Board your overnight flight to Rome (via Amsterdam).
16:25 Arrival to Rome. Transfer to the hotel for check-in and an acclimatization walk around the Monti District of Rome for a gelato before dinner in a local restaurant.
Overnight Rome.
This morning’s programme revolves around the Vatican City and Papal Rome. Vatican City, a 109-acre state, is bounded by a wall built in the 9th century and by the colonnade of St. Peter’s Square. We will take a guided tour of St. Peter’s Basilica, one of the world’s most majestic buildings, standing over St. Peter’s Tomb and the spot where he was martyred.
We will also have a guided tour of the Vatican Museum with its many treasures and see the Sistine Chapel to marvel at the magnificent ceiling and the many splendid works of art. We then carry on to the Borghese Gallery – home to Bernini’s famous sculptures and pieces from the master Renaissance painter, Caravaggio. After we’ve enjoyed the sites, we have time for lunch on our own, and then leisure time in the afternoon for recharging or shopping! We will have dinner in a location restaurant.
Overnight in Rome.
Day trip to Florence! Board a high-speed train and visit the Uffizi Museum, the Renaissance palace designed by Vasari in 1560 which contained the offices of the Medici’s administration. Today it is one of the finest museums in the world with rich collections of drawings, prints, paintings and sculptures. Following this we will continue to the Accademia to see ‘David’, one of Michelangelo’s masterpieces. After this there will be free-time for lunch in the famous Mercato Centrale, Tuscany's renowned food hall. Return to Rome and enjoy a late dinner this evening in a local Roman restaurant.
Overnight in Rome.
Today takes us into ancient Rome on a guided tour of the Forum and the Colosseum. The Colosseum, opened by the Emperor Vespasian in AD 80, was where gladiator fights took place. Immensely impressive with a circumference of 530 metres and a height of 48 metres, the Colosseum was built to seat 50,000 spectators. The Roman Forum was the commercial, civil and religious center of Roman life in the Republican Era. Dinner in a Roman Restaurant. Dinner this evening will be in Trastevere.
Overnight Rome.
Travel South with a stop at the archaeological city of Pompeii, a once a thriving commercial centre of the Roman Empire, that was completely destroyed by the devastating eruption of Mt. Vesuvius in AD 79. Two-thirds of the city have now been excavated revealing a fascinating example of ancient urban geography.
Afterwards, we’ll have an amazing meal at the Cantina Del Vesuvio, a local winery famous for their Lacryma Christi variety of wines that grow in the volcanic soils of the area. We’ll take the coach bus back to the hotel for some free time before dinner in a restaurant.
Overnight in Naples.
Breakfast at the hotel. Meet the guide and board the coach or ferry for a full day trip to the world-famous Amalfi Coast. Starting in Positano, the small fishing village that descends from road level down to the beach in a cascade of medieval houses, shops, and restaurants. Enjoy the atmosphere of one of the most famous jet-set destinations and maybe spot a super yacht! Take your pick of the wonder restaurants offering all of the local specialties – try the fresh fish!
Continue to Sorrento and, ‘Look at the sea, how beautiful it is, it inspires so many emotions’, and song lyrics for the song Torna Surriento, which is Napolitano dialect for “Return to Sorrento”. This evening we are treated to a dinner at the spectacular restaurant, O Parruchiano (dialect for ‘The Parish Preist’). With bellies blessed with the days adventures, we return by coach or ferry to Naples.
Overnight in Naples.
Today we explore Naples the best way you can – on foot! The group will be taken along the Lungomare (seafront), to view two of Naples’ grand castles – the medieval Castel’Nuovo (New Castle, built 1279), and Naples’ oldest, Castel dell’Ovo (Castle of the Egg – built ~1BC), which is said to have been built on an egg for protection along with the bones of Roman poet, Virgil. With our hair brined with fresh saltwater air we head underground to explore tunnels that were built over 2,500 years ago. We get to explore the tunnels that were once used as Roman aqueducts, then during WWII were used as air-raid shelters.
Coming up from underground, we find ourselves in the centre of old Naples, were the food choices are endless! We’ll make the difficult decision of choosing one and enjoying another of Naples famous delicacies. We will return in the late afternoon for rest or late afternoon shopping. This evening dinner will be enjoyed while being serenaded by traditional local folk music
Overnight in Naples.
Day trip to Capri! Final farewell dinner. Overnight Naples.
We pack our bags, pre-flight, and say ‘Arrivederci Italia’!
