Italy & Greece Tour Packages [jw_years] (2024)

What is the best way to travel to Italy and Greece?

Most of our guests travel to Italy and Greece from the US by air, unless they are already traveling in a neighboring country.

Where should I start my tour of Greece and Italy?

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.

What are some must-see places in Italy and Greece?

It very much depends on your priorities. If you want to visit the most famous places then 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.

Can I customize my Italy & Greece tour?

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, without having to worry about any of the details like how do you get to the train station, or making reservations at a local restaurant. We take care of all of that!

What do your Italy & Greece tour packages include?

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 when you land we’ll give you a local SIM so you can be in touch by phone, email or instant messsage. It’s like having a tour director, but still traveling “independently”.

How much does a private tour of Greece and Italy cost?

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. All our sample itineraries have a price guide function to give you an idea of the cost for different levels of accommodation, month of travel and number of travelers.

Do your Greece & Italy tours have a set departure date?

No. As our tours are completely customized to you, you choose the dates, and destinations you want to visit.

When is the best time of year to visit Italy and Greece?

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 then you should travel between mid May and mid October. If you are more interested in sightseeing and avoiding the hottest time of year then mid July and August could be too warm for you. High season on the islands and in coastal destinations like Amalfi is the opposite in the cities, so while July and August are the most expensive times of year to travel to

Which of Greece and Italy has the best beaches?

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 instead head to Sardinia, or Puglia‘s western coast. In Greece, some of the most popular island destinations also have wonderful beaches, particularly Crete, Mykonos, Naxos, Paros, and Rhodes. While Santorini’s beaches are pleasant, they’re not its best feature.

Can I self-drive on an Italy & Greece trip?

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 frry adds significantly to the cost. Your JayWay trip planner can arrange for separate rentals where needed so you can avoid unnecessary expenses and have the freedom to get around by car when you need. In Italy’s countryside in particular a car is useful. Should your trip be mostly city-based in Italy, then 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.

What are some popular excursions and day trips on your Greece and Italy tours?

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 tours of Ancient 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.

Can I take a free day or two with no tours?

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!

Do you sell cruises that include Italy & Greece?

We don’t sell cruises of Greece and Italy. We believe you enjoy a far richer experience by spending as much time as possible on land, soaking up the culture and enjoying the local cuisine, while taking part in a more responsible type of travel. A day trip 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.

How long do I need for an Italy & Greece trip?

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. Fewer destinations means less time and money spent moving between them, and more time soaking up the atmosphere and seeing the sights.

Can I take a train from Italy to Greece?

The short answer is: no. The long answer: yes, if you’re willing to spend several days traveling. It’s far simpler, and cheaper, to fly.

How can I get to Greece from Italy, and vice versa?

The quickest way to travel between Italy and Greece is by air. Flights between major tourist destinations in both countries are quick (maximum 2 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 Puglia to northern Greece. This is another, lower-carbon-footprint, way to cross the sea.

Is the Euro used in both Italy and Greece?

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.