2008 Tours:
Tour
Description | What's
Included | Itinerary
Alluring Amalfi Coast Tour Itinerary
Autumn 2009| $4399 per person
Day 0: Depart USA
Remember, you'll arrive in Europe the day after you depart
the USA. You may want to consider arriving a day or two
prior to the tour, or stay a day or two at the end of
the tour to enjoy more time on your own in the area,
or to visit another region.
Day 1 Wednesday: Welcome to the Isle of Capri
You'll be greeted at Naples Airport or Train Station by
our friendly Dream Italia concierge to get acquainted
and drive by private coach a short distance to the Port
of Naples, where we will take the public ferry to the
Island of Capri and our hotel. Time to unpack and settle
in. Tonight we will enjoy a welcome dinner together with
your tour concierge and perhaps enjoy a stroll around
the center of Capri at night.
Walking: light to moderate Meals
Provided: D
Day 2 Thursday: Private boat around Capri
This morning we will meet our local guide and board our
private boat for a half day tour around the island, seeing
the lovely villas along the coastline, and a stop at
the famed Blue Grotto. If we are lucky we may have the
possibility to take a swim, and we will enjoy a picnic
lunch aboard the boat. After lunch we'll return to the
hotel where you can freshen up. You will have free time
in the afternoon to shop or visit some of the interesting
points in Capri. Free time tonight for dinner at your
leisure.
Walking: light to moderate Meals
Provided: B & L
Day 3 Friday: Free day - Island of Ischia or Capri Today
is a free day to enjoy your favorite activities on the
island such as enjoying the pebble beach, shopping, or
visiting Anacapri. For those who want to visit the neighboring
island of Ischia, famous for its thermal springs and spas,
our tour concierge will take you to visit this intriguing
island and at your option, you have the possibility to
enjoy a relaxing spa treatment. Or you can take an afternoon
nature hike on Capri, a challenging but rewarding hike
along a ridge overlooking the sea. We will regroup at the
end of the day for dinner at a local trattoria and a recounting
of the adventures of the day.
Walking: moderate to strenuous Meals
Provided: B & D
Day 4 Saturday: Pompeii, Mt. Vesuvius, Sorrento
We will bid farewell to Capri and move our base to Positano,
the heart of the mainland Amalfi Coast. But first we
will explore the interesting and culturally rich areas
of Pompeii, Mt. Vesuvius and Sorrento. We'll take an
early ferry to Naples Port where we will board our private
coach waiting to take us to the ancient ruins of Pompeii.
Our expert local guide will also take us into areas of
the preserved city that are not open to the public. We
will then go for lunch halfway to the summit of Mt. Vesuvius
offering breathtaking views over the entire Bay of Naples,
including the islands of Ischia, Procida and Capri. After
lunch we will proceed down the Sorrento Peninsula and
stop in Sorrento for some free time to explore this lovely
town positioned on a sheer cliff above it's marina. Explore
the narrow streets of the old town famous for coral and
cameo jewelry, Pulcinella figurines and handcrafted inlaid
wood. We will proceed to our final destination, Positano,
in time to settle into our hotel, and have dinner at
your leisure in one of the many nearby trattorias.
Walking: moderate Meals
Provided: B & L
Day 5 Sunday: Free day Positano
Positano is today one of the most exclusive of Mediterranean
resorts, although its beauty and charm were beloved even
by the ancient Romans. The pastel houses dot the hillsides
as if in a dream, the flower bedecked narrow streets
are built in steps that wander past boutiques and cafes.
The pebble beach is used for sunbathing, by fishing boats
and is lined with restaurants and bars. What was once
a remote and inaccessible fishing village is today an
elite resort. What John Steinbeck famously wrote in 1953,
still holds true today; "Positano bites deep. It is a
dream place that isn't quite real when you are there
and becomes beckoningly real after you have gone." Today
you have a free day to enjoy the beach, the shopping,
lunch at your leisure, and explore the many walks around
the atmospheric heart of Positano. We will regroup for
dinner tonight with our tour concierge.
Walking: moderate Meals
Provided: B & D
Day 6 Monday: Amalfi
This morning we will go by ferry to Amalfi, whose glorious
history as a powerful maritime republic once rivaled
the ports of Venice, Pisa and Genoa. The short ferry
ride offers spectacular views of the small villages against
the hillsides and the fisherman's hamlets accessible
only on foot or by sea. Conquered frequently throughout
ancient history, Amalfi's beautiful cathedral, Duomo
di Sant'Andrea, which dominates the town center, was
founded in the 9th century and is regarded as the most
stunning cathedral in southern Italy. Amalfi had its
own coin (the Tarì), was known for impressive
shipbuilding and handmade paper-making. We will visit
a paper mill museum and enjoy lunch in one of Amalfi's
trattorias. You will have free time after lunch to visit
the cathedral, wander through the town or enjoy an espresso
in one of the bars. We will return by ferry to Positano
in the afternoon and have dinner at your leisure in one
of Positano's many restaurants.
Walking: moderate Meals
Provided: B & L
Day 7 Tuesday: Ravello
This morning we will enjoy some free time in Positano for
last minute shopping or packing your bags for tomorrow.
Later in the morning we will depart for Ravello by private
coach along the famous scenic Amalfi Coast road, whose
winding switchbacks offer breathtaking views at every
bend. We will stop for lunch, walking down to a tranquil
hidden fisherman's hamlet accessible only by foot, and
hidden from view of the road. After lunch we will proceed
to Ravello. Along with Positano, it is Ravello that defines
the Amalfi Coast in most visitors' minds. Ravello owes
its fame not only to its dramatic location, perched nearly
1200' above the sea, where cooling breezes temper the
summer heat, but for years now Ravello has been the chosen
residence of artists and musicians of international fame.
It boasts splendid gardens of Villa Cimbrone and Villa
Rufolo, site of important classical music concerts which
are held throughout the summer months. It was here which
inspired Wagner to write his opera Parsifal. Ravello
is unquestionably the most elegant of the small villages
on the Amalfi Coast and regarded as one of the most beautiful
hilltop villages in Italy. It is enchanting and surprisingly
tranquil and peaceful considering its fame. After visiting
the villas and gardens of Ravello, you will have free
time to explore this gem of a town. We will have a Farewell
dinner together before returning to Positano for our
last night on the Amalfi Coast.
Walking: moderate-strenuous Meals
Provided: B, L & D
Day 8 Wednesday: Arrivederci!
After breakfast we will return by private coach to Naples
Airport or Train Station.
Walking: light to moderate Meals
Provided: B
Itinerary Changes:
Itinerary specifics subject to change due to weather, holidays,
special events and circumstances beyond our control.
We reserve the right to alter the itinerary since tour
arrangements are made up to a year in advance, and unforeseen
circumstances that mandate change may arise. Itinerary
changes are made to improve the tour and your experience.
Your tour guides:
 Elizabeth |
 |
 Elena |
|
 Bartolo |
|
 Andrea |
2008 Tours:
Tour
Description | What's
Included | Itinerary
