2020 Taste of Italy with Sorrento - 10 Days / 9 Nights/ 15 Meals
Day 1: Venice & Welcome Dinner
Meet your tour director at 4:00 PM for a welcome reception, and take a one-hour orientation walk around the city known as the ‘Queen of the Adriatic.’ Spend a couple of hours exploring on your own before gathering again for an ample dinner with your fellow travelers. (D)
Day 2: The Sights of Venice & Gondola Ride
Take a guided walking tour of Venice, 'La Serenissima,' the most serene of cities, with its glorious architecture, and its charming bridges and canals. Visit the magnificent Doge's Palace and the acclaimed Piazza and Basilica of San Marco. Journey along the canals for a view of the city from a gondola - truly, an unforgettable experience. Delight in an evening of exploring and dinner on your own. (B)
Day 3: Venice & Florence
Take a private water taxi from your hotel to your coach and travel on to Florence. During your journey you’ll stop for free time and lunch on your own at the lively historic foodie city of Bologna. Arrive at your hotel outside Florence’s city center. Take a break, then depart for an orientation tour and enjoy some free time in this beautiful city, the capital of Tuscany, and the birthplace of the Renaissance. Enjoy a typical Tuscan dinner with your group at a local Florence restaurant.
(B,D)
Day 4: Florence Walking Tour & The Accademia Gallery
Take a walking tour of Florence and marvel at the sights of the city center such as the Duomo, Piazza Vecchio, and Piazza della Signoria. Visit the Accademia Gallery to see Michelangelo’s iconic sculpture of David. Savor a local lunch in the heart of Florence, where the sauce is handcrafted with locally-sourced tomatoes. After lunch you’ll have the rest of the day to explore this magnificent city at your leisure.
(B,L)
Day 5: Orvieto & Rome
They say that all roads lead to Rome, so you’re off to the Eternal City with a special and delicious stop in Orvieto for a local wine tasting. Take an optional walking tour to the heart of Rome to see the towering Trevi Fountain and the picturesque Spanish Steps, then spend the evening exploring and dining as you please. Your hotel tonight is in Rome’s historic center.
(B)
Day 6: Rome & The Vatican
See the historic Colosseum, the iconic structure of Imperial Rome, and the ruins of the forum, the ancient heart of the Roman Empire. Take a short break for lunch before your visit to the Vatican, with a privately guided tour of the Museums and entrance to the Sistine Chapel and St. Peter’s Basilica.* Then enjoy dinner with your group in a charming Roman neighborhood. (*Vatican availability may necessitate adjustments in itinerary timing.)
(B, D)
Day 7: Pompeii & Sorrento
Depart from Rome for the World Heritage site of Pompeii, a city frozen in time after a volcanic eruption in 79AD. Learn about the city’s rediscovery in 1748 and excavation on a guided tour of this archaeological treasure. Savor lunch at an authentic Neapolitan pizzeria before arriving at your hotel in Sorrento, a resort town popular since Roman times, now famous for stunning views of villas dotting the rocky cliffs along the coastline.
(B, L)
Day 8: Isle of Capri
This morning take a fast ferry across the Bay of Naples to the charming island of Capri. Enjoy the breathtaking sights of this picturesque island. Once there, you’ll have time to explore on your own. You may want to take a chair-lift to capture the natural wonder and views of the colorful waters from Anacapri. You may choose to explore the Roman ruins or opt for a spa treatment at a day spa -- or just take a leisurely stroll along the winding lanes while enjoying a gelato. The choice is yours. Return to Sorrento in the afternoon for an evening at leisure.
(B)
Day 9 Independent Exploration in Sorrento
The day is yours in Sorrento, a town popular with tourists since the days of the 19th-century Grand Tour. You might also choose to visit the nearby Amalfi Coast. You can stop to explore one of the scenic small towns along the coastal drive such as Positano, Amalfi, or Ravello. Or, you may choose to take a culinary class to learn how to make some of the region’s specialties. In the evening, enjoy a farewell dinner with your group.
(B, D)
Day 10: Tour Ends in Sorrento
Your tour ends after breakfast. Nearest international airport is Naples. (B)
Insider tip: You can book pre-nights in Venice or post-nights in Sorrento if you want to extend your vacation! We’ve negotiated special rates with our hotels to make booking extra nights easy and affordable.
B: Breakfast; L: Lunch; D: Dinner
All components of this tour (hotels, visits and attractions) for 2020 itineraries are subject to change until finalized in September 2019.
Authentic Local Experiences:
- Enjoy admission to the famed Accademia Gallery and marvel at Michelangelo’s masterpiece of sculpture, the David statue.
- Step into the grandeur of the Vatican Museums on our privately guided tour with entrance to the Sistine Chapel.
- Walk amid the ruins of Pompeii, an entire city where Mount Vesuvius still reins and ghosts still whisper.
- Take a fast-jet ferry to luxuriate on the isle of Capri.
Trip Highlights:
- Venice Gondola Ride
- Bologna
- Orvietto Wine Tasting
- Guided Tour of the Colosseum and Forum in Rome
- Vatican Museums with Sistine Chapel and St. Peter’s Basilica
- Pompeii
- Isle of Capri
Dining Experiences:
- 9 breakfasts (B) , 2 lunches (L)including an authentic Neapolitan pizza lunch, and 4 dinners (D) including a welcome dinner in Venice, traditional Tuscan fare in Florence, and a farewell dinner in Sorrento.
Hotels:
IT-VEN-HBO | Venice (2 nights)IT-TUS-SHO | Florence (2 nights)IT-ROM-TRI | Rome (2 nights)IT-RRO-CIH | Sorrento (3 nights)