Bella Italia Tour
Per person, double occupancy, excludes roundtrip airfare
Take a journey you won’t forget! Enjoy an Italy vacation where you will visit site after legendary site all the way from Rome to Milan.
Ancient, breathtakingly beautiful, and culturally rich, Greece is full of endless opportunities. On this Greece travel package, you will enjoy sightseeing, island hopping, and fabulous meals. The trip starts and ends in Athens, an ancient city you will discover on a fascinating guided tour. Visit historic sites and charming neighborhoods, with plenty of time left to relax on your own at a local taverna.
From Athens, embark on your adventure to the spectacular Greek Islands. Take a ferry to Mykonos, which is small in size but rich with charm and beautiful views. Visit one of the island’s legendary windmills, stroll through the villages past whitewashed buildings looking out to the sea, or relax at the beach. The deep blue waters of the Aegean are warm and welcoming.
Next you explore Santorini, among the world’s most stunning islands. Look out at the caldera at sunset or stroll on a black sand beach. Experience the island at its best when you book a waterfront table to enjoy tzatziki, fresh fish, and delicious roasted meats with a magnificent view. When your tour ends in Athens, you’ll take home memories from this Greece vacation you’ll cherish for the rest of your life.
Highlights
1 Country
Sightseeing
Hotel Accommodations
Meals
Service
Baggage Handling
*Local regulations in Greece mandate that guest carry their own luggage on and off ferry boats.
Athens, Greece
Athens, Greece
Your vacation begins as you depart on your transatlantic flight.
Arrive in Athens, Greece, the land of great philosophers, artists and the birthplace of democracy. If you purchased airline tickets from YMT Vacations, you will be transferred to your hotel where the balance of the day is at leisure. This evening, you’ll get a chance to meet all your fellow travelers and your YMT Tour Director at the welcome briefing and dinner (included) at the hotel. (D)
Moxy Athens City or similar
Enjoy a half-day sightseeing tour of Athens to observe the striking contrasts and history that make this such a fascinating city. You will see the Panathenaic Stadium where the first Olympic Games of modern times were held, the Temple of Olympian Zeus, Hadrian’s Arch, the Parliament, the monument of the Unknown Soldier and Constitution Square. Then it’s on to the most famous site in Athens—the Acropolis, atop which lies the stunning 2,500 year old Parthenon Temple built to honor the goddess Athena. Finally, this morning you will visit the new Acropolis Museum. The afternoon is at leisure and you are free to explore the Plaka district in the shadow of the Acropolis, Athens’ oldest and most picturesque neighborhood. The maze of cobblestone pedestrian streets is lined with shops, boutiques, souvenir stands and flea market stalls that beckon all who enter. You will have plenty of time to browse through the many shops and souvenir stalls or you can relax in one of the many tavernas or cafes. This evening you can experience an optional fun and entertaining Greek night. (B)
Moxy Athens City or similar
Add-On: Dinner & Music at Zafiros
Today you will have the full day to explore more of this ancient city. We recommend you join our full-day optional tour to Delphi and the Temple of Apollo, one of the most important archaeological sites in Greek history. Delphi was the center of the ancient world and is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It sits at the foot of Mount Parnassus, in a landscape of unparalleled beauty and majesty overlooking the Gulf of Corinth. If you are looking for a shorter adventure, consider joining the food market tour of Athens to discover the best of Greek cuisine. (B)
This morning, we take the short drive to the port to board your ferryboat and cruise toward the islands. This afternoon, we arrive at the island of Mykonos, famous for its windmills, whitewashed buildings, and domed churches. This charming island is just 33 square miles, and has a resident population of around 10,000. This evening, you can enjoy exceptionally fresh seafood in the waterfront cafes and tavernas in the area of Mykonos Town known as Little Venice. (B)
Hotel Kamari or similar
Today is yours to explore this magical island. We will have an optional tour to the neighboring Island of Delos, fabled birthplace of Artemis and Apollo. After the 45-minute boat ride, explore the ruins of the ancient Minoan civilization, including the Agora, temples of Apollo, the Hippodrome, amphitheater, and more. In the afternoon, you’ll have plenty of time to explore more of the island or relax on one of the many sandy beaches. If you choose to explore on foot, the central part of Mykonos Town is closed to traffic during most of the day, and has whitewashed cubic houses, a labyrinth of narrow streets, churches, lovely chapels, and many purple bougainvillea. (B, D)
Hotel Kamari or similar
Add-On: Delos Island Tour
After breakfast at the hotel, this morning we leave Mykonos and take the ferry to the island of Santorini. Arrive to witness the island’s spectacular volcanic cliffs. Famous for the vista of its whitewashed houses of Fira, perched on the side of the caldera, Santorini is one of the most photographed Greek Islands. On the southern side of the island, the resorts of Kamari and Perissa are well known for their black volcanic sand. Santorini is also renowned for producing some of the best wine in Greece. Upon arrival, consider taking part in the optional tour of Oia and Fira with an included wine tasting to experience the best this island has to offer. Tonight, enjoy a farewell dinner at a local restaurant (included). (B, D)
El Greco Resort & Spa or similar
Add-On: Oia, Fira and the wines of Santorini
You have a full day to explore this unique island paradise at your own pace, or join our optional Island Highlights Tour where you’ll see the region’s key highlights. These will include Akrotiri, a Bronze Age settlement that was destroyed by a volcanic eruption during the 17th century BC and was preserved in perfect condition; the Red Beach; and several beautiful traditional villages. (B, D)
El Greco Resort & Spa or similar
Add-On: Santorini Sunset Dinner Cruise
The last morning in the islands is yours to relax on the beach, or explore the array of shops before we head to the port around lunchtime for our early afternoon ferryboat departure for Athens. We arrive back late evening at the port of Piraeus and take the short transfer to Athens for the last overnight stay in Greece. (B)
Moxy Athens City or similar
Transfer to Athens airport to check in for your return flight home. On certain tour dates, you may choose to combine our Greece and Italy tours. If you are joining us for our Ultimate Greece & Italy tour, you will fly to Rome to join our Bella Italia itinerary. (B)
Note: Local regulations in Greece mandate that guests carry their own luggage on and off ferry boats.
Please note that this is a proposed itinerary; the actual itinerary may vary due to season, special events, or weather. Hotels may differ depending on date. Because our tour arrangements are often made a year or more in advance, YMT Vacations reserves the right to alter the itinerary. Itinerary changes are made to improve your vacation experience, as well as respond to any unforeseen circumstances that mandate alterations. By their nature, all tour vacations involve a certain level of physical activity. While YMT tours have been designed with our guests in mind and are not physically demanding, this tour does include walking and periods of standing during the sightseeing visits. You will also encounter steps and some uneven ground along the way, particularly at older, historical sights. Please ask your Travel Consultant for more information.
YMT Vacations itineraries may contain suggestions for activities for your leisure time; these suggestions do not constitute a recommendation nor an endorsement of any specific service provider and the decision to participate in any such activities should be made independently.
Per person, double occupancy, excludes roundtrip airfare. Passport required.
See Dates & Prices
Unfortunately, additional nights are not available from YMT Vacations for this tour. Your YMT Sales Consultant will confirm the specific hotel related to your departure date, and you can then contact the hotel directly to arrange an extended stay.
Yes, triples are permitted (depending on availability).
You should arrive in Athens no later than 3pm, and arrange a returning flight that departs no earlier than 10am.
No, not at this time.
Make your vacation extra special by adding optional excursions to your tour. It’s a great opportunity to enhance your trip, these experiences slot seamlessly into your package, and we’ll take care of all the logistics for you. Call us for pricing, and remember that adding an optional experience might increase the overall activity level of the tour, so always keep that in mind when planning your trip.
A trip to Greece would not be complete without witnessing a spectacular Grecian Oia sunset. Join your fellow travelers this evening on a sunset cruise aboard the largest sailboat in Santorini, the Afroditi. The cruise will take you to the middle of the Santorini Caldera where two uninhabited volcanic islands await. You will have the opportunity here to photograph and leisurely climb up a volcanic crater, offering an experience unlike any other. Upon leaving Nea Kameni you will arrive at the second volcanic island of Palea Kameni where you will have time to relax and unwind in the natural hot springs or remain on board and take in the beautiful scenery. Your captain will anchor near Thirasia Island where you will be able to enjoy your dinner on board and take in the mesmerizing scenery before departing into the Oia Sunset.
Inclusions
Note: This tour is not adaptable for wheelchairs, scooters, or walkers. This is a public tour and guests who are not part of your YMT Vacations tour may participate as well.
Duration: Approx. 7 Hours (Afternoon)
Activity Level: Active
Price: $
Join us on this culinary journey to learn about the best of Greek cuisine! Start your tour on Athinas Street in central Athens, famous for its homeware stores. Here we will explore the basics of the Greek kitchen, visit several bakeries, and stroll along a street dedicated entirely to cheese and spices. Next, continue to “Terra Fresh,” where we can taste a wide range of Greek nuts, fruits, herbs, olive oils, spices, and ouzo. We continue on to Varvakios Market, the oldest and most traditional food market in Greece, open since 1884 and a true testament to fresh Greek produce. Next, enjoy a visit to a Greek charcuterie, famous for it’s pastourma and soutzouki, as well as it’s aged cheese and salted meats. Don’t forget to sample a typical dessert of traditional Greek donuts and coffee! To complete your tour, we will head to the heart of Athens where we can enjoy a traditional lunch including one of the most popular Greek dishes, the “gyro”.
Inclusions
Note: Substitutions or alternatives to accommodate food allergies, intolerances, or special diets may not be possible, subject to local conditions and specific food vendors. Please inform your guide or Tour Director if you have any allergy, intolerance, or special diet. This tour requires walking and standing for long periods of time. This tour and the full-day Delphi tour cannot be booked together, as the timing for both tours overlaps. This tour is private for YMT guests only.
Duration: Approx. 6 hours (morning)
Activity Level: Active
Price: $$
Join your fellow travelers today on a short ferry ride from Mykonos harbor to the mostly uninhabited island of Delos. This island is strongly believed to be the birthplace of the god Apollo, and is considered one of the most sacred mythological, historical and archaeological sites in Greece. Delos, a World Heritage UNESCO site, is known as the largest open-air museum in Europe and is currently only inhabited by archaeologists conducting excavations. While on your guided tour of the island you will see the House of Cleopatra, Temple of Apollo, the famous Lion Terrace, and other breathtaking mosaics and statues. Your visit to the island is sure to capture the ancient ways the people lived!
Inclusions
Note: This tour requires walking and standing for long periods of time, often over uneven terrain. This tour is not adaptable for wheelchairs, scooters, or walkers. This is a public tour and guests who are not part of your YMT Vacations tour may participate as well.
Duration: Approx. 4 Hours (Morning)
Activity Level: Active
Price: $
Visit one of the most important archaeological sites in Greek history with a tour to ancient Delphi and the Temple of Apollo. This full day excursion will begin with a scenic drive through the picturesque fertile plains of Boeotia to Delphi. Delphi, which lies on the slopes of Mount Parnassus, was considered the center of the ancient world dating back to approximately 500 B.C. and is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Inclusions
Note: This tour involves walking/ standing for long periods of time over occasionally uneven terrain. This tour is not adaptable for wheelchairs, scooters, or walkers. This is a public tour and guests who are not part of your YMT Vacations tour may participate as well. This tour and the Plaka Food Market tour cannot be booked together, as the timing for both tours overlaps.
Duration: Approx. 10 hours (full-day)
Activity Level: Active
Price: $$
Enjoy an evening of dinner and dancing at Zafiros! Nestled in the hills of Attiko Alsos, enjoy a stunning panoramic view of Athens by night. Then get settled in as traditional Greek dancers go through the steps of the “zeibekiko” and the more intense “kalamatiano,” accompanied by live music. Don’t forget to partake in the traditional Greek “Zorba” dance with your fellow travelers! During this interactive dancing and music experience, enjoy a full buffet of Greek dishes, including Greek Salad, spinach pie, and a variety of meat, fish, and vegetarian options.
Inclusions
Note: This is a public event and guests who are not part of your YMT Vacations tour may participate as well, however YMT guests will be able to sit altogether at the same table(s).
Duration: 4 hours (evening)
Activity Level: Easy
Price: $
Upon arrival in the port of Santorini, enjoy this private guided tour to the most picturesque and emblematic sites of Santorini! Our first stop is the town of Oia (pronounced “EE-yah”), one of the most photographed places in Greece, famous for its breathtaking sunsets and white houses built in tiers along the hillside. Learn about the history of this fascinating town and its inhabitants, then continue on to a local winery to taste a variety of wine cultivated on the island. The scenic location of the winery affords the opportunity to enjoy the colors of the Santorini skyline and surrounding vineyard. After the winery visit, continue to Fira, where you will have free time to walk and browse the local small shops and cafes.
Inclusions
Note: Oia and Fira both involve extensive walking and standing over cobblestones and/or uneven terrain, as well as several steps. This tour is not suitable for wheelchairs, scooters, or walkers. This tour is private for YMT guests only.
Duration: Approx. 4 Hours (Afternoon)
Activity Level: Moderate
Price: $$
Per person, double occupancy, excludes roundtrip airfare
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Per person, double occupancy, excludes roundtrip airfare
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