ITINERARY  ITALY

Day 1 - Depart UK Airport to arrive Rome Airport. Courier Assisited transfer by coach to Tivoli for Villa d’Este (originally a Benedictine Convent and then the Governor’s Palace before being renovated by the Papal Aspirant son of Lucrezia Borgia) and Hadrian’s Villa. Check in Rome Hotel. After Dinner, an escorted evening Walking Tour to the Pantheon, Trevi Fountain, Piazza di Spagna (Spanish Steps), Pantheon, Piazza del Popolo and Piazza Navona.

Day 2 – Free Day in Rome to visit  many historical sights including the Colosseo, S. Clemente (and Mithreum), Palatine Hill, Roman Forum, Capitoline Museums, Theatre of Marcellus and Jewish Ghetto. Dinner in a Central Restaurant and a visit to the Time Elevator - a 4D, 45 minute action-packed ride with special effects, bringing 3,000 years of Roman history to life. Return to Hotel.

Day 3 –  Full Day Courier Escorted Coach Excursion to the Etruscan Towns, Necropoli and Museums of Tarquinia and Cerveteri. Lunch at Beach Restaurant. Return to Hotel for Dinner. Evening at Leisure.

Day 4 – Final Day in Rome to visit St Peters’ Basilica and the Vatican Museum, Circus Maximus and Baths of Caracalla. Late afternoon  

Coach Transfer to Sorrento for Hotel and Dinner. Sorrento (old name “Surrentum") is perhaps linked with Homer’s legend of the Sirens. The town  is constructed on grey tufa stone and overlooks Marina Grande, the original Greek harbour – now a pretty fishing port approached through a Roman Monumental Arch on Greek Foundations.

Day 5 – Full Day Coach Excursion to Pompeii, (home of Caecilius!) preserved  as it would have been when it was buried in the thick layer of ash and lava, which poured down from the devastating eruption of Vesuvius in 79A.D.  From the peak of Mount Vesuvius (still an active volcano) can be seen not only steaming fumaroles, but also a fabulous view that embraces the island of Capri and Ischia, the mountains of the Abruzzo and the beach where Pliny the Elder died. Return to Hotel for Dinner. Evening at leisure.

Day 6 – Full Day Excursion to Capri by ferry or hydrofoil. Funicular or minibus to Capri town and steeply stepped walk to the Villa of Tiberius. Continue to Ana Capri and the Romanesque Villa Museum San Michelle, to enjoy the view and speculate on the differences between the original and replica statuary. Return to Sorrento for Hotel and Dinner. Evening at leisure.

Day 7 – Full Day Coach Excursion to Herculaneum, Solafatara and Pozzuoli. Herculaneum, originally a rich seaside resort, was also destroyed in 79 A.D. The small archaeological Site has been sympathetically excavated to preserve the atmosphere of a once vibrant community tragically (and in the case of the sheltering inhabitants,  literally) frozen in time. Solfatara, the youngest volcano of the Phlegrean Fields, contains in its centre, mud bubbles and hot springs, which constantly emit large clouds of steam. The small Spa Town of Pozzuoli, on the waters edge, is home to many Roman Remains including the small Flavian Amphitheatre, beneath which are the well preserved animal cages, corridors and trap doors. Return to Hotel for Dinner. Evening at Tarantella Show – an evening of traditional music, folk songs and dance, tracing the history of modern Italy.

Day 8 – Full Day Coach Excursion to the picturesque Amalfi Coast,  stopping at the Mediaeval town of Amalfi and also the cluster of Greek Temples and Roman housing at verdant Paestum. The Museum contains quite extraordinary Greek Tomb Paintings. Return to Hotel for Dinner. Evening at leisure.

Day 9 – Coach Transfer to the Villa at Oplontis before visiting Naples for the National Archaeological Museum (repository of Pompeii and Herculaneum artefacts) and shopping areas. Onwards to Naples Airport for Return flight to UK Airport.