There’s little doubt that Italy and Greece are two of essentially the most iconic nations to go to in Europe however planning a visit to Italy and Greece may sound a bit overwhelming to some. If that’s you, we’re right here to assist.
On this complete information, you’ll discover all the sensible info you should plan the right journey to Italy and Greece, alongside strategies on which locations to go to throughout your Italy and Greece trip. What’s extra, we’re recommending a number of the greatest Italy and Greece itineraries in response to your journey model. Maintain studying and, quickly, planning a visit to Italy and Greece will look like a breeze.
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A Information To Planning a Journey To Italy and Greece
Greatest Time To Go to Italy and Greece
Each Italy and Greece are spectacular all 12 months spherical. That stated, when planning a visit to Italy and Greece, you must take into account a number of components, such because the climate and the locations you’ll be including to your Italy and Greece itinerary, however most significantly, your individual expectations.
As an illustration, are you touring to Italy and Greece primarily for sightseeing within the main cities or are you principally fascinated with a calming seashore trip? Regardless of the purpose behind your want to go to Italy and Greece although, listed below are just a few ideas that will help you resolve on the very best time to go to Italy and Greece. Each nations share comparable climate all year long, and are sometimes a little bit hotter within the south than north, saving us a while!
July & August – Good For Seashore Journeys or Make Financial savings in The Cities
Italy and Greece have very comparable climate circumstances. July and August are notably sizzling. For those who’re used to the warmth and are spending your time by the ocean, this may be good. Within the cities, it may be too heat for snug sightseeing in the course of the day.
You may need heard that it’s greatest to keep away from Europe in summer season as a result of Europeans take their summer season holidays then. Keep in mind that almost all Europeans are heading only for the seashores (or mountains) and avoiding the cities, so lodge charges are sometimes decrease in locations like Athens, Rome, and Florence than within the shoulder-season months of Could, June, September, and October.
September – The New Peak Month
Throughout Italy and Greece, September may simply be the right month when it comes to climate. It’s heat however not too sizzling and the times are nonetheless comparatively lengthy. However the Goldilocks month comes at a value. September has at all times been the month that sees extra People visiting Europe than every other. Over 20% of our journeys begin in September actually.
Hoteliers have cottoned on this. Due to this fact, what may be historically regarded as summer season locations, just like the Amalfi Coast, or Greece’s big-name islands, are costlier than in July or August, when extra price-conscious Europeans make up the vast majority of the friends. The cities are busy with locals, freshly returned from their very own summer season holidays, conferences and occasions are again in full swing, whereas seaside hotspots and in style areas like Tuscany are stuffed with your countrymen.
Shoulder Season – The Greatest Time For Nearly Anyplace in Italy & Greece
Based mostly on our personal expertise, the very best months to go to Italy and Greece are April, Could, and October. Throughout these months, the temperatures are delicate and you may benefit from the outdoor to your coronary heart’s content material. No matter what the outside means to you. It might be sightseeing in grand open-air archaeological websites, climbing, or simply sipping a glass of wine in marvelous squares and quaint slender streets.
For a seashore vacation although, intention for late June or early October in case you can’t deal with the chilly sea temperatures. In June, you’ll benefit from the longest days of the 12 months, nice for packing so much in, even when meaning lots of time within the water.
Go All in on Tradition in Winter – True Off-Season Bargains
Winter could be a nice time to journey in case you’re not planning a visit to Italy and Greece for a seashore trip. Though the smaller cities and islands may really feel a bit lonely within the winter, with a number of inns and eating places closed till the excessive season, within the cities, winter may simply be the right time to have the primary websites nearly to yourselves and expertise the native way of life in the very best approach. Sicily is a enjoyment of winter, with the proviso that the purely vacationer city of Taormina will likely be in hibernation mode, however nonetheless worthy of a day journey.
How Many Days Every in Italy and Greece?
Though you possibly can discover the fundamentals of Italy and Greece in 10 days, we’d say that you must intention for no less than two weeks if you wish to take pleasure in an immersive expertise in these two various nations. If in case you have extra time to spare, that’s even higher. Three and even 4 weeks would permit you adequate time not solely to take a look at the primary websites and go to the very best cities, cities, and villages in Italy and Greece but in addition to delve into the distinct cultures of those magnificent nations.
Now, in case you’re questioning the best way to break up your time between Italy and Greece throughout your 2-week journey, we’d advocate setting apart equal quantities of days for every nation.
Which Nation To Begin Your Journey From
With worldwide flights to most important airports in each Greece and Italy, it doesn’t make a lot of a distinction which of the 2 nations you go to first. Each Italy and Greece are ample in historic websites however are additionally excellent for laid-back moments together with your family members. Due to this fact, your time between sightseeing and stress-free might be going to be balanced in both nation.
One of the best ways to find out which nation to enter first when planning a visit to Italy and Greece is to examine the worldwide flights obtainable and select these which might be higher suited to your Greece and Italy itinerary.
Really feel Like One Nation Would possibly Be Sufficient?
There’s no disgrace in deciding that you just may be taking over an excessive amount of in visiting these two magnificent nations in a single journey and specializing in only one. Our journey advisors will be capable of craft an itinerary with loads of selection, even in only one nation. And in case you’re visiting Greece since you need to see some Historic Greek temples, properly southern Italy has these too, in Paestum, not removed from Naples and the Amalfi Coast, and scattered round Sicily.
How To Journey Between Italy and Greece
You may get from Italy to Greece by airplane or ferry. The latter although, includes very lengthy journey instances that will solely make sense in case you have been on a multi-month journey throughout Europe. Due to this fact, flying is one of the simplest ways to get from Italy to Greece and vice versa. A number of airways – each low-cost and full-service ones – function direct flights from Italy to Greece, connecting not solely the capitals and most important cities but in addition lesser-known cities and island locations.
Greatest Method To Journey Inside Every Nation
Italy is famend for its fashionable, environment friendly, and quick trains. With a railway community overlaying your entire nation, Italy is among the greatest nations in Europe to discover by prepare. Then again, Greece shouldn’t be for prepare lovers.
But, with its so many islands, Greece boasts a number of the greatest, cleanest, and most secure ferries in Europe. Getting on board a ferry must be your go-to strategy to uncover the Greek Islands. Nonetheless, to your mainland Greece escapades, you’d be higher off renting a automotive or – if driving isn’t the best choice for you – reserving automotive transfers with a personal driver.
Distinctive Lodging in Italy and Greece
Each Italy and Greece have been welcoming friends from everywhere in the world for a lot of a long time. The vacationer infrastructure and hospitality services in each nations are second to none. Due to this fact, when planning a visit to Italy and Greece, get able to expertise a number of the best lodging you’ve been to throughout your travels. From high-end 5-star inns to fashionable boutique properties to totally serviced flats, Greece and Italy can cater to the wants of all sorts of vacationers.
Some locations inside these two nations additionally provide distinctive stays that may considerably improve your general journey expertise and this is the reason you must be sure you add a few of these particular lodging varieties to your Greece and Italy itinerary.
Some examples can be a farm keep in a centuries-old property tucked away within the rolling hills of Tuscany, a room with a view of the Grand Canal set in an excellent palazzo in Venice, or one which opens to the magnificent Trevi Fountain in Rome, an atmospheric sojourn in a lakeside mansion on Lake Como or a luxurious cave lodge with many tales to inform in Matera or Santorini, or a few nights inside the partitions of Monemvasia within the Peloponnese, a medieval fortress city that by no means ceased to be inhabited all through the centuries.
These are only some of essentially the most putting examples of the one-of-a-kind lodging you will discover in Italy and Greece however they’re not the one ones. Each nations provide numerous alternatives for a keep to recollect.
What To Eat and Drink in Italy and Greece
It’s no secret that each Italy and Greece are culinary gems. Italian and Greek cuisines have transcended the boundaries of their respective nations and might be discovered all over the place on the planet. But, nothing beats sampling genuine Italian and Greek meals of their birthplace.
Eat Italy’s Areas
In Italy, you possibly can eat your weight in pizza, pasta, and gelato, however Italian delicacies doesn’t cease there. Italian eating places outdoors of Italy are likely to serve up the best hits of Italian delicacies. However there’s a lot extra to uncover. Be sure you style the regional dishes of the locations you’re visiting to find not solely the gastronomy but in addition the tradition and traditions that cast these native cuisines.
In Northern Italy, the standard dishes are normally meat-heavy, however the nearer to the south you get, the contemporary greens, a deal with regionally sourced and seasonal components, and easy but hearty recipes work collectively to place actual masterpieces in your plate.
Uncover The Breadth of Greek Delicacies
After which there’s Greece. Blessed with sunshine all 12 months lengthy, the Greek land renders top-quality fruit, greens, and naturally, essentially the most scrumptious olives and further virgin olive oil, Greece’s liquid gold. It is best to positively strive the quintessentially Greek souvlaki however don’t neglect that Greek delicacies could be very various and has much more to supply.
From vegetable stews in wealthy tomato sauce to excellent seafood dishes to the omnipresent feta-filled Greek salad, Greece is a paradise for foodies and vacationers who’re conscious that one of the simplest ways to get to know a vacation spot is thru its tastes.
Paradises For Wine-Lovers
Wine lovers will likely be equally – if no more – happy in Italy and Greece. Each Italian and Greek wines are spectacular, made out of indigenous grape varieties. Among the best issues to do in Italy and Greece is to plan excursions of various wineries the place you possibly can pattern native wines and uncover the variations between the wine-making strategies of those two nations, but in addition the similarities shared by two peoples which have at all times been neighbors all through their historical past.
Two Takes on a Cup of Joe
Espresso fans are in for a deal with, too. From swiftly sipping an espresso standing at a bar in Italy amongst loud locals to taking your time to lazily take pleasure in a Greek espresso below the intense Mediterranean solar in Greece, the espresso tradition in Italy and Greece can by no means go unnoticed.
Greatest Locations To Embody in Your Italy and Greece Journey
With so many wonderful locations to select from, deciding on which locations so as to add to your Italy and Greece itinerary is not any simple job. Nonetheless, we’ve come to the rescue once more. On this part, we’ve included a number of the greatest locations to go to in each nations, relying on how acquainted you’re with Italy and Greece.
Italy and Greece Fundamentals
If it’s your first time in Italy and Greece, it is smart to begin with the fundamentals and possibly sprinkle your itinerary with a number of the extra laid-back locations you probably have sufficient time.
Rome and Venice
When in Italy, you merely can’t skip Rome and Venice and they’re by far the most-visited areas within the nation. Sure, they’re each fairly busy and infrequently overcrowded however for a purpose. In Rome, historical past is tangible at each flip. Websites just like the Colosseum, Roman Discussion board, and Palatine Hill narrate the Italian capital’s historic historical past in essentially the most eloquent approach. But, there’s extra to the Everlasting Metropolis than its historic previous.
From marveling on the wonders of the Vatican Metropolis, such because the Sistine Chapel and St. Peter’s Basilica, to snapping the right photographs on the most emblematic areas just like the Spanish Steps and Piazza Navona, Rome is bound to seduce you in a heartbeat however possibly not as instantaneously as Venice. The beautiful Metropolis of Canals can have you pinch yourselves to be sure you’re not dreaming as you stroll previous the long-lasting cafés lining Piazza San Marco or take pleasure in a mesmerizing gondola journey.
Florence and Tuscany
One other must-see vacation spot in Italy is Florence, a metropolis that seems like an open-air museum with its abundance of artwork and grandiose structure. From becoming a member of a guided tour alongside the corridors of the famed Uffizi Gallery to strolling by way of Piazza della Signoria with its spectacular copy of the Statue of David, Florence is a treasure trove of masterpieces that may amaze all artwork fans.
However Florence shouldn’t be your solely cease in Tuscany. A journey by way of the area’s celebrated hills, previous cities and villages that appear as if they’ve sprung out of the pages of a storybook, like Siena, Lucca, or San Gimignano, will grace your eyes with magnificence.
A Bit Extra of Italy
Within the south, the Amalfi Coast awaits to fill your days with sunshine, lemon scents, and scenic drives. If in case you have extra time to spare throughout your first journey to Italy and Greece, there are a number of different locations in Italy to take a look at, akin to Milan, Naples, the colourful Cinque Terre, or the plush Italian Riviera.
Athens
Shifting on to Greece, extra magic awaits. In Athens, you’ll be immersed within the fascinating historical past of one of many world’s oldest cities as you wander across the sacred historic ruins of the Acropolis and so many different sun-kissed archaeological websites. However after you’re executed with the historic websites, Athens awaits to enchant you with its unparalleled culinary scene and give you the present of jasmine-scented nights sipping wine within the firm of locals.
The Cyclades Islands
From there, your journey continues to Mykonos and Santorini, the preferred Greek Islands. In Mykonos, strive to withstand the sirens that decision you to spend the wildest social gathering nights earlier than you proceed to the Aegean Sea’s final enchantress. Few locations can declare the distinctiveness and great thing about Santorini, an island born of a volcanic eruption that was liable for a shocking panorama that was meant to turn out to be immediately recognizable to folks from all corners of the world.
For an island-hopping journey to recollect, don’t stick with essentially the most well-known Greek Islands, although. The close by islands of Naxos and Paros provide a glimpse into actual island life and numerous alternatives for essentially the most stress-free moments of your Europe journey.
Lesser-Recognized Italy and Greece
For those who’ve been to Italy and Greece earlier than, it’s essential to have coated the fundamentals already. That’s nice information as a result of now you possibly can delve into lesser-known Italy and Greece, the place pure magic awaits.
Italy’s Sturdy Second String
In Italy, you can begin with the considerably much less in style locations, akin to Romeo and Juliet’s Verona, the traditional cave city of Matera, or the spectacular islands of Sicily and Sardinia, earlier than you progress on to the nation’s precise off-the-beaten-path components.
Bologna, the beating crimson coronary heart of Emilia Romagna, is a foodie’s dream. Within the south, the rugged area of Puglia awaits to take you on unforgettable strolls by way of historic olive groves, whitewashed villages that resemble the Greek Islands, and lengthy sandy seashores with crystal clear turquoise waters.
Farther south, the unspoiled Aeolian Islands appear to dwell solely in a romantic writer’s creativeness whereas, within the north, the Dolomites promise essentially the most rewarding climbing and panorama images periods amid a surroundings of unfathomable pure magnificence.
Greece: Past Athens and The Cyclades
In Greece, the paranormal complicated of the Meteora monasteries constructed atop dramatic gigantic rocks, and the close by metropolis of Ioannina, dominated by a tranquil lake that has outlined the locals’ lives for hundreds of years on finish, are among the many nation’s best-kept secrets and techniques. The now-not-so-secret co-capital of Thessaloniki within the north nonetheless retains its genuine character and it’s one of many high culinary locations in Greece. Corfu is the perfect place so as to add some island time to a northern Greece itinerary.
Within the south, no phrases can describe the alluring Peloponnese, a peninsula of wonders that abounds in vibrant cities, like Kalamata, conventional villages, pure treasures, and exquisite seashores. No second – or third – journey to Greece and Italy can be full with out a keep in Crete, the most important of all Greek Islands, a blessed land that renders scrumptious native merchandise, a novel vacation spot steeped in historical past, Greek tradition, and long-standing traditions.
Instructed Itineraries For Italy and Greece
At JayWay Journey, we’ve crafted extra Italy and Greece itineraries than we will rely over the last couple of a long time. On this part, we’re presenting you a brilliant small choice of a few of our hottest Greece and Italy itineraries. These usually are not set in stone, although. They’re solely there to set off your creativeness and get you began on dreaming of your very personal Greece and Italy journey.
Italian & Greek Showstoppers
Ideally suited for first-time guests, this Italy and Greece itinerary exhibits you round the perfect these two nations have to supply, with stops in Rome, Florence, Venice, Santorini, and Athens.
Italy and Greece For Foodies
As we’ve already talked about, Italy and Greece boast two of essentially the most scrumptious cuisines worldwide. This fastidiously crafted itinerary is for these wishing to embark on a gastronomic journey by way of Italy and Greece, that includes locations, akin to Rome, Bologna, Crete, and Athens.
The Final Italy and Greece Honeymoon
There aren’t any higher locations to create cherished reminiscences together with your favourite particular person on the planet than Italy and Greece. Spending a honeymoon in these two nations is the dream of many and, though the sky’s the restrict when deciding which locations so as to add to your honeymoon itinerary, our suggestion would come with Rome, Positano, Naples, Mykonos, Santorini, and Athens.
Study a Little of The Language
Wherever you journey, it at all times helps to study just a few phrases within the native language. We’ve made that simple for you with a few quick language movies filmed by our locals.
Planning a Journey To Italy and Greece With JayWay
These instructed itineraries are solely a tiny pattern of the numerous wonderful vacation spot mixtures and themed routes our knowledgeable employees can provide you with for you. It is because, right here at JayWay, we all know Italy and Greece fairly properly.
Our educated journey advisors and journey planners will provide help to select essentially the most outstanding lodging in Italy and Greece, guarantee essentially the most memorable actions, meals excursions, day journeys, and experiences are added to your itinerary, and care for all of the time-consuming and infrequently annoying logistics, akin to reserving prepare and airline tickets inside Europe or arranging non-public automotive transfers, for you.
Like Touring With a Native Pal
The ultimate contact? Our distinctive employees on the bottom in each nations are all keen to indicate you their stunning nations by way of their eyes. Due to this fact, in case you’re at the moment planning a visit to Italy and Greece, why not go away all of the logistics to us and skip to the great half as a substitute? In spite of everything, one of the simplest ways to see Italy and Greece is, in fact, with JayWay!
Born and raised in Athens, Maria’s keen about journey and storytelling, a mix that makes her excellent for her function as our content material supervisor.
