Retracing The Footsteps of Roman Emperors

Itinerary

1. Day 1 Arrival in Rome

   The capital of Italy is a vibrant, energetic and stylish city. While thoroughly modern in sensibility, Rome is also home to some of the world’s most important works of classic art and architecture. This city has been an epicenter for culture, politics and religion for more than 2,500 years. From the Spanish Steps to the Vatican, there are more than enough sights to keep even the most active tourists busy and even somewhere as popular as Rome you can find places just off the tourist trail and bustling with locals. But it’s also nice to slow down and enjoy Rome’s famous cafes and restaurants, which can be just as beguiling as the buildings. Lounge with an espresso on the Campo de Fiori and watch the changing light on the fountains and the facades. Visit the Vatican and explore some of the world’s most beautiful churches. Rome really comes alive at night, when restaurants and wine bars bring a renewed vitality to the city. You’ll also have opportunities for day trips to local vineyards, olive groves, and other places producing regional delicacies. No matter what your interests, or what kind of holiday you’re looking for, Rome will be an enjoyable destination.

   After you land at Rome's Fiumicino airport you will be met in the arrivals hall by a driver holding a sign with your name on. The journey to your accommodation in the center of Rome should take around an hour.

2. Day 2 Your First Full Day in Rome

   

   Golf Cart Around Rome Private Tour

   The Private Rome Golf Cart Tour sounds like an incredible way to explore the Eternal City! It offers a unique and comfortable way to experience Rome's iconic sites while learning about its fascinating history. Riding in an eco-friendly golf cart not only allows for convenience but also minimizes the physical strain of touring the city on foot. With a knowledgeable guide at the helm, travelers can make the most of their time by efficiently navigating through Rome's streets while uncovering hidden gems and significant landmarks. The personalized nature of a private tour ensures that visitors can pause for photos, take in the sights, or even enjoy a quick refreshment break, enhancing the overall experience. This blend of culture, history, and fun promises an engaging and enriching adventure through one of the world's most captivating cities!

   • Activity Level : Easy
   • Duration : 3 hours

   Included in your vacation package price

3. Day 3 Your Second Full Day in Rome

   

   Boldly Go to Ancient Rome

   No trip to Rome is complete without a journey into the city's ancient past. From the secrets of the Colosseum to the wonders of the Roman Forum to the hidden treasures of the Palatine Hill, the essence of Ancient Rome awaits to fascinate you.

   • Activity Level : Moderate
   • Duration : 3 hours 15 minutes

   Please ask your travel advisor for the cost to add this to your package

4. Day 4 Traveling to Thessaloniki by Airplane / Arrival in Thessaloniki

   To get from Rome to Thessaloniki, the best option is to take a flight on a low-cost airline. On your day of departure, a driver will pick you up at your accommodation and bring you to the airport for your flight.

   Suggested Flight: Departure: Arrival: Please note that the flight included in your package is non-refundable. If you prefer more flexibility, we can check the flexible fares for you and let you know about the price difference. Moreover, the price of the flight is subject to change until we receive your deposit.

   Thessaloniki, Greece’s second largest city, offers urban sophistication and cultural diversity. With its ancient roots, Thessaloniki, also known as Saloniki and Salonica, offers a delightful amalgam of historical, culinary, and cultural activities. Due to its prime location, this city has had many rulers, from the Venetians to the Saracens to the Ottomans. For centuries, Thessaloniki was Byzantium's second largest and wealthiest city, after Constantinople, and it even served as a "co-capital" at times. Thessaloniki was a haven for Sephardic Jews fleeing Spanish persecution, a group that for a time formed most of the city's population, and which is still visible in the city's diverse architecture, music, and cuisine. While compact in size, Thessaloniki is home to 15 UNESCO-listed monuments. The expansive harbor is its heart and soul, offering magnificent views of Thermaikos Bay. This urban waterfront is the center of many of Thessaloniki’s happenings, as well as the location of its iconic landmarks, such as the White Tower and the Monument of Alexander the Great. Its former warehouses now house the Museum of Contemporary Art, the Thessaloniki Museum of Photography, and the Thessaloniki Cinema Museum.

   Welcome to Northern Greece! A driver will be waiting for you in the arrivals hall to take you to your accommodation in Thessaloniki.

5. Day 5 Your First Full Day in Thessaloniki

   

   Thessaloniki Walking Half Day Private Tour

   Cosmopolitan Thessaloniki has been a crossroad of Greek, Jewish, Turkish, and Slavic cultures for millennia (indeed, in the late 19th century, it was even the only European city where Jews were in the majority). Let a local guide show you around, and help you discover why the city was a treasure fought over countless times, as you take in the White Tower, Galerius Arch, Rotunda monument, Old Town, and city walls, where you can take in a memorable view of the city!

   • Activity Level : Light
   • Duration : 4 hours

   Included in your vacation package price

   

   Laladika, Nightlife Central

   Laladika is the nightlife hotspot of Thessaloniki, attracting locals, students, and tourists every night. Following the most popular shopping street of Thessaloniki, Tsimiski Avenue, a five-minute walk from Aristotle’s Square, the district of Laladika is a beautiful area home to colorful neoclassical buildings full of bars, restaurants, traditional taverns and clubs, mixing the traditional and new.

   Suggestion to explore on your own

6. Day 6 Your Second Full Day in Thessaloniki

   

   Macedonian Tresures: Pella, Edessa, and Vergina Private Tour

   This excursion is a must for history lovers and cultural explorers. From the birthplace of Alexander the Great to the stunning waterfalls of Edessa and the royal splendor of Vergina, this tour offers a comprehensive and immersive journey into the heart of Ancient Macedonia’s history and legacy.

   • Activity Level : Light
   • Duration : 9 hours

   Please ask your travel advisor for the cost to add this to your package

7. Day 7 Traveling to Istanbul by Airplane / Arrival in Istanbul

   

   To get from Thessaloniki to Istanbul, the best option is to book a flight on a low-cost airline. On your day of departure, a driver will pick you up at your accommodation and bring you to the airport for your flight. Suggested Flight: Departure: Arrival: Please note that the flight included in your package is non-refundable. If you prefer more flexibility, we can check the flexible fares for you and let you know about the price difference. Moreover, the price of the flights is subject to change until we receive your deposit.

   Istanbul is a sprawling city of 15+ million people that contains two continents and a wealth of history. From the Byzantines to the Ottoman Empire to the modern Turkish Republic, Istanbul has seen the churn of history throughout the centuries, and the remains of all these eras live alongside the ever-changing face of contemporary Turkey. The Hagia Sophia, formerly a Byzantine church, an Ottoman mosque, and a Republic-era museum, before reverting recently to a mosque, is Istanbul’s most significant site, located in the heart of Sultanahmet. The hip districts of Beyoglu, Besiktas, and Kadikoy overflow with restaurants and cafes, and the central boulevard Istiklal Caddesi serves as the main artery for shopping, food, and nightlife in this buzzing city.

   After your flight arrives at Istanbul Airport, a driver will meet you at the airport to bring you to your accommodation. The drive from the airport lasts around 50 minutes.

8. Day 8 Your First Full Day in Istanbul

   

   The Best of Istanbul in a Day

   Today, you are about to delve into the rich history of a city like no other, a city that sits at the crossroads of East and West, the enchanting Istanbul. During this full-day tour, you will visit top-rated attractions, such as the Topkapi Palace and Hagia Sophia. Moreover, you will marvel at breathtaking views of the city from some of the best viewpoints in Istanbul. You will end the tour among locals in one of the world's most famous markets, the colorful and historic Grand Bazaar.

   • Activity Level : Strenuous
   • Duration : 7 hours

   Included in your vacation package price

9. Day 9 Your Second Full Day in Istanbul

   Tasting Istanbul

   At the crossroads of East and West, Istanbul is one of the most fascinating and diverse cities. With influences from the many different people that co-existed within the Ottoman Empire for centuries on end, Turkish food is equally diverse. Apart from world-renowned savory and sweet specialties, such as kebabs or baklava, Turkish cuisine features countless other delicious dishes. Alternatively, join a small-group cooking class to learn how to prepare some staple Turkish specialties and bring your new skills back home with you, keeping Istanbul in your heart forever in the most delicious way.

   Suggested activities for an additional cost, depending on your choice

   

   Istanbul Small Group Cooking Class

   It’s time to roll up your sleeves and tie on a cooking apron. During this 3-hour cooking class, you will learn how to prepare delicious authentic Turkish recipes and then enjoy them for lunch or dinner in a traditional restaurant with a glass or two of local wine. This is undoubtedly one of the most fulfilling cultural experiences you can enjoy in Istanbul.

   • Activity Level : Easy
   • Duration : 3 hours

   Suggested activities for an additional cost, depending on your choice

   

   Sweet Tooth of Istanbul Private Walking Tour

   Explore Istanbul's diverse culinary scene on a tour spanning its various districts, even venturing to the Asian side. Delight in authentic local flavors, particularly the rich variety of desserts. Led by an experienced guide, absorb the city's history, culture, and gastronomy as you stroll through its vibrant streets. Immerse yourself in the city's flavors, stories, and sights on this enriching excursion.

   • Activity Level : Strenuous
   • Duration : 6 hours

   Suggested activities for an additional cost, depending on your choice

10. Day 10 Departure Day

    A driver will pick you up at your Istanbul accommodation and drop you off at the airport for your departing flight. The journey to the airport takes around 50 minutes.