Day 1. Arrive Rome Tour departs: Rome's Leonardo da Vinci Airport
in Fiumicino one hour after the arrival of our selected flight(s).
Welcome to Italy, where magnificent beauty and centuries of history
intertwine around every bend of the road. Travel southward from
Rome through the beautiful landscapes of the Campania countryside
that lead to the Amalfi coast. Your home for the next three nights,
near the picturesque town of Positano, clings to steep cliffs overlooking
the sparkling blue waters of the Mediterranean Sea. Join us this
evening for a welcome reception and dinner. Meals LD
Day 2. Amalfi Drive / Positano Journey along the spectacular Amalfi
coast, one of Europe's most beautiful shorelines. The road twists
and turns in sharp angles as it faithfully follows the ragged edges
cut by the dramatic coastline. Brightly colored houses hug the cliffs
amidst lush gardens and olive-green slopes, hovering over the clear
sea below. Arrive in the town of Amalfi, a powerful naval center
in Byzantine times; many of its historic buildings were built from
the 10th to 13th centuries. The deep ravines and majestic hills
lead next to Ravello, dramatically overlooking the Gulf of Sorrento.
Visit exquisite 13th-century Villa Rufolo, renowned for its splendid
gardens; residents have included several popes and composer Richard
Wagner. Meals BL
Day 3. Pompeii / Isle of Capri In AD 79 the terrible eruption of
Mount Vesuvius completely buried the city of Pompeii, a Roman commercial
center, in a blanket of ash and pumice stone. For centuries the
town lay abandoned until the well-preserved, poignant ruins of shops,
townhouses and paved streets were unearthed. Today they present
a vivid picture of life in the first century. A guided visit through
the remains of the ancient city includes Teatro Grande, capable
of seating 5000, and Teatro Piccolo; Tempio di Iside, dedicated
to the Egyptian goddess Isis; and Villa dei Misteri, featuring one
of the ancient world's largest paintings, the Dionysiac Frieze.
Travel by hydrofoil to the enchanting Isle of Capri, where images
of romantic grottoes along its jagged coast have been captured in
books and films for decades. As a special feature, spend two nights
on Capri to enjoy the pleasures of a less-crowded island after the
last ferry carrying "daytrippers" departs. Join this tour
for an elegant dinner this evening at Hotel Quisisana, a luxurious
historic resort. Meals BLD
Day 4. Isle of Capri Explore Capri's historic legacy and natural
beauty today. In AD 27 Rome's Emperor Tiberius retired to Capri
- and his private existence became the subject of speculation for
centuries. In the late 19th century Alex Munthe, an eccentric Swedish
doctor, set about exploring the ruins of Capri's Roman palaces and
villas, eventually building his beautiful villa San Michele atop
some of them. Visit his villa, located in the town of Anacapri,
before arriving a private villa overlooking the Tirrenian Sea to
enjoy a lecture on contemporary Italian society. Meals BL
Day 5. Naples / Archaeological Museum Depart mid-morning for the
mainland and one of Italy's most beautiful cities, Naples. The city
is large – Italy's third-largest – and sprawling. A
sightseeing tour shows you many of Naples' landmark sights including
the lovely Posillipo, a volcanic hill that runs along the Gulf of
Naples; the district of Santa Lucia, home to the unusually shaped
Castel dell' Ovo; magnificent Piazza del Plebiscito; Teatro San
Carlo, Italy's oldest and largest opera house; and Castel Nuovo,
built in the latter part of the 13th century – still in governmental
use today. Visit the renowned Museo Archeologico Nazionale, featuring
one of the world's most impressive collections of Greco-Roman artifacts.
Depart mid-day via the high speed Eurostar train for three-nights
in Rome. Meals BL
Day 6. Explore Rome For more than 2500 years the city of Rome has
played an intricate role on the stage of world events, from politics
to the arts. Sightseeing takes you on a journey through history,
viewing landmarks such as Piazza Barberini, showcasing Bernini's
sensual fountain; Palazzo del Quirinale; Piazza Colonna; Piazza
Venezia, featuring a monument commemorating Italian unification;
Trajan's Forum; San Pietro in Vincoli to view Michelangelo's statue
Moses; Imperial Palaces; the Circus Maximus; Temple of Vesta and
the Synogogue. Walk through the magnificent ancient ruins of the
Roman Forum and the Colosseum, "theatre" of Roman gladiators.
Spend the afternoon as you please; dinner this evening is in Trastevere,
the soul of Rome! Meals B
Day 7. Vatican / Rome at Leisure Your visit to the Vatican, and
its glorious art treasures, will be a highlight of your stay in
Rome. View the vast collection of art and antiquities in the Vatican
Museums; a guided tour takes you to the Candelabra Gallery, Map
Gallery and the Tapestries. Visit the Sistine Chapel, where Michelangelo's
breathtaking ceiling fresco depicting the history of the creation
overlooks masterpieces by Italy's greatest artists. Visit St. Peter's
Basilica, St. Peter's Square and an exclusive music museum for a
private recital. Return to your hotel midday for an afternoon at
leisure. Join us this evening for a farewell reception and dinner.
Meals BD
Day 8. Journey Home Tour ends: Rome's Leonardo da Vinci Airport
in Fiumicino three hours before the departure of our selected flight(s).
Persons departing at other times should secure their own transportation
to the airport. Meals B
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