DAY 1 – BOSTON~Naples: Depart Boston’s Logan International Airport on an overnight transatlantic flight to Naples (via intermediate city) with meal and beverage service, as well as stereo headsets, available in flight.
DAY 2–NAPLES~SORRENTO: “Benvenuti in Italia!” Upon arrival at the airport in Naples, we will meet our Tour Escort and transfer to the 4-star Hotel Cesare Augusto in Sorrento. Website: https://www.hotelcesareaugusto.com/. The remainder of the day is at our leisure to get acquainted with the hotel and our surroundings. We’ll have an orientation, with “welcome drink,” this evening at our hotel prior to dinner. (D)
DAY 3 – SORRENTO: After breakfast at our hotel, we will be hosted on a morning walk through the historical center of Sorrento, including a visit to the Museum of Correale which is situated in the 18th century palazzo at the east end of town. Then, we will be taken on a morning tour through the hillsides of Sorrento where wild roses and camellias surround us. We will visit La Sorgente, a picturesque agricultural farm belonging to the Marciano family, which is nestled in the Sorrentine hills with a fabulous view of the city of Naples. Sip on homemade wine, snack on crisp, tender Italian bread (topped with fresh tomato and a drizzle of olive oil) and sample the best homemade mozzarella one could imagine! We will experience a demonstration of making mozzarella the old-fashioned way. If people want to make their own pizza, we will have a pizza party! The afternoon is at leisure for optional tours. Dinner and overnight at our hotel (B, L, D)
DAY 4 – ISLE OF CAPRI: After breakfast, we will visit the beautiful Isle of Capri! Our full-day excursion includes a round-trip ferry ride, lunch on Capri, and a guided tour. The town of Capri is very chic with shops, hotels, and restaurants lying along winding streets. The main square, Piazza Umberto, has a pretty white church and several open-air cafés where we can sit and watch the world go by. We will also visit the Augustus Gardens and their magnificent view over the Faraglioni Rocks. Late-afternoon return to the Italian mainland and our hotel for dinner this evening. (B, L, D)
DAY 5– POSITANO& AMALFI: This morning we will visit the Amalfi coast, by boat. Departure from the port of Sorrento by ferry to Positano, Italy’s most spectacular and elegant seaside resort. Here, we view this terraced city with its pastel villas and scenic overlooks and walk along the narrow streets lined with galleries and boutique shops featuring hand-made clothing, sandals, handbags, perfumes, and works of art. We’ll enjoy some leisurely time for shopping and coffee before departing by ferry to Amalfi, the Maritime Republic where will enjoy lunch and an historic walking tour before returning to Sorrento by ferry. Dinner and overnight at our hotel. (B, L, D).
DAY 6– POMPEII~NAPLES: After breakfast, we will drive to Naples for a guided panoramic sightseeing city tour, including the most fascinating sites and highlights of the Parthenopean capital and we will also stop at Café Gambrinus for tasting the deliciousness “SFOGLIATELLA”. Then we continue to Pompeii. We’ll enjoy a light lunch in a local restaurant then we will meet our local guide to visit the lost city destroyed by the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 79 AD and, today, some of the best-preserved ruins of Roman times. Dinner and overnight in Sorrento. (B, L, D)
DAY 7– Caserta~Montecassino: After breakfast, we’ll drive to Caserta for a tour of the imposing Royal Palace (built by Charles IV to rival Versailles) and the magnificent grounds and gardens. After lunch, we are off to the famous hilltop Abbey of Montecassino, which was destroyed during one of the most brutal battles of WWII, and subsequently rebuilt in the 1950’s. Dinner and overnight back in Sorrento. (B, L, D)
DAY 8– SORRENTO: After breakfast, today is free for sightseeing on our own, shopping, or just relaxing! This evening, enjoy a “Farewell Dinner” in the heart of Sorrento, with live Neapolitan music and dancing. Overnight. (B,D)
DAY 9 – SORRENTO~Naples~BOSTON: After breakfast and hotel check-out, we will transfer to Naples Airport for our return flight to Boston (via intermediate city) with meal and beverage service while en route. (B)
