Welcome to Rome, a glorious city filled with classic antiquities, medieval buildings, Renaissance palaces and Baroque churches. Your transfer departs from Rome's Fiumicino Leonardo da Vinci Airport for your hotel. Relax and settle in before joining your Travel Director and getting to know your fellow travellers over a delicious dinner with wine to soak up La Dolce Vita at a local restaurant.
Your day is devoted to the Eternal City. Join a Local Expert for an in-depth visit to the Vatican Museums, full of priceless art treasures collected by the Popes. Visit the Sistine Chapel, where Popes are elected, to admire Michelangelo’s famous ceiling. Continue to St. Peter’s Basilica to wonder at another of his works, the emotive ‘Pietà,’ and stand beneath the dome completed after his death. Cross the Tiber River to enjoy ancient Rome to see the incredible Circus Maximus. Admire the beautifully preserved Arch of Constantine, walking on the ancient pavement. Discover the history, the construction and the legends of the iconic Colosseum as you stroll around the exterior of this amazing structure. Later, perhaps continue your exploration of Rome to see the Pantheon, the stunning piazzas and fountains of Rome.
The brilliant blues against the white of the buildings of the classic southern Italian town of Monopoli will inspire the mind of any curious traveller. Get your bearings on an orientation tour led by your Travel Director. In the old town, see the cathedral of Maria Santissima della Madia dedicated to Madonna della Madia, who according to legend arrived here by raft on December 15, 1117. Walk along to the Cala Batteria and Porto Vecchio beach and watch the waves crash upon the seawall. From fishermen reeling in their catch to bars and restaurants filled with locals, Monopoli is a charming waterfront town.
Admire another of Italy's record number of UNESCO World Heritage Sites with a Local Expert. The Trulli of Alberobello are circular structures with conical roofs that are domed within, built from local limestone and stacked without using mortar. Get up close learning the insights behind these unique structures. You then have an opportunity to join an Optional Experience to the stunning city of Ostuni lined with dazzling white houses and rich with history. Later, deepen your discoveries joining an optional Masseria dinner.
Italy will enchant the most curious of travellers. Enjoy a visit with your Local Expert to one of the most beautiful cities of southern Italy, Lecce. The town is often referred to as the Florence of the South due to its dazzling architectural, beautiful Baroque buildings and monuments dating back to Roman times. Amble along its spider's web of streets offering a kaleidoscope mix of long-range vistas and alluring glimpses. Next is the pretty seaside town of Gallipoli where you’ll view the Greek Fountain and Medieval castle before making your way to a viewpoint looking out over the Ionian Sea.
Visit Matera with a Local Expert for an in-depth exploration of the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Sassi — a labyrinth of cave dwellings, churches, staircases and arches, hewn out of the solid rock. You may recognise Matera as the biblical backdrop for the film ‘The Passion of the Christ.’ Continue to the small village of Grottole. Once a thriving community, it has lost most of its activity and population. Meet Andrea, a local striving to bring back the traditional way of living of the area. On this MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience explore the historic old town to learn about the fascinating history of the village. Later, enjoy an aperitif with local snacks helping to preserve the culture.
Buried in A.D. 79 by the historic eruption of Mount Vesuvius, discover the cobbled streets of Pompeii in the region of Campania. Walk with your Local Expert through the cobbled streets to see a city frozen in time. Venture on to the picturesque resort of Sorrento, perched upon the southern cliffs of the Bay of Naples and looking over to Mount Vesuvius.
The impossibly blue sea welcomes you to the sun-drenched island of Capri as you cruise by jetfoil. On arrival, ascend to Capri Town and meet your Local Expert for an orientation walk through the narrow alleyways. Explore Capri with Insight Choice. Choose to visit the immaculate Gardens of Augustus, designed in terraces overlooking the oceanfront, with a Local Expert and admire the views over the Faraglioni Rocks. Alternatively, enjoy a tasting of limoncello, Capri’s famous lemon liqueur. Descend to the port by funicular before returning to Sorrento for a final dinner with your travel companions.
This morning, wave goodbye to your fellow travellers as you depart Sorrento on a coach transfer to Rome airport.