Southern
Italy... Etruscans, Romans, and Greeks
Day 1 - Board our trans-Atlantic
flight for Rome.
Day
2 - Welcome to the Eternal City, the Rome of the Caesars, empire,
beauty and elegance. After arrival at our hotel near the Roman Forum, we
can walk around Piazza Venezia, the Campidoglio, and the Via dei Fori Imperiali.
This evening we will enjoy excellent Roman cuisine at a local trattoria.
Overnight Rome.
Day 3 - Our tour of Rome today will
visit famous sites of the ancient and modern city: the Piazza Della Republica;
Via Veneto; Piazza Barberini; Borghese Park; Castel San Angelo; Fontana
Trevi; the magnificent Pantheon; and Piazza San Pietro. Overnight Rome.
Day 4 - Ancient Rome is our destination
this morning, the heart of Republican and Imperial Rome: the Roman Forum;
Colosseum; Palatine; and Circus Maximus. Overnight Rome.
Day 5 - Today is free for an optional
tour to the birthplace of the Renaissance, Florence - the city of Michelangelo,
Dante, and Giotto. Overnight Rome.
Day
6 - Etruscans were the teachers of the Romans. Our explorations of
the necropoleis of Tarquinia and Cerveteri and our visit to the Museo Nationale
Tarquiniese today will give us an excellent perspective into the lives,
and after-lives of this ingenious people. Overnight Rome.
Day 7 - Driving south toward the
beautiful seaside town of Sorrento, we will visit Anzio, where the American
and British forces landed in 1944. Next, to Pompeii, a perfect outdoor
museum; it was perfectly preserved from the ash of the eruption of Mt.
Vesuvius in 79 A.D. At Naples we will visit Museo Archaeologico Nationale
which contains the world’s best collection of Roman antiquities. Overnight
Sorrento.
Day 8 - The Isle of Capri is famous
in history and song; it was the island of the emperors Augustus and Tiberius.
Enjoy a day of enchantment as we explore the Blue Grotto and the Villa
Iovis, Tiberius’ pleasure palace. Overnight Sorrento.
Day 9 - Paestum (ancient Poseidonia)
boasts the best preserved Greek ruins in Italy, reminiscent of the great
civilization of Magna Graecia. Our sightseeing tour will visit its temple
complex as well as the museum. Overnight Sorrento.
Day
10 - Herculaneum was a resort for wealthy Romans. It, like Pompeii, has
been preserved by the ash from Vesuvius. After exploring Herculaneum we
will visit the Cave of the Sibyl at Cumae, legendary entrance to the underworld.
Overnight Rome.
Day 11 - This morning is free for
an optional tour through the amazing collections of the Vatican Museum.
Overnight Rome.
Day 12 - Ostia Antica was the seaport
of Ancient Rome. It is well preserved and allows the visitor a glimpse
into the work and play of average Romans. The site is generally not crowded,
and if we wish, we can visit it by metro. Overnight Rome.
Day 13 - The emperor Hadrian was
a great philhellene. He built his grand villa south of Rome in Greek style.
By public bus we can visit his country retreat, as well as the beautiful
Villa D’Este, a Renaissance estate adorned by magnificent fountains and
gardens. Overnight Rome.
Day 14 - Our hosts will assist
us with check-in for our flight home from the “Eternal City.”
Included
as part of the tour:
Round trip scheduled air from NYC
First class hotels
Expert guiding
Breakfasts
Transfers
Sightseeing as mentioned
Not included
with the tour:
