Today after breakfast  a driver will pick us up and take us to Pompeii for a guided tour of the famous ruins. 

Meet in the lobby before dinner at 6:30. The cozy restaurant we're going to tonight  is one of our favorite places in Sorrento. It is in an area full of little shops and restaurants. The food is good and so is the atmosphere.  

After breakfast we will take a  ferry to the famous Isle of Capri.  We arrive at the ferry terminal where you can take a boat ride around the island and visit the Blue Grotto or take the funicular up to Capri Town with its fine shops and restaurants and wonderful views. From Capri Town there are wonderful footpaths that take you all around the island. Open air taxis can take you to Anacapri or other sites on the island. You are free  to explore or sit at an outdoor cafe and sip a wine or cappuccino. The chair lift from Anacapri to the high point of the island is spectacular.

If you like to hike you can  visit the most alluring ruins on Capri - Villa Jovis which belonged to Emperor Tiberius. It was meant to be isolated and hard to reach because he was afraid of assassination.

Meet in the lobby at 6:30. Tonight our included "Welcome Dinner" is followed by a  presentation of the "Tarantella". Dinner will feature local specialties and several local wines.   The "Tarantella"  is a musical that tells the story of Sorrento's long and exciting history.

ROME  (breakfast included)

This morning we drive to Rome after breakfast. After we check into our hotel we will have time to get settled and have a quick lunch. We'll give you some easy to follow maps and directions to major monuments, museums and areas of interest in Rome. We will teach you how to quickly and easily get from our hotel's neighborhood to the famous piazzas Campo Fiori and Piazza Navona.  Our hotel is just minutes away from them once you know the shortcuts in this ancient village.

We'll meet in the hotel lobby for a Rome orientation and a walking tour through Trastevere and ancient Rome.We begin in Piazza Santa Maria with its famous church and fountain. Then a short walk by the shops and restaurants of Trastevere takes us to the Ponte Sisto Bridge. We'll cross the TiberRiver to nearby Piazza Farnesse and into Campo Fiori with its flower market and wonderful outdoor cafes. We then go on to Piazza Navona with its three famous fountains.  Outdoor cafes surround Piazza Navona - probably the most beautiful and interesting square in Rome.  It was once the stadium of Emperor Domitian.   Chariot races were watched by over 30,000 people. You can peek at the ruins from an area at the north end of the Piazza. In the 1500's the famous sculptor Bernini designed two of the three beautiful fountains that are today's focal point for this wonderful "people place".  Beautiful buildings and two churches surround the piazza. This is where you'll find Rome's artists selling their paintings and many souvenir stands. Everyone has a camera in one hand and a gelato in the other. What a great place to sit back, relax and do some serious people watching!

Next we visit the Pantheon. Built 2000 years ago as a pagan temple the Pantheon was later consecrated as a Christian church and so it was not destroyed like most pagan monuments. Built by the Emperor Hadrian, it is a perfect example of classical architecture.  The dome is magnificent. It was built as an astronomical instrument to study the two equinoxes (March 21 & September 21) when day and night are of equal length. The artist Raphael is buried inside as are two Italian kings. The most famous work of art is the "Madonna of the Stone" by Lorenzetto. It is above Raphael's tomb.

Around the corner is the beautiful church of Santa Maria sopra Minerva.  This is said to be the one true Gothic church in Rome.  It was begun in the 13th century over the ruins of a pagan temple dedicated to the Roman god Minerva.  Notice the statue to the left of the main altar by Michelangelo - "Christ Bearing the Cross".  The body of St. Catherine of Siena is buried in the main altar (her head is in Siena).  Also buried here are four popes and the Tuscan painter, Fra Angelico. Outside the church is the Elephant designed by Bernini in 1667 to display an Egyptian obelisk brought to Rome in the third century. Look closely and you can see that Bernini had never seen an elephant!

Finally, we will go by the ruins of a Roman temple at Piazza Largo Argentina near the place where Julius Caesar was assassinated. Cat lovers will notice that the ruins are now a cat refuge where hundreds of Rome's cats are free to roam and are cared for by volunteers. This is the final stop of today's tour. We'll all ride a tram back to Trastevere.

ROME   ( Breakfast  & Dinner with wine included )

Today we'll take those who have signed up for the Vatican tour to the  Basilica of St. Peter’s - the largest and most beautiful church in the world. After our visit to the Vatican Museum and Sistine Chapel, you are free to explore Rome. This might be a good time to revisit Piazza Navona and Campo Fiori. If you have special places you want to visit, be sure to let us know. If you want to shop or check out art museums, the choice is yours. You may choose to simply wander around and try to "take it all in". There's nothing more fun than that!                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            
Castelo Sant’ Angelo is a short walk from the Vatican. Originally built as Hadrian’s Tomb, it later became a fortress to protect the Pope. You can visit Papal apartments and enjoy great panoramic vistas of Rome. There is a small restaurant up top with great views.                                                     

ROME    ( Breakfast and  Private Night time driving tour of Roman monuments included )

If you have special places you've dreamed of visiting in Rome, be sure to let us know. If you want to shop or check out all the art museums, the choice is yours. Or you may choose to simply  wander around and try to "take it all in".  There's nothing more fun than that! 

On the way to Orvieto we'll stop for a visit to Civita Bagnoreggio, an ancient town practically uninhabited today. It is widely referred to as the “dying city”.  In the morning fog it seems to float in the clouds. What remains of  the ancient town is perched on a volcanic outcropping which is at risk of crumbling. It can only be reached on foot, across a pedestrian bridge. Nowadays the village is inhabited by a handful of artists and craftsmen who are dedicated to preserving this piece of history.

We will arrive in Orvieto, one of the most beautiful hill towns in Italy, in early afternoon. Your next two days are free to explore and enjoy this great mountain top city. The people of Orvieto take great pride in their city and it's history and are always glad to share it with visitors. It has an impressive cathedral  with spectacular frescoes in the San Brizio Chapel painted by Signorelli.   Michelangelo is said to have used these as an inspiration for his work in the Sistine Chapel.

Orvieto was first settled by the Etruscans about 500 BC. There is a fascinating guided tour of  the Etruscan caves which wind under Orvieto.  The town's Etruscan museum is very interesting. When you are in the museum be sure to ride the elevator to the observation room where you get a great view of the facade of the Duomo and its splendid mosaics. You can get a combination ticket for several of these sights at the tourist office. It is 12.50 euros and includes the cave tour, the chapel, the Etruscan Museum and more.

You may want visit Saint Patrick’s well (Pozzo di San Patrizio) which is  near the funicular and the old fortress. It is an engineering marvel. Some will also enjoy a climb to the top of the Torre del Moro near our hotel from which you get a view over the rooftops of the city.

ORVIETO (breakfast included)  

Today is Orvieto’s market day for fresh food and dry goods. The market is held in Piazza di Popolo right outside our hotel’s front door.  It is always fun to experience a local market where you can search out bargains and get a look at the things Italians consider essential for house keeping. It's fascinating to find gadgets and cookery items and try to guess their use.  Be sure to take a close look at the produce and meat offerings.  This is where locals do their shopping -  the food is fresh and appealing. You'll also find clothing and household items.

Orvieto’s narrow streets are lined with all kinds of shops and tempting restaurants serving Umbrian cuisine. It is a wonderful place to shop, relax and explore to your heart’s content. Orvieto is a great place to shop for ceramics. There are many ceramic shops so you can you can easily compare prices and designs.

CORTONA   ( Breakfast &  Dinner with wine included )  

Our hotel is in the very center of historic Cortona just steps from Piazza Repubblica.  It was at one time a private mansion but it has now been converted into a comfortable hotel while maintaining much of its Tuscan charm. The public rooms are filled with nooks and crannies, archways and domed ceilings that reflect the age and origins of the building. Not often is a hotel's breakfast room worth discussion. However, this one is a wonderful and unique space on the top floor. Surrounded with large windows there is a breathtaking panoramic view over the rooftops of Cortona and out into the Tuscan countryside.  During breakfast you will likely find yourself entranced with the dance of purple martins as they dart and dive all around you but just beyond your reach. A hauntingly beautiful Italian soundtrack is played in the background.   All this as you enjoy a buffet with pastries, meats, cheeses, yogurts and juice. This is the breakfast room where our people always linger.  You just don't want to leave.

You have two days to explore the town with its museums, churches, wonderful shops and cafes. For those who like to walk, you will enjoy the hike up to the church of Saint Margaret or to the monastery where St Francis reportedly received the stigmata. There is also a Medici fortress.  At the edge of town there is a botanical garden built as a War memorial. This calm and peaceful park is delightful and the views are outstanding. On weekends and during the evening paseggiata it is filled with people enjoying their traditional evening stroll.

CORTONA (Breakfast included)

Today is another free day. Cortona is a compact  town with lots of interesting places to explore.  Today is the weekly street market.  You'll be able to shop for bargains and get an idea of what its like to live in this part of Italy.  The locals do their shopping for fresh goods here just like they do in Orvieto.  Street markets have a big impact on daily life in Italy - and they always have.

If you'd like a massage you can make an appointment at the hotel before we leave the states.  Just let us know and we'll  get you the details and make the appointment for you.

Cortona is one of the oldest settlements in Tuscany thought by some historians to be as old as Troy.  It was settled by the ancient Etruscans whose tombs and relics are here for you to investigate.   There is an interesting Etruscan museum in the center of town providing safe keeping for these priceless treasures. The art museum is also in the center of town and you'll find many art galleries.

Old men and children still congregate in the town’s squares and every day at sunset the people wander the streets and visit with each other.The warm and friendly and people go out of their way to make you feel welcome and accepted. They are always glad to share a bench with an American. Cortona is a great town to visit.

Often there is a special event  in the main piazza. We've seen brides and their families celebrating on the steps of the courthouse, fashion shows, concerts and street musicians.  You never know what to expect. 

CASTELLINA  (breakfast  included)                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          After breakfast we will drive to Siena. When we arrive we'll make a stop at the Gothic church San Domenico of Caterina, Italy's patron saint. You may recall from Rome that St. Catherine was entombed in Rome at the church of Santa Maria sopra Minerva.  She was born and grew up in Siena so it only seemed right to make sure they had at least part of her preserved in this grand Basilica where where she became a nun and later went on to become a saint.  Her head is preserved in is a special chapel dedicated to her memory.  There is also a statue of her atop the bell tower.

Siena is infamous as the long time enemy of Florence. The competition between the two towns has been a constant factor in the history of  Italy.  Even in the construction of the Cathedral in Siena you can see the effect of the competition.  Before the Black Plaque (1348) disrupted their plans by killing off thousands of the people of Siena, they  were attempting to build a church bigger than the grand Cathedral in Florence. 

Siena is also known for "il campo" with its beautiful shell shaped design. Surrounded by outdoor cafes it is a lovely place to sit and gaze at the surrounding buildings. The tower of the Palazzo Publico is the entrance to the town hall. Its upstairs rooms are now a top notch  art museum showing the impact that the Sienese school of painters had on the Renaissance. The  fresco  "Allegory of Good and Bad Government" is housed in the museum.  Together these two frescoes form one of the most important series of secular paintings from the middle ages. 

Siena is known for the annual Palio (horse race) between its continually feuding seventeen  neighborhoods (contradas).  If you sit at one of the pleasant cafes on "il campo", it might be  difficult to comprehend just how such a wild and frenzied affair could take place within the beautiful but smallish plaza.

Shopping is popular activity in Siena. You'll be able to get souvenirs or make a major purchase.  You may want to compare their version of department stores ("Coin" is very typical) with the ones we are familiar with in the states.  

We will leave Siena mid-afternoon and drive to the Dievole Winery for a tour and tasting.  Tucked in the hills of  Tuscany it has beautiful vistas in every direction. This winery is working toward modernizing its production using the newest techniques and hiring on some new young staff  highly trained in  the complexities of producing the very best wines.   We're sure you'll enjoy their robust Chianti and Chianti Reserva. 
                             
From Dievole we have a short drive to Castellina in Chianti. Before dinner we'll have a get together on the back terrace with its peaceful view out back.  We hope you will join us for dinner at  
 "La Torre". It  is popular with both locals and visitors. Known for its succulent veal  chop  roasted meats are its specialty. 

This morning after a typically Italian breakfast of fresh pastries, fruits and yogurts we head for nearby San Gimignano - one of the most visited Tuscan villages.   It's a perfectly preserved medieval walled city.  There are shops, restaurants, cathedrals and museums  to explore.  The beautiful piazzas and ancient buildings carry you back to a time when each wealthy merchant tried to outdo  the others by building the tallest tower. Fourteen of these towers survive today.  The Collegiata Church was a Cathedral at one time and the frescoes on its walls are spellbinding.  In the main piazza one gelateria has been  awarded the  "best gelato in Italy" award for several years in a row.  This piazza is a great place to take pictures in front of the charming well  while you enjoy a prize winning gelato. There are also several outdoor cafes with comfortable tables and chairs under umbrellas just waiting for those who'd like to relax as they  try to absorb the beauty of the ancient buildings that enclose this beautiful piazza.

Some people  say  "the hotel doesn't matter".  We disagree.  This hotel and the others we choose are experiences in themselves. Every hotel on this tour is unique and we've chosen each of them for reasons unique to that hotel.  Some are fancier than others but all are close to the main sights in town and everyone of them has a great staff to welcome and assist you.  They and the charming people who staff them are part of what makes an experience in Italy - so real and so wonderful.                                 

The palace has been painstakingly restored into a beautiful and welcoming small hotel. We hope you'll take time to explore and appreciate all the architectural features that have been preserved. Somehow the renovation has also preserved a sense of  warmth and coziness that makes you feel right at home. Staying in this hotel you'll feel so comfortable that you won't want to leave.   There is a bar and terrace overlooking the Tuscan landscape and swimming pool.  There are gorgeous public rooms with original frescoes still intact and ancient beamed ceilings. You can relax  in the bar, the terrace or one of the lovely lounges. The guest rooms are all uniquely beautiful as well. Last year the talented owner completed a special project for your enjoyment.  Now there is a  beautiful spa for the guests' use.