Cradle of Civilization

  • 9 Days
  • Classic Trip
  • Most Popular V2 Created with Sketch. Most Popular

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Cradle of Civilization Get Started

Map & Route

Depart

Overnight Flight

1 1 Night

Athens

3 3 Nights

Overnight Ferry

1 1 Night

Sorrento

1 1 Night

Rome

2 2 Nights
Return
map Cradle of Civilization

What's Included

Our itineraries reflect 40 years of experience in crafting exceptional educational tours. That means we know exactly how to make the best of your time abroad—incredible destinations, immersive activities, centrally located hotels, and smart, well-traveled tour managers who ensure your educational goals are met. Here are some of the exceptional features of this tour.

ACIS Guarantees

We have high standards, which is why we take care to include these features in every tour.

Round-Trip Flights

Leave the airlines to us.

3- or 4-Star Hotels

After a busy day, comfort is key.

Centrally Located Hotels

Save the commuting time, beat the morning crowds and keep right on exploring after dark when your hotel is in the heart of the city.

Daily Breakfast and Dinner (unless otherwise noted)

Delicious, authentic, multi-course dinners at local restaurants with meal times tailored to maximize your experience.

24-Hour Tour Manager

Part guide, part educator, part engineer, part mind-reader, part magician—ACIS Tour Managers are your travel partner.

Start Exploring

Never wait hours at the airport to share a transfer with other later groups.

Service Guarantee

We're so sure you're going to love your tour, we guarantee it!

Global Network

24/7 on the ground support whenever and wherever you need it.

All Local Transportation

Urban transportation is on us, allowing you to explore each destination with ease.

Personal Headsets Included Throughout Tour

Participants will have unlimited access to personal headsets so that local guides and ACIS Tour Managers can more easily communicate with the group along the way.

Exceptional Experiences

Our tours are designed to help you and your students be in the moment and experience everything the world has to offer.

Greek Cultural Evening and Dance Lesson

Greek Cultural Evening and Dance Lesson

Greek heritage comes to life with an authentic evening of cultural lessons, dance performances and instruction, traditional cuisine and plate breaking!

Learn More

Greek heritage comes to life with an authentic evening of cultural lessons, dance performances and instruction, traditional cuisine and plate breaking!

Mozzarella Farm Demonstration and Tasting

Mozzarella Farm Demonstration and Tasting

Creamy, mild, fresh mozzarella is synonymous with Italian cuisine and some of the finest mozzarella di bufala hails from Campania. There are multiple theories on how the water buffalo (sometimes called river buffalo) came to Italy, but references to the use of their milk in the region's notable cheeses appear as early as the 12th century. Enjoy the countryside and tour the barns as you experience a working mozzarella farm. An expert cheese maker will demonstrate how the soft cheese is produced, from ingredients to by-hand preparation methods, before a tasting session.

Learn More

Creamy, mild, fresh mozzarella is synonymous with Italian cuisine and some of the finest mozzarella di bufala hails from Campania. There are multiple theories on how the water buffalo (sometimes called river buffalo) came to Italy, but references to the use of their milk in the region's notable cheeses appear as early as the 12th century. Enjoy the countryside and tour the barns as you experience a working mozzarella farm. An expert cheese maker will demonstrate how the soft cheese is produced, from ingredients to by-hand preparation methods, before a tasting session.

Expert Local Guide Throughout Greece

Expert Local Guide Throughout Greece

Athens Tour with Guide

Athens Tour with Guide

Acropolis and Parthenon

Acropolis and Parthenon

Acropolis Museum

Acropolis Museum

Ancient Delphi Site and Museum with Guide

Ancient Delphi Site and Museum with Guide

Pompeii Tour with Guide

Pompeii Tour with Guide

Rome Tour with Guide

Rome Tour with Guide

Vatican Museums with Guide and Reservation

Vatican Museums with Guide and Reservation

St. Peter's Basilica

St. Peter's Basilica

Colosseum with Guide and Reservation

Colosseum with Guide and Reservation

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Italy

Greece

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Itinerary

This itinerary is the starting point for your tour, but it’s not set in stone. If there are days you would like to change, or specific places you’d like to go, we can work with you to create a personalized program that fits the needs of you and your students.

Day 1: Overnight Flight

Depart from the USA.

Day 2: Athens

Arrive in Athens, meet your ACIS Tour Manager and begin to explore this enchanting, ancient city. Perhaps stop for a plate of honey-soaked, cinnamon-spiced loukoumades while you stroll through the winding streets of this cradle of civilization.

Day 3: Athens

Greet the day with a guided sightseeing tour that reveals the glories of ancient Greece. Ascend to the top of the Acropolis and visit the iconic Parthenon, which dominates the city and stands as a powerful and impressive memorial to the remarkable civilization that built it. Then view the Agora, followed by a stroll through the Acropolis Museum, a modern architectural jewel. The afternoon is yours to explore more at your own pace. Tonight you’ll be thoroughly entertained by a Greek cultural evening in a traditional village setting. Taste freshly pressed olive oil, dine on authentic taverna cuisine and feast your eyes and ears on professional dancers moving to the traditional music. An expert also teaches you the steps of traditional Greek dances so that you can join in the fun!

Day 4: Athens

Today you may choose an optional cruise with lunch to the islands of Hydra, Aegina and Poros in the Saronic Gulf. Otherwise, spend the day further exploring the ancient city of Athens, the birthplace of many notable philosophers, politicians and writers in the ancient world. Tonight perhaps venture out to watch the pedestrian-friendly Plaka, the oldest section of Athens, come alive as the day winds down.

Day 5: Overnight Ferry

Drive to mythical Delphi, where ancient Greeks asked for counsel from its fabled oracle. Visit the Temple of Apollo and the Delphi Archaeological Museum, featuring artifacts unearthed during local excavations. Continue to Patras to board the overnight ferry to Bari, Italy.

Day 6: Sorrento

Once you land in Bari, travel through the olive groves of southern Italy towards Sorrento. You’ll stop at a working mozzarella farm and learn first-hand how this creamy cheese is made, from ingredients to production to taste. Later, arrive in Sorrento, get settled and begin to explore this coastal gem.

Day 7: Rome

Visit the excavated city of Pompeii with a local guide. Nearby Mount Vesuvius erupted in 79 AD and buried the city in ash. What we have today is a perfect picture of life as it was nearly 2,000 years ago. Continue to the Eternal City, Rome. After dinner tonight, join your tour manager for a passeggiata romana through the piazzas around the Spanish Steps and the Trevi Fountain.

Day 8: Rome

Rome is called “The Eternal City” because the ancient Romans believed that no matter what empires rose and fell, Rome would endure forever. Today's panoramic drive of the city is a great introduction to the many phases of Roman history. Our local expert accompanies you through the Vatican Museums, including the Sistine Chapel, and St. Peter's Basilica. The best part is that these are timed entrances, meaning you'll breeze right by the long lines facing other tourists. You'll also go inside the iconic and historic Colosseum with a local guide (another line-avoiding timed reservation) and learn the many stories of this nearly 2,000-year-old Roman landmark that's considered one of the architectural wonders of the ancient world. Your ticket also includes entrance to the nearby Roman Forum if your group has time. In the evening, we'll enjoy an authentic Roman pizza dinner and cap off an exceptional week with a stroll around lively Piazza Navona.

Day 9: Departure

Depart for the USA.



Optional Extensions and Extra Nights:

Enhance your experience with an extra night in Rome, including a full-day excursion to Florence by high-speed train—discover the Renaissance city's rich heritage, art and architecture with included sightseeing and entrance to the Accademia.

Discover destinations of rich classical heritage on a three-night Greek Island Cruise highlighting Mykonos, Patmos, Ephesus and more, plus an additional night in Athens, at the beginning of your tour.

Price This Tour

Price This Tour

Optional Extras

Ultimate-Plus Protection Plan

Most Enhanced health coverage, program interruption, baggage delay/loss and travel delay protection while on tour. Plus, enhanced medical/job loss cancellation refund policy

Rate $450

Add to Tour

Ultimate Protection Plan

Enhanced health coverage, program interruption, baggage delay/loss and travel delay protection while on tour. Plus, enhanced medical/job loss cancellation refund policy

Rate $315

Add to Tour

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