Almost all travelers to Greece find themselves with a day or more in Athens. Here are some of the must-see attractions in Athens. Many of these can be reached easily by walking, by regular, public transportation or by one of my faves, the 5-euro Athens Tourist Bus, but you can also leave it to the pros and pre-book tours and day trips around Athens.

While I naturally prefer Greek cruises that start and end in Greece, the low price on this one makes it enticing, and if it makes your Italy-only trip into a multinational adventure, so much the better!

Want to see Italy, Greece, Croatia, and Turkey in one packed 7-day Mediterranean Cruise? Then you may want to check out smaller-ship line Costa Cruises. They're offering two options for the Mediterranean starting at $499 per person plus up to $126 in additional fees, surcharges, and so on. The discount code is DB/BO; call Costa Cruises directly at 1-800-GO-COSTA (800-462-6782) or visit their website.

Note: These rates are for inside staterooms; they note that "free upgrades may be available". The most Greece-friendly itinerary is the "7-Night Italy, Greek Islands Croatia" option on the Costa Fortuna, skipping Turkey. It includes stops at Katakolon to visit Olympia, and at Mykonos, Santorini and Rhodes.