Overview
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Begin in the eternal city of Rome. Visit the Colosseum to imagine the spectacle of gladiator games, and see the Roman Forum, the heart of ancient Rome. Join an exclusive visit to the centuries-old Papal Palace and Barberini Gardens at Castel Gandolfo. Visit the Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel to see Michelangelo’s ceiling paintings and The Last Judgment. Also visit St. Peter’s Square and Basilica to see the artist’s magnificent La Pietà. Sculpted in Carrara marble, this Renaissance masterpiece depicting Christ in his Mother’s lap is the only piece Michelangelo signed. Visit Capua’s Amphitheater and hear of Spartacus’ gladiator training here. In lovely Sorrento, see St. Antonino’s church, named for the city’s patron saint, and enjoy a free day to relax in this beautiful setting. En route back to Rome, explore legendary Pompeii—the excavated Roman city that was destroyed in 79 AD by Mount Vesuvius’ eruption, and preserved by ash. Conclude your Italian escape in Rome with a farewell dinner at a local restaurant.
Highlights
Welcome and farewell dinner at a local restaurant; guided sightseeing, visit the Colosseum, the Roman Forum, St. Peter’s Square and Basilica, the Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel
CASTEL GANDOLFO
LF Visit the Papal palace and Barberini Gardens
CAPUAVisit the Amphitheater and the Gladiator Museum
SORRENTOWalking tour
POMPEIIGuided walking tour of the excavations
2020 Tour itinerary
Total meals included:
- 7 breakfasts, 2 dinners
ARRIVE IN ROME, ITALY
Day1
Welcome to Rome! At 5 pm, meet your Tour Director and traveling companions and leave the hotel for a welcome dinner at one of Rome’s lively restaurants.
Meals included:
- Dinner
ROME
Day2
Morning guided sightseeing features visits to the magnificent COLOSSEUM and the ROMAN FORUM, where Roman legions marched in triumph. An optional walking tour with a Local Guide is available to further explore famous sites for those who wish to see more of the Eternal City.
Meals included:
- Breakfast
ROME
Day3
A unique experience: LF enjoy a guided visit of the impressive PAPAL PALACE in Castel Gandolfo, former summer residence of the popes and, since October 2016, a museum that is open to the public. Visit the magnificent BARBERINI GARDENS, where ruins of the residence of Roman Emperor Domitian are still visible. Return to Rome, and visit the VATICAN MUSEUMS and SISTINE CHAPEL with Michelangelo’s ceiling paintings and The Last Judgment. Visit monumental ST. PETER’S SQUARE and BASILICA to admire Michelangelo’s Pietà with a Local Guide.
Meals included:
- Breakfast
ROME—CAPUA—SORRENTO
Day4
On the way south, stop in Capua, a city that was extremely powerful in ancient days. Hear about Spartacus, who trained here at the gladiator school. Visit the AMPHITHEATER, the second-largest in Italy after the Colosseum and the GLADIATOR MUSEUM. Continue to lovely Sorrento.
Meals included:
- Breakfast
SORRENTO
Day5
On an orientation walk with your Tour Director see the Old Town’s characteristic lava-stone streets and the Sedil Dominova building, the ancient bell tower, and Sant’Antonino Church dedicated to Sorrento’s patron saint.
Meals included:
- Breakfast
AT LEISURE IN SORRENTO
Day6
A full day at leisure to relax or browse through the little shops. Sorrento is the ideal base for exploring the area. Why not take advantage of the available optional excursion?
Meals included:
- Breakfast
SORRENTO—POMPEII—ROME
Day7
On your way to Rome, visit fascinating POMPEII, the Roman city both destroyed and preserved by an eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 79 AD. Follow your Local Guide for a walk past patrician homes, public baths, and commercial districts strikingly recalling day-to-day life when Rome was at the apex of her power. This evening, a farewell dinner is prepared for you at one of Rome’s excellent restaurants to celebrate your Italian vacation.
Meals included:
- Breakfast
- Dinner
ROME
Day8
Your vacation ends with breakfast this morning.
Meals included:
- Breakfast
Things to note
- Hotels listed may occasionally be substituted with alternative hotels of equivalent standard.
Hotels
It may occasionally be necessary to use alternative hotels of a similar standard to those shown.
Ludovisi Palace
First-Class
Located in the heart of Rome in the fashionable Via Veneto district, this elegant 57-room hotel is set in an historical building dating back to the early 1900's offering a slice of Old World Italian glamour in a warm atmosphere. Drinks & delicious appetizers are served in the lounge bar and Free Wi-Fi access is available throughout.
Location
Via Ludovisi 43, Roma, Italy
Hotel Facilities
- Laundry Available
- Free WiFi
- Bar/Lounge
- Luggage Storage
- Elevator
Room Facilities
- Air Conditioning (Seasonal)
- In-Room Safe
- Climate Control
- Disabled Access / Rooms
- Internet Access
- Hair Dryer
- Room Service
- Desk
- Television
- Complimentary Toiletries
- Wake-Up Calls
- Non-smoking Rooms
- Mini-bar
- Air Conditioning
- Window Opens
- Phone
Grand Hotel Cesare Augusto
First-Class
Set in its own lush garden, the hotel features 120 air-conditioned guestrooms complete with safe, satellite TV, and mini-bar. Amenities include a contemporary restaurant with international and regional menus and panoramic roof-top terrace with swimming pool and snack bar.
Location
Via Degli Aranci, 108, Sorrento, Italy
Hotel Facilities
- Bar/Lounge
- Luggage Storage
- Concierge desk
- Elevator
- Restaurant On-Site
- Pool
- Laundry Available
- Parking/Valet
- Currency Exchange
- Free WiFi
Room Facilities
- Climate Control
- Desk
- Television
- Air Conditioning
- Smoking Rooms
- Window Opens
- Phone
- Voicemail
- Mini-bar
- Internet Access
- In-Room Safe
- Wake-Up Calls
- Complimentary Toiletries
- Room Service
- Alarm Clock
- Hair Dryer
- Cable/Satellite
