ItalyTourTravel

A Week in Rome and the Amalfi Coast

Romantic, enchanting, charming, and delightful, all descriptions of Italy's Amalfi Coast and the beautiful islands of the Bay of Naples. Explore colorful coastal towns and intriguing ancient ruins during a 2-night stay in Positano, high atop the Amalfi Coast; luxuriate on the Isle of Capri for two nights; and delve into Rome's rich legacy of history on a 3-night stay in one of the world's most fascinating cities.

Tour Itinerary

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 two 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

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 the 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 splendid gardens; former residents include popes and composer Richard Wagner. Meals BL

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, & Teatro Piccolo; Tempio di Iside, dedicated to the Egyptian goddess Isis; & Villa dei Misteri, featuring one of the ancient world's largest paintings, the Dionysiac Frieze. Intricate details of craftsmanship that have survived include mosaics, murals and frescoes. 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 the "daytrippers" departs. Join us for an elegant dinner this evening at Hotel Quisisana, a luxurious historic resort. Meals BLD

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 your arrival at a private villa overlooking the Tirrenian Sea; enjoy a lecture on contemporary Italian society. Meals BL

5. Naples / Archaeological Museum
Depart this morning for the mainland and one of Italy's most beautiful cities, Naples. The city is large - it is 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 and 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

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, once the "theatre" of Roman gladiators. Spend the remainder of the day as you please. Meals B

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 ceiling fresco depicting the history of the creation overlooks Italian art masterpieces. 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 tonight for a farewell reception and dinner in Trastevere. Meals BD

8. Journey Home
Tour ends: Rome's Leonardo da Vinci Airport in Fiumicino 2 1/2 hours before the departure of our selected flight(s). Persons departing at other times should secure their own transportation to the airport. Meals B

	8 Days / 7 Nights Begins Rome Apr 13, 27 May 11, 25 Jun 8, 29 Sep 7, 14, 21, 28 Oct 5, 19 Additional dates may become available as these sell out.

Price Per Person: Twin $2530 Single $3237 Triple $2404 15 Meals Included. Transatlantic air is additional. Special Airfares - Tour operator offers special fares in coach or business class on select carriers departing various cities the evening prior to departure dates listed above (subject to availability). Persons taking these flights will be met at Rome's Leonardo da Vinci Airport in Fiumicino. Persons arriving on other flights may have to use local transportation to the first night's hotel. Note - When two tours depart on the same date, one tour visits the Isle of Capri on Days 1 and 2 followed by Positano on Days 3 and 4. Sightseeing is identical for each itinerary.

	Night 1,2* Hotel Le Agavi Positano, Italy Night 3,4 Grand Hotel Quisisana Capri, Italy Night 5,6,7 Hotel Splendide Royal** Rome, Italy *Tour of May 11 may stay at an alternate hotel. **Some departures will stay at a sister hotel, Grand Hotel Parco dei Principi in Rome.