This comprehensive tour takes you from Rome to Athens via the beautiful Amalfi coast and the buried city of Pompeii, explores the ancient wonders of classical Greece, and then takes you to some of the beautiful Greek islands. History, mythology, culture, stunning scenery and island life - this tour has it all! In Greece we see the monasteries of Meteora, the sights of Athens, Tolo, Sparti, Mystra, Olympia and Delphi. We sample wines and learn about olive oil production before relaxing on the stunning islands of Santorini, Paros and Mykonos.

Rome - Amalfi Coast.  After a very early breakfast we depart Rome and head south for the Amalfi Coast. We stop at some of the most picturesque villages, such as Positano and Amalfi. Finally we arrive in Sorrento. This stunning location facing the Bay of Naples will be our home for 2 nights.

Please note that for groups of less than 6 an English speaking driver takes the group through to Bari, but for groups of 6 and above a Tour Leader also accompanies the group to Bari.

Sorrento - Pompeii - Bari - Overnight Ferry to Greece.  We say goodbye to the beautiful Amalfi coast and make our way to Pompeii.  Pompeii lies under the eerie shadow of the Vesuvius Volcano. A guided tour will lead you through this fascinating site, and explain the destruction that occurred 2000 years ago to one of the most advanced civilizations of that time. 

After Pompeii we head to the east coast of Italy, to Bari where we board the overnight ferry bound for Greece. Airline seats are booked for the crossing which is unaccompanied.

Meteora to Athens.  After breakfast we make our way to Athens via Thermopylae. Here we see where the fearsome 300 Spartans led by King Leonides, fought against the might of the Persian army led by Xerxes.

On arrival into Athens, we check into the hotel and the remainder of the day is free.

Please note that new clients may be joining us this evening for the next sector of the tour around Greece. There will be a pre departure meeting for them at 6pm which you are welcome to attend so that you get to meet those joining you here and hear more about the next few days.

Tolo - Sparti - Olive Museum - Mystra - Olympia.  This morning after breakfast we travel to Sparti the area from where the brave Spartan warriors came. We make a visit to the olive museum for an understanding of the importance of olives and olive oil production in Greece.

Next we visit the town of Mystra, a well preserved medieveal town considered to be one of the best examples of Byzantine architecture. Then we travel to Olympia, where we overnight.

Delphi - Athens.  We start the day with a visit to the archaeological site of Delphi and the Delphi Museum. The Delphi Museum is home to over 10,000 artifacts. Delphi lies against the back drop of the Parnassus mountain. Delphi is the sanctuary of the ancient greek God Apollo, famous for its oracle. We visit the museum where you can see the bronze statue of the Charioteer. Delphi in ancient times was known as the navel of the world. 

After some free time we leave Delphi in the late afternoon to make our way back to Athens arriving early evening.

Please note that clients may be joining today for the island hopping part of the tour. There will be a pre departure meeting held for them today at 6pm which you are welcome to attend.

Santorini. Today is a free day for you to explore beautiful Santorini. Santorini has a very long history which dates as far back as the Minoan civilisation. The Minoans settled in an area close to the modern day Akrotiri. They lived well until Santorini suffered a volcanic eruption 3500 years ago. This destroyed their city and covered it in volcanic ash, which preserved the city for thousands of years. A dig, which was led by the famed Greek archaeologist, Marinatos, discovered the buried city thought to be the lost city of Atlantis. The site of Akrotiri was home to some of the oldest living frescoes in the world. Beautifully detailed and coloured, the frescoes depicted a harmonious and free people. You will see postcards of the frescoes dotted at tourist shops around the island. Look out for the crocus collectors, the boxing boys, and the fishermen. Life size copies of these frescoes can be seen at the Nomikos convention centre in Fira town. The originals are displayed at the Athens archaeological museum.

Santorini also has several wineries on the island. You can visit these wineries and try the local wines. The local specialty is called Vinsanto wine. This is a sweet wine that is distilled from green grapes.

There are many beaches that you can visit on the island - most of them have black sand so they get quite hot. Perivolos, Perissa and Kamari beaches are the most popular. Red beach is another beach, which highlights Santorini’s volcanic makeup. A cliff made from red volcanic stone encloses this beach.

Maybe visit ancient Thira, perched high on a steep hill overlooking Kamari resort. You can walk down the streets of this 2500 year old city; see their public buildings, amphitheatre and the throne of King Thiras.

Ammoudi is a great place for fresh seafood. Fish are caught daily by the local fishermen, and served up at the seaside tavernas. There is an island just around the corner from Ammoudi that you can swim to.

Finally, finish your day by watching the magical sunsets at Oia, an exclusive village with boutique jewellery stores, and world class hotels.

Paros. Today you have a free day to explore the island of Paros.

Try wind surfing at Chrisi akti, the beach where Greece’s Olympic gold medallist at the 2000 games in Sydney practiced his winning style. Take a swim at Kolimbithres beach, with its smooth peculiar boulders dotted on a sandy beach.

Maybe visit the Cycladic town of Parikia, and pick up a souvenir or trinket in the myriad of little boutiques there.

For the seafood lover, try some sun dried octopus in the waterfront restaurants of Naoussa, or feta stuffed grilled calamari, before you explore the marble mines from antiquity, located at Marathi (Tip: Take a flashlight).

For those who like a little culture, a visit to the church of Ekatontapyliani is a must. Try to uncover the mystery of where the 100th door out of the 99 doors so far discovered lies.

Or hire a jeep and explore the island, seeing what you please on the way. For complete isolation, you can also visit Antiparos Island.

Your tour guide will advise you of all the options and help you plan your personal itinerary for the day.

Mykonos. Today is a free day for you to explore Mykonos.

Laze on Paradise Beach, and if that isn’t good enough, then try Super Paradise Beach.

Shop in the boutiques in Mykonos town, or sit back and sip a cocktail in any of the waterfront cafes in Little Venice.

The evening promises an endless and sophisticated nightlife, with many small bars and beach parties to make an appearance at, but if that is too much, then dine alfresco in any of the waterfront restaurants.

Athens. The tour ends today after breakfast.

Accommodation is not included tonight, but can be arranged for you if you wish to spend additional time in and around Athens. Transfers to the airport can also be pre booked by request.

Your passport is a valuable document and you should exercise extreme care in keeping it safe. We recommend that you keep your passport on you at all times, preferably in a money belt that is worn under your clothing. We advise that you take copies of relevant pages in your passport and any visas that you may purchase in case of loss or damage. Your tour leader will require your passport details at the pre-departure meeting. Again, we recommend that you have a photocopy of all passport details, kept separate. Your passport must be valid for six months after the END of your tour, and must have one blank page for each country to be visited.

Vaccinations:

No vaccinations are compulsory in Europe however you may need additional inoculations so please contact your G.P or a travel medical centre for further information.

We also recommend:

• A dental check-up prior to travelling.
• That you know your blood group in case of emergency.
• That if you have any pre-existing medical conditions which might affect you on tour, you make these known to your tour leader and your agent/Kumuka at the time of your booking.          

You can also visit www.kumuka.com for further details.

Europe, like the rest of the world, is no stranger to theft. You must exercise extreme care with wallets, cameras and other valuables especially in towns or busy tourist areas. We advise that you make copies of your passport, credit cards, airline tickets and your insurance policy and that you keep a careful note of both used and unused traveller’s cheque numbers. At times when you are unable to store your valuables in safety deposit boxes in hotels we recommend that you carry some sort of money belt or hidden pouch for safekeeping of valuable items.

Please use your discretion and be sensitive to cultural differences in the countries that you visit, in particular visits to religious buildings and when taking photographs. Your Tour Leader will advise you of any specific customs to observe.

How much should I take?

- Please bring lightweight walking shoes or sandals, and a day sac. Pack essentially for hot conditions  

- Because of limited luggage space on transport, we must limit each passenger to ONE main suitcase or frameless backpack and one day bag. Your main bag must not weigh more than 20 kg’s.

- A frameless or internally framed backpack is the best way to carry your belongings since it is easy to lift on and off vehicles.

- A small daypack is practical for keeping general items (e.g. camera, books, wallets etc.) at hand when your main pack is out of reach. It is also handy for day trips and excursions.

- We also recommend that you keep your passport, credit cards travellers checks etc. on you at all times, preferably in a money belt worn under your clothes.

TRAVEL TIP: You might be tempted to buy a few souvenirs here and there, so leave a little room for those extra purchases!!

English will be widely spoken in the major tourist attractions of the main cities. Take the time before your trip to read up on the country you will be visiting and perhaps learn a few words of the language. Your effort will always be welcomed and will make your trip all the more enjoyable.

Whilst on tour you will probably want to stay in touch with family and friends. There are several ways of doing this:

Mobile Phone – Before departing your home country check with your phone supplier to see if it compatible with the mobile phone networks in the countries that you are traveling to, and how much will it cost to use abroad.

Email – Internet Cafes are very cheap and popular, and you are sure to come across several during your tour. If you haven’t done so already, set up a free Google Mail, Hotmail, or Yahoo email account which you can then access from any computer. Internet Cafes will charge a nominal fee for using their computers. Within Europe some hotels charge a wifi connection fee and we cannot guarantee a wifi connection at all hotels we use.

Twitter – A method of communication that is rapidly gaining in popularity on the Internet especially amongst travelers. Twitter allows you to send short messages and update your friends and family with where you are on tour and what you are doing. Create your free account at http://twitter.com. Visit Kumuka’s page on Twitter at http://twitter.com/kumuka

Facebook – Very popular website that allows you to upload stories, get in touch with fellow travellers before and after your Kumuka tour, upload photos and videos to share with other travellers, your family and friends. To create a free account, go to www.facebook.com and then become a fan of Kumuka’s Facebook Page at www.facebook.com/pages/Kumuka-Worldwide/26617121087?ref=ts

Postcards – The good ol’ fashioned postcard. But you will probably get home before the postcard does!

Tipping is a way of life and very much expected. For many tipping is a means of supplementing their wage and is a normal part of payment for goods and services. Be sure to keep small denomination notes or coins on you to avoid embarrassment.

It is customary to tip for services received, however, not compulsory. Your tour guide will be able to recommend a general figure for the services that you will receive. 

Tipping of Tour Guides and Drivers - This is at your discretion. You may consider tipping your tour guide and driver, as an expression of your satisfaction for their efficiency and service, in making your tour as comfortable and enjoyable as possible.

Under no circumstances are any illegal drugs allowed on any part of the trip. Anyone discovered in possession of any such drugs, will be asked to leave the tour immediately without question or refund.