Day
1 Depart the USA
Depart the USA on your overnight flight to Naples, Italy.
Day
2 Naples – Sorrento, Italy
Upon arrival in Naples, you’ll
be met by a Mayflower Cruises and Tours representative who
will assist with the transfer to your hotel in Sorrento, gateway to
the Amalfi Coast. The remainder of the day is free to become
acquainted with this charming town, sprinkled with lemon and
olive groves, in a spectacular cliff-side setting. This evening,
join your Tour Manager for an included dinner. Meal: D
Day
3 Sorrento
The day begins with a guided orientation tour
of Sorrento. As you stroll through the pedestrian streets, filled
with local shops, see the main sites, including Piazza Tasso,
the entrance to the old quarter. See the Basilica of Saint
Anthony, patron saint of the city, whose bones lie in the crypt
below. Enjoy the afternoon at leisure to further explore the
charms of the area. Meals: B
Day
4 Amalfi Coast
Discover Amalfi’s stunning coastline with
miles of hairpin turns offering spectacular vistas. See rocks
plunging vertically into the sea; charming fishing villages with
quaint harbors; houses nestled high in the rocky cliffs - all
contrasting dramatically with the beautiful, twinkling, blue waters
of the Mediterranean Sea far below. Upon arrival in Amalfi, enjoy
free time for lunch on your own, and to walk through the town,
seeing its greatest attraction, the Duomo, which dominates the
central piazza. After experiencing Italy’s “coast with the most”,
return to the hotel in Sorrento for an evening at leisure. Meal: B
Day
5 Pompeii
This morning, set off on an excursion to
Pompeii, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, to visit the most
important and interesting archaeological museum in the world.
The story of the rise and fall of this ancient city comes to life as
your local guide explains the events of that fateful day while you
stroll through the grounds of this amazing site. Archaeological
excavations have uncovered remarkable relics, many fully
intact, from this once prosperous city. Return to Sorrento midafternoon
and enjoy the remainder of the day at leisure. This
evening, enjoy an included dinner in Sorrento. Meals: B, D
Day
6 Capri
The island of Capri is an area of breathtaking
beauty with olive trees, grapevines and flowers providing a
Mediterranean charm. Today’s excursion begins with a short
drive to the harbor in Sorrento to board the hydrofoil. Traverse
the pristine water, in various shades of blue and emerald green,
as you approach the picturesque island. You’ll have time to
explore Capri, and travel via mini-van to Anacapri, the highest
town on the island. Wander through the town and absorb the
local atmosphere and beautiful surroundings. Return to the
hotel in Sorrento for an evening on your own. Meal: B
Day
7 Sorrento – Rome
After breakfast, depart Sorrento
and travel to Rome. Along the way, stop at a local farm for an
included lunch of typical regional fare and a sampling of the
locally produced buffalo-mozarella cheese. Meals: B, L
Day
8 Rome
The historic monuments you’ve heard and read
about come to life on your guided tour of the Eternal City. From
Palatine Hill, one of the Seven Hills of Rome, see the Roman
Forum 130 feet below, and the Circus Maximus. Visit the
Coliseum, one of the greatest works of Roman architecture and
engineering, and imagine what it was like in its heyday when
gladiators fought to the death. As you walk through the Roman Forum, you will be strolling amongst historic ruins of political
buildings, shrines, temples and monuments, some dating back
to the first kings of Rome. After a morning of historic discovery,
enjoy an afternoon and evening at leisure. Meal: B
Day
9 Rome
A culinary adventure is in store for today.
Attend a cooking class where your instructor teaches you
how to prepare homemade Italian pasta during this hands-on
experience. Discover all the secrets of the dough, from the flour
to the cutting. At the end of the lesson, relax and enjoy lunch,
dining on the pasta dish you just created! Buon appetito!
Meals: B, L
Day
10 Vatican City
This morning, enjoy a guided visit to
the spiritual center of the Roman Catholic Church and the
smallest independent state in the world: Vatican City. During
the guided visit of the Vatican Museums you’ll walk through
halls containing some of the most priceless art treasures
in the world. The highlight of the visit may be the Sistine
Chapel which houses the single most impressive work of art
by Michelangelo. Inside St. Peter’s Basilica, experience the
magnificence of Bernini, Michelangelo, and other great artists
of the Roman Renaissance and Baroque periods. Be sure to
see Michelangelo’s famous statue, Pietá, created by the artist
when he was only 25-years old. Returning to Rome, the final
afternoon is free to explore independently before the farewell
dinner this evening. Meals: B, D
Day
11 Rome / USA
As you bid “arrivederci” to Italy, transfer
to the airport and leave with wonderful memories of the scenery,
culture, monuments, and history you encountered during your
travels through this amazing country. Meal: B