Historic Cities to Treasured Coastline of Italy Tour: Rome, Naples & Sorrento

In the morning, the sun casts the city in a golden sheen, culminating at the opulent crown of the St. Peter’s Basilica. The sensual aroma of rich espresso accompanies the sweet and fruity flavors of a freshly baked brioche. You make your way to the train station and enter the luxury compartment for the scenic ride to Naples. The cityscape disappears behind a sea of golden hills. Medieval towns decorate the countryside crowning dales. You arrive in Naples where your private transfer meets you at the station and escorts you to your hotel.

Naples is a city of many cultures, with gregarious locals, colorfully painted buildings, and streets always brimming with activity. The scent of pizza spills out of practically every restaurant. The water along the harbor glistens cobalt blue beneath the wading masts of endless boats. The remainder of the day is yours to enjoy the city at your whim and pleasure, from taking a loving stroll along the marina to taking in the wealth of secluded tunnels in the Catacombs of San Gennaro.

Capodimonte Royal Palace provides you with a glimpse into regal opulence located at the city’s northern edge. The palace was constructed in the 18th century for Charles III. The beauty of the interior showcases 18th-century antique furniture and a collection of rare, shimmering porcelain goods. The gilded walls glint in the light flooding the halls from the open windows. The palace radiates grandeur from the façade to the polished marble halls.

Fishing boats cast off before morning, entering into the Mediterranean in search of the catch of the day. The boats return after sunrise with nets of fresh seafood ready for purchase. The cobbled promenade along the harbor fills with locals enjoying the cool morning breeze. The scent of the sea sweeps along the streets.

Your private guide meets you at the hotel after breakfast and takes you on a half-day tour of the remarkable city. The National Archaeological Museum contains an inspiring antiquities collection, much of which highlights the nearby preserved city of Pompeii. The building was erected in the 18th century and was once the cavalry barracks. Marble flooring lines the serene halls creating an opulent ambiance around the antique treasures. You can see the breathtaking Farnese Atlas, the oldest existing depiction of the Greek myth. The statue is a 2nd-century marble copy of the Hellenistic sculpture. The Titan kneels beneath the weight of the world on his shoulders, standing over six feet tall. If you look closely at the globe Atlas holds, you can find a number of the classical Greek constellations, creating the illusion of a romantic night sky.

The decadent flavor of espresso enlivens your morning, accompanied by the shimmering cobalt waters of the harbor. Your private transfer meets you at the hotel to escort you around the Bay of Naples to the exquisite seaside city of Sorrento. Along the ride, your driver points out the peak of Mount Vesuvius overlooking the water. Once in the city, you arrive at your comfortable hotel with an exceptional view of the water.

Sorrento is an antique town with modern luxury, where handmade ceramics decorate shop windows and the city hugs the rugged cliffs enclosing the bay. Lemon and orange groves line the southern edges of the bay and add a zesty aroma of the coast. The city maintains a relaxed ambiance around the old streets and noble houses. Take your partner’s hand and enjoy a seaside stroll through the adjacent marinas known as Marina Grande and Marina Piccola, the large and small marinas. Fishermen paint their boats vivacious colors, both for luck and to be visible from a distance. Small ferry boats take locals and visitors out to the numerous beaches near the city, alight with small currents brushing against the pebbled shores.

The sun casts light over the azure waters of the bay. You can see Mount Vesuvius, the lone mountaintop in the distance across the water. Indulge in your stunning view of the coastline at breakfast, sipping your fabulously rich espresso and biting into a buttery, sweet brioche. The day is at your leisure to revel in Sorrento’s splendor or venture outside of the city to discover some of the inspiring history nearby.

The Roman city of Pompeii was preserved in ash after the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in AD 79. The city encompasses around 170 acres of land and with much of the homes and roads needing to be unearthed. The historic shell continues to provide insight into Roman life and the moments shortly after the volcanic eruption. You walk along the cobblestone streets lined with high sidewalks. Rugged stone buildings border the walkways, wide enough for carts to have passed. The Forum was the city’s main plaza, lined by colonnades and edged to the north by the Temple of Jupiter. Columns continue to rise over the exposed plaza. Forty-eight iconic columns mark the old Temple of Apollo. The splendor of the city has just begun, and you can’t help but marvel at the thousands of years of history encircling you and your partner.

Wake up in the morning to the comforting sounds of the water lapping gently against the shores of the city. Your view of the bay is magnificent, filled with the panorama of both land and sea. After breakfast, make your way to the east over the ridge to the beginnings of the world famous Amalfi Coast. The entire coastline was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site for its wondrous example of a Mediterranean landscape. The sparkling azure waters lap at the smoothed basin of plunging cliffs and rugged mountains.

You can find enchanting towns embedded in crevices, edging the water and nestled between the mountain ridges. The town of Amalfi is located deep in a gorge opening up to the picturesque waters. At the Ancient Arsenal of the Old Republic, you can see 11 original arches remaining. St. Andrew’s Cathedral has 62 steps leading to the mosaic façade. Pointed arches decorate the portico of the 9th century edifice remolded in the 12th century. For a tasty lunch with a sensational view, you can settle into the balcony at Lido Azzurro, known for exquisite seafood and seaside location.

In the morning, pull yourself away from the comforts of Sorrento when your private transfer meets you at the hotel. You board your luxury train car for your journey back to Rome and once again settle into the vibrant ambiance of the Eternal City. The remainder of the day is at your leisure to revel in the captivating city.

Make your way to Aventine Hill for an undoubtedly amorous moment. The medieval churches of Basilica of Santa Sabina have hidden gardens emanating the refreshing scent of oranges. In the Little Square off of Via dei Coronari, you will find a charming cobbled plaza surrounded by historic homes and an antique staircase. Gelateria del Teatro stands inside the open door and emanates the creamy scent of fresh gelato. Sit at one of the café tables outside listening to the sounds of the city and delight in the light lavender flavor for a truly romantic Roman moment.

Rome is a city that proudly shows its history. In the morning, the sun sparkles across the Tiber River. Elements of the movie Roman Holiday with Gregory Peck and Audrey Hepburn can be seen around the cobblestone streets. The Pantheon continues to stand as the largest unreinforced concrete dome in the world, dating back to the 2nd century. Follow your guide through the meandering roadways, past the outdoor café tables, and through the lingering delicate aroma of the morning flower stalls around Campo de’Fiori.

Villa Farnesina is a 16th century palace and remains one of the city’s most beautiful examples of Renaissance architecture and art. The building was constructed under the patronage of the Pope Julius II’s banker. The airy and horseshoe shaped edifice creates an inviting space, different than other urban villas built during the same year. Tremendous frescoes decorate the interior, painted by celebrated artists such as Raphael, with inspiring poetic themes. In the loggia you can find the romantic colors of Raphael’s depiction of secular myths, such as the Triumph of Galatea. The work depicts Galatea surrounded by sea creatures and riding a chariot pulled by dolphins. The elegance of the Palazzo provides a romantic atmosphere in the brilliant collection of Roman history.

Bushy trees shade the walkway along Via Veneto, a large boulevard filled with outdoor cafes and known for its heyday in the 1960s, as depicted in the film La Dolce Vita. After breakfast, the city is yours to enjoy however you wish. You can take your time sipping wine and eating cheese along the Spanish steps or stroll through the exceptional Borghese Museum, complete with a charming 17th-century park.

The Borghese was erected in the early 20th century in a former villa. When you step inside the museum, you leave the rush of the city behind. The quiet, marbled halls and galleries take you into an opulent collection of one of Italy’s greatest art museums. Paintings decorate the walls and ceilings. Crown molding wraps around the galleries and divides the arching ceiling from the plunging walls. You spot the elegant carvings of Bernini and his Apollo, and Daphne sculpture designed in the 17th century. The graceful sweep of Daphne’s arms gives more movement to the flowing robes cast around Apollo’s waist. The serene rooms make you and your partner feel like you are all alone amongst the priceless art.

Wake up to the delicious aroma of fresh espresso to start your day. The city is active with the combination of modern movement and antique elegance. Crowds form in St. Peter’s Square trying to spot the Pope through the balcony window. The fountains in Piazza Navona trickle in the morning light, representing the variety of mythology emanating through the streets and squares around Rome.

After breakfast, your private transfer meets you at the hotel escorting you to Fiumicino Airport for your flight home. You have spent time indulging in the antiquity and natural splendor of Italy absorbing the culture and finding romance in everyday life.

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