Highlights of Greece & Italy — 15 Days (Self-Launched)
15 days · Greece & Italy
Dot Travel charges £2,380
No-markup version: ~£1,185 per person
Estimate only, not a guaranteed price. Always verify costs independently before booking.
A self-launched version of Dot Travel's 15-day Athens-to-Venice highlights loop: Athens and the Acropolis, island-hopping to Mykonos and Santorini by fast ferry, then Rome, Pisa, Florence and Venice by train. Instead of a pre-booked package with transfers and hotel vouchers, you book your own hostels and guesthouses, buy ferries and Trenitalia tickets direct, and pick up walking tours and museum entries through GetYourGuide or official sites as you go. Costs are approximate per person, based on shared dorm or budget double rooms and shoulder-season pricing.
Day-by-day
Arrive in Athens
Athens, Greece
Land at Athens Airport (ATH) and take the Metro Line 3 straight into the centre (around €9, ~45 mins to Monastiraki/Syntagma) — no need for a private transfer. Check into a hostel in Monastiraki or Plaka. Spend the late afternoon wandering the old town lanes below the Acropolis, grab a gyros or souvlaki dinner for €5-7, and catch the Acropolis lit up from Areopagus Hill at sunset (free).
🚌Metro Line 3 from ATH airport to centre, ~£8
🛏Hostel dorm or budget guesthouse in Monastiraki/Plaka (~£18-25)
- →Monastiraki & Plaka wander
- →Areopagus Hill sunset viewpoint
Athens — Acropolis & Ancient City
Athens, Greece
Book a combined Acropolis + Acropolis Museum ticket online (€30-ish, or €20 for the Acropolis alone off-peak) and go early — gates open 08:00 and the site is brutal by midday in summer. Add a free walking tour of the city centre (tips-based, ~2.5 hrs) covering Syntagma, the Parliament and the changing of the guard at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. Evening: rooftop bar in Psyrri or cheap eats in Exarchia.
🚌Walkable centre; metro for longer hops ~£1.50
🛏Hostel dorm or budget guesthouse in Monastiraki/Plaka (~£18-25)
- →Acropolis & Parthenon (pre-booked timed entry)
- →Acropolis Museum
- →Free city walking tour (tip-based)
- →Tomb of the Unknown Soldier / Parliament
Ferry to Mykonos
Mykonos, Greece
Book a fast ferry from Piraeus to Mykonos in advance on Ferryhopper or directly with Seajets/Blue Star (€55-80 one way, 2.5-5 hrs depending on service). Take the metro or a €10 flat taxi to Piraeus port. On arrival, local buses or the €2 sea bus get you into Mykonos Town — skip the €25+ taxis. Afternoon in Mykonos Old Town: Little Venice, the windmills above town, and a swim at nearby Paraga or Ornos by bus.
🚌Metro to Piraeus + fast ferry to Mykonos, ~£60-70
🛏Budget guesthouse or hostel in Mykonos Town/Paradise Beach (~£25-35)
- →Mykonos Old Town & Little Venice
- →Kato Mili windmills
- →Beach time at Ornos/Paraga
Mykonos island day
Mykonos, Greece
Hire a scooter or use the KTEL local buses to reach the quieter beaches — Agios Sostis, Fokos or Elia. Alternatively take a half-day boat trip to Delos, the UNESCO-listed ancient sacred island (ferry + site entry ~€35-45, book direct at the Delos Tours kiosk on the old port). Eat at a taverna away from the harbour to keep costs sane — Mykonos is the priciest island on this route.
🚌Local KTEL bus or scooter hire ~£8-15
🛏Budget guesthouse or hostel in Mykonos Town/Paradise Beach (~£25-35)
- →Delos island boat trip & archaeological site (optional)
- →Beach hopping by local bus
Ferry to Santorini
Santorini, Greece
Fast ferry Mykonos to Santorini (€60-85, 2-3 hrs) — book ahead in summer as it sells out. Base yourself in Fira (cheapest) or Perissa/Kamari for budget rooms; Oia is beautiful but expensive. Afternoon: walk the caldera rim path from Fira toward Firostefani, then take the local bus to Oia for sunset (€2 each way instead of a €40 taxi).
🚌Fast ferry Mykonos–Santorini, ~£65
🛏Budget guesthouse in Fira or Perissa (~£25-35)
- →Fira–Firostefani caldera walk
- →Oia sunset by local bus
Santorini volcano & hot springs boat
Santorini, Greece
Join the classic caldera boat trip — Nea Kameni volcanic crater walk, swim and mud bath at Palea Kameni, and Thirassia island — bookable on GetYourGuide or at the old port kiosks for €25-40 for the basic half-day version (sunset versions with dinner run €60+). Afternoon: black-sand beach at Perissa or Kamari by local bus, then a cheap gyros dinner in Fira.
🚌Local buses ~£4
🛏Budget guesthouse in Fira or Perissa (~£25-35)
- →Caldera boat trip: Nea Kameni, Palea Kameni hot springs, Thirassia
- →Perissa black-sand beach
Fly Santorini to Athens, overnight before Italy
Athens, Greece
Fly Santorini (JTR) to Athens with Ryanair/Volotea/Sky Express (€35-70 booked ahead) — far faster and often cheaper than the 8-hour ferry back. Stay near the airport or in central Athens for the night. If you have time, use the afternoon for the Ancient Agora or a lazy cafeneio afternoon in Koukaki.
🚌Santorini–Athens flight + airport transfers, ~£55
🛏Budget hotel or hostel near Athens centre/airport (~£22-30)
- →Free afternoon in Athens
- →Optional Ancient Agora
Fly Athens to Rome
Rome, Italy
Fly ATH–FCO with Ryanair/Wizz/Aegean (€40-90 booked ahead). From Fiumicino take the Leonardo Express train to Termini (€14, 32 mins) or the cheaper regional FL1 to Trastevere/Ostiense (€8) — no need for airport taxis. Check into a hostel near Termini or Monti. Evening: free wander through Monti, Pantheon exterior and Piazza Navona, with pizza al taglio for dinner (€5-8).
🚌Athens–Rome flight + Leonardo Express train, ~£60
🛏Hostel dorm in Termini/Monti or Trastevere (~£25-35)
- →Pantheon & Piazza Navona evening walk
- →Trevi Fountain
Ancient Rome & Colosseum
Rome, Italy
Pre-book a Colosseum + Roman Forum + Palatine Hill combined ticket direct on the official Coopculture site (€18 + €2 booking) or a small-group guided version on GetYourGuide (£35-50) — the arena floor and underground add-ons cost extra. Do the Forum in the morning while it's cooler. Afternoon: Capitoline Hill viewpoint and the free Pantheon interior (small entry fee now applies).
🚌Walking; metro/bus day pass €7 if needed
🛏Hostel dorm in Termini/Monti or Trastevere (~£25-35)
- →Colosseum (pre-booked)
- →Roman Forum & Palatine Hill
- →Capitoline Hill & Pantheon
Vatican City
Vatican City / Rome
Book Vatican Museums + Sistine Chapel tickets direct on the official Vatican site (€20 + €5 booking fee) for the earliest slot, or a GetYourGuide skip-the-line tour (£40-55). St Peter's Basilica is free to enter — go early or late to dodge the queue, and climb the dome (€10 lift / €8 stairs). The rest of the day is free: consider Castel Sant'Angelo or Trastevere for dinner.
🚌Metro Line A to Ottaviano ~£1.50
🛏Hostel dorm in Termini/Monti or Trastevere (~£25-35)
- →Vatican Museums & Sistine Chapel
- →St Peter's Basilica & dome climb
- →Trastevere evening
Train to Pisa
Pisa, Italy
Take a Trenitalia Frecciabianca or Intercity from Roma Termini to Pisa Centrale (~2.5-3.5 hrs, €25-40 booked ahead; regional options are cheaper but slower). Drop bags at your accommodation and walk 20 minutes to the Piazza dei Miracoli to see the Leaning Tower, Duomo and Baptistery — the square and cathedral entry are essentially free/low cost; climbing the tower costs €20 and must be booked in a timed slot.
🚌Trenitalia Rome–Pisa, ~£30
🛏Budget guesthouse or hostel near Pisa Centrale (~£22-30)
- →Piazza dei Miracoli & Leaning Tower
- →Pisa Duomo
- →Optional tower climb (€20)
Pisa to Florence
Florence, Italy
Regional train Pisa Centrale to Firenze S.M. Novella (€9-10, ~1 hr, runs every 15-20 mins — just buy at the machine). Check in and hit the centre: Piazza del Duomo (cathedral free, dome climb €30 booked direct), Piazza della Signoria, Ponte Vecchio and a walk up to Piazzale Michelangelo for sunset. Book the Uffizi or Accademia (David) direct on the official B-ticket site if you want them — €20-25 each.
🚌Regional train Pisa–Florence, ~£9
🛏Hostel dorm or budget guesthouse near Santa Maria Novella (~£25-35)
- →Duomo & Piazza della Signoria
- →Ponte Vecchio
- →Piazzale Michelangelo sunset
Florence — art, markets and a pasta class
Florence, Italy
Morning at the Accademia for Michelangelo's David (€20 booked direct) or the Uffizi for Renaissance masterpieces. Lunch at Mercato Centrale (cheap and excellent). Afternoon: a fresh pasta-making class booked on GetYourGuide or Klook (£35-50, 3 hrs with dinner included) — a favourite with solo travellers. Evening: Oltrarno wine bar or a cheap aperitivo.
🚌Walking
🛏Hostel dorm or budget guesthouse near Santa Maria Novella (~£25-35)
- →Accademia / Uffizi (pre-booked)
- →Mercato Centrale food stop
- →Small-group pasta-making class
Train to Venice
Venice, Italy
High-speed train Firenze S.M. Novella to Venezia Santa Lucia (Frecciarossa, ~2 hrs 15, €20-40 booked early on Trenitalia). Exit the station straight onto the Grand Canal — no taxi needed. Buy a vaporetto single (€9.50) or a 24/48-hr ACTV pass (€25/€35) if you plan to ride a lot. Wander Cannaregio and the quieter Dorsoduro, cross the Rialto Bridge, and end at Piazza San Marco. Note Venice's day-tripper access fee applies on peak dates.
🚌Frecciarossa Florence–Venice, ~£30
🛏Budget guesthouse or hostel in Cannaregio/Mestre (~£30-40)
- →Grand Canal & Rialto Bridge
- →Cannaregio and Dorsoduro wander
- →Piazza San Marco
Island boat trip & departure
Venice, Italy
If your flight allows, take the Line 12 vaporetto to Murano and Burano (included in an ACTV day pass, ~2 hrs return) for glass workshops and the coloured fishermen's houses. Otherwise a final espresso and cicchetti crawl. To the airport: Alilaguna boat from San Marco/Arsenale (€15) or ATVO/ACTV bus 5 from Piazzale Roma (€10) — skip the €120 water taxi.
🚌ACTV vaporetto day pass + Alilaguna or bus to VCE, ~£20
🛏None (departure day)
- →Murano & Burano boat trip (optional)
- →Cicchetti in Cannaregio
Self-launched vs. Dot Travel
| This itinerary (self-launched) | Dot Travel | |
|---|---|---|
| Price per person | ~£1,185 | £2,380 |
| Duration | 15 days | 15 days |
| Who books it | You and your group, direct | Tour operator, guided group |
| Savings | £1,195 per person (50%) | |
Estimate only, not a guaranteed price. Always verify costs independently before booking.
Want to see more Dot Travel-style trips? Check them out here.~£1,185
estimated per person
You never pay Travel Crew for this — you pay hostels, transport, and activity providers directly, the same as if you'd booked it all yourself.
This publishes your dates so other travellers can find and join you — no tour operator needed.
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Frequently asked questions
How much does Highlights of Greece & Italy — 15 Days (Self-Launched) cost?+
Doing it yourself with this self-launched itinerary costs an estimated £1,185 per person for 15 days in Greece & Italy. This is an AI-generated estimate based on typical budget-traveller prices — actual costs will vary by season and how you book.
Is this cheaper than booking with Dot Travel?+
Yes — Dot Travel charges around £2,380 per person for a similar tour. Doing the same route independently, using the same standard of accommodation and activities, costs an estimated £1,185 — a saving of roughly £1,195 (50%) per person.
How long is the Greece & Italy trip?+
This itinerary runs 15 days, covering 15 day-by-day stops through Greece & Italy.
How do I join this trip?+
You can join an existing open departure using this itinerary if one is scheduled, or launch your own departure with your own dates and invite other travellers to join you — no tour operator required.
Isn't it easier to just use a tour operator?+
Well, yes, a tour operator will book all the individual parts of your travel for you and provide a guide. That's obvious, but doing this has the potential to save the group thousands, which can in turn improve your itinerary substantially or save you huge amounts of money. Also, when you launch a departure, Travel Crew has tools in place to help you book the individual sections of the trip or make it easier for you to do this as a group. Really, you do not need a middle man. If you are more comfortable paying more and using a middle man, then you should certainly do this.
Is it safer to book through a tour operator?+
Arguably, there isn't much difference. A self-launched trip runs on the same principle as a group travel crew: collective responsibility, everyone looking out for each other, the same way it would if a group of friends organised the trip themselves — because that's exactly what's happening. You should always take out travel insurance before you go, self-launched or not; that doesn't change either way. Every open departure is published publicly with real dates and a real trip organiser, so it's never an anonymous arrangement, and our support team is reachable any time you need help, including in an emergency while you're away. Longer-term, we're building direct relationships with ground DMCs in popular destinations, offered as an optional paid add-on for extra on-the-ground support. Ultimately, though, the group is responsible for its own conduct and safety on a self-launched trip, same as on any trip you plan yourself.
What kind of trip is this?+
This is a culture, city-breaks, beaches trip through Greece & Italy, self-launched rather than run by a tour operator — you organise it with a group you find or bring yourself.
Would you like to name the operator, name the trip, or have any suggestions about how to improve this itinerary?
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