Athens and Rome: Five Night Multi City Break in 4* and 5* Accomodation With Flights and Breakfast For Two from £429 Per Person (Up to 50% Off)

Pinnacles of past civilisations, Athens and Rome are two cities shrouded in the imposing majesty of ancient monuments. From the Parthenon to the Pantheon, the historical and archaeological intrigue of these former world-centres has occupied the imaginations of visitors for centuries. And yet both metropolises beat to a decidedly modern European tune, existing as modern consumer hubs filled with boutique shops, world-class restaurants, and backstreet bars that throb into the early morning.

Amble into the ancient world with today's Groupon from Viva Holidays at Athens Park Hotel and Ripa Hotel:

• £429 per person for two nights in Athens and three nights in Rome for two (Up to 50% off)
With four and five star accommodation, international and intercity flights, and breakfast

With tree-trunk pillars twisting towards a ceiling canvas of scattered leaves, the lobby of the five star Athens Park Hotel makes it clear that blending the urban and the natural comes as second nature. Each room is designed as contemporary bowers of modern luxury, with a marble bathroom, TV, internet access, bathrobes, and views of either the park or the city. A rooftop pool allows for long afternoons of lounging in front of sweeping city and central park vistas, and guests can find a tipple at the St Astra bar while they watch the city glow into the night.

With the audacious curves of contemporary design matched to a family tradition of hospitality, The Ripa Hotel provides a calm enclave of urban chic at the centre of the Roman metropolis. The en-suite, and usually balconied, rooms cover a generous 28 square metres, and come equipped with a security safe, air-conditioning, cable TV, mini bar and Wi-Fi on request. There is a gym downstairs and a café bathed in warm lemon and walnut tones, and being at the heart of the Trastevere district makes the hotel an ideal base for city explorations.



Groupon Recommends
Head to the Acropolis at sunrise to get a dawning sense of Athens’ crowning glory, being treated to the awe-inspiring Doric columns of the Parthenon and uninterrupted views of the waking city. Visitors in search of Ancient Greek treasures can have a look round the Acropolis Museum, with transparent floors providing a view of the archaeological excavations beneath. For a window into local life and Greek cuisine, head to the central market at Varvakios Agora to watch the fierce haggling over plump olives, slabs of meat, and crumbled blocks of feta. The National Archaeological Museum lies on the doorstep of the hotel, a treasure trove spinning an intricate tale from the late Neolithic period to Roman Greece.

Rome wasn't built and cannot be seen in a day, but with careful preparation guests can get the measure of it over three. From the overwhelming delights of the Colosseum, Palatine, and the Pantheon, to the frescoes in the Palazzo Massimo alle Terme museum, the city is packed with history, art and inspiration. Religious buildings provide wonder at every turn, from St Peter’s famous dome, to the intrigue of a 2nd century Mithraic temple that lies beneath the layers of 12th and 4th century churches at San Clemente, and almost every church passed is worth a peek inside. With the legendary gelato caves and the delectable array of restaurants, cafés and bars spread out over the courtyards and winding streets, Rome could occupy visitors for entire months and years.



Local Amenities
Both hotels enjoy the bustling centres of their cities. Restaurants, bars, cafés and shops fill the surrounding streets, with Athens being known for partying long into the night. The British Embassy in the Greek capital can be found at 1 Ploutarchou Street, while its Roman counterpart lies at Via XX Settembre 80a.

Weather and Climate
Rome: Nov-Mar 12-9°C
Athens: Nov-Mar 19-16°C
Warm European climate with refreshing sea breezes.

Transport
Flights: Flights depart from London Gatwick to Athens and return from Rome to Gatwick. Flights from Manchester and Edinburgh are also available for an additional surcharge of £49pp.
Airports: Shuttle services and trains run from the airports to the city centres.

Groupon Top Tip
Most shops in Rome close for lunch between 1pm-3pm.

 

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