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Girls Scouts Go to Italy & Greece 2015
A private tour designed by Maria LaMagna Reiter, in conjunction with EF Customized Tours
Requested departure date: Sunday, May 31, 2015
(Dates below are subject to change. Required date flexibility of 4 days on either side of requested departure date)
How to Enroll:
Travelers can enroll in a few different ways. Please have your tour # 1378535CB ready!
1- Online at www.eftours.com/enroll
a. Enter your tour number (above) and follow the prompts.
2- Over the phone
a. Call us at 1-800-665-5364.
Day 1 Sunday, May 31, 2015
Board your overnight flight to Venice!
Day 2 Monday, June 1, 2015
Arrive in Venice
Arrive in magical Venice, home of Marco Polo. Known globally for its gondoliers and glassware, Venice is also a
heady mix of busy piazzas, thronging with pizzerias and cafes, as well as deserted streets, alongside canals,
leading to hidden gems such as churches or local-dominated restaurants serving regional delicacies.
Overnight in Venice
Day 3 Tuesday, June 2, 2015
Guided Sightseeing of Venice
Begin your sightseeing of la Serenissima (the city’s nickname meaning “the most serene”) at St. Mark’s Square,
“the finest drawing room in Europe,” according to Napoleon. Allegedly buried under the altar of the basilica are St.
Mark’s remains, which, in the 11th century, were smuggled out of Alexandria in a barrel of salt pork to prevent a
thorough search by the city’s Muslim guards. Also, see the Grand Canal and the 324-foot Campanile (Bell Tower),
whose steps were originally built so that a noble could ascend on horseback. Look for the clock where two bronze
figures have been striking the hour for over 500 years. Venice is also famous for its glassware-you’ll see why
during a glassblowing demonstration.
Visit the Doges' Palace
Visit the grand 14th century pink and white Doges’ Palace, from which mighty Venetian dukes once ruled. Here
you’ll stroll over the Bridge of Sighs, connecting the palace and its prison. As they crossed the bridge, prisoners
supposedly sighed with perfect sadness as they regarded their beautiful city for the last time. Casanova made a
daring escape from this prison in 1756.
Overnight in Venice
Day 4 Wednesday, June 3, 2015
Transfer to Rome via a Visit to a Winery
As you traverse the Tuscan hills, you will stop at a local winery for a tour of the vineyard. Afterwards, you may
have the chance to sample some of regional wines.
Arrive in Rome
Welcome to Rome, the Eternal City. The city is an incredible mix of archeological gems, Roman genius,
Renaissance art and religious treasure. As Italy’s capital, it is also the bustling heart of this exciting country. With
its fashionable shopping and café-culture, Rome really is a unique European experience.
Overnight in Rome
Day 5 Thursday, June 4, 2015
Guided Sightseeing of the Vatican
The world’s largest dome is located in the world’s smallest country. See both as you tour St. Peter’s Basilica,
erected in Vatican City on the site where the saint was martyred. Enter the basilica under the watchful eyes of the
brightly dressed Swiss Guard. Inside, admire Michelangelo’s Pietà and try to find the artist’s signature (it is the only
sculpture he ever signed). Then continue on to the Vatican Museum, where elaborate galleries packed with one
artistic masterpiece after another lead you directly to the Sistine Chapel. Between 1508 and 1512, Michelangelo
painted some of the world’s finest pictorial images on the Chapel’s ceiling. This was his first attempt at working in
fresco, which he did by standing up and craning backwards from a scaffold.
Guided Sightseeing of Ancient Rome
Your guided sightseeing of ancient Rome takes you into the Forum Romanum, once the heart of the Roman
Empire. You will also visit the Colosseum, where gladiators once battled for their lives in front of 50,000
spectators. Finally, head to the lowest level of the Coloseeum underneath the stage where the gladiators would
wait for their turn to show off in battle. (Please note: underground tour is pending availability)
Overnight in Rome
Day 6 Friday, June 5, 2015
Gladiator Experience
Latin for swordsman, a gladiator was a slave, criminal or professional fighter in ancient Rome. Today you will learn
the origin of the warriors and learn some techniques or how they conquered their enemies.
Guided Excursion to the Catacombs
Step back into the 11th century on this excursion to Rome’s outlying catacombs. Visit the burial chambers of
popes and saints and explore some of the earliest signs of Christian worship. Then journey head to the Church of
San Paolo Fuori le Mura (St. Paul Outside the Walls), the second largest church in Rome, after St. Peter’s.
Italian Cooking Class
This is your chance to become a real Italian chef! Learn the basics of the regional specialties as a local
professional chef guides you through the process. You’ll start by making two kinds of pasta from scratch (anything
from ravioli to cannelloni). Next, the focus turns to the sauces. Don’t worry if your skills in the kitchen are lacking.
When you’re done cooking you’ll be treated to a three-course dinner prepared by the chef’s team!
Overnight in Rome
Day 7 Saturday, June 6, 2015
Transfer to Sorrento via a Guided Sightseeing of Capri
Encounter beautiful views of the Amalfi coastline on an excursion across the Bay of Naples to the captivating and
mountainous Isle of Capri. Travel by funicular to the town of Capri and board a cruise to see the most spectacular
views of Capri's coast. You’ll see the Arco Naturale, a majestic stone arch on the eastern cliffs, and the famous
Faraglioni, three enormous, pale-ochre limestone colossi that loom out of the sea. When weather conditions do not
permit a cruise, groups will visit Villa San Michele in the town of Anacapri instead.
Arrive in Sorrento
Experience the unparalleled beauty of Italy’s favorite resort, which overlooks the Bay of Naples. Sorrento was first
settled by Spaniards and Greeks, whose influence still remains.
Overnight in the Sorrento Region
Day 8 Sunday, June 7, 2015
Guided Excursion to Pompeii
Learn how wealthy Romans lived 2,000 years ago on an excursion to Pompeii, one of the richest archaeological
sites in the world. When neighboring Mt. Vesuvius erupted in A.D. 79, volcanic ash completely buried the Roman
resort. Now it is fully excavated, and you can see the ruins of villas, ancient temples, and Stabian Baths.
Visit Mt. Vesuvius
Mount Vesuvius, a still-active volcano, first erupted in 79 AD and buried the towns of Pompeii and Herculaneum.
Today, you will ascend the volcano and peer in the crater at its peak.
Overnight in the Sorrento Region
Day 9 Monday, June 8, 2015
Visit an Olive Press
Learn about the history and production of olive oil at a Sorrentine olive press. While the harvest and pressing takes
place during fall and winter months, you will get a tour of the factory, and orchard where the olives grow. After the
visit, take some time to sample some of the fruity oils.
Board Your Night Ferry to Greece
Head further south to either Brindisi or Bari where you will board a night ferry bound for Greece.
Overnight on Ferry
Day 10 Tuesday, June 9, 2015
Arrival in Patras
Disembark in Patras. Capital of the Peloponnese, Patras serves as a hub for ships traveling among the Greek
islands and the ports of Italy.
Transfer to Delphi
Journey through vineyards and orchards to Delphi, home of the mystical Oracle.
Overnight in Delphi
Day 11 Wednesday, June 10, 2015
Guided Sightseeing of Delphi
As you tour Delphi, ponder the mysteries of what lies in your future, as did Greece’s ancient military leaders, who
left gifts for the Oracle in hopes of good fortune in battle. Then visit the Temple of Apollo where, according to
legend, the god communicated with mortals. Your visit concludes with a stop at the Delphi Museum, whose
collection boasts many artifacts dating back to 550 B.C., reminiscent of the mythical past of ancient Greece.
Transfer to Athens
Nestled among mountains on the Attic plain, Athens is the Cradle of Democracy and birthplace of Western
civilization. A modern city with a strong connection to its ancient history, Athens has been a center of culture,
politics, and history for thousands of years. The great philosopher Socrates lived here, offering to fellow Athenians
his views on virtue and knowledge.
Overnight in Athens
Day 12 Thursday, June 11, 2015
Guided Sightseeing of Athens
Begin your tour passing the stadium which hosted the first modern Olympic Games in 1896. After seeing the
Presidential Guard in their traditional costumes climb the Acropolis to view the majestic Parthenon and see the
Temple of Athena Nike. End your tour near the lively Omonia and Syntagma Squares which form the heart of
downtown Athens today.
Walking Tour of Athens
Our walking tour takes you through the endearing Plaka district, home to some of the city’s finest tavernas as well
as a plethora of shops all vying for your attention. Stroll past Hadrian’s Arch and the Temple of Olympian Zeus,
built to honor the most powerful of all Greek gods.
Greek Dance Lesson
Participate in a dance lesson at Doro Stratou Greek Dances Theatre, a non-profit institution and museum in Athens
dedicated to the art of Greek dance. Founded in 1953, the Doro Stratou Theatre contains thousands of colorful folk
costumes worn by Greek dancers, as well as displays showcasing jewelry, masks and other customary
accessories. Here you can also learn more about Greek dances, like sirtaki, which was popularized in the 1964
film Zorba the Greek. Then, let the music be your guide and try out Greek dancing for yourself!
Overnight in Athens
Day 13 Friday, June 12, 2015
Depart on Greek Islands Cruise
This morning, you’ll check in for your Greek islands cruise voyage, which sails out of Athens. A captivating threeday
odyssey lies ahead, with stops at some of the Mediterranean’s most historically and culturally rich islands and
seaports. In between ports of call, you’ll have plenty of time to enjoy the activities on board the ship. Free-time
options while you’re at sea include shopping, games, fitness activities, swimming and sunning. On most of the
islands, optional excursions will be made available for a more in-depth exploration. (Please note: These optional
excursions are offered by the cruise company and not by EF. They can be purchased on tour at an additional cost;
please ask your tour consultant for additional pricing information.)
Visit Mykonos
The first island you’ll visit is Mykonos, one of Greece’s Cyclades Islands. It was ruled by the Venetians in the 13th
and 14th centuries, and more recently was under Turkish occupation. In the center of Mykonos’s Old Town is
Mando Mavrogenous Square, named after the woman credited with saving the island from Muslims during
Greece’s War of Independence. From here, you can walk to the Church of Agia Kiriaki, which contains some of
Mykonos’s most fascinating and beautiful religious icons. Follow the quaint winding streets of the Old Town, where
you may wish to browse amid the trendy boutiques and craft shops, to Three Well Square (Tria Pigadia). A local
legend states that an unmarried woman who drinks from each of the wells will soon find a husband!
Overnight on Cruise
Day 14 Saturday, June 13, 2015
Visit Kusadasi
Set sail for Kusadasi, a picturesque Turkish village that lies on the Aegean coast. Shops and bazaars generate a
bustle of colorful activity along its palm-lined streets. An optional excursion takes you to the ancient city of
Ephesus, where you can see some of Europe’s best-preserved Roman and early Christian ruins as well as
remnants of Hellenistic times. Ephesus was once the second-largest city in the Roman Empire!
Overnight on Cruise
Day 15 Sunday, June 14, 2015
Visit Heraklion
Said to be the birthplace of Zeus, Heraklion is Greece’s largest island with a culture and history of its own. Docking
at the central port of Heraklion, you can explore some of ancient Greece’s most interesting archaeological sites as
well as the stunningly situated Tomb of Kazantzakis, honoring the influential 20th-century writer Nios Kazantzakis.
Join an optional excursion to the Minoan archaeological site at Knossos, legendary home of King Minos and the
Minotaur. Four millennia ago, the complex was the ruling house and the religious center for the entire region.
Visit Santorini
Santorini is often considered the quintessential Greek island, with its whitewashed houses perched on steep
hillsides and its landscapes of plunging cliffs and black sand beaches-as well as the only active volcano in the
eastern Mediterranean. Enjoy free time in the island’s hub of Thira and explore the clifftop caldera section,
accessible only by donkey or cable car. Another optional excursion visits the early settlement of Akrotiri.
Overnight on Cruise
Day 16 Monday, June 15, 2015
Disembark in Athens and Transfer to the Airport for Your Return Flight
Your tour director assists with your transfer to the airport, where you’ll check in for your return flight home.
Itinerary is subject to change
For complete financial and registration details, please refer to the Booking Conditions Here.
Tour Highlights and Details
Overnight stays:
Venice (2)
Rome (3)
Sorrento Region (2)
Night Ferry (Brindisi/Bari- Patras) (1)
Delphi (1)
Athens (2)
Greek Island Cruise (3)
Sightseeing tours led by an expert, licensed local guide of the following:
Venice
Vatican
Ancient Rome
Catacombs
Capri
Pompeii
Delphi
Athens
Entrances included to the following sites:
Glass-Blowing Factory
Doges' Palace
Winery Visit, Tuscany
Sistine Chapel
St. Peter’s Basilica
Forum Romanum
Colosseum
Underground Colosseum Tour
Gladiator School
Roman Catacombs
Cooking Class, Rome
St Paul Outside the Walls
Capri Minicruise/Minibus
Vesuvius
Pompeii Roman Ruins
Olive Press Tour, Sorrento Region
Delphi Site & Archaeological Museum
Acropolis, Agora Site & Athens Cemetery
Greek Dance Lesson, Athens
Optional Excursion: none at this time
Shore Excursion Package
Optional excursion prices are based on 20 paying participants and may be purchased until 50 days prior to departure or on
tour at an increased price. The prices of optional excursions are subject to change.
Included in the Program Price:
• Non-refundable $95 deposit
• Round-trip airfare
• Accommodations in clean, safe hotels with private bathrooms
• A Tour Director available 24 hours-a-day from when you arrive until you depart (unless otherwise noted)
• Breakfast and dinner daily
• Sightseeing tours and excursions led by licensed local guides as specified
• Airport transfers and transportation between destination cities
• Transportation to all included activities
• Entrances fees and tickets as specified
• EF walking tours and Tour Director-led sightseeing as specified
• Cruises, trains or ferries as specified
• Support from EF representatives abroad
• 24-hour worldwide emergency service
Not included in the Program Price:
• Optional excursions
• Insurance coverage
• Beverages and lunches
• Transportation to free-time activities
• Customary gratuities (for your Tour Director, bus driver and local guide)
• Porterage
• Adult supplement (if applicable)
• Weekend supplement
• Shore excursions on cruises
• Any applicable baggage-handling fees imposed by the airlines (see eftours.com/baggage for details)
• Expenses caused by airline rescheduling, cancellations or delays caused by the airlines, bad weather or events beyond EF’s control
• Passport, visa and reciprocity fees
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