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Railbookers · Independent rail vacation

Venice, Florence, Rome, and Essential Greece

Fourteen-day rail and ferry trip from Venice to the Greek islands

Illustration of Venice, Florence, Rome, and Essential Greece

Railbookers runs this 14-day, 13-night independent rail and ferry vacation from Venice to the Greek islands, with small-group tours included throughout. After two nights in Venice, including a tour of the Doge's Palace and Golden Basilica, Trenitalia trains carry you to Florence and then Rome, where the Colosseum and Roman Forum are included and a Vatican Museums visit is offered as an optional extra. A direct train to Bari connects with an overnight ferry crossing to Patras, with a two-berth cabin included, before a drive to Athens past the Corinth Canal. A half-day guided tour there takes in the Acropolis, before ferries carry you on to Santorini for a sunset catamaran cruise with a BBQ, and then Mykonos, with a small-group day trip to the ancient site of Delos. Because the Greek islands are reached by ferry and private car rather than train, it suits travellers drawn to a single, long itinerary that combines Italy's classic rail cities with Greek island time.

What to know before you look closer

  • Most of the Greek portion of this trip travels by ferry and private car rather than train; only the Italy leg from Venice to Bari uses rail.
  • The Athens hotel is one of two options, the Santorini hotel is one of three, and the Mykonos hotel is one of two, so the final hotel depends on which you book.
  • A morning visit to the Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel in Rome is offered as an optional extra and is not part of the base package.

Day by day

  1. Day 1overnight: Venice

    Your Journey Begins in Venice

    Welcome to Venice! You will be met at the airport and escorted to your hotel via a water taxi through the canals of Venice for a 2-night stay.

  2. Day 2overnight: Venice

    Venice

    A small group tour of the Doge's Palace and Golden Basilica, then a short walking tour led by a Venetian.

  3. Day 3railovernight: Florence

    Florence

    Depart 'The Floating City' on your direct train to Florence. Stroll the city centre, tour the Uffizi gallery, and view the Ponte Vecchio.

  4. Day 4railovernight: Rome

    Florence to Rome

    Enjoy the morning in Florence, then take a direct train to Rome. Evening stroll to the Trevi Fountain, Spanish Steps and Pantheon.

  5. Day 5overnight: Rome

    Rome

    Full day sightseeing with an afternoon tour of the Colosseum and Roman Forum. Optional add-on: morning visit to the Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel.

  6. Day 6railovernight: Onboard ferry

    Italy to Greece By Overnight Ferry

    Morning direct train to Bari and check in for your ferry crossing. Settle into your cabin for the night.

  7. Day 7overnight: Athens

    Arriving in Greece

    Breakfast onboard as your ship navigates the Gulf of Patras. Met on arrival and driven to Athens, with a photo stop at the Corinth Canal.

  8. Day 8overnight: Athens

    Athens

    Half day tour and guided visit to the Acropolis and its Museum, followed by a stroll around the ancient Greek Agora, Temple of Zeus and Hadrian's Arch.

  9. Day 9overnight: Santorini

    Athens to Santorini

    Collected from your hotel and driven to Piraeus for your ferry to Santorini. Met on arrival and taken to your hotel for a 2-night stay.

  10. Day 10overnight: Santorini

    Santorini

    Explore the island's main town of Fira, then a sunset catamaran cruise including swimming/snorkelling, a BBQ feast, and the Santorini sunset in Oia.

  11. Day 11overnight: Mykonos

    Santorini to Mykonos

    Taken to the harbour for your ferry to Mykonos (2.5hr cruise). Transferred to your hotel for a 2-night stay and explore the island.

  12. Day 12overnight: Mykonos

    Delos Day Trip

    A small group tour of the neighbouring island of Delos, an important archaeological site scattered with temples, houses, amphitheatres and the Terrace of the Lions.

  13. Day 13overnight: Athens

    Athens

    Bid farewell to Mykonos, transferred to the harbour for the high-speed ferry back to Athens, then a car to your hotel for the night.

  14. Day 14

    Your Journey Ends in Athens

    A car will collect you from your hotel and take you to the airport for your flight home.

The moments this trip is built around

  • Day 2A small-group tour visits the Doge's Palace and Golden Basilica in Venice, followed by a walking tour led by a Venetian.
  • Day 6A direct train to Bari connects with an overnight ferry cabin crossing to Patras, Greece.
  • Day 8A guided half-day tour visits the Acropolis and its Museum in Athens, followed by the ancient Agora, Temple of Zeus, and Hadrian's Arch.
  • Day 10A sunset catamaran cruise in Santorini includes swimming, snorkelling, a BBQ, and the sunset in Oia.
  • Day 12A small-group tour crosses to the island of Delos to see its temples, houses, amphitheatres, and the Terrace of the Lions.

Included

  • Rail travel as per the itinerary
  • 2 berth inside cabin from Bari to Patras
  • All necessary ferry journeys as per the itinerary
  • 2 nights hotel accommodation with breakfast in Venice
  • 1 night's hotel accommodation with breakfast in Florence
  • 2 nights hotel accommodation with breakfast in Rome
  • 3 nights hotel accommodation with breakfast in Athens
  • 2 nights hotel accommodation with breakfast on Santorini
  • 2 nights hotel accommodation with breakfast on Mykonos
  • Small-group walking tour, Doge's Palace, and The Golden Basilica tour in Venice
  • Skip the line tour of the Uffizi Gallery in Florence
  • Small-group tour of the Colosseum and Roman Forum in Rome
  • Half-day guided tour of Athens including The Acropolis
  • The Acropolis Museum
  • Ancient Agora of Athens
  • Sunset catamaran tour in Santorini including BBQ
  • Guided small group tour from Mykonos to Delos
  • All private transfers as per the itinerary

Questions travellers ask

Is train travel included?
Yes, for the Italy portion: Trenitalia connects Venice, Florence, Rome, and Bari. The Greek islands are reached by ferry and private car, not train.
Is this trip escorted or independent?
It is independent and self-guided, with small-group tours included at each main stop.
How do you get from Italy to Greece?
An overnight ferry from Bari to Patras, with a two-berth inside cabin included.
Which hotels are included?
Options vary by city, including the Divani Palace or InterContinental Athenaeum in Athens, and the Santo Maris Oia Luxury Suites & Spa among the Santorini choices.
What is not included?
A morning visit to the Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel in Rome is offered as an optional extra, not part of the base package.
How long is the trip?
14 days and 13 nights, from Venice to Athens.

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