Take an amazing educational tour of Italy and/or Greece. Design your own travel program for your group to the region that gave rise to Western culture reveals ancient treasures, artistic genius and natural wonders to all who visit. Some of history’s grandest cities still thrive here, among them Athens, Rome, Florence and Venice. With 3,400 years under its belt, Athens is rightly referred to as the cradle of Western civilization. This hub of arts and philosophy continues to draw travelers in search of the ancient world’s stunning sophistication. The staggering beauty and diversity to be found within the Greek islands lures travelers off the mainland and seldom disappoints. Top island destinations include Santorini, Crete, Rhodes and Mykonos, which are all accessible by cruise ship.

The Italian peninsula has witnessed the rise and fall of countless empires, from prehistory to the Etruscans to the mighty Roman Empire. All roads lead to Rome, as the saying goes, and in the ancient world, it was a fact. Visitors can now follow the footsteps of Julius Caesar in the Forum Romanum, walk along the famous Appian Way, and gaze up at the oculus in the Pantheon. Rome’s legendary status doesn’t end in ancient times; you’ll find the grandest expression of the Baroque era in Trevi Fountain, and a colossal example of 20th century neoclassicism in the Monument of Vittorio Emanuele II. The Italian Renaissance emerged in Florence and brought about more than 300 years of cultural transformation and artistic achievement across Europe. The Most Serene Republic of Venice enjoyed nearly a millennium of wealth and prosperity, all the while cultivating the laissez-faire culture of a busy port city. Between Italy’s best-known cities lie innumerable gems, each with its own trademark dialect, cuisine and customs