The Road to Athens Tour Itinerary

The Road to Athens Tour Itinerary
REF: EU43
VERSION: 17

Duration:	7 days - Rome to Athens
Countries Visited:	Italy - Greece
Age Guide:	18-55 years
Max Group Size:	16
Transport:	Private Vehicle or Minivan, Ferry Boat
Accommodation:	Hotels (5 Nights), Ferry Boat (Airline Seats) (1 Night)
What's Included:	5 Breakfasts - Escorted Tour - Local Guides - Guided Tours - Pompeii, Meteora - All Surcharges, Tolls, Taxes and Port Fees - Ferry From Bari, Italy to Greece - All Transfers as per Itinerary
Local Payment:	NO LOCAL PAYMENT
Highlights:	Italy - Scenic Drive through the Amalfi Coast - Sorrento - Beaches and Italian Food - Pompeii- Guided Tour of Site - Greece - Meteora - Byzantine Monasteries - Drive by Thermopylae - Athens - Plaka
Optional Highlights:	Italy - Day Trip to the Isle of Capri - Greece - The Acropolis
Meeting Point:	Hotel Siviglia Via Gaeta, 12 00185 Rome Italy Tel: +39 06 4441197
Introduction:	A short tour that leads you from Rome to Athens. Leaving Rome behind, we meander through one of the most scenic coastlines in Europe, and discover the beautiful Amalfi coast. See the 2000 year old buried city of Pompeii destroyed by the eerie Vesuvius volcano that looms over it, before crossing over to Greece. Visit the stunning scenery of Meteora with its Byzantine monasteries clinging to the top of towering stone pinnacles, before heading to the historic city of Athens.
Day 1:	Rome. Today is a joining day. The pre departure meeting will be held at the joining point at 6.00pm. The Local Guide will run through any tour details and you will be able to meet your fellow travellers. Please note that if you arrive at the hotel before your room is ready you will be able to leave your luggage with hotel reception. Rooms are on a twin share basis (single room supplements available at time of booking).
Day 2:	Rome to The 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
Day 3:	Sorrento. Today is a free day for you to explore. Lie on the beach and soak up the Mediterranean sun or take an optional day trip to the Island of Capri. See where the rich and famous take their holidays and visit the Blue Grotto.
Day 4:	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.
Day 5:	Meteora. We arrive this morning on Greek shores. After disembarking our ferryboat in Igoumenitsa we are met and transferred to the spectacular valley of Meteora. Here, the Orthodox monasteries cling to the top of the towering stone pinnacles. We will have a guided visit that will take us into Greece’s Byzantine past. Please Note: When you disembark from the ferry in Igoumenitsa, your vehicle and Greek Tour Guide will be waiting for you at the dock. Please look out for the vehicle which will display a Kumuka sign.
Day 6:	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. Tonight you may like to go out for an optional farewell dinner.
Day 7:	Athens. The tour ends after breakfast this morning.
Finishing Hotel:	Omiros Hotel 15 Apollonos St Syndagma Square - Plaka 105 57 Athens Hellas Greece Tel: +210 3235486-7 Fax: +210 3228059 To reach Athens International Airport (Eleftherios Venizelos), take Bus X95 from the end of line on Syndagma square or take Metro M3 Blue Line from Syndagma station (one before the last station, Monastiraki). Please contact Kumuka reservations or your agent should you wish to arrange post tour accommodation.
Please Note:	Please be aware that arrival times and the itinerary may change due to unforeseen delays or events such as festivals, public holidays, and ferry schedules. However, we shall endeavor to ensure all sites are visited and that your tour runs smoothly.
Whats not included:	All optional excursions, visas, tips and meals unless otherwise stated in the itinerary.

Pre Departure Information Follows


Insurance:	Travel insurance is compulsory for all tours. All clients MUST be insured to cover personal accident, medical expenses, cancellation, curtailment and repatriation. It is also very important that your insurance policy is relevant to the Kumuka style of travel. Kumuka offers a specially negotiated insurance policy specifically tailored to adventure travel. As well as providing substantial cover for medical emergency, cancellation and curtailment, personal luggage, money and valuables and legal expenses, this insurance will also provide cover for the adventure activities you may choose to undertake whilst on tour. Please call us on the Kumuka free phone number 0800 068 8855 (UK only), or on 1300 667 277 in Australia, for further information. No client will be allowed on tours without suitable insurance. If you have already arranged insurance elsewhere, please be aware that many of the optional activities such as bungy jumping or water rafting may not be covered on your policy. If you plan on doing any of these activities please purchase additional insurance. At the start of your tour you will be asked to present your original policy document and complete an insurance information form. We recommend that you have a photocopy of this document, which you keep separate from the original. If you do not have travel insurance you will be asked to purchase travel insurance.
Passport:	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.
Visa Requirements:	It is important that you obtain the appropriate visas before you embark on your Europe trip. Country entry regulations change daily, www.kumuka.com provides you with visa information. Please consult your relevant embassy for all details such as opening hours or costs. Visas cannot be obtained once you have started your tour, and during the peak summer months it can take longer than normal to get visas, please allow extra time to do this. EACH CLIENT IS SOLELY RESPONSIBLE FOR OBTAINING ALL NECESSARY VISAS BEFORE JOINING A TOUR.
Medical Information and Vaccinations:	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. A complete Travellers Medical Pack can be purchased for approximately US$25 at most Vaccination Centres, Chemists and outdoor travel shops.
Climate:	For detailed climate information see www.kumuka.com. Travel Tip: Always bring a lightweight, waterproof jacket even during the height of summer - this should prepare you for anything!
Security:	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.
Money:	We recommend an average of €40-50 per day. This of course depends on your own spending habits, the number of optional excursions you wish to take and the amount of additional snacks, souvenirs and drinks you wish to buy along the way. Be aware that some countries are more expensive than others and that if you are travelling through several your expenses will vary enormously. Similarly there will be some days when you spend nothing at all and others when you exceed your budget. We advise that you carry a mixture of cash mainly Euros and credit/debit cards with you on your trip. Credit cards are accepted virtually everywhere in Europe. They can also be used to obtain money from ATMs. You should make sure you know your PIN number. ATM cards can be used widely in Europe. Again, you will need your PIN. Your bank will provide you with more details. Euro cheques are now valid for all EU countries except the UK, Switzerland, Hungary and the Czech Republic. The Euro has come into effect as a cash currency from 2002 Travellers cheques are difficult to cash and always have a transaction fee applied..
Local Customs:	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. Please consider covering shoulders and knees when entering a church or monastery in both Greece and Italy.
Books and Reading Material:	You might like to read up on the destinations that you are about to visit as these cities all have interesting sites and histories. We recommend a variety of guidebooks such as Lonely Planet, The Rough Guide and Insight Guides. All these publications have good general information as well as more specific country information that will help orientate you in the countries you visit.
Luggage and Personal Equipment:	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!!
Personal Effects:	We suggest that you take into account the time of year you will be travelling, and pack accordingly to the season. Quick drying clothes are recommended, and at many hotels there are laundry facilities. Your tour leader will advise where this is possible. Personal Effects: Camera, Spare passport photos, Water bottle, Money belt, Sewing kit, Sunhat/ Sunglasses, Music CDs/Ipod, Books, Wet Ones, Soap to wash clothes, Writing materials, Swiss Army knife, Calculator, Personal toiletries, including tampons, contraceptives, Insect Repellent, Sunscreen.
Language:	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.
Food:	Other thea breakfast, no other meals are included in this tour. Greece and Italy have one of the healthiest cuisines in the world, with its Mediterranean flavours and the abundance of Olive oil. The nature of this tour is to allow you freedom to choose, any of the myriad selections of tasty and nutritious meals on the menu.
Time:	For detailed information see www.timezoneconverter.com
Photography:	All types of camera film are readily available in Europe; however, it is often cheaper to purchase it in your country of origin or through duty free. As a guideline, most people use approximately one to two rolls of 36 per week. Fast film (200-400 ASA) may be useful at times and black & white film is nice to use for portraits of local people. A zoom lens is also useful. Please remember, we are guests in the countries through which we travel and we may sometimes inadvertently cause offence by taking photographs without first asking permission. You will notice a high presence of military installations in Greece, since military service is compulsory for every Greek male from the age of 18. It is absolutely forbidden by law to take photos at any borders and of any of the military structures such as watchtowers, as they are all active military zones.
Accommodation:	We have put a lot of thought and effort into locating the most appropriate type of accommodation for each tour. It will always be clean, comfortable and of a good standard. Accommodation is in tourist class hotels or guesthouses, except on the ferry, where airline seats are provided.
Pre and Post Tour Accommodation:	All our tours begin with a pre-departure meeting when you meet your tour leader, and fellow travellers. If you wish to spend a few additional days in your start city before the departure of your tour, then we can arrange accommodation for you. If you would like to stay in Athens for a few extra nights at the end of your tour, we will be more than happy to arrange this for you as well. All our accommodation is carefully chosen, conveniently located, clean and comfortable. (All rates per person per night and subject to availability). Please be aware that accommodation availability can fill very quickly especially during high season and recommend that you book this as soon as possible.
Staying in Touch:	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. 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!
Tour Feedback:	Tour Questionnaire - We would like to hear about your experiences on tour. One week after your tour ends you will automatically receive a feedback questionnaire via email. If we do not have your email address you can still complete a questionnaire by visiting www.kumuka.com/feedback Email - If you have any specific comments about your tour then please write to us by email to operations@kumuka.com
Tipping:	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.
Optional Activities:	Kumuka endeavours to offer optional activities available locally during tours with selected ground handlers to make your tour more enjoyable. These ground handlers and activity partners are selected for their standards in quality, professional ability and reputation. Whereas, Kumuka has developed a travel insurance policy to cover all activities offered during your journey, Kumuka cannot be held responsible for injuries or claims arising from adventurous activities by third parties. On our website www.kumuka.com you will see a list of excursions, museums and monuments available at your expense on all European tours. Please note that these are intended as a guide only and prices and availability cannot be guaranteed. Prices are in Euros. Your tour guide will be able to assist you in planning and organising any optional excursions. The list on our website is by no means complete. There will be many other optional activities available. We strongly advise if you are entitled to a student card that you obtain one prior to departure - many museums and galleries in Europe offer substantial student discounts.
Drug Policy:	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.
Contact Details:	KUMUKA WORLDWIDE UK OFFICE 40 Earls Court Road, London W8 6EJ Tel: 020 7937 8855 Fax: 020 7937 6664 Email: sales@kumuka.com www.kumuka.com AUSTRALIAN OFFICE Level 5, 387 George Street, Sydney NSW 2000 Tel: 02 9279 0491 Fax: 02 9279 0492 Email: sales@kumuka.com.au www.kumuka.com.au
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This tour is operated by Kumuka Worldwide. Information given in all brochures, leaflets and dossiers is given in good faith by the company, and is based on the latest information available at the date of publication. The company reserves the right to change any of the facilities or vehicles described in the brochure without becoming liable for compensation or refund.

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