This vacation is ideal for exploring mainland Italy, the Isle of Capri, and Sicily. In Rome, Florence, and Venice, guided sightseeing highlight St. Peter’s, the Sistine Chapel, the Colosseum, Michelangelo’s David, St. Mark’s Basilica, Doges’ Palace, and the Bridge of Sighs. Stop in Ravenna to see the mosaics at the Basilica of St. Apollinaris in Classe and admire St. Francis’ Basilica in Assisi. After visiting the excavation of Pompeii, board the overnight ferry to Sicily. Here, visit Palermo’s Palatine Chapel and the Norman Cathedral in Monreale, the spectacular Valley of Temples, and the 4th-century Roman Villa of Casale. Ferry across the Strait of Messina to Calabria, then head north for two nights in Sorrento. An included visit to the Isle of Capri features a boat ride across the Bay of Naples and funicular ride to Capri village.
Itinerary
Day 1
(Sat.) Board your overnight transatlantic flight.
Day 2
Arrive in Rome, Italy. (Sun.) Time to rest or start exploring the “Eternal City.” At 6 pm, meet your Tour Director and traveling companions and leave the hotel for a special welcome dinner with wine at one of Rome’s lively restaurants. (D)
Day 3
Rome. (Mon.) Sightseeing with your Local Guide starts with a visit to the VATICAN MUSEUMS and SISTINE CHAPEL, world famous for Michelangelo’s ceiling paintings and The Last Judgement. Continue to monumental ST. PETER’S SQUARE and BASILICA. Cross the Tiber and visit the COLOSSEUM and the ROMAN FORUM, where Roman legions marched in triumph. Then, time for independent activities and exciting optional excursion possibilities. (B)
Day 4
Rome–Florence. (Tue.) A smooth drive past the Chianti hills takes you to Florence, capital of Tuscany and “Cradle of the Renaissance.” Afternoon at leisure to shop for Florentine leather goods and gold jewelry or to visit one of Florence’s many museums. (B)
Day 5
Florence–Venice. (Wed.) During your walking tour with a Local Guide, visit the ACADEMY OF FINE ARTS with Michelangelo’s celebrated David and magnificent CATHEDRAL. Admire Giotto’s Bell Tower, the Baptistry’s heavy bronze “Gate of Paradise,” and sculpture-studded SIGNORIA SQUARE. Then, head across the wooded Apennine Mountains to the northern tip of the Adriatic Sea. Tonight is your chance to sample Venetian fare. (B)
Day 6
Venice. (Thu.) Enter in style by PRIVATE BOAT to meet your Local Guide. Highlights of your walking tour are ST. MARK’S SQUARE and the byzantine BASILICA, lavish DOGES’ PALACE and the BRIDGE OF SIGHS. Also watch skilled GLASSBLOWERS fashion their delicate objects in an age-old traditional manner. Afterwards, enjoy Venice at your own pace or join an optional gondola ride. (B)
Day 7
Venice–Ravenna–Assisi. (Fri.) Along the coastline of the Adriatic Sea to Ravenna. Here, see the famous mosaics in the 6th-century BASILICA OF ST. APOLLINARIS IN CLASSE. In the afternoon, arrive in Assisi and visit the massive 13th-century lower BASILICA OF ST. FRANCIS built above the Saint’s grave. Time to enjoy the peaceful town at your own pace. (B,D)
Day 8
Assisi–Pompeii–Naples. Overnight Cruise to Palermo. (Sat.) Meet your Local Guide and enter POMPEII, the Roman city both destroyed and preserved by an eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 79 AD. See patrician houses, public baths, and commercial districts strikingly recalling day-to-day life when Rome was at the apex of her power. Tonight, board your FERRY in Naples for the overnight cruise to Sicily. (B))
Day 9
Palermo. (Sun.) After disembarkation, start your sightseeing with a Local Guide. Visit the ornate Piazza Bellini, the CATHEDRAL, and the Arab-Norman PALATINE CHAPEL in the Royal Palace. After lunch, drive up to Monreale for a panoramic view of the Conca d’Oro and a visit to the 12th-century NORMAN CATHEDRAL, famous for its 50,000 square feet of precious byzantine mosaics. Your first day in Sicily ends with a visit to the typical and picturesque village of Mondello before returning to Palermo. (B,D)
Day 10
Palermo–Marsala–Agrigento. (Mon.) Along the western coast of Sicily all the way down to the saltbeds, famous since Roman times. Near Marsala, stop to visit a SALT MILL. Then, continue to Agrigento, where your Local Guide will take you for a spectacular walk through the VALLEY OF TEMPLES. Even travelers who have visited Athens and Delphi are awed by the gigantic yet graceful Greek structures which miraculously survived 24 centuries of tormented history. (B,D)
Day 11
Agrigento–Taormina Area. (Tue.) This morning, focus on the 4th-century ROMAN VILLA OF CASALE near Piazza Armerina. Its colorful and perfectly preserved mosaics depict mythological themes and hunting scenes. Enjoy the scenic beauty and treasures of the island’s heart on your way to the Taormina area. (B)
Day 12
At Leisure in Taormina Area. (Wed.) In the morning you may wish to join the half-day optional excursion to Mount Etna. Afternoon is at leisure to relax or for individual activities. (B,D)
Day 13
Taormina Area–Sorrento. (Thu.) Today, board a FERRY and cross the Strait of Messina to land at the toe of the Italian boot in Calabria. Tonight, you are in the charming resort of Sorrento, delightfully situated on the Bay of Naples. (B)
Day 14
Sorrento. Excursion to Capri. (Fri.) Speed across the Bay of Naples by JETFOIL to the Isle of Capri, an ancient retreat for Roman emperors and renowned ever since that time for its beauty. Ride the FUNICULAR to Capri village for a guided visit of this pretty town. Free time to explore the little shops on the Piazzetta before returning to Sorrento. The remainder of the day is at leisure. (B)
Day 15
Sorrento. (Sat. to Wed.) Few locations in the world match the very special charm of Sorrento. A favorite with the international jet set, the resort on the Bay of Naples boasts an exquisite climate, beautiful beaches, trendy shops and boutiques, museums and galleries, and a vibrant nightlife. It’s all yours for five happy days. (B)
Day 16
Sorrento. (Sat. to Wed.) Few locations in the world match the very special charm of Sorrento. A favorite with the international jet set, the resort on the Bay of Naples boasts an exquisite climate, beautiful beaches, trendy shops and boutiques, museums and galleries, and a vibrant nightlife. It’s all yours for five happy days. (B)
Day 17
Sorrento. (Sat. to Wed.) Few locations in the world match the very special charm of Sorrento. A favorite with the international jet set, the resort on the Bay of Naples boasts an exquisite climate, beautiful beaches, trendy shops and boutiques, museums and galleries, and a vibrant nightlife. It’s all yours for five happy days. (B)
Day 18
Sorrento. (Sat. to Wed.) Few locations in the world match the very special charm of Sorrento. A favorite with the international jet set, the resort on the Bay of Naples boasts an exquisite climate, beautiful beaches, trendy shops and boutiques, museums and galleries, and a vibrant nightlife. It’s all yours for five happy days. (B)
Day 19
Sorrento. (Sat. to Wed.) Few locations in the world match the very special charm of Sorrento. A favorite with the international jet set, the resort on the Bay of Naples boasts an exquisite climate, beautiful beaches, trendy shops and boutiques, museums and galleries, and a vibrant nightlife. It’s all yours for five happy days. (B)
Day 20
Sorrento–Rome. (Thu.) Today you will be transferred back to Rome. (B)
Day 21
(Fri.) Your homebound flight arrives the same day. (B)
