The Ancient Mediterranean
When you walk through the Roman Forum, climb the Acropolis in Athens, and visit the site of the Oracle at Delphi, you’re among some of the world’s most historically significant ancient sights.
But these places offer more than just a trip to the deep past— witness more recent history at the awe-inspiring Sistine Chapel and in the dramatic natural beauty of Capri.Due to national and/or religious holidays, some sites may be closed and your itinerary may be modified on the following dates in 2026: March 19, March 25, April 3-8, April 12, May 1, June 29, and August 14-15. These dates fluctuate each year—please contact us for more information.
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Day 1: Fly overnight to Italy
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Day 2: Rome
Meet your Tour Director at the airport -
Day 3: Rome
Take a guided tour of Vatican City
With your expert local guide you will visit:
- Sistine Chapel
- St. Peter’s Basilica
Explore on your own orAdd this in-depth excursion:
Roman Catacombs
Explore the mysterious world buried beneath Rome since the 2nd century. Christian burial grounds and priceless relics abound, and the art that lines the walls is world-class. Afterward, journey down the ancient Appian Way to the Basilica of St. Paul Outside the Walls. Note: Sturdy walking shoes are recommended. This excursion is not recommended for those who are claustrophobic.
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Day 4: Rome
Take a guided tour of Rome
With your expert local guide you will visit:
- Roman Forum
- Colosseum
Take a self-guided walking tour of Rome
You will see:
- Trevi Fountain
- Pantheon
- Piazza Navona
- Spanish Steps
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Day 5: Rome • Capri • Sorrento region
Travel via Capri to the Sorrento region
Enjoy a boat cruise in Capri
Tour Capri with an expert local guide
Snap a photo of seaside Sorrento
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Day 6: Sorrento region • Pompeii • Bari • Night ferry
Travel via Pompeii to Bari
Tour the ruins of Pompeii with an expert local guide
Take an overnight ferry to Greece
(Note: Night ferries have limited space, so it’s possible you will take a flight instead.)
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Day 7: Night ferry • Patras • Delphi
Travel to Delphi
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Day 8: Delphi • Athens
Visit the Delphi MuseumTake a guided tour of Delphi
With your expert local guide you will see:
- Temple of Apollo
- Delphi Archaeological Museum
Return to Athens
Explore on your own orAdd this in-depth excursion:
Greek evening
Friends, feta, and fresh Mediterranean flavors—opa! Stuff yourself like an olive during a traditional Greek dinner. Then, link arms for a night of music, dancing, and smashing plates. This time-honored tradition brings Greece’s theatrical culture to life in all the best ways.
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Day 9: Athens
Take a guided tour of Athens
With your expert local guide you will see:
- Olympic Stadium
- Syntagma Square
- Acropolis
Visit the Acropolis:
- Parthenon
- Temple of Athena Nike
Visit the Acropolis Museum, home to ancient ruins and prehistoric artifacts
Take a walking tour of Athens
With your Tour Director you will see:
- Plaka district
- Athenian Trilogy
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Day 10: Depart for home
Add 4 more days
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Day 10: Athens • Heraklion
Fly to Heraklion on the island of Crete
Take a walking tour of Heraklion
Take a guided tour of Heraklion
With your expert local guide you will visit:
- Knossos Palace
- Archaeological Museum
Visit the Archaeological Museum
Visit the Knossos Site
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Day 11: Heraklion
Explore on your own orAdd this in-depth excursion:
Spinalonga Boat Activity
Take a scenic boat cruise from Heraklion to Spinalonga Island, where you'll spend the day soaking up sunshine and history. Admire Venetian-influenced architecture during a guided tour of the village, and visit the enchanting island's archaeological site. Enjoy free time to explore the island, have lunch, and relax on the beach.
Free time to explore Heraklion
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Day 12: Heraklion • Rethymno • Chania
Travel to Chania
Take a walking tour of the old port city of Rethymno
See a demonstration on the making of phyllo dough, used in many famous Greek pastries
Take a walking tour of Chania
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Day 13: Chania • Athens
Enjoy a visit to the local market
Exploration time in Chania
Fly to Athens
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Day 14: Depart for home
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Day 1: Fly overnight to Italy
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Day 2: Rome
Meet your Tour Director at the airport -
Day 3: Rome
Take a guided tour of Vatican City
With your expert local guide you will visit:
- Sistine Chapel
- St. Peter’s Basilica
Explore on your own orAdd this in-depth excursion:
Roman Catacombs
Explore the mysterious world buried beneath Rome since the 2nd century. Christian burial grounds and priceless relics abound, and the art that lines the walls is world-class. Afterward, journey down the ancient Appian Way to the Basilica of St. Paul Outside the Walls. Note: Sturdy walking shoes are recommended. This excursion is not recommended for those who are claustrophobic.
-
Day 4: Rome
Take a guided tour of Rome
With your expert local guide you will visit:
- Roman Forum
- Colosseum
Take a self-guided walking tour of Rome
You will see:
- Trevi Fountain
- Pantheon
- Piazza Navona
- Spanish Steps
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Day 5: Rome • Capri • Sorrento region
Travel via Capri to the Sorrento region
Enjoy a boat cruise in Capri
Tour Capri with an expert local guide
Snap a photo of seaside Sorrento
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Day 6: Sorrento region • Pompeii • Bari • Night ferry
Travel via Pompeii to Bari
Tour the ruins of Pompeii with an expert local guide
Take an overnight ferry to Greece
(Note: Night ferries have limited space, so it’s possible you will take a flight instead.)
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Day 7: Night ferry • Patras • Delphi
Travel to Delphi
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Day 8: Delphi • Athens
Visit the Delphi MuseumTake a guided tour of Delphi
With your expert local guide you will see:
- Temple of Apollo
- Delphi Archaeological Museum
Return to Athens
Explore on your own orAdd this in-depth excursion:
Greek evening
Friends, feta, and fresh Mediterranean flavors—opa! Stuff yourself like an olive during a traditional Greek dinner. Then, link arms for a night of music, dancing, and smashing plates. This time-honored tradition brings Greece’s theatrical culture to life in all the best ways.
-
Day 9: Athens
Take a guided tour of Athens
With your expert local guide you will see:
- Olympic Stadium
- Syntagma Square
- Acropolis
Visit the Acropolis:
- Parthenon
- Temple of Athena Nike
Visit the Acropolis Museum, home to ancient ruins and prehistoric artifacts
Take a walking tour of Athens
With your Tour Director you will see:
- Plaka district
- Athenian Trilogy
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Day 10: Depart for home
Add 4 more days
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Day 10: Athens • Heraklion
Fly to Heraklion on the island of Crete
Take a walking tour of Heraklion
Take a guided tour of Heraklion
With your expert local guide you will visit:
- Knossos Palace
- Archaeological Museum
Visit the Archaeological Museum
Visit the Knossos Site
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Day 11: Heraklion
Explore on your own orAdd this in-depth excursion:
Spinalonga Boat Activity
Take a scenic boat cruise from Heraklion to Spinalonga Island, where you'll spend the day soaking up sunshine and history. Admire Venetian-influenced architecture during a guided tour of the village, and visit the enchanting island's archaeological site. Enjoy free time to explore the island, have lunch, and relax on the beach.
Free time to explore Heraklion
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Day 12: Heraklion • Rethymno • Chania
Travel to Chania
Take a walking tour of the old port city of Rethymno
See a demonstration on the making of phyllo dough, used in many famous Greek pastries
Take a walking tour of Chania
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Day 13: Chania • Athens
Enjoy a visit to the local market
Exploration time in Chania
Fly to Athens
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Day 14: Depart for home
Reviews
Refer a friend or colleague to EF and we’ll thank you with $1,000. Learn more
Your experience includes
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Airfare & transportation
Round-trip flights on major carriers; Comfortable motorcoach; Night ferry (3-day Greek island cruise with extension; 3 cruise excursions included)
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Hotels
7 overnight stays in hotels with private bathrooms; 1 night cabin accommodation (4 with extension)
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Regional-style meals
European breakfast and dinner daily (3 meals daily during cruise extension)
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Guided sightseeing
6 sightseeing tours led by expert, licensed local guides; 1 walking tour
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Entrances
Sistine Chapel; St. Peter’s Basilica; Colosseum; Roman Forum; Capri boat cruise; Pompeii Roman Ruins; Delphi site; Delphi museum; Acropolis; Acropolis Museum
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Full-time Tour Director
Your culturally connected Tour Director is with your group 24/7, providing deep local insight while handling all on-tour logistics.
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Expert Local Guides
Your expert local guides are natural historians, adding cultural insight and global perspective on your sightseeing tours.
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Continuous Support
Your dedicated EF team helps you every step of the way—from recruiting and enrolling travelers to planning and managing your tour.
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Worldwide Presence
EF has over 500 schools and offices in more than 50 countries worldwide so wherever you go, we're there too.
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24-hour Emergency Service
Travelers and their families can count on EF's dedicated emergency service team.
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Peace of Mind Program
Feel secure knowing your group can change their destination or travel dates due to unforeseen circumstances. Learn more about your flexible options at eftours.com/peaceofmind.
Lowest price
Price is valid for students under the age of 20 at the time of travel that room in triples and quads. Minimum participation is required. Change and cancellation fees of up to the total price will apply. Applicable airline baggage fees are not included and can be found at www.eftours.com/baggage. Program price is valid today only.
Price displayed includes an Early Enrollment Discount; restrictions apply. To determine if you qualify, please contact your Tour Consultant. Tours departing between 10/1/2023 and 9/30/2024 may be eligible for a $100 discount. Tours departing 10/1/2024 and beyond may be eligible for a $200 discount; restrictions apply.
