Italy and Greece make for a marvelous Mediterranean vacation. These two countries with a long and intertwined history are home to some of the most important historic sites. But their similarities don’t end in the countless years of history they share.
Alongside their ancient ruins, Greece and Italy boast some of the world’s most beautiful cities, cultural events, and breathtaking views. It’s no overstatement to say that a vacation combining Greece and Italy is like a Greatest Hits of Europe’s top sights.
Popular Itineraries For Italy & Greece Tours
Although every tour we build is unique, there are some popular routes and itineraries that we are asked for frequently. Our sample itineraries provide some ideas for you to consider as a basis for your own private tour combining time in both Italy and Greece.
For each of these itineraries, you can get a rough idea of the total price using the Price Guide function. We cover many more destinations than those listed in these popular Greece & Italy itineraries. Our expert trip planners will work with you to incorporate any places in Italy and Greece you want to go.
* Starting price is per person, in US Dollars, based on double occupancy in 3 star accommodation, in the most affordable month an itinerary is offered. Airfare to Europe is not included.
Click on your choice of itinerary, select number of travelers in your party, month of travel, and desired star level of accommodation to get an approximate price. Submit the enquiry form with any additional details and we can start planning your customized trip.
Italy & Greece Vacation Reviews
Our Italy & Greece tour packages provide a hassle-free way to see both of these captivating countries. We take care of all the details. All you have to worry about is enjoying the unique experiences that will make this the vacation of a lifetime.
Below you’ll find some testimonials from guests who have visited Italy and Greece with our help recently.
JayWay Travel is an excellent choice for arranging travel plans. They take care of every detail and you always feel that you have someone you can count on while traveling in a foreign country/city.
Visited : Italy, Greece
Itinerary : Rome, Florence, Venice, Santorini, Heraklion, Athens
Rating :
Had a wonderful time. All attention to details is what we loved. We had private guides for most of the trip and they were outstanding- we had one small hiccup on a pickup to the airport.. our contact person in Italy-Simone - was amazing. I would highly recommend using this service to my friends and family
Visited : Italy, Greece
Itinerary : Tuscany, Rome, Santorini, Naxos, Athens
Rating :
JayWay made planning a complicated trip over multiple countries easy and more enjoyable. We would have been lost on where to stay and what to do without the help of amazing staff at JayWay.
Visited : Italy, Greece
Itinerary : Venice, Rome, Santorini, Athens
Rating :
Italy & Greece: A Classic Duo
Two of the greatest cultures the world has known, the Ancient Greek Civilization and the Roman Empire, left their mark on Southern Europe for eternity. You’ll be treading in ancient footsteps, fascinated by the rich history of these two countries during your Italy and Greece tour.
More recent empires, kingdoms, republics, and dynasties have contributed to the rich art and culture you’ll find in both countries.
Culinary Edens
Italian cuisine might have the edge when it comes to worldwide fame but Greece holds its own, too.
In both countries, we’ve picked the best foodie experiences for you to try, from food tours to cooking classes, as well as olive oil and wine tastings. We’ll provide tips on the best places to eat in all your destinations, too.
Just Want To Hit The Highlights?
If you want to hit the main hotspots, you could start your trip in Rome, the Eternal City. Here you can visit the Vatican Museums, St. Peter’s Basilica, and the Sistine Chapel in the Vatican City, before exploring the ancient history of the Colosseum, the Roman Forum, and many more archeological sites of Ancient Rome.
After tossing a coin in the Trevi Fountain to make sure you return to Rome before too long, head north and picture yourself in Florence’s historic center.
In the cradle of the Renaissance, you can admire the signature Duomo, Michelangelo’s David, and the Uffizi Galleries, people-watch at Piazza della Signoria, and stroll across the Ponte Vecchio. Continue to Venice, the iconic floating city, to sip a cocktail at St. Mark’s Square and enjoy a gondola ride.
Then, jump on a quick flight to dream vacation destinations Santorini or Mykonos in the Aegean Sea before finishing up in the bustling Greek capital city of Athens, the site of one of the world’s oldest civilizations.
Climb up the sacred rock of the Acropolis, stroll through the bright corridors of the nearby New Acropolis Museum, and make your way to the Greek capital’s vibrant neighborhoods for a taste of the city’s lively nightlife and diverse dining scene.
If you’ve never been to either country, that’s definitely a good way to start.
Or Dig Deeper?
But that’s just the beginning of the story and our knowledge of both these countries goes much deeper than that. You could spend some of your trip discovering Crete, Greece’s largest island. Santorini’s beautiful, but the other Cyclades Islands, Naxos and Paros, reward the more curious traveler.
Buck the island-hopping trend and spend your time exploring mainland Greece. Meteora and Thessaloniki are of particular interest, while the Temple of Apollo in Delphi is a must for any history buff.
If you’re on the trail of Ancient Greek sites outside Greece, the rugged Italian region of Sicily is a must, with Greek temples galore.
Similarly, Puglia with its whitewashed yet typically Italian villages might have you wondering if you’re still in Italy or if you’ve already moved to neighboring Greece. Puglia can easily be combined with Greece thanks to overnight ferries between Bari or Brindisi and Western Greece or low-cost direct flights. Check out all the destinations we offer in Greece and Italy.
You’re in The Best Hands
Our Italy and Greece expert travel advisors and trip planners will work with you to create your dream vacation itinerary. We’ll ensure a comfortable stay at the very best hotels and apartments in the city center, or villas in the countryside.
Most of our guests enjoy stays in gorgeous 4-star hotels, often with panoramic views, but we also offer 3- and 5-star options in all our destinations.
Depending on the destination, you may stay in a gorgeous hotel with a historical charm or in a more modern hotel with all the conveniences. Each hotel provides excellent service, ensuring a restful night before you head out to explore ancient monuments and other must-see sights.
You choose how you want to spend your days. You can join a full day trip, enjoy a walking tour of the city with our trusted partners in the morning and some downtime for the remainder of the day, or take an entire relaxing day off to wander on your own.
Before you arrive and during your trip, our on-the-ground staff in both Greece and Italy are on hand by phone or email for any help you need. With staff in both countries, we’re perfectly placed to create the most memorable trip you’ve ever experienced.
Why Travel with JayWay?
You only travel somewhere for the first time once. By taking a custom tailored trip you get a seamless trip, to your choice of destinations and at your own pace, planned by professionals and supported by locals on the ground in Europe.
Save Precious Time
Planning an amazing trip takes time. Our friendly travel advisors and experienced trip planners will listen to your needs and craft your personal dream itinerary. We will maximize your vacation time and enjoyment – we know the best way to get around and how to spend your hard-earned time off.
Have Peace of Mind
You’re in safe hands from the very beginning. Even before you arrive your dedicated tour manager in Europe will be in touch to help you prepare. When you arrive they’ll meet you and be available by phone, email and IM for the rest of your journey with us, for anything you need.
Make Memories Forever
Travel can create memories that last a lifetime. You’ll return home with indelible recollections of beautiful sunsets, magical vistas, fascinating stories, and meals so delicious you’ll want to fly back every time you think of them. This is why we do what we do.
Frequently Asked Questions about Travel to Greece & Italy
Most of our guests travel to Italy and Greece from the US by air, unless they are already traveling in a neighboring country.
Starting in either Rome or Athens makes sense. Buying an open-jaw ticket is usually only a little more than a standard return and we’ll include any intra-European flights in your package. Our travel advisors will help you pick the best flights for your itinerary.
It very much depends on your priorities. If you want to visit the most famous places, Rome, Florence, Venice, Athens, and Santorini might be top of your list. If you’ve been to Italy before but not to Greece, we can arrange a trip combining lesser-known destinations, such as Bologna, Siena, or Lucca, with Greek destinations, such as Athens, Mykonos, and Santorini. In Greece and Italy, you’re never far from a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and we can build an itinerary around anything that’s on your must-see list.
Absolutely! That’s the whole point of working with a custom tour operator like us. We’ll work with you to tailor the perfect trip for you, so you can be sure you have enough time to see what you want at your own pace, without having to worry about any of the details, like how to get to the train station, or making reservations at a local restaurant. We take care of all of that!
Our tour packages are designed to make touring Italy & Greece effortless. From working with our travel advisors and expert trip planners to craft your ideal itinerary, to the moment you get on the plane to return home, we will take care of everything. Your custom tour package will include accommodation, airport transfers and any kind of transportation between destinations, walking tours, day trips, and most importantly the support of our local staff in Europe. They’ll be in touch with you before your trip to finalize any details, and, if you wish, we’ll give you an e-SIM so you can be in touch by phone, email, or instant message. It’s like having a tour leader, but still traveling independently.
Our Italy and Greece packages start from around $350 per person per day. The largest element is often accommodation, but private full-day tours can increase the cost, too. On the other hand, tours in smaller groups are more affordable and they allow you to meet fellow travelers with similar interests. All our sample itineraries have a Price Guide function to give you an idea of the cost for different levels of accommodation, months of travel, and number of travelers.
No. As our tours are completely customized to you, you choose the dates and destinations you want to visit. With us, you don’t have to worry about a tour reaching a minimum occupancy to guarantee departure.
The best time of year for your trip will depend on what you want to do. Italy can be a great place to travel year-round. Greece’s islands can be more seasonal with some almost shutting down in winter. If you want to swim, you should travel between mid-May and mid-October. If you are more interested in sightseeing and avoiding the hottest time of year, mid-July and August could be too warm for you. High season on the islands and in coastal destinations, such as the Amalfi Coast, the Italian Riviera, or the Cyclades, is the opposite in the cities. Therefore, while July and August are the most expensive times of year to travel to such places, the cities become more affordable, although warmer than ideal.
Both countries have some fabulous beaches. For the best Italian beaches, you need to go beyond the most popular easily-reached locations, like the Amalfi Coast and Cinque Terre, and head to Sardinia or Puglia‘s western coast instead. In Greece, some of the most popular island destinations also have pristine beaches, particularly Crete, Mykonos, Naxos, Paros, and Rhodes. While Santorini’s beaches are pleasant, they’re not its best feature.
We can arrange rental cars for all or part of the trip, but bear in mind that dropping off a rental in another country incurs high one-way fees, and taking a car on a ferry adds significantly to the cost. Your JayWay trip planner can arrange separate rentals where needed so you can avoid unnecessary expenses and have the freedom to get around by car when you need to. In Italy’s countryside in particular a car is useful. Should your trip be mostly city-based in Italy, trains and private transfers will be much more convenient. If the Greece portion of your trip concentrates on the islands, we advise against car rental.
Among all the guided tours we offer in Rome, our most popular are culinary-based, whether food tours or cooking classes. Similarly in Athens, food-based experiences are very popular, as well as any guided tour of the ancient city of Athens, including the Acropolis and the Temple of Olympian Zeus. On the Greek Islands, sailing trips are perennial favorites. Tours of the interior of an island provide a wonderful way to get to know the character of the place better. Wherever you go, we can arrange tours with local guides so you can gain a full appreciation of the place.
Absolutely. Your itinerary will be customized to your wishes. You don’t have to fill every day and we encourage leaving some free time aside simply to appreciate the destinations you’re visiting. Getting lost in Venice’s narrow streets, with just the occasional glimpse of St Mark’s Campanile and encounter with the Grand Canal to guide you, is part of the fun!
We don’t sell cruises in Greece and Italy. We believe you enjoy a far richer experience by spending as much time as possible on land, soaking up the local culture, and enjoying traditional cuisine, while taking part in a more responsible type of travel. A day cruise on a sailboat or catamaran is another matter entirely and our guests love half-day or full-day sailing trips we offer from many of Greece’s islands. All of the thrills of getting out on the water without the cramped conditions and other sacrifices that sleeping on a boat brings.
This is mostly a question of how many places you want to see. Each time you move to another destination, you’ll spend half a day traveling. For this reason, we recommend three nights in most destinations and a trip length of at least two weeks. Fewer destinations mean less time and money spent moving between them, and more time soaking up the atmosphere and seeing the sights.
You can’t travel by train from Italy to Greece, but you can take a ferry between the two. However, keep in mind that journey times are very long, ranging from 12 to over 30 hours, depending on the route. It’s far simpler, and more affordable, to fly.
The quickest way to travel between Italy and Greece is by air. Flights between major tourist destinations in both countries are quick (around two hours) and relatively cheap thanks to lots of low-cost airlines providing service. We can include these intra-European flights in your vacation package to simplify your planning. There are also overnight ferries from various Italian cities, such as Ancona, Bari, Brindisi, and Venice, to Patras, Igoumenitsa, and the island of Corfu in Western Greece. This is another, lower-carbon-footprint, way to cross the sea.
Yes, thankfully the Euro is the currency of both Italy and Greece, so any coins and banknotes you have left after the first country can be used in the second.