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       THE SWEET LIFE:  ROME & SORRENTO

THE SWEET LIFE - ROME & SORRENTO ITINERARY:

Day 1 – Ciao bella Rome
Tour begins: 6:30 PM at Grand Hotel Parco dei Principi. The sweet life begins with an included transfer from Rome’s Leonardo da Vinci Airport in Fiumicino to the five-star Grand Hotel Parco dei Principi, located in the heart of Rome near the Borghese Gardens. Your week begins with a welcome reception and dinner this evening. Meals D

Day 2 – Meet a gladiator and make a wish
Visit the famous Colosseum, “entertainment central” in ancient Rome. 55,000 thrill-seeking Roman citizens could all find seats to watch Gladiators battle, chariots race, and even ships engage in mock sea battles. Don’t be surprised if a Gladiator turns up in a family portrait – your tour really brings the Colosseum to life! A walking tour visits Piazza Navona, the Spanish Steps and Trevi Fountain. Legend has it that if you turn your back, throw a coin into the fountain over your shoulder and wish for it hard enough, you’ll return to Rome someday. Visit the Gothic Santa Maria sopra Minerva Basilica and the Church of St. Ignatius, which was once the chapel for the Roman College (and its “school auditorium”) – today it is the site of important concerts. Before you say good night, we’re taking you on a wonderful tour of the city; the lampposts are lit, the fountains illuminated and a beautiful warm glow envelops the remaining traces of an ancient world. Meals B

Day 3 – The amazing treasures of Vatican City
When you visit the Vatican today, you may be surprised to find out that you are no longer in Italy! Yes, it’s the home of the Pope and the center of the Catholic Church – but when you’re in Vatican City, you are not in Italy any more – it’s a separate nation. You’ll see great art in the Vatican Museums, displayed in palaces that were originally built for wealthy popes during the Renaissance. See Michelangelo’s frescoed ceiling of the Sistine Chapel; Basilica of St. Peter; and St. Peter’s Square. Vatican City has its own postal service, radio station, stores, libraries, burial places, a diplomatic corps, and army – the Swiss Guards. Meals B

Day 4 – Enter the time capsule of Pompeii
Travel from Rome to Naples through the Italian countryside by the fast TAV train, and then it’s on to Pompeii. On August 24th in 79 AD, mighty Mount Vesuvius erupted, burying Pompeii and everyone who lived there under tons of hot ash and pumice. The city entirely disappeared until 1748, when it was accidentally “discovered,” and excavations began. As you walk the streets of Pompeii today and visit some of its buildings, you’ll be able to clearly imagine what life was like in the first century. You’re then off to Sorrento, where a walking tour of the city will reveal why the song Come Back to Sorrento is such a favorite for people who have been here before. Your room at the Hilton Sorrento Palace overlooks the sparkling Gulf of Naples and the unmistakable sight of Mount Vesuvius. Meals BLD

Day 5 – Ride in a convertible on the Isle of Capri
From Sorrento, take a trip across the Gulf of Naples by jet foil to the enchanting Isle of Capri. Once there, board a private, smaller boat to explore Capri’s rugged coast; see the famous Blue Grotto and the amazing Faraglioni rocks. After lunch in the town of Capri, and some time to yourself, your family joins the international jet set! Take a fabulous ride in a private convertible along the cliffs of the Anacapri road and back to Capri’s pier. Return by jet foil to Sorrento, where the rest of the day and the evening are free to explore on your own. Meals BL

Day 6 – A private cruise and a special evening
You’re in for a treat today as you drive along the awesome Amalfi Coast on a road that rises, falls, twists and turns like a roller coaster – looking way down to the water far below will take your breath away. In Positano, which clings tightly to the cliffs above the Mediterranean Sea, take a walking tour before boarding a private boat for a cruise to Amalfi, where you’ll get a completely different view of the coast. If the weather cooperates, there may be an opportunity for a swim at a “hidden beach” before lunch. A walking tour of the lovely medieval town of Amalfi, along its labyrinth of winding streets, includes the Cathedral of Saint Andrew. They’ve been making paper in Amalfi since the 12th century – today you’ll visit a paper mill and learn how to make paper at a paper factory. After returning to Sorrento, you’re off for a visit to a family-run countryside farm to learn how cheese and other local products are made. You’ll also learn about one of the uses for this cheese when a local chef teaches you how to make your own pizza at our special farewell dinner! During the meal, discover the magic of Neapolitan music. Naples has played an important role in Italy’s musical traditions, from popular songs like O Sole Mio to classical music and folk music. Local folk traditions inspired this folk music – and lead you and your family to a lesson in how to dance the rhythmic (and energetic!) Tarantella. Spend a perfect evening sharing your memories of the “sweet life” you found in southern Italy! Meals BLD

Day 7 – Journey home
Tour ends: Sorrento. Fly home anytime. A transfer is included from Hilton Sorrento Palace to Naples Airport. Allow a minimum of 2 1⁄2 hours for flight check-in. Meals B

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