Day 1
The trip departs Rome at 9:00* from the Roma Termini Train Station. The meeting point is in front of the Nike store. Be sure to check in with your trip leader at least 20 minutes before the scheduled departure time. Travel is by luxury coach with A/C, DVD, and bathroom. Estimated travel time to Ancona is 5** hours. Once in Ancona, we board the ANEK Lines cruise ship for the 14 hour** crossing to Greece. The boat departs at 16:00*. The ferry is the size of a cruise ship and has excellent on board amenities including a dance club, restaurants, bars, and stores. This is the perfect opportunity to meet your fellow trip members.

Day 2
We arrive on the Greek mainland at Igoumenista at approximately 8:30*. On arrival, we transfer to another ferry for the 1.5 hour** crossing to Corfu. Once in Corfu, we are met by the techno music blasting Pink Palace bus and head to the Pink Palace where we immediately check in. The rest of the day is free to hang on the beach, or join in on one of the various activities. Dinner is served at 20.30 in The Palladium at The Pink Palace.

Day 3
Your options for the day include the Booze Cruise****, the ATV Safari, rent an ATV yourself, go Sea Kayaking, take a day trip to Corfu Town or simply relax on the beach. Dinner is again served at 20.30 in The Palladium. The Pink Toga Party*** begins after dinner. Most people wear their togas to dinner.

Day 4
Your options for the day include the Booze Cruise****, the ATV Safari, rent an ATV yourself, go Sea Kayaking, take a day trip to Corfu Town or simply relax on the beach. Dinner is served at 20.30 in The Palladium. Departure for Athens is at 22.00*. It is a 45-minute drive to the port, and then a 1.5 hour ferry ride. Estimated drive time after we dock is 7** hours drive. We arrive in Athens at approximately 8:00*.

Day 5
We will depart on a walking tour of Athens after breaktast. Meet your trip leader at 10:30*. The walking tour is a great way to get acquainted with Athens, one of the oldest and most fascinating cities in the Western World. Today you will see The Greek National Parliament, the 1896 Olympic Stadium, The Temple of Zeus, The Acropolis Museum and of course, The Acropolis. Your Bus2alps Trip Leader will provide you with historical and factual information about each location. Your International student I.D. will get you free entry to all the sites on the walking tour.

In order to receive free entry, your I.D. must be an international I.D. from your study abroad program. Any other student I.D. will get you a reduced rate of 6 Euro. Entry covers six sites throughout ancient Athens. The walking tour ends at Monastiraki Square. Here you can have a sit down lunch or grab a cheap gyro from a traditional Greek Gyro stand. The afternoon is free to have custom sandals made, shop at the flea market and souvenir shops, visit the museums, head to the Olympic Park, or grab a coffee at Starbucks.

At night we go to Vizentino’s, a traditional Greek restaurant in Plaka for an optional group dinner. The dinner costs 13 Euro for various Greek appetizers, a choice of entree, and unlimited wine. Meeting time will be 20:45* in the accommodation lobby. Vizentino’s always provides great service for the Bus2alps group. After dinner we will head to the district of Psiri. Psiri has traditional Greek hookah and outdoor bars, and several dance clubs.

Day 6
Wednesday morning we depart our accommodation at 6:00 by private bus transport for the port of Athens to board the Blue Star Ferry for Santorini. Santorini is the postcard Greek Island with the iconic white and blue buildings clinging to the Cliffside. The boat departs at 7:25 and arrives at the port of Santorini at approximately 15:00. Upon arrival, we will be transported to our 3-star accommodation located in the Fira city center. The afternoon is free to explore one of Greece’s most photographed cities. After a beautiful sunset view, there will be an optional group dinner at a local Greek Taverna followed by drinks. Meet your trip leader in the lobby of our accommodation at 19:30.

Day 7
Today you are free to explore the beauty of Santorini. We recommend renting a scooter or ATV to better explore all of the small villages and the landscape of the island of Santorini. Consult your trip leader and Bus2alps Destination Guide for other recommended activities.

Day 8
FFriday we depart Santorini at 15:30* (ferry time subject to change based on changing Greek schedules)* on the Blue Star Line ferry. You will have the entire morning free to hang out on the beach, do some shopping, or walk around town. Arrival time in Athens will be 23:30*.

AAfter disembarking, we will be transferred to the Athens city center by private bus and immediately check into our accommodation.

For those interested in going out in Athens on our last night, we will meet after checking back into our hotel and head to the Gazi district. Gazi is a large square with numerous bars and clubs.

Day 9
Saturday morning we depart Athens at 12:00*.
We travel by private bus to Patras where we board our return cruise for Ancona. Estimated bus time is 3 hours**.
The cruise trip is 21 hours**.
Cruise boat travel is on the same ANEK Lines boat we traveled to Greece with.

Day 10
Sunday morning we arrive in Ancona at 16:00* and board our private bus to return to Rome. Estimated travel time is 5 hours**.
We will make one stop en route. Approximate arrival time in Rome is 20:00*.


Activities Included

Athens Walking Tour:
Your Bus2alps Trip Leader will give you a 3 hour orientation tour of the city of Athens, which brings you to its major attractions, including the Greek Parliament, 1896 Olympic Stadium, Temple of Zeus, and the Acropolis. Your Trip Leader will provide you with a brief history of each site.

Optional Activities

Athens Acropolis Pass:
Entrance into many of the Ancient sites in Athens are free if you have a valid international student I.D. from your international university. If you do not have one, then a valid regular student I.D. will get you an all-access pass for 6 Euro.

Toga Party:
15 Euro (includes 10 Euro deposit on toga) - The Pink Palace has become famous for its Pink Toga Party. The night kicks off with a group dinner in your pink toga, followed by a crazy party highlighted by Greek dancing, plate smashing, and lots of Greek Ouzo.

Booze Cruise:
25 Euro - Join the Pink Palace Navy for a crazy five hour boat adventure around the island of Corfu. The booze cruise stops at places to cliff jump, swim in bat caves, and hang out on a private beach.

ATV Safari & Rentals:
25 Euro (Safari), 18 Euro (Rental Only) - Spend your day trekking through one of Greece’s lushest islands, visiting beautiful vista points, hanging out in small Greek towns, and blaring your horn at old Greek couples waving as your drive by.

Kayak Safari & Rentals:
15 Euro - Grab a paddle and spend your day exploring the Corfu coastine.

Santorini Scooter & ATV Rentals:
20 Euro (ATV), 13 Euro (Scooter) - A great way to explore the beautiful island is by way of motorized vehicle. You must have some sort of experience to rent a scooter.