Italy—Sorrento & Orvieto

Dates: April 24 – May 5, 2008

Day 1 - Departure
Depart gateway city for Naples, Italy. (Flight provided for Air-Inclusive participants only.)

Day 2 - Naples/Sorrento
Upon arrival, transfer to the Grand Hotel Flora in Sorrento. (Transfer provided for Air-Inclusive participants only.) After settling in, join a walking tour of some of the town's sights, including the Piazza Tasso, Basilica di Sant' Antonino and Correale di Terranova Museum. This evening, gather for a Welcome Reception and Dinner at the hotel.

Day 3 - The Amalfi Coast
Today we’ll travel along the picturesque Amalfi Coast, which has attracted Italy's visitors for centuries. A highlight of our day will be a visit to unique Positano, with its celebrated vertical cityscape that has inspired many artists and writers. The town offers a variety of sights in addition to its unique architecture, including the ruins of a Roman villa, beaches of volcanic sand, and the cave of La Porta, where Palaeolithic Era remains have been found.

Day 4 - Pompeii
Our destination this morning is ancient Pompeii, buried in the A.D. 79 eruption of Mount Vesuvius. When excavations began on the site in the 18th century, an almost perfectly preserved town was discovered, providing unique insights into the daily life of the city. Popular sights in Pompeii include the Forum, the House of the Vettii, the Temples of Apollo and of Jupiter, and the Basilica.

The afternoon is free for independent exploration.

Day 5 - Capri
Today we'll spend a day on "the Blue Isle" of Capri, with its terraced hillsides and charming squares. Visit the renowned Blue Grotto, the remnants of Villa Jovis, built in the first century, or take a tour around the island by boat. We will lunch at a restaurant in Anacapri with marvelous views of the sea.

Day 6 – Sorrento
Today is free for independent exploration. Visit one of the many museums, take a stroll by the sea, or perhaps wander the winding streets and absorb the atmosphere of the town.

Day 7 - Sorrento/Orvieto
After breakfast we will transfer to the Grand Hotel Italia in Orvieto, stopping en route at a countryside vineyard for lunch and a wine tasting.

Day 8 - Orvieto
A tour of Orvieto offers a chance to admire the splendid views commanded by the city as it perches atop its plateau. The Piazza del Duomo is the heart of the city, with the gothic Duomo at its edge; the 13th century Torre del Moro, the town's highest vantage point, offers the best views of the city's skyline. Chef Lorenzo Polegri will take us on a special tour of the town's famous food market, and offer a cooking demonstration later in the day.

Day 9 - Florence
Florence, capital of Tuscany, contains a wealth of art, architecture, and atmosphere. We'll begin with a tour of the city's landmarks, including Il Duomo and the Basilica di Santa Croce, as well as the picturesque Ponte Vecchio. In the afternoon, take advantage of free time to revisit favorite sites, or discover new treasures.

Day 10 - Perugia & Assisi
We’ll divide today between two intriguing walled cities: Perugia and Assisi. We begin with Perugia, an ancient Etruscan city-state, where we will visit the Fontana Maggiore, the beautiful "main fountain," and the impressive Prior's Palace. Next we'll journey to medieval Assisi, birthplace of St. Francis, on the slopes of Mount Subasio, to visit sites including the Basilica of St. Francis.

Day 11 - Orvieto
Take advantage of a full day at leisure to explore Orvieto in more detail, or simply relax and enjoy the atmosphere. Tonight, attend a farewell reception and dinner.

Day 12 - Return Home
Transfer to the Rome airport for the return flight home. (Transfer and flight provided for Air-Inclusive participants only.)

This itinerary is preliminary and subject to change. An updated itinerary will be sent with final documents.

Back to 2008 destination list