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.” 

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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: 

Passport 
Items of a personal nature
Tips to guides and drivers
Public transportation (busses in Rome ) 
Cultural Discussion Topic: Roman Civilization