Itinerary

Day 1 of PRE-TRIP EXTENSION Depart U.S./Fly overnight to Naples

Depart from the U.S. for Italy. The particulars of your arrival overseas are detailed with your flight itinerary and airline tickets.

Day 2 of PRE-TRIP EXTENSION Arrive in Naples/Begin your Trip Extension

Arrive at the airport of Capodichino in Naples, Italy, where a VBT representative meets you and helps you transfer (approximately 45 minutes) to your centrally located hotel in Naples. At the hotel, our VBT representative will be available for a short time to answer your questions and help you organize your time in Naples. An optional city walk will be offered at this time to help you make the most of the city. The cost will be shared among the number of participants. The rest of the day is free to discover and dine on your own with your VBT City Information included in your Final Travel Booklet as your guide. The area is full of wonderful options for dinner.

Please note: If you arrive early, your hotel room may not be available until 1 p.m. You may store your luggage with the Reception Desk.

Please note: VBT transfer times and departure points are finalized in advance and cannot be modified for individual guests. If you fly in earlier than the scheduled program dates, transportation from the airport will be at your own expense.

Day 1 of AIR PACKAGE Depart U.S./Fly overnight to Naples

Depart from the U.S. for Italy. The particulars of your arrival overseas are detailed with your flight itinerary and airline tickets.

Day 3 of PRE-TRIP EXTENSION Independent exploration of Naples

Continue to explore Naples on your own.

Day 2 of AIR PACKAGE Arrive in Naples

Arrive at the airport of Capodichino in Naples, Italy, where a VBT representative meets you and helps you transfer (approximately 45 minutes) to your centrally located hotel in Naples. The rest of the day is free to discover and dine on your own with your VBT City Information included in your Final Travel Booklet as your guide.

Please note: If you arrive early, your hotel room may not be available until 1 p.m. You may store your luggage with the Reception Desk.

Please note: VBT transfer times and departure points are finalized in advance and cannot be modified for individual guests. If you fly in earlier than the scheduled program dates, transportation from the airport will be at your own expense.

You have the rest of the day free to discover this city full of art treasures, stroll along the picturesque Borgo Marinaro just across from our hotel, and dine on your own at one of the cozy restaurants nearby.

Day 4 of PRE-TRIP EXTENSION Independent exploration of Naples/Begin Main Tour

Continue to explore Naples on your own.

Air Package guests will be arriving throughout the day.

Day 1 of WALKING TOUR Meet Trip Leaders/Walking visit of Pompei /Welcome reception

VBT No-Air Package guests: Meet your VBT Trip Leaders at 9:30 a.m. in the lobby of the Grand Hotel Santa Lucia, Via Partenope 46 – Napoli - phone number +39 0817640666. Transfer to the hotel is on your own. Please come to the meeting dressed in walking gear (walking shoes at least) and carry your backpack. A taxi from the railway station costs about 12-15 euros/$20 USD. If your arrival at the hotel is scheduled for later than 9:30 a.m. or if you are delayed, please contact the hotel, and the hotel staff will pass your message along to your VBT Trip Leaders. In the event of delays or other problems with your arrival, please see page 3 of “For Travel-Related Emergencies.” VBT highly recommends flying to Italy at least one day before the tour begins; this allows you to rest and recover from jet lag before you begin sightseeing and walking. If you are delayed past our 10:30 a.m. departure time, please transfer directly to your Sorrento hotel.

VBT Air Package and Pre-Extension guests: Meet your VBT Trip Leaders at 9:30 a.m. in the main lobby; they will be wearing VBT staff garments. Please come to the meeting dressed in walking gear (walking shoes at least) and carry your backpack.

Our VBT Trip Leaders will hold an introductory and safety talk before we board a private motorcoach and transfer to Pompeii. On the way, you will get an interesting introduction to the region. In Pompeii, have lunch on your own and then meet our local expert for a visit to the site. At dawn on August 25, 79 AD, the violent eruption of Vesuvius caused the total destruction of Pompeii. In just a few moments, all of the residents of Pompeii perished doing whatever they could to survive. Tremendous amounts of ash and cinder covered and preserved the scene exactly as it was at that instant. That's why today we know exactly how Romans lived 2,000 years ago—living in houses and apartments, working in shops very much as we do today. Our guide will tell us, for example, that posters were used to advertise elections and support party candidates, and that the word “candidate” comes from the word candid, a tunic that candidates had to wear before elections to prove they had a clean criminal record.

Later in the afternoon, we shuttle to our hotel in Sorrento and settle in. Get familiar with the amenities of the house before our welcome cocktail. Dinner is at our hotel tonight.

Day 2 of WALKING TOUR The Sorrento Peninsula

Today, we drive to Sant'Agata dei Due Golfi and explore the Sorrento Peninsula. We follow the red and white markings of the Alta Via dei Monti Lattari trail, the path that winds upwards into a beautiful chestnut forest. As the woods open up, masses of multicolored, aromatic flowers are on display. Right before the promontory of Malacoccola, the view of the entire Gulf of Salerno opens before us. We continue to Torca, where a short shuttle takes us to our lunch stop: a family-run Fattoria where we first have a hands-on demonstration in making mozzarella braids before enjoying delicious home-grown organic specialties. Later today we return to Sorrento on foot, taking in more views of the gulf from above, or you may choose to use our shuttle. Enjoy free time for shopping, exploring the town, or simply relax at the hotel swimming pool and private pier.
Dinner is on your own tonight in Sorrento. Try Gnocchi alla Sorrentina, seasoned with a Bolognese sauce and fiordilatte (local mozzarella).

Day 3 of WALKING TOUR Ferry to Capri

Early this morning, walk to the Sorrento harbor, taking a moment to admire the whole panorama of the Bay of Naples and Vesuvius. Board a hydrofoil to ferry across the Sorrento Peninsula to Capri Island. As we arrive at the famous piazzetta, the hub of the island and open-air salon for VIPs and tourists, we start along an easy walking path leading to Villa Iovis. On the way, your senses will be enchanted by the scent of jasmine and the view of manicured gardens full of flowers. The Roman Villa Iovis was built by Emperor Tiberius in the third century at a strategic point where he could dominate and control the opposite coast. We enjoy incredible views from here. The Jump of Tiberius – a sheer cliff nearly 1,100 feet high – is where the Emperor had his enemies thrown.

We continue walking through a thick Mediterranean park where strawberry trees, myrtle, clematis, liana plants, honeysuckle, laurel, wild asparagus and cyclamen thrive. Past Villa Lysis, you can opt to conclude the loop in Capri's shopping and café area, or continue to Arco Naturale and Grotta di Matermania, a natural cove consecrated by the Cibele cult to Magna Mater. It is located down a long flight of stairs and in a thick forest. This is also the right time to stop for lunch on your own in one of the island cafés or to picnic in the shade of a garden overlooking the blue sea. As we come upon the eastern rim of the island, we see the amazing and famous Faraglioni cliffs emerge. Then, we continue to the Augustus Gardens, where the views of the cliffs and the curled Via Krupp are gorgeous. Our trail ends in the fancy shopping district. From here we loop back to piazzetta, where we began.

We have some time to discover the fascinating area around the piazzetta before a fast ferry takes us to our next destination on the mainland, Amalfi. On the way, we take in the panorama of the Amalfi Coast from the sea. In Amalfi, a short shuttle takes us to our hotel in Ravello, where we settle in and enjoy dinner in the restaurant with great views of the sea.

Day 4 of WALKING TOUR Ravello/The Valley of the Mills/Amalfi

Get an early start if you wish with an invigorating walk down a narrow stair path toward the picturesque town of Minori. This is a wonderful opportunity to see Ravello and the coast waking up.

After breakfast, we roam the terraces of Ravello, starting in the peaceful pedestrian-only center. Admire the white-faced Duomo in Piazza Vescovado and the Arabic-Norman towers of Villa Rufolo. This is where composer Richard Wagner was inspired to create the music for the scene in Klingsor's magic garden in his opera Parsifal.

Later, continue exploring Ravello on your own or follow our Trip Leader for a walk along a trail and a mule path to Scala and Pontone. For lunch, we're treated to secret Neapolitan recipes – including pizza cooked in the wood-fired oven - and breathtaking views at a family-run trattoria. Then, we trace vineyard-laden terraces to the Valley of the Ferriere, a magnificent nature reserve in the Valley of the Mills.

As we proceed on a trail covered in moss and ferns, our guides show us calcara, large pits where lime was made by burning huge blocks of limestone for days. We'll also see the spandituri, or paper-hangers, buildings now in ruins but once used to dry paper. As we reach Amalfi, we stop at an interesting paper museum, where we learn how paper was made from rags. In the 15th century, the fame of Amalfi paper was such that many foreign authors demanded to be published in Naples so they could use the prized material. (You can buy the handmade paper in the museum shop, if you like.)

In Amalfi, take your time to visit the beautiful Duomo and stroll along the side streets. Sit down and maybe enjoy a Delizia al limone pastry or a piece of pastiera cake made with ground wheat soaked in running water for days before getting mixed with other fragrant ingredients.

Back in Ravello, you have time to relax and maybe visit Villa Cimbrone and its beautiful gardens.

Dinner is on your own in Ravello tonight.

Note: Ravello is well known for its classical music festivals. Contact the hotel reception to book tickets in advance.

Day 5 of WALKING TOUR Agerola and the Path of the Gods

Today, we shuttle to Agerola where we gradually descend on foot to our next destination, Positano, making sure we cover the most scenic stretch between Biscotto Caves and Nocella. The path is well marked and offers views of Capri and the islets of Li Galli or Sirenuse, where the mythical Sirens attracted seafarers with their chants. At Colle Serra, we cross the pass and continue down towards Nocella where, after lunch, our paths divide: you can shuttle by van or continue walking to Montepertuso. In Montepertuso, according to legend, the Madonna was challenged by the devil and was moved to punch the mountain and create a hole (pertuso means hole, in Neapolitan dialect). The views are amazing.

Later, we regroup to shuttle to our next city, Positano, built as a nativity scene set on the side of a mountain. Our beautiful and historic hotel is right in the center of the quiet pedestrian area and within walking distance from a beach. The manicured garden – the passion of the owner Marilù Attanasio – is one of the most beautiful of the Amalfi Coast. From the balcony of our rooms, we smell the scents and fill our eyes with vibrant flowers and the colored majolica cupola of the Santa Maria Assunta church.

Spend the rest of the afternoon on your own: relax by the beach a few steps from our hotel or take the time to stroll through the labyrinth of alleys full of interesting ideas for shopping. The clothes industry in Positano was so popular and influential in the 1970s that the style they created became known as “Positano Style.” In addition to clothing, you can find local ceramics, jewels, leather footwear and paintings by the many artists who were inspired by the beauty of the region.

Dinner is on your own tonight. The options are many along the sandy beach or on the upper streets.

Day 6 of WALKING TOUR Santa Maria del Castello

This morning we shuttle up 2,000 feet to Santa Maria del Castello, where many hillside trails converge from the surrounding Lattari Mountains. We will offer a walk in a chestnut forest before stopping for lunch at the only bar in the village, and then it's an easy descent back to Positano, with spectacular views of turquoise waters and the jagged coast. This is one of our shorter hikes, so take your time … linger at the overlooks and sniff the hillside rosemary and valerian.

Return to Positano at your leisure, then browse its art studios, rest your legs with a beachside nap, or join our Trip Leaders for a short jaunt. Tonight, our hotel hosts join and share the history of the palace before we feast on gourmet specialties during a festive farewell dinner, courtesy of Signora Attanasio.

Day 7 of WALKING TOUR Visit Gragnano Pasta Factory/Transfer to Rome

After breakfast, we transfer to Gragnano and stop for an interesting visit to an old pasta maker. We follow the process of production of this important element of Italian food. Made with the highest quality durum wheat, pasta is trafilata al bronzo that is, made with the old-fashioned technique of extruding it through bronze dies. It is then dried slowly in the open air. In this way, pasta gets a coarse texture, retains flavor and can hold more sauce.

After a tasting and light lunch prepared by the factory owners, we continue our transfer to Rome.

VBT No-Air Package guests: your trip concludes at our Rome hotel at approximately 4:30 p.m.

VBT Air Package guests: You arrive at our Rome hotel at approximately 4:30 p.m. and have the rest of the day at your leisure.

If you have chosen the independent Post-Trip Extension to Rome, you remain at this hotel for three nights. When you arrive today, our VBT representative will answer your questions and offer an optional evening city walk that will help you make the most of the city.

Day 8 of AIR PACKAGE Depart for U.S.

After breakfast* this morning you will transfer to the Rome airport (approximately 40 to 60 minutes depending on traffic) for your departing flight**. Please ensure you are ready in the hotel reception area at the designated time.

*Please note: For guests with early-morning departures, breakfast at the hotel may not be available. Please check with the Front Desk to verify the times that breakfast is served.

**VBT recommends that you check your transfer time in your “Transfer Reminder.” VBT transfer times and departure points are finalized in advance and cannot be modified for individual guests. If you extend your stay beyond the scheduled program dates, return transportation to the airport will be at your own expense.

Day 1 of POST-TRIP EXTENSION Begin your optional extension

If you have chosen the optional Post-Trip Extension, you remain in Rome for an additional two nights and have all day to explore the city.

Day 2 of POST-TRIP EXTENSION Independent exploration of Rome

Today's opportunities are endless. You might visit the Forum, the political and commercial center of ancient Rome when the empire was at its greatest power. Various emperors constructed the temples, monuments and other buildings here over a period of nine centuries. Today, you can still see the Curia where the Roman Senate met. Take a walk up the Palatine Hill, where tradition says the first settlers of Rome built their huts under the direction of Romulus, and which was later the home of Caligula, Nero, Tiberius and Domitian. Or you can step out of Italy while you're still in Rome with a visit to the Vatican, an independent state. The Vatican museums are filled with magnificent art that goes far beyond such well-known pieces as the Pieta and Michelangelo's Sistine Chapel ceiling. Tour Rome's famous Catacombs, located in tunnels carved out of rock along the Via Appia (“Appian Way”). Or spend an idyllic afternoon in the gardens of the Villa Borghese, one of Europe's most elegant parks. And by all means, do as the Romans do — sip espresso, savor Italian wine and take the time to enjoy la dolce vita. After a full day of independent exploration, retire to your hotel or perhaps enjoy one of Rome's fine restaurants.

Day 3 of POST-TRIP EXTENSION Depart for U.S.

After breakfast* this morning, transfer to the Rome airport (approximately 40 to 60 minutes depending on traffic) for your departing flight **. Please ensure you are ready in the hotel reception area at the designated time.

*Please note: For guests with early-morning departures, breakfast at the hotel may not be available. Please check with the Front Desk to verify the times that breakfast is served.

**VBT recommends that you check your transfer time in your “Transfer Reminder.” VBT transfer times and departure points are finalized in advance and cannot be modified for individual guests. If you extend your stay beyond the scheduled program dates, return transportation to the airport will be at your own expense.

Italy: Amalfi Coast & Capri 2012

Pre and Post Trip Extensions

Pre-Trip Extension

Naples 2012 (Amalfi Coast) - 2 nights for only $295

Naples, founded by the Greeks on one of the most scenic corners of Southern Italy, is postcard perfect, located between Vesuvius and the Gulf. A UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1995, the historical center is preserved for its noble palaces, churches, museums, theaters and castles. Naples was the capital of the biggest kingdom in southern Italy for 600 years, and still retains the splendor of those times. Sampling great food is a must in Naples, where you can find great pizza or pasta. Discover its famous pastry while enjoying a café in Via Toledo or Via Chiaia, the most charming streets in the center. Our lodging, the Grand Hotel Santa Lucia, is a historical building with neoclassical furniture and a romantic atmosphere. Located right on the seafront facing Castel dell’Ovo and close to the Real Palace, it’s the perfect spot to discover this city of traditions, art and warm hospitality.

Available only with the Air Inclusive Package.

Note: Single supplement for this extension is $245.

Post-Trip Extension

Rome 2012 (Amalfi Coast) - 2 nights for only $295

Discover the Eternal City at your leisure as you spend two nights in Italy’s timeless capital. History, art and architecture abound, from Greek sculpture to Roman ruins.

Marvel at the grandeur of the Vatican, where St. Peter’s Basilica and the Sistine Chapel await. Stroll through the ancient ruins of the Roman Forum and the Coliseum. Take time to walk up the Spanish Steps, toss a coin in the Trevi Fountain to ensure your return to Rome, or just spend a relaxing afternoon at a quiet outdoor café. Many attractions are within walking distance of your centrally located hotel.

Only available with the Air Inclusive Package.

Note: Single supplement for this extension is $245.

Accommodations

Grand Hotel Santa Lucia

This elegant Naples hotel is located in the city center, facing the marina. From the balconies and terraces, you’ll have panoramic views of Mt. Vesuvius and the entire Bay of Naples, of Capri and Ischia, and the nearby, majestic Castel dell’Ovo. Across the street is the ancient Borgo Marinaro fishing village, adorned with small yachts and fishing boats, perfect for strolls and for sampling seafood and pizza.
All rooms are equipped with modem jacks for connecting to the Internet. Plus, in the ground floor lobby, an ADSL Internet point is available.

Europa Palace

Sorrento’s Europa Palace is a magnificent 4-star hotel in Sorrento, equipped with the latest in comforts while offering an enchanting Mediterranean atmosphere to its guests. It is a historical building, with an generous terrace overlooking the Gulf of Naples and Mt. Vesuvius. It offers a superb panorama of the Sorrentine Peninsula, a private swimming pool, and pier from where you can jump and enjoy a swim in the sea.

Villa Fraulo

Only a few steps from Piazza Vescovado and Cathedral Square, this charming property is an elegant and sophisticated microcosm, perched above the endless sea of the Amalfi Coast. Once the residence of the noble family Cortese, Villa Fraulo today offers a relaxing spa and a spectacular infinity pool surrounded by a terrace.

Palazzo Murat

Palazzo Murat is a historic 17th-century palace in the style of the Neapolitan Baroque school of architect Vanvitelli. It has been thoughtfully renovated to offer comfortable, luxurious hospitality. Surrounded by a beautiful botanical garden, its location is ideal to discover, the pedestrian area of town.

Hotel Giulio Cesare

The Hotel Giulio Cesare is a family run hotel in Rome, located a few steps from the Tiber River on a quiet street, and a 10-minute walk from Piazza Del Popolo. Once a patrician villa, this hotel has been recently redecorated in an elegant, classical style. You’ll enjoy the garden where breakfast is served and a quiet lounge with an antique fireplace. These and other touches keep this four-star hotel feeling very much like a family home. Breakfast is said to be one of the best in Rome, because many of the products are grown by the owner in his fields north of the city, Internet is available for guests at the reception desk. Complimentary drinks are available in your room’s minibar.

Rating Level

Moderate

This tour features a combination of unpaved footpaths, a few paved roads, some short moderate hills and uneven rocky steps. Many of our walks are on the common stone steps of this area, more often traveling down the steps than up. The trip is ideal for experienced walkers who are comfortable with ascents and descents. In some stretches we walk near the ledge or rim of hillsides, and some guests have experienced vertigo. On rainy days the footpaths can often be wet and muddy and the steps can be slippery. It is always very important to wear appropriate shoes with excellent tread to ensure the perfect grip on uneven and rocky terrain. Our coach is available at specific meeting points for those who need assistance. Both morning and afternoon options are available every day.