Europe Tour of Romance: Lovely France, Italy, and Greece Tour

In the morning, your guide will greet you after breakfast and introduce you to the sensational charms of Paris beyond the Eiffel Tower. The Arc de Triomphe is a magnificent architectural feature that was constructed in the 19th century. You can venture to the top of the Arc for a sensational view that overlooks the monuments of Paris. In the afternoon, you will meet your guide in Saint-Germain. The old-world glamour of the neighborhood will have you lusting after the beauty of the past that inspired the Simone de Beauvoir and Jean-Paul Sartre. You will then have a private tour of a prestigious chocolaterie.

You will set out after breakfast to meet your guide at the entrance of the Louvre Museum. The structure encompasses more than 652,000 square feet and once acted as the palace to the French monarchy. The gallery now contains approximately 30,000 works of art throughout 70 rooms. You will then continue to the Musee d’Orsay in the afternoon for a look at the masterful work of Impressionist and Post-Impressionist artists. Paintings, sculptures, photographs, and furniture reflect the spirit of the moment. The magnificent collection of artists, such as Monet, Degas, and Gauguin, bring splashes of color and sophistication to the neutral walls and natural light.

In the morning, you will travel to the airport by private transfer and fly to Rome for an introduction to the Eternal City. Upon your arrival, you will transfer to your luxurious accommodation for some time to relax. Rome bustles with activity at all hours of the day. Your guide will meet you in the hotel lobby and lead you on an inviting tour of the city’s iconic highlights, concluding at the marvelous figures of the Fountain of the Four Rivers in Piazza Navona.

Your day will begin at the Roman Forum for a sample of ancient life at the heart of the Italian capital. The forum once acted as the social, political, religious, and commercial center of the imperial city. Three towering pillars that stand 40 feet tall represent the remains of the Temple of Castor and Pollux. The structure was originally constructed in the 5th century BC as a tribute to the mythological brothers. Romans believed the brothers had a victorious battle and rode to Rome. In the afternoon, you will continue to the top of Aventine Hill for a sunset view of Rome from inside the Orange Garden.

The Vatican became one of the smallest independent states in the world in 1929 after making a deal with Mussolini. You will meet your guide in the shadow of the soaring dome of St. Peter, which was designed by Michelangelo. The master artist crafted the work when he was 24 years old, choosing to depict Mary as being ageless while cradling Jesus after the crucifixion. After exploring the depths of the fascinating galleries inside Vatican City, you will meet a private chef for a couples cooking class that will teach you the steps to producing some of Rome’s famous cuisine.

The unearthed city of Pompeii retains a sense of prestige and romance along the Bay of Naples, where it remained undisturbed for over a millennium. Your private transfer will greet you in your hotel lobby after a delicious breakfast. The archeological discovery spreads across 170 acres, approximately five miles away from the looming peak of Mt. Vesuvius. The infamous volcano erupted in 79 AD casting the former bustling Roman port in ash and pumice stone. You will have the day to explore this relic of the past with your private guide before continuing to Ravello for the night.

The lush town of Ravello overlooks the winding cliffs and dramatic slopes of the Amalfi Coast. Orange trees and lemon groves line the terraced walkway. The remainder of the day will be yours to indulge in the beauty of the Amalfi Coast, which is a stretch of 25 miles that connects the town of Positano to the town of Vietri sul Mare. The town of Amalfi was once a powerful naval city-state along the Mediterranean Sea that traded with the Byzantine Empire until an earthquake ravaged the city in the 14th century.

The cliff-top town of Ravello was founded in the 5th century AD. After breakfast, the day will be yours to bask in the beauty of the Amalfi Coast at your leisure. This free time will allow you to wander Ravello, traverse the trails that connect the hilltop towns, or venture to the Mediterranean to visit the sensational islands of Capri or Procida. The island of Procida has been kept a secret along the Bay of Naples. Your guide can help you customize the day to your moods and interests.

After breakfast, your private transfer will drive you along the Amalfi Coast and around the Bay of Naples to Naples airport for your flight to Athens. The city retains its title as the symbol of Western Civilization and the cradle of philosophy in the Western World. For an introduction into the history of the city and ancient Greek life, you can visit the new Acropolis Museum, which takes you back to the 5th century BC with an emphasis on the artistic, philosophical, and architectural achievements of Greece.

Your guide will meet you in the lobby of the hotel before leading you into the fusion of contemporary and ancient history of Greece. You will pass the Panathenaic Stadium, which was constructed in the 4th century BC with a capacity for 60,000 spectators. The audience would watch runners compete before the seats were updated in the 2nd century AD under the rule of Herodes Atticus. The structure was rebuilt in its original fashion to house the 1896 Olympic Games in Athens. You will then have the luxury of traversing the Acropolis and its many icons of the past, such as the Parthenon.

This morning, you will board a quick flight to Santorini. Cycladic houses shine with white walls that contrast the blue rooftops, doors, and shutters. Marbled lanes wind along the steep terraces and lead to hidden stairways that offer spectacular views of the sea. The remainder of the day will be yours to bask in the luxuries of your accommodation. For a charming introduction to Santorini, you can take a romantic stroll along the marbled walkways of Oia, which is one of the cliff-top villages for which the island is known.

After a fantastic breakfast at your hotel, you will take to the water in the afternoon. You will board a catamaran and sail for glistening water of the caldera. During this experience, you will have a sensational view of the cliffs. You will then continue to the hot springs of Nea Kameni. The volcanic activity filters into the water, leaving thermal pockets of hot, rejuvenating water. The aroma of freshly grilled fish, vegetables, and lamb will drift from the kitchen on the boat. When you climb back aboard, a delicious feast will be waiting for you.

After breakfast this morning, your private transfer will greet you at your hotel and escort you to Santorini Airport for your flight to Athens.