This amazing small group adventure begins with two days in Italy’s Eternal City of Rome.  See the iconic ancient Colosseum and ruins of the Roman Forum, Michelangelo’s Sistine Chapel, St.Peter’s Square, the Spanish Steps and Trevi Fountain.  Then spend a week at a luxury villa perched among the cliffs on the Amalfi Coast.  Day trips from the villa will include a boat ride to the island of Capri, an excursion to historic Pompeii, and a walk along the Path of the Gods.  But with a private chef and some of the most breathtaking views in the world, you wouldn’t ever have to step outside the villa to have memories to last a lifetime.  

 Italy's Amalfi Coast boasts a classic Mediterranean landscape, a sensual blend of both natural and cultural wonders. The breathtaking terrain includes dramatic coastline topography scattered with terraced vineyards, orchards, and pastures—often with enchanting views of the vibrant waters below. –National Geographic 

After two nights stay at a upscale boutique hotel in Rome, a luxury villa perched among the cliffs of the Amalfi Coast will be our home away from home for the next week.  All of the bedrooms at the villa are ensuite and the villa will also feature outdoor areas offering breathtaking views of the Mediterranean Sea.  A private chef will prepare breakfast and dinner during our stay.  Our villa will  serve as our home base for a number of amazing day trips throughout the week (See Trip Itinerary for more details).  Note: The trip package price is based upon DOUBLE OCCUPANCY stay at both our Rome hotel and Amalfi villa.  Traveling without a roommate?  We can either see if there is someone else who is looking for a roommate or a SINGLE SUPPLEMENT of $1,500 guarantees you your own private hotel and villa bedroom.  

Except for most lunches, personal items, and optional tips (For villa staff & chef and our bus driver), our package is all-inclusive!  For a detailed list, see below:

 Wednesday, October 1 – Departure Day!

Meet at Dulles International Airport for an evening departure on an overnight flight to Rome. Once everyone has checked in and made it through security, the party begins … Complimentary  prosecco toast  at Vino Volo.  

 Thursday, October 2 - Arrival in Rome

Transfer from Rome’s Da Vinci airport to a welcome lunch at a city center trattoria.  After lunch, a local guide will lead a tour of the Colosseum and Roman Forum.  Once checked in at our centrally located hotel, everyone will enjoy dinner and wine at a nearby restaurant. 

 Friday, October 3 -  In the morning, we will have “skip the line” tickets to view Michelangelo’s Sistine Chapel followed by a visit to St. Peter’s.  After lunch, there will be stops at the Spanish Steps and Trevi Fountain.  In the evening,the group will enjoy  a 3-4 hour Food Tour in one of Rome neighborhoods known for its local cuisine.   

 Saturday, October 4 - From Rome’s main train station, we will take a high speed train south to Naples.  After lunch at a seaside Neapolitan pizzeria, we will have a few hours to explore Naples before our private bus takes us to our villa on the Amalfi Coast.  Once settled in at the villa, the group will sit down to dinner together to enjoy a meal prepared by our private chef for the week  

 Sunday, October 5 - After sleeping in and enjoying a leisurely breakfast at the villa, we make the very short journey into the town of Amalfi.  The best things to do in Amalfi include strolling historical piazzas for a feel of the local life as well as admiring its ancient cathedrals and cloisters.  A fun way to end our day is the Almalfi Lemon Experience.  Lemons have been central to the commerce of Amalfi for centuries and we will hear some of the history, but also enjoy lemonade, lemon cake, and limoncello.  

 Monday, October  6 – We will head to the harbor in Amalfi where we will board two speedboats for a cruise to the island of Capri,  Along the way, we will stop for an opportunity to swim and explore the caves along the coast.  Once on Capri, you will have time to enjoy lunch and explore the island.  Our two boat captains will drop us back in Amalfi at the end of a very special day! 

 Tuesday, October 7 - Another special day as we visit two of the other iconic towns of the Amalfi Coast, Positano and Sorrento.  Positano is a romantic little town on the Amalfi Coast whose colourful houses cling precariously to the hillsides overlooking the Tyrrhenian Sea. Positano is one of Italy's most picturesque towns  Sorrento is known as the “Jewel of the Gulf of Naples and offers visitors breathtaking views and is a favorite resort location for many.  

 Wednesday, October 8 - The Path of the Gods

For those adventurous enough, this day features a walk along The Path of the Gods– a moderate level walk along the Amalfi Coast offering spectacular views.  If you prefer to skip this hike, you can go with the bus to Nocelle and enjoy a leisurely lunch.  On the way back to our villa in the afternoon, we will stop for a wine tasting at a local vineyard. 

 Thursday, October 9 - Excursion to Pompeii

Pompeii is famous for its degree of preservation after being destroyed by Mount Vesuvius in 79 AD. From plaster casts of the dead to murals, domestic goods, food, infrastructure, and other artifacts, Pompeii is a time capsule of what life was like in Ancient Rome.  Our group will be led through Pompeii by a local guide.  

 Friday, October 10 -  Enjoy undiscovered Minori

Just a couple towns down from Amalfi, is the much less touristy town of Minori  Minori offers a glimpse into the more authentic culture of the region.  You will have time to explore this sleepy town that offers a number of very good lunch spots– in addition to one of the best bakeries on the planet!  In the evening, we will celebrate the memories made on our trip and enjoy our final dinner together.  

We will make our way back to Rome for our return flight to Washington Dulles.