TREASURES OF ITALY:
THE AMALFI COAST AND ROME
With an Optional Rome Extension
Air and Land 9 Days, 8 Nights Including Hotels, Meals, Day, and Trips. Airfare available from various gateways
Discover the absolute best of Italy on the stunning Amalfi Coast and Rome tour. Experience unforgettable sights and adventures while exploring colorful coastal villages, rocky coastlines, breathtaking views, and ancient sites. Observe in awe Positano, the villas of Ravello, the Isle of Capri, and warm and inviting people as you immerse yourself in the beauty of this Mediterranean paradise. Explore Salerno to learn about WWII landing sites, gaze at magnificent views of Mount Vesuvius, wander the streets of Pompeii, or simply take part in the art of “Dolce Far Niente” the sweet life of doing nothing!
In the capital, stroll along the cobblestone streets of Rome. Visit the Sistine Chapel and Vatican Museum. Take in the majesty of the Piazza Venezia and Roman Forum, and don’t forget the iconic Colosseum, a symbol of Rome’s past greatness. On this program, experience the Italian way of life, gastronomy, history, and the sybaritic pleasures of the land. Join us and fall in love with one of the world’s most beloved countries - Italy.
DESTINATION HIGHLIGHTS
Relaxed six nights stay in Sorrento • The Bay of Naples • The vibrant coastal town of Sorrento • Ravello • Positano • Amalfi
• The scenic Amalfi Coast road • Isle of Capri • Gardens of Augusta • Salerno • WWII landing sites • Enjoy southern Italian hospitality • Local woodworking • Bufala Cheese farm • Naples • Ancient Pompeii • Limoncello • Rome the Eternal City • Italian food • Vatican Museum • Sistine Chapel • Michelangelo’s works of art such as the Garden of Eden, the Creation of Eve, and the Creation of Man • Colosseum • Piazza Venezia • Roman Forum and much, much more.
MAIN PROGRAM INCLUDED FEATURES
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AIR TRANSPORTATION Air transportation from various gateways
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FIRST-CLASS ACCOMMODATIONS 7 nights first class hotels (6 nights Sorrento - 1 night Rome)
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MEALS 9 included meals consisting of 7 buffet breakfasts and 2 dinners
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THE PROGRAM Sightseeing, including local guide and all entrance fees as follows: Walking tour of Sorrento, Full day tour of Amalfi Coast - Positano, Amalfi and Ravello, and Tour of Pompeii. Optional tours available
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JOURNEY OF DISCOVERY Our program encompasses cultural connections, in-depth learning on the local economy and social systems, and interaction with locals such as learning about ornate inlaying woodcraft and Limoncello production
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PROFESSIONAL TOUR DIRECTOR Assistance of a professional Tour Director during tours and transfers
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FIRST-CLASS MOTORCOACHES Touring by private first- class air-conditioned motorcoach
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BAGGAGE HANDLING AND TRANSFERS Baggage handling for one piece of checked luggage outside of the airport
OPTIONAL EXTENSION TO ROME
INCLUDED FEATURES
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FIRST-CLASS ACCOMMODATIONS 2 nights first class hotels
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MEALS - 2 included meals consisting of 2 buffet breakfasts
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THE PROGRAM Sightseeing, including local guide and all entrance fees as follows: Full-day tour of Rome, including the Vatican Museums, Sistine Chapel, and the Colosseum
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PROFESSIONAL TOUR DIRECTOR Assistance of a professional Tour Director for the entire length of the tour
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FIRST CLASS MOTORCOACHES Touring by private first- class air-conditioned motorcoach
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BAGGAGE HANDLING AND TRANSFERS Baggage handling for one piece of checked luggage outside of the airport
Day 1 Leave the USA Set off on your overnight international trip to Rome. Meals and beverages are served on board.
Day 2 Arrive Rome, Italy – Sorrento Welcome to Italy, a land of art, culture, history, food, fashion, and the beautiful coastline of Amalfi. After clearing customs, you will be greeted by your tour director and transferred to your hotel in the seaside town of Sorrento, your home, for the next six nights. Sorrento is an ideal base location to explore the Amalfi Coast. Your home from home is a typical Italian town with shops selling local products and wares. The delightful climate attracted Roman aristocrats in ancient times, who came to the region to build magnificent villas. Enjoy your time today either with a quick rest or begin your exploration of the beautiful Amalfi Coast as you drink in the views across the Bay of Naples to Mount Vesuvius. This evening dinner is served at the hotel. (D)
Day 3 Sorrento - Walking Tour After breakfast, spend your morning exploring enchanting Sorrento on a guided walking tour! You’ll see historic sites like the Church of San Antonino and the Cloister of St. Frances, then take in stunning views of the Valley of the Mills and across the bay to Naples and Mount Vesuvius. Onwards gain insider information on local haunts as you browse artisan shops that line Sorrento’s narrow streets. Next, you’ll visit a regional woodworking workshop and learn the secrets behind ornate lacquer boxes. Then at a local family-run plant, learn about “Limoncello” production with a demonstration and tasting. This afternoon relax, take in the Italian way of life, and make magical memories during your stay on the Amalfi Coast! (B)
Day 4 Sorrento Spend the day in Sorrento or take an optional tour of the mysterious and magical Isle of Capri! Fantastic grottoes, soaring conical peaks, caverns great and small, plus villas of the emperors and thousands of legends brush Capri with an air of whispered mystery. Enjoy the view of the Blue Bay of Naples while riding the jetfoil to the destination. You will have free time to shop in Anacapri before continuing to Capri. Visit the Piazzetta, the Floral Gardens of Caesar Augustus, and walk down the narrow streets where extravagance is the norm. Enjoy free time for lunch at an open-air cafe before returning to the pier by funicular and boarding the jetfoil back to the mainland. Take advantage of this fantastic opportunity to explore the Isle of Capri! (B)
Day 5 Sorrento - Tour of the Amalfi Coast Discover the stunning beauty of the Amalfi Coast on an unforgettable full-day tour. Start your journey with a stop at the Belvedere, where you can admire the captivating Moorish architecture and take in the stunning views of pastel-colored houses. Then, head to Amalfi and see its narrow lanes lined with shops, café bars, and more. Next, visit the picturesque hillside town of Ravello and marvel at the Villa Rufolo, built in 1200 AD as a watchtower. During your tour, avail yourself of some free time to have lunch at a local restaurant. Finally, stop at Positano, where you can see the brightly colored “maiolica” dome of Santa Maria Assunta. While here, don’t miss the opportunity to stroll around the center of town and take in the unique atmosphere before returning to Sorrento. (B)
Day 6 Sorrento Spend the day at your leisure! Relax in the hotel spa, or venture to the nearby fishing town of Vico Equense to explore its charming streets, sip some Limoncello, and make the day yours. Alternatively, you can take an optional tour of Naples. On your guided walking tour, experience Naples’ top attractions, including the bustling Spaccanapoli promenade, the Royal Palace, and Teatro di San Carlo, the oldest opera house in Europe. As you stroll through the city center, your guide will share the rich history of the palaces, churches, and monuments. Conclude your tour with a delightful Italian cake at a local cafe in Piazza San Gaetano. In the afternoon, enjoy your free time shopping. (B)
Day 7 Sorrento Spend your last day in Sorrento shopping, enjoying a coffee at a local café bar, or join us for an optional tour of Salerno and a Buffalo Cheese farm. Your first stop is to visit the lively port town of Salerno to experience its rich history, from the advanced medical school of medieval times to its significance as the site of the Allied landing in 1942. Enjoy a stop at a “Mozzarella di Bufala” factory to learn about the Mozzarella making process and sample some of it. This will be the best Mozzarella you have ever tasted! This evening join us for a farewell dinner. (B,D)
Day 8 Sorrento - Tour of Pompeii - Rome Today, you are invited to explore the captivating beauty of Italy’s Eternal City, Rome! Along the way, you will be able to experience the unique ruins of Pompeii, Europe’s most fascinating archaeological site. Discovered after being buried beneath the volcanic dust from Mount Vesuvius in 79 AD, you can explore the Forum, the thermal baths, Lupanare, and Vetti’s House. When you arrive in Rome, you will be mesmerized by the sights and sounds of the renowned capital city, with its Roman ruins, impressive architecture, Imperial temples to early Christian churches, and inviting piazzas. To complete your Italian experience, why not enjoy a delicious dinner at a local restaurant? (B)
Day 9 Rome to the USA or extend your stay with an optional Rome extension After breakfast, you will be transferred to the airport for your return flight to the USA. Arrivederci! (B)
OPTIONAL ROME EXTENSION
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Day 9 Rome - City Tour This morning you experience a tour of the priceless collection of art and treasures in the Sistine Chapel and Vatican Museum. Founded by Pope Julius II in the early 16th century and enlarged by successive pontiffs, the Vatican Museums boast one of the world’s greatest art collections. Exhibits, which are displayed along about 4 miles of halls and corridors, range from Egyptian mummies and Etruscan bronzes to ancient busts, old masters, and modern paintings. Onwards you arrive at the Sistine Chapel, home of two of the world’s most famous works of art Michelangelo’s ceiling frescoes (1508–12) and his Giudizio Universale the Last Judgment. Michelangelo’s ceiling design covers the entire 8611-sq-ft surface. See other masterpieces such as the Original Sin and Banishment from the Garden of Eden famously depicting Adam and Eve after accepting the forbidden fruit from Satan, and the Creation of Eve and the Creation of Man. Then proceed to the Piazza Venezia and Roman Forum, with a stop at the Colosseum, a testament to the greatness of Rome’s past. Your full-day tour concludes by viewing the Arch of Constantine, Circus Maximus, and the Great Synagogue. (B)
Day 10 Rome Today enjoy a full day at leisure to enjoy the Eternal City and experience Rome’s exquisite beauty and fascinating culture! Explore Roman ruins, awe-inspiring architecture, Imperial temples, and medieval bell towers, all while marveling at the baroque basilicas. There’s much to see, from the majestic Trevi Fountain to the stunning Spanish Steps. Shop for unique souvenirs in the lively piazzas, and then maybe join your fellow travelers for a traditional dinner in a local restaurant to conclude your Italian stay. Make this day entirely yours and immerse yourself in the Roman culture! (B)
Day 11 Rome to the USA After breakfast, you will be transferred to the airport for your return flight to the USA, with memories of the eternal city of Rome and the Amalfi Coast. (B)
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(B) - Breakfast, (L) - Lunch, (D) - Dinner.
Hotel (when listed) and Itinerary are subject to change. Quest Voyager reserves the right to make corrections or adjustments to the travel program as necessary.