Monday: ROME
- Arrival at Rome airport/railway station. Group transfer to the hotel in Rome. Overnight at the hotel.
Tuesday: COLOSSEUM, ROMAN FORUM AND PALATINE HILL (INCLUDED)
- Breakfast at the hotel before starting a day of exploration. Today you will visit the COLOSSEUM, the ROMAN FORUM and PALATINE HILL. Transfer to the meeting point is included, where you will meet the guide, receive the headsets and have access to the Colosseum without having to queue. Inside the Flavian Amphitheatre, you will walk in the same places where the ancient Romans gathered to attend various events, such as gladiator fights and animal hunts. You will also learn how the Romans spent their free time. Afterwards, you will explore Palatine Hill, the birthplace of Rome and the ancient residence of the Roman emperors, which offers spectacular views. Then you will visit the Roman Forum, the bustling center of life in ancient Rome, where well-preserved ruins from that era can still be seen. Overnight at the hotel.
*For Colosseum bookings, it is mandatory to provide the date of birth of each guest.
Wednesday: VATICAN MUSEUMS (OPTIONAL)
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Breakfast at the hotel. Today you have the freedom to explore Rome on your own or, if you prefer, you can book an OPTIONAL excursion to the Vatican Museums and St. Peter's Basilica. In this case, you will enjoy a guided tour with an expert guide, skipping the line with a fast-track admission ticket to the Vatican Complex.
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Optional excursion: VATICAN MUSEUMS with guide. Optional shared transfer (group) from the hotel to the meeting point.
After meeting the guide, you will be provided with headsets and escorted to the entrance of the Vatican Museums. You will visit the gallery, admiring the main points of interest you have heard about, such as the Gallery of Maps, the Gallery of Tapestries and the Borgia Apartments. The guide will provide information about the Raphael Rooms and their extraordinary frescoes, including the School of Athens. Afterwards, you will be taken to the Sistine Chapel, whose ceiling is considered one of the fundamental works of Renaissance art. The visit would not be complete without a stop at St. Peter's Basilica, the largest church in the world, which houses masterpieces such as the baldachin designed by Gian Lorenzo Bernini and Michelangelo's Pietà. To conclude the tour, you will be able to admire the majestic St. Peter's Square, an open space redesigned by Gian Lorenzo Bernini, considered an architectural masterpiece of the Baroque era. The afternoon is free.
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In the afternoon, we suggest a walk that starts with a visit to the Villa Borghese parks and reaches the Pincio viewpoint, which offers a fantastic view of Rome. After a photo stop, continue towards Piazza del Popolo and Via Margutta (famous for being one of the locations of the film 'Roman Holiday' with Gregory Peck and Audrey Hepburn), then continue towards Piazza di Spagna until you reach the Trevi Fountain. It is worth visiting the Colonna Gallery, as well as the inner courtyard of the Galleria Sciarra, the Church of Sant'Ignazio, the Elephant Obelisk in Piazza della Minerva and the Pantheon. Next to the Pantheon, the Giolitti family has been producing artisanal gelato for three generations and it is highly recommended to try it. Afterwards, head to Piazza Navona, famous for Bernini's fountain, and Ponte Sant'Angelo, decorated with 10 statues of angels pointing the way to Castel Sant'Angelo. Finally, walk along Via della Conciliazione to the majestic and immense St. Peter's Square. Overnight at the hotel.
*For Vatican Museums bookings, it is mandatory to provide the date of birth of each guest.
Thursday: TRAIN TO NAPLES - POMPEII (OPTIONAL)
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Breakfast at the hotel. Shared transfer (group) to the railway station for departure by train to Naples. Transfer to the hotel in the Sorrento area; optional excursion to Pompeii or free afternoon.
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Optional excursion: Pompeii. Don't miss the opportunity to visit the famous archaeological site of Pompeii with entrance ticket included to enter the ruins! Pompeii was buried under a torrent of lava and mud during the eruption of Vesuvius and remained hidden until excavations began in the 18th century... many treasures are still waiting to be brought to light. Walk along the ancient “cardines” and “decumani” and explore the remains of the prosperous Romans. Overnight in the Sorrento area.
Friday: POSITANO AND AMALFI (INCLUDED)
- Breakfast at the hotel. Today you will spend the day on the Amalfi Coast, one of the most spectacular coastlines in Europe. You will be picked up at the hotel by a minivan and enjoy the Amalfi Coast, probably the most beautiful and exciting road in the world. The driver will provide general information during the trip, including how to spend free time at each of the 3 scheduled stops:
Positano is a true paradise, developed vertically within an intricate web of streets, alleys and shops displaying the colorful Positano fashion known all over the world. In the center of the town stands the Parish Church of Santa Maria Assunta, with its large majolica-clad dome and which houses some precious works such as the polychrome marble altars. It is wonderful to get lost in Positano. To fully appreciate the beauty of the town, it is perhaps best to wander without a fixed destination; you can enjoy the streets, shops, restaurants, monuments, churches and beaches.
Amalfi, a picturesque labyrinth of alleys and stairways overlooking the sea with all its extraordinary colors reflecting the enchanting landscape of Amalfi, the town that gives its name to the entire coast. Dominated by the majestic Cathedral dedicated to Saint Andrew, Amalfi offers countless witnesses to its glorious past as a Maritime Republic.
Ravello, another jewel of the coast, is an elegant and refined village, surrounded by greenery and characterized by luxurious villas. Ravello is world-famous for its Festival, which takes place in the garden of Villa Rufolo, where the evocative setting and the emotion of listening to great music create an experience of extraordinary intensity. The heart of Ravello is Piazza Vescovado, framed by the architecture of Palazzo Rufolo and the Cathedral with its magnificent portal (the first ever made with this innovative casting technique) and the 10-meter-high bell tower. Dinner and overnight.
Saturday: CAPRI (OPTIONAL)
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Breakfast at the hotel. Today you have the freedom to visit Sorrento on your own or, if you prefer, you can book an OPTIONAL boat excursion to Capri.
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Optional excursion: CAPRI BOAT CLASSIC. Today you will enjoy a full-day excursion to Capri. No holiday in Sorrento would be complete without a trip to the enchanting Island of Capri. Sail across the Gulf of Naples to begin an unforgettable day.
Pick-up at the hotel, transfer to the port and departure for Capri, sailing along the Sorrento Coast. On board our comfortable boats, we offer you an unforgettable and personalized trip to discover the beautiful island of Capri. Your English-speaking captain will provide general information during the trip, including how to spend free time on the Island of Capri. Along the way, you will admire: the ancient fishing village of “Marina Grande”, the ruins of a Roman villa near the “Baths of Queen Giovanna” and its interesting coastal attractions. Arrival in Capri and island tour (weather permitting) by boat with the possibility of admiring the Wonderful Grotto, the White Grotto, the Green Grotto; along the way, you will see the Natural Arch, Villa Curzio Malaparte, the Faraglioni and the Punta Carena Lighthouse. Disembarkation at Marina Grande in Capri with 5/6 hours of free time to visit the island. Dinner and overnight.
Sunday: DEPARTURE TO THE TAORMINA AREA
- Breakfast at the hotel, group transfer to the railway station and departure for Taormina. Transfer to the hotel in the Taormina area. Dinner and overnight.
Monday: ETNA (INCLUDED) & TAORMINA WALKING TOUR (OPTIONAL)
- Breakfast at the hotel and departure with the tour escort to Mount Etna, Sicily's highest peak and Europe's most active volcano. The area surrounding the volcano forms the “Etna Park”, one of the largest protected areas in Italy. You will be amazed by the great variety of vegetation and landscapes encountered along the way before arriving at the “Silvestri Craters” (about 1,900 m). From here, you have the option of a jeep and cable car excursion (supplement). After tasting some local Sicilian specialties, return to the hotel.
- Alternatively, you can choose to take a walking tour of Taormina on your own (or with a guide, minimum 12 people) to discover the extraordinary town, listening to stories about the history and evolution of Sicilian culture. You will pass by splendid ancient buildings, including the 15th-century Palazzo Corvaja and an ancient Greco-Roman theatre, the second largest classical theatre in Sicily (entry not included). You will discover the medieval area of the town with its narrow streets and historic shops. Overnight at the hotel.
Tuesday: SYRACUSE (INCLUDED)
- Breakfast at the hotel and departure for Syracuse, one of the island's most interesting archaeological sites with its Archaeological Park, Roman Amphitheatre, Greek Theatre, Ear of Dionysius, Rope Makers' Cave, Ortigia Island, the oldest part of the town with its beautiful cathedral. Entrance tickets are not included. Return to the hotel in the late afternoon. Dinner and overnight.
Wednesday: DEPARTURE
- Breakfast at the hotel, group transfer to Catania airport and end of our services, or possibility to continue to Palermo or Naples/Rome (on request).
- Group transfer from Rome Fiumicino airport/train station to the hotel and vice versa, with a maximum waiting time of 40 minutes (airport) and 20 minutes (train station)
- 3 nights BB in a 4-star hotel in Rome
- 3 nights HB in a 4-star hotel in the Sorrento area
- 3 nights BB in a 4-star hotel in the Taormina area
- 1 excursion to the COLOSSEUM, ROMAN FORUM AND PALATINE HILL with guide + entrance ticket and one-way transfer from the hotel. If the guest wishes to change the Colosseum excursion to an excursion to the Vatican Museums, it will be possible with a supplement of €50 per person.
- 1 excursion “Positano & Amalfi”
- Shared transfer (group) from the hotel in Rome to Rome railway station
- Train/bus from Rome to Naples railway station
- Shared transfer from Naples station to the hotel in the Sorrento area
- Train from Naples to Taormina
- Shared transfer from Taormina railway station to the hotel in the Taormina area
- 1 excursion “Etna”
- 1 excursion “Syracuse”
- Multilingual local guide (English, German; other languages on request)
(*) For organizational reasons and/or any closures, the order of the visits may be changed, while respecting what is indicated in the program.
- On request, it is possible to have a pre/post tour
Optional transfers (min. 2 pax):
- From the hotel to the meeting point of the "Vatican Museums" excursion € 35 per person one way
Optional excursions:
- Vatican Museums with entrance ticket and audio guide from € 40.00 per person (*)
- Vatican Museums and St. Peter's Basilica with entrance ticket and guide from € 120.00 per person (*)
- Capri € 90.00 per person (*) Transfer included
- Pompeii € 85.00 per person
- Taormina walking tour with guide € 29.00 per person (min. 10 people)
(*) It is recommended to book optional excursions at the time of booking.
- Rome: Hotel Pineta Palace or similar (*)
- Sorrento Area: Panorama Palace Hotel or similar (*)
- Taormina Area: Antares Complex or similar (*)
(*) The indicated hotels may be replaced with others of the same category. The accommodations are located in the indicated cities or in different cities where the program can be carried out.
