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, a VBT representative will be available for a short time to answer your questions and help organize your time in Naples. You will also receive a City Information Package to help guide your independent stay in this unique city and distinctive hotel. The rest of the day is free to discover and dine on your own. 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 the exploration of 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. At the hotel, you will receive a City Information Package to help guide your independent stay in this unique city. The rest of the day is free to discover and dine on your own.

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 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 the exploration of 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 10:30 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 10:30 a.m. or if you are delayed, please contact the hotel to advise if delayed, 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 11:30 a.m. departure time, please transfer directly to your Sorrento hotel.

VBT Air Package and Pre-Extension guests: Meet your VBT Trip Leaders at 10:30 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 bagpack.

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 Roman life was 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 has a clean criminal record.

Later in the afternoon, 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, strong-scented flowers are on display. Right before the promontory of Malacoccola, the view of the entire Gulf of Salerno opens to our eyes. We continue to Torca, where a short shuttle takes us to our lunch stop: a family-run Fattoria where we first have hands in making mozzarella braids before enjoying delicious home-grown organic specialties. Later today walk down back to Sorrento, taking in more views of the gulf from atop or opt to 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. It is seasoned with a Bolognese sauce and fiordilatte (local mozzarella).

Day 3 of WALKING TOUR Spin to Capri

Early this morning, walk to the Sorrento harbour, taking a moment to admire the whole panorama of the Bay of Naples and Vesuvius. Board a hydrofoil to short 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 VIP's 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, and at the same time enjoy the incredible view. The Jump of Tiberius – a sheer cliff nearly 1,100 feet high – is where the Emperor had his enemies thrown from.


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 café or picnicking in the shade of a garden overlooking the blue sea. As we emerge upon the eastern rim of the island, we get close views of the amazing famous Faraglioni cliffs. Then, continuing to the Augustus Gardens, where the views of the cliffs and the curled Via Krupp are gorgeous, we enter the fancy shopping district. Here we loop back to piazzetta, our starting point.

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 can take a close look at 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 garden under a thick flower pergola or – on cold evenings – in the restaurant with great views of the valleys. All the vegetables and herbs served at dinner come from the hotel's garden.

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. See Ravello waking up and plunge in the calm of the sea as you descend. As you climb back the many steps, stop maybe to visit the vegetable garden of our Villa Maria, that provides fresh products for our meals.

After breakfast, with all the group 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, we trek along a trail and a mule path to Scala and Pontone and drop in on the town's local dairy producer for a tasting of fresh made ricotta, mozzarella and caciocavallo. 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 to be able to 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 the side streets. Sit down and maybe enjoy a Delizia al limone pastry or a piece of pastiera cake made with ground wheat that is 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 Bomerano and Agerola via Furore. At about 650 meters (1,900 feet) elevation we hike this beautiful trail in the easiest way, descending gradually 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 to Montepertuso. In Montepertuso, according to legend, the Madonna was challenged by the devil and was able 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 historical hotel is right in the center of the quiet pedestrian area and 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 the colors of the flowers and the colored majolica cupola of the Santa Maria Assunta church.

Before we get to our hotel we also visit a family-run Lemoncello factory and learn how we can prepare this simple delicious liquor at home.

Spend the rest of the afternoon at your will: relax by the beach a few steps from our hotel or take the time to stroll 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

We linger over breakfast this morning in the palazzo's colorful, brick-enclosed garden. The hotel owner Marilù Attanasio joins us for coffee and shares the history of her hotel haven.

Later, 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 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, 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 finishes at Hotel Giulio Cesare, via degli Scipioni 187 - phone number +39 06 3210751 around 3:30 pm.

VBT Air Package guests: You arrive at our Rome Hotel at approximately 3:30 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, VBT's Rome representative can answer your questions. You will receive a City Information Package that includes maps and recommendations for restaurants, museums and transportation in Rome while you explore on your own.

An optional walking tour of Baroque Rome will be available. Highlights include Piazza Navona, the Pantheon, the most famous Baroque Churches, Campo dei Fiori, Palazzo Farnese e Spada, and the Jewish Ghetto. This three-hour program may be booked with your VBT hotel representative upon arrival in Rome (it may not be booked in advance of travel). The approximate price is 30 euros/$42 USD per person and includes the services of our local English-speaking guide.

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.

Another optional walking tour of Ancient Rome is available also today. Highlights include the Coliseum, the Roman Forum, the Capitolio, Marcello Theatre and the Jewish Ghetto. This two-hour program may be booked with your VBT hotel representative upon arrival in Rome (it may not be booked in advance of travel). The approximate price is 30 euros per person and includes the services of our local English-speaking guide.

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: The Amalfi Coast & Capri 2011

Pre and Post Trip Extensions

Pre-Trip Extension

Naples 2011 (Amalfi Coast) - 2 nights for only $345

The city, 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 keeps the splendor of those times. Discovering great food is a must in Naples, where you can find great pizza or pasta. Discover the famous pastry while enjoying a café in Via Toledo or Via Chiaia, the most charming streets in the center. Our lodging, 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 2011 (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 hotel is located in the city centre, facing the marina. A panorama that from the balconies and terraces of the *Grand Hotel Santa Lucia* affords views of Vesuvius and the entire Bay of Naples, of Capri and Ischia, with in the foreground the majestic Castel dell’Ovo. Across from the street is the ancient Borgo Marinaro, with the small yachts and fishermen boats, nice to stroll and full of fish restaurants and pizzerias.

All rooms are equipped with modem jacks for connecting to the Internet, plus, on the ground floor, an ADSL Internet point is available in the lobby for guests.

Europa Palace

The Europa Palace is a magnificent 4-star hotel in Sorrento, equipped with up-to-date comfort while offering an enchanting Mediterranean atmosphere to its guests. It is a historical building, with an ample terrace overlooking the Gulf of Naples and the 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 Maria

This charming accommodation offers the elegance of the Liberty and Art Deco styles, as well as all the modern comforts, including air-conditioning. You’ll enjoy the luxury of the antique marble floors and the hand-painted Vietrese School majolica tiles in the bathrooms.

Palazzo Murat

Palazzo Murat is a historic17th-century palace in the style of the Neapolitan Baroque school of architect Vanvitelli, renovated to offer comfortable, luxurious hospitality. It is surrounded by a beautiful botanical garden, and its location is ideal to discover, the pedestrian area of town.

Hotel Giulio Cesare

A family-run hotel in Rome, quietly located a few steps from the Tiber river and 10-minutes’ 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. Last but not least: Breakfast is said to be one of the best in Rome, because many of the ingredients are grown by the owner in his fields north of the city. Internet is available for guests at the reception desk. Complimentary drinks in mini-bar in the rooms.

Rating Level

Easy/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 suitable for enthusiastic beginners and ideal for experienced walkers. 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 VBT minibus is available at specific meeting points for those who need assistance. Both morning and afternoon options are available every day. Optional early morning walks are offered on 2 days.