before it leaves and you are fine as long as you have a reserved seat, but the Eurostar works more like a flight with security and such so you have to be checked in at least 30 minutes in advance. Let me know if you have any other questions.

I won’t have time to update that other older article about trains vs planes vs buses, partly because these days there is a clear choice depending on which two cities you are going between. There are places in eastern Europe where there are advantages to each mode, but for the cities you’ll be doing the train is going to be the fastest, by far the most enjoyable, and probably the cheapest as well, at least once you factor in airport transportation costs. It’s going to be a great trip! -Roger

Thank you SO much for all of your help. Your in-depth website is an amazing resource! I get so lost in it and spend hours scouring your resources and links – it has everything anyone could need! And, the fact that you are also personally answering comments and offering personalized advice is mind blowing! Thank you for all that you do to inform us!

If you could suggest on a 14-15 day iterinary covering Athens, rome Milan paris London and Finland from New Delhi / Mumbai.

If you have 14 to 15 days I’d suggest choosing about 5 cities in total to visit. So your list should work out fairly well, although it depends on how much of Finland you’d hope to see. I’m guessing you must have a specific reason for wanting to go there? Finland normally isn’t very popular and honestly there isn’t much to see. Helsinki is, in my opinion, the least interesting of the Nordic capitals, although it’s pleasant enough and the country has some nice forests. If you are visiting relatives or something, that requires different planning of course.

It might be easiest to fly from Mumbai to London and then use that as a base. You could spend a few nights there and then fly to Helsinki and back after that or Helsinki to Paris for a few days. After Paris you could fly to Milan or Rome and then take a train to the other and then fly to Athens to finish your trip.

Milan actually isn’t a popular tourist city. It’s the home of most of Italy’s big banks and fashion brands, but neither of those are accessible to most tourists. Italy has amazing fashion shopping in Rome as well as Florence. Venice is also more popular. I hope this helps and I’m happy to help more if you have questions. -Roger

Comment* Planning first trip to Europe Want to do tour of England, Scotland, Wales and then to Paris for sites and Monet Gardens. Might take train to Brussels and Bruge. Then to Switzerland and home. Any suggestions what tour group to contact. Want slower pace trip…at least 3 weeks. Thank you.

I enjoy helping people plan independent trips, and I honestly don’t know much about booking all-inclusive tours like you are after. I’d imagine you’d have to do at least a few different tours to cover all the places you have in mind. The one outfit that I am familiar with is Rick Steves, who I am a huge fan of for his Europe travel guides and I know he has a big tour organization. I’d start with them and see if they have anything that fits what you are looking for. Best of luck. -Roger

I spent 6 days in Italy after dreaming of visiting my whole life. 8 moments made it worth the wait.

• Italy is a European country I always dreamed of visiting. In 2022, that dream came true.
• I spent six days exploring Venice, Rome, and Milan — and some moments felt magical.
• From an art sculpture Airbnb to a gondola ride, here's what I'll never forget about my trip.

Growing up with my half-Italian family in a Manhattan suburb, I always dreamed of going to Italy.

While eating my grandmother's famous spaghetti and meatball dinners and listening to her stories about what it's like to explore the popular vacation destination, I remember longing for Italian experiences of my own.

My dream finally came true in October 2022, when I — at the age of 26 — spent six days exploring Venice, Rome , and Milan for the first time while backpacking through Europe .

Nearly two years after my Italian adventure, I'm still thinking about eight moments that made the long-awaited trip everything I hoped it would be.

I visited Italy during a two-week train trip through Europe. To get to the country, I took an overnight train from Vienna to Venice.

Then I traveled by train to Rome and Milan. I spent two days exploring each city.

While taking trains between cities, I remember looking out the windows and being stunned by the Italian countryside.

I found the rolling hills to be one of the most picturesque views I'd ever seen from a train. The scene looked like something straight out of my dreams.

My first stop in Italy was Venice.

Venice is a 1,200-year-old city made up of islands connected by bridges on the northwestern edge of the Adriatic Sea, according to Britannica .

I'd heard of Venice's canals and car-free streets, but I'll never forget the moment I saw the city myself for the first time.

I felt like I'd just stepped into a storybook with colorful buildings lining the canals.

After wandering the streets of Venice, I took a gondola tour to see the city from a different perspective.

Being in a narrow canal allowed me to see homes from inches away, and the moment I spotted their foundations immersed in the water felt surreal to me.

For my stay in Venice, I booked an Airbnb stay at Castello de Roncade, a castle and winery just outside of the city.

I had another special moment while wandering the castle 's stunning grounds. They were filled with perfectly placed plants and sculptures that I thought looked enchanting.

My favorite part of the grounds was a massive tree I found alluring. It was a 250-year-old Lebanon Cedar tree, a representative for Castello de Roncade told me.

Looking up from underneath it made me feel tiny.

From Venice, I traveled to Rome — one of this summer's most popular tourist destinations.

The city of Rome is nearly 3,000 years old and known for its rich history and romantic vibes. And according to a recent study by Delta , it's one of the most-searched travel destinations for the summer of 2024.

During my stay, I slept in a livable art sculpture I found on Airbnb, and I thought it was the most unique accommodation I'd ever experienced.

My host, Alessandro, told me he built the livable sculpture on the roof of his villa using recycled materials like car windows, scrap wood, and pieces of broken tiles.

Before booking this Airbnb, I'd never even heard of a sculpture home. I imagined it would feel like sleeping in a giant piece of art, with quirky design elements in every corner. Turns out, I was right.

I'll never forget how amazing it felt to wake up inside this Airbnb with sunlight pouring in thanks to all the windows. I wish I could start every day with a moment like that.

While exploring the city on foot, I remember spotting two alluring street artists. Under the shade of a tree near the Roman Forum, I watched an artist paint a chapel across the street.

Seeing him in his own world in a public space among so many people was remarkable and inspiring to me.

A few minutes later, I spotted another artist sculpting dogs from sand.

I thought this was such a unique form of art and found it fascinating to watch.

The last stop of my trip was Milan.

The northern Italian city is known for being a world capital of fashion and finance, according to Britannica . But my favorite moment in this city had nothing to do with these things. 

My favorite moment here came from an aimless walk around the city when I stumbled upon a red brick castle that looked massive.

It was Castello Sforzesco, a 15th-century castle built by Francesco Sforza, a duke of Milan who founded the Sforza Dynasty, according to Britannica .

I thought the castle looked like it came straight out of a fairy tale.

And since I wasn't expecting to find it in urban Milan, happening upon it by chance made for a special memory.

Thanks to these unique moments, I don't think I'll ever forget my first trip to Italy.

And I can't wait to go back.

Axel Springer, Insider Inc.'s parent company, is an investor in Airbnb.

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Tourists say this popular European destination has the worst pickpocketing

Pickpocketing may only be considered a petty theft , but it has the potential to ruin any traveler’s vacation. 

While travelers could just lose some extra cash, thieves can also take more important items like passports or expensive jewelry. 

By now, most people are aware of pickpocketing – 87% of tourists feel like they need to take steps to safeguard their valuables while traveling, according to a March 2024 survey by U.K.-based travel insurance company Quotezone . 

Unfortunately, staying vigilant isn’t always easy when visiting popular – and crowded – tourist destinations and getting caught up in the excitement of travel. 

“European cities are famously popular tourist destinations for sightseeing, with the recent surge in vacationers expected to continue throughout 2024, unfortunately this also makes them some of the danger zones for pickpocketing,” said Tiffany Mealiff, travel insurance expert at Quotezone, in a statement.  

Learn more: Best travel insurance

Ready to book that summer trip? Here's what travelers should expect this summer

As people gear up for their big summer trips , Quotezone revealed the European destinations with the worst pickpocketing in its recently released European Pickpocketing Index. Researchers analyzed the number of mentions of “pickpocketing” or “stolen” on traveler review websites for Europe’s top destinations against the number of visitors to that country. They also looked at the most popular tourist hotspots in that destination, like the Pantheon and Colosseum Duomo di Milano in Italy, to identify the worst areas for pickpocketing. 

Mealiff recommends travelers invest in anti-theft accessories like money belts or cross-body bags. Items of value, like electronics, expensive jewelry and important documents, should be left in the hotel safe when someone is out and about. If a traveler does experience pickpocketing, head straight to the police station to file a police report.

Read below to see the European countries with the most mentions of pickpocketing per million visitors as of April 2024, and the tourist hotspots with the most pickpocketing mentions. 

10. Ireland - 7 mentions, worst area: Guinness Storehouse

9. Poland - 18 mentions, worst area: Krakow's Rynek Glowny Central Square

8. Greece - 19 mentions, worst area: Acropolis Museum

7. Turkey - 21 mentions, worst area: Sultanahmet District

6. Portugal - 58 mentions, worst area: Alfama

5. Netherlands - 100 mentions, worst area: Red Light District

4. Germany - 111 mentions, worst area: Brandenburg Gate

3. Spain - 111 mentions, worst area: Las Ramblas

2. France - 251 mentions, worst area: Eiffel Tower

1. Italy - 478 mentions, worst area: Trevi Fountain

Kathleen Wong is a travel reporter for USA TODAY based in Hawaii. You can reach her at [email protected] .

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Greece Announces New Plan to Protect Some of Its Pristine Beaches

The government has pledged to crack down on rapid development, and on seaside businesses seeking to take advantage of a tourist boom. But some residents and conservationists are unimpressed.

By Niki Kitsantonis

Reporting from Athens

The Greek government on Friday published a list of 198 “untrodden beaches” that it said are now off limits to bars, restaurants and large public gatherings in its latest attempt to contain development and address the backlash to the throngs of tourists that descend on the country’s coastlines each year.

The move comes amid growing frustration among residents of Greek islands and parts of the coastal mainland that are popular with foreign visitors. Protests ballooned into a nationwide “beach towel movement” last summer as disgruntled locals complained that they were being pushed off their own beaches by businesses seeking to take advantage of a tourist boom that brought more than 32 million foreign visitors to Greece last year .

On the country’s Cycladic islands, local residents joined forces with the authorities to push back against a wave of construction .

Greece’s conservative government has pledged to crack down on the development, and on seaside businesses that violate regulations. In February it passed a law aimed at regulating the use of the country’s coastline, imposing penalties of up to 60,000 euros for businesses occupying more than 50 percent of Greek beaches with umbrellas and sun beds.

Critics said the law did not go far enough to curb the problem, with some claiming that the government was perpetuating the issue by not tackling illegal land use more comprehensively.

The list of “untrodden beaches,” unveiled in a joint agreement between Greece’s finance and environment ministers, is part of a broader effort to restore balance, the government said. “The main goal is to combine environmental protection with sustainable development,” Kostis Hatzidakis, the economy and finance minister, said on Friday.

“The environment is a valuable component of the Greek tourist product,” he said.

Under the new initiative, the government was putting public assets “under a strict framework of rules, penalties and obligations,” Mr. Hatzidakis said. Inspections and transparency would be increased, as would “the enforcement of the law,” he added.

The beaches on the list are in areas included in the European Union’s Natura program, a network of vulnerable habitats across Europe that are protected under European law. Among the beaches listed on Friday are spots on popular islands such as Milos, Naxos, Lesbos, Samothrace and in the southern Peloponnese peninsula.

The islands were selected based on the advice of the country’s Natural Environment and Climate Change Agency and are all “areas of high ecological importance,” Theodoros Skylakakis, the environment and energy minister, said on Friday.

Under the new initiative, no section of those beaches can be auctioned off for commercial use, and the presence of sun-loungers and umbrellas will be prohibited, as will the organization of public events involving more than 10 people.

Another initiative being introduced by the government is a new app called “MyCoast,” on which people can report violations.

Some environmentalists in Greece were not impressed by Friday’s announcement. Eleni Andrianopoulou, a resident of Naxos and a member of a local “Save the beaches” group, said the government’s original plan had been for more than 1,000 beaches nationwide to be covered, adding that Natura areas require “real protection.”

“From the beginning we had stressed that this reform for untrodden beaches was a fraud.”

Demetre Karavellas, director of the World Wildlife Fund Greece, said the authorities were jumping the gun with their list of pristine beaches, noting that there are more than 100 marine and coastal areas in Greece that are recognized by the Natura program but have yet to be effectively managed or conserved.

“The government should start by complying with its basic legal obligations before creating new vague categories of protection,” he said.

Niki Kitsantonis is a freelance correspondent for The Times based in Athens. She has been writing about Greece for 20 years, including more than a decade of coverage for The Times. More about Niki Kitsantonis

New Greek Resorts, Golden Visa Countries And More Travel News

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5 New Greek Hotels For Summer

W ith summer fast approaching, there are recently opened hotels and resorts in Greece to consider. From popular escapes such as Mykonos and Santorini to the lesser-known islands across the Aegean chain, here are five new Greek hotels worth checking out —and into.

10 Incredible Cruise Ship Features

For many years, the trend in cruise ship design has been that “bigger is better”—with vessels such as Royal Caribbean’s Icon of the Seas setting new passenger records. But many cruise lines are also competing by offering innovative features to the high seas. From kart racing on multi-level courses to multiscreen movie theaters, here are some of the most incredible activities on cruise ships right now.

Disney World Earns Its First Michelin Star

Victoria and Albert’s at the Grand Floridian Resort—which has been a Forbes Travel Guide Five-Star restaurant since 2018—added a new star to its constellation this month: It became the first Disney restaurant to be awarded a Michelin star . Located at the Grand Floridian Resort at Walt Disney World, Victoria and Albert’s is known for its opulent Victorian era-inspired meals. A prix-fixe dinner is $295 per guest, with optional wine pairings starting at $155 per person. Unlike the rest of the theme park, a formal dress code is encouraged for all diners, who must be 10 years of age or older.

Golden visas—which grant residency and/or citizenship through an investment—may be disappearing from Europe, but many EU countries are now luring travelers with digital nomad visas, which grant travelers the legal right to work remotely for an extended period. Italy recently became the latest country to offer the visa and here are other EU countries with digital nomad visas .

America’s Best Airlines 2024

The personal-finance website WalletHub recently announced its annual ranking of the best U.S. airlines . The study evaluates the nine largest national airlines and one regional carrier across a range of criteria, including safety, on-time records and overall service. This year, Alaska Airlines was named the best airline in America, beating out Delta, which ranked first in 2022 and 2023. The survey also ranked U.S. carriers based on reliability and comfort.

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How to Visit France, Italy, and Greece: 10, 14, and 21-Day Itineraries

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Mont Saint-Michel in Normandy, France

How to plan your trip to France, Italy, and Greece depends on how much time you have to travel and the experiences you wish to have, but our examples can help you find the best ways to divide your time during a personalized trip.

Step into the grandeur of the Sun King as you explore Versailles. Bask in the glory of an empire in the heart of Rome’s Colosseum. Witness the breadth of Western Civilization at the Parthenon in Athens. Whether looking for distinguished cuisine or celebrated wines, colorful beaches or timeless sunsets, you can find charm, beauty, opulence, and layers of history.

A customizable Zicasso tour can help you organize your trip according to your timeline and preferences for the perfect France, Italy, and Greece trip.

10 Day Vacations to France, Italy, and Greece

14-day vacations to france, italy, and greece, 21-day vacations to france, italy, and greece, spend the right number of days in france, italy, and greece for you.

Paris, France

Experience the essential highlights of Paris, explore the splendors of Rome, embrace the layered history of Athens, and indulge in the natural wonders of Santorini when you enjoy a 10-day trip to France, Italy, and Greece.

You can wander through the Louvre and travel to the top of the Eiffel Tower, uncover the vast corners of the Vatican Museum and stand at the base of the Trevi Fountain, walk through an ancient neighborhood at the foot of the Acropolis and lounge on a beach that edges a bubbling caldera.

Ten days is a perfect amount of time in which to sample the highlights, as you indulge in ancient history and contemporary luxuries in the countries.

Where to Visit During Your Vacation

Days 1-3: Paris

Days 4-6: Rome

Days 7-8: Athens

Days 9-10: Santorini

Expert Tips for Discerning Travelers

Santorini, Greece

The opulence of the past can come to life on a 14-day tour of France, Italy, and Greece, as you travel to Paris, the Loire Valley, Rome, Tuscany, Athens, and Santorini.

With an incredible collection of things to see and do, you can witness masterpieces on display in the Louvre, visit grand palaces soaring over the Loire Valley, and find imperial ruins that add to the fabric of modern Rome.

Wander charming medieval towns that crown Tuscan hilltops, view marble luxuries that once decorated Athenian temples, and enjoy marvelous panoramas that sweep across Santorini’s cliffs on a trip of a lifetime.

Days 4-5: Loire Valley

Days 6-8: Rome

Days 9-10: Florence/ Tuscany

Days 11: Athens

Days 12-14: Santorini

Venice, Italy

With natural wonder and cultural heritage to explore, you can find endless immersive experiences as you travel on a 21-day France, Italy, and Greece tour. Enjoy a chocolate tour and the culinary majesty of Paris, and traverse the island monastery of Mont Saint-Michel.

View the Sistine Chapel in Rome, witness the Birth of Venus in Florence, and cruise the canals of Venice. Delight in a view of the Parthenon from a lively local cafe in Athens, bask on a pristine Mykonos beach, and visit an ancient city covered in ash on Santorini, with each new experience unraveling the depth of wonder each destination offers.

Days 4-6: Normandy

Days 7-9: Rome

Days 10-12: Florence/Tuscany

Days 13-14: Venice

Days 15-16: Athens

Days 17-18: Mykonos

Days 19-20: Santorini

Athens, Greece

The beauty of France, Italy, and Greece can take you to the heart of the Mediterranean or the jewels of the Alps, the center of epicurean delights or the home of Western Civilization.

Discover the network of grand palaces and pilgrimage routes, beaches and lively cafes as you embrace the culture and heritage that exemplifies the three countries. Our France, Italy, and Greece Tours has plenty of inspiration for planning your perfect trip.

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The United States military has so far constructed over 50% of a maritime pier that will eventually be placed off the coast of Gaza to speed the flow of humanitarian aid into the enclave, the Pentagon said on Wednesday.

Greece boosts special firefighting units to cope with its growing heat risk

The Associated Press

May 1, 2024, 7:11 AM

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KRYO PIGADI, Greece (AP) — Skimming over miles of hills blackened by wildfires west of Athens, Fire Lt. Col. Ioannis Kolovos readies his elite fire crew crouched inside a helicopter.

The 10-member group from the 1st Wildfire Special Operation Unit bristles with tools needed to hold back fires: chainsaws, specialized rakes, weather gauges, computer tablets and earth-scorching drip torches to burn wildfire barriers into the hillside.

Greece’s fire season officially starts May 1, but dozens of fires have already been put out over the past month after temperatures began hitting 30 degrees Celsius (86 degrees Fahrenheit) in late March — considerably higher than previous spikes recorded over the past decade.

“It’s actually already summer for us,” Kolovos told The Associated Press during a recent training exercise. “The truth is that the fire season has started prematurely and has been extended over the last five years.”

This year, Greece is doubling the number of firefighters in specialized units to some 1,300, and adopting tactics from the United States to try and outflank fires with airborne units scrambled to build breaks in the predicted path of the flames.

Crew members include forestry experts and firefighters with varied skills, many developed in training with colleagues in France, Spain and the United States.

“We can position ourselves in optimal locations that may be difficult to reach by foot and carry out fire suppression using various specialized methods,” Firefighter Dimitris “Jim” Priftis said while assisting trainees in a region near the capital ravaged by wildfires in summer 2023 .

“Using water is no longer our main weapon against fires, it’s our tools,” he said. “We are taking a more scientific approach toward fires, measuring the humidity, the wind — it’s a more planned method.”

Mostly funded by the European Union, Greece has launched a 2.1 billion euro ($2.3 billion) program to overhaul its disaster response capability, ordering new water-dropping aircraft, drones, fire trucks, training facilities, and an artificial intelligence-driven sensor network to detect early signs of smoke and flooding.

But the new equipment won’t start arriving until 2025. Greek authorities are doubling down on training and new firefighting methods, with another tough season expected this year.

Fires burned an estimated 1,750 square kilometers (675 square miles) last year, including a blaze in northern Greece that was the worst fire ever recorded in the European Union .

Windy and mountainous with hard-to-reach islands, Greece faces a daunting annual challenge in defending multiple urban settlements that overlap with wooded areas at wildfire risk.

It’s also getting hotter: Last winter was the warmest since modern records began in 1960, according to the National Observatory of Athens, which analyzed European Union satellite data. The six warmest Greek winters on record have occurred in the past decade.

That’s against the backdrop of new data revealing that Europe is the world’s fastest-warming continent , its temperatures rising at roughly twice the global average.

Standing in the main disaster response command center in Athens, Vassilis Kikilias, the minister for climate crisis and civil protection, says authorities expect annual conditions to worsen further.

“It will be a very difficult fire season, a very difficult summer,” Kikilias, a towering former pro basketball player, told the AP in an interview. “We had a dry winter and fall temperatures lasting until December. So we’re facing the climate crisis head on.”

Throughout the month of April, firefighters stepped up exercises and training, using new facilities like the Fire Dragon, a 1.2 million euro ($1.3 million) trailer used to simulate the inside of a burning building. Fire crews with heavy protective gear and oxygen tanks use it to practice close-quarter techniques and rescues.

Close by, Fire Service regulars and trainees crawl through a mesh maze in darkness to practice working in confined spaces. Participants in full kit first workout on treadmill climbers and other gym machines, then crawl through the maze as strobe lights, smoke and loud noises are added to disorient them.

“The firefighting maze helps firefighters in a dark environment, in an unfamiliar setting, in the presence of fire, to enter the area, investigate, possibly carry out a rescue and find a way out,” said Fire Lt. Col. Vrasidas Grafakos, a training center commander.

“It’s to train them effectively to be ready for building fires, for front-line activity.”

Retiree Chrysoula Renieri was among those who lost their homes in the 2023 fires that tore through forests on the island of Rhodes , in northeastern Greece, and areas west of Athens.

Renieri visited her gutted house last week. As she walked through the blackened rooms, she described how her family felt helpless as the approaching fire cut off power and the water supply before the flames took over the house. “No one helped us and everything burned. It’s all gone.”

She said she hopes the Fire Service’s new equipment and methods might make a difference to others.

“I wish that would happen, so many homes could be saved,” she said. “We hope, because summer is coming again and the torment will begin.”

Theodora Tongas in Loutraki, Greece, contributed.

Copyright © 2024 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, written or redistributed.

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Greece and Italy Family Tours & Vacation Packages

Let TourRadar take the hassle out of finding a trip for the whole family. With 33 tours of Greece And Italy lasting from 7 days up to 21 days, you're sure to find a great family-friendly adventure. Looking beyond Greece And Italy? See all family holidays .

33 Greece And Italy Family trips with 445 reviews

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Best of Italy and Greece (10 Days)

Trip overall was a good experience the tour director and our coach driver's were awesome!!! The hotel in Venice was awful outlet and lights didn't work their staff was rude and unaccomodating we couldn't use the pool on a hot day cause it was always closed thank God we only spent 1 day there with its filthy walls inside our room. We paid for one optional guide in Venice that was a joke the guide walked us to a abandoned church gave us some history on it and that was it went to St. Marks where none of us got to see the tomb and the tour was over didn't get close to our money's worth the entire group felt this way.

• €100 deposit on some dates Some departure dates offer you the chance to book this tour with a lower deposit.

• Sightseeing

Best of Italy and Greece (14 Days, Celestyal Cruise Information)

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Greece and Italy - Mediterranean Trip - 15 days

Best of Italy and Greece with 3-day cruise

Wonderful, we really liked it.

Italy & Greece combo

Italy and Greece 4 Star w/Catamaran in Santorini

I would highly recommend this type of tour. Not a bus tour or a cruise but more of a stress free, mostly private tour of everything you want to see plus enough free time to make plenty of your own adventures in places of true wonder without a worry in the world. Everything was carefully planned and taken care of for us along every step of the tour. The communication through What'sApp was completely seamless and made it like we had our own personal tour agent available at any time to answer any questions and make sure we had all necessary information for the next day's adventure. We saw more, learned more and experienced more than we could of imagined. I can't say enough about how incredible the use of What'sApp was throughout the tour. We bought a ESim card that worked throughout Europe, so where ever we were we received all messages from TourRadar/Wanderful Holidays and always knew where to be, what time to be there and the appropriate attire for the tour/excursion.

The Highlights of Greece & Italy - 15 Days (Self-guided)

Amazing trip that covered the highlights that we wanted to see. All top spots in Greece & Italy were visited. We had a lovely tour and thank Dot Travel Greece.

• €50 deposit on some dates Some departure dates offer you the chance to book this tour with a lower deposit.

Greece and Heart of Italy with Meteoras

Italy & Greece with Iconic Aegean Islands Cruise

Our tour guide, Margarita, was sent good and patient, as was Paul, who was on the cruise. Most of the other guides were outstanding, as well. I definitely recommend eating at the hotel in Rome, the food there was better than any of the restaurants in town. Some of the hotels needed some upgrades, but were clean. The experience was amazing and very well planned. I highly recommend this trip!!

Italy & Greece

Our tour was great with the help of our Tour Director. The meals included was okay but we felt overall, they could have been better. Accommodations were all great except our last hotel was very hot.

Complete Greece and Sicily

Italy and Santorini

Venice Rome & Santorini 4 Star W/BBQ on a Boat

Complete Greece with Puglia and Campania

Rome, Puglia, Meteoras and Greek Islands

Reviews of greece and italy family tours.

Trip overall was a good experience the tour director and our coach driver's were awesome!!! The hotel in Venice was awful outlet and lights didn't work their staff was rude and unaccomodating we couldn't use the pool on a hot day cause it was always closed thank God we only spent 1 day there with its filthy walls inside our room. We paid for one optional guide in Venice that was a joke the guide walked us to a abandoned church gave us some history on it and that was it went to St. Marks where none of us got to see the tomb and the tour was over didn't get close to our money's worth the entire group felt this way.

I want to say thank you to the team, for all their hard work that was put into making this trip a success, but a special shout out to Wendy, for all your help throughout our vacation. No matter what time of day or night we send her text or call her, for any reason or need her help, she always responds quickly. Wendy is definitely a keeper!!. Apart from the little hiccups in Venice, we are looking forward to traveling with wonderful holidays in the future, and since we came back, we have also recommended wonderful holidays to some of our family and friends. Overall it was a great trip and would definitely recommend this trip to anyone.

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