Umbria & the Amalfi Coast
Italy Luxury Tours and Vacation Packages
Umbria & the Amalfi Coast Dates / Prices
Duration : 12 Days / 11 Nights
Dates : May, September, May - 2008, June - 2008, September - 2008, October - 2008
Priced From : $8,295
Feast your eyes upon the lovely province of Umbria and discover the beauty of the Amalfi Coast. Appreciation of the finer things in life comes easy here. Absorb the alluring traditions and breathtaking landscapes of hilltop villages such as Spoleto, and Torgiano. Spectacular artwork, fascinating history, intriguing architecture and amazing food and wine all await you in the very heart of the Italian peninsula.
- Cruise to Capri's renowned Blue Grotto, a Roman nymphaeum
- Explore Pompeii, a time capsule of Roman civilization as it existed circa 79 A.D.
- Savor tantalizing wine and cuisine at an exclusive tasting in Spello
- Enjoy a private tour of the Wine and Olive Museum in Torgiano
Umbria & the Amalfi Coast Luxury Tour Itinerary
DAYS 1 & 2, Depart for Naples & Sorrento, ITALY
Depart your home city for Naples on Saturday. You will be met upon your arrival on Sunday afternoon and transferred to Sorrento and your exclusive hotel set in a cliff-top garden with a splendid view over the sea.
Sunday evening, at a festive cocktail party and dinner, you will meet your our Travel Director and fellow travelers to learn more about the exciting days ahead.
DAY 3, Capri
In the morning, transfer by hydrofoil on a 40-minute ride to the Isle of Capri, the land that has drawn emperors, writers and artists for centuries. Enjoy the island’s mountainous landscape, quaint villages and resort atmosphere.
Your luxury hotel, where you will be accommodated for the next three nights, was originally built in 1845. It is located in the heart of town, just a few steps from the Piazzetta, the island’s social hub. The prestigious property is surrounded by its own enchanting gardens and its terraces overlook the sea.
 DAY 4, Amalfi Coast & Positano
Return to Sorrento by hydrofoil this morning and depart on a drive along the Amalfi Coast road. Enjoy breathtaking views of coastal mountains and sheer cliffs plunging into the sea.
Discover the charming hillside village of Positano, considered the pearl of the Amalfi Coast. Continue to Amalfi, the largest town along the coast and an established seaside resort since Edwardian times, when the British upper class spent their winters here. Explore its beautiful cathedral and streets lined with quaint shops and cafés.
DAY 5, Capri
In the morning, visit the charming Villa San Michelle, original home of physician and author Axel Munthe. The home and gardens are now a museum furnished with antiques from Capri’s classical era.
You’ll have the afternoon at leisure to discover more of the wonders of this enchanting city. You can window-shop in expensive boutiques, visit the monastery, enjoy the breathtaking view from the belvedere overlooking the Faraglioni, or go for a swim at the village of Marina Piccola, down a steep and winding staircase cut into rock.
DAY 6, Pompeii & Spoleto
Early in the morning, leave the hotel for a drive to Pompeii to visit its ruins. Pompeii joined the Roman Empire in 310 B.C. and became an important industrial and trading center and home to many influential and wealthy Romans.
Continue to Spoleto and your luxury hotel for the next two nights. This austere but picturesque city is beautifully positioned on a small hill crowned with a fortress. The town, with its grey-towered profile, slopes down towards the plain into a beautiful backdrop of green mountains. A city of very old origins, Spoleto is known for its important archeological, medieval and renaissance monuments, and also for the world-famous Spoleto Festival.
 DAY 7, Spoleto
This morning explore Spoleto. Visit the Cathedral that was built at the end of 13th-century. The Romanesque facade, next to a great bell tower, is decorated in the upper part by a magnificent mosaic created in 1207. Among the many works of art you can admire are the wonderful frescoes of Filippo Lippi and of Pinturicchio, and an interesting bronze bust of Urbano VIII by Bernini.
DAY 8, Spello & Torgiano
Depart from Spoleto today for a visit to the town of Spello, with its beautiful view over the Umbrian plain from Perugia to Spoleto. It is constructed in the local pink limestone quarried on Mt. Subasio, lending it a unique rosy hue, particularly at sunset.
This ancient village, whose history goes back up to the Roman Age, has two well-preserved Augustan gates, which surround the town. Also visit Porta Venere, with its towers, Porta Consolare and Porta Urbicale. Then see the most precious treasure of Spello, the wonderful frescoes of Pinturicchio, in the church of Santa Maria Maggiore. Continue to a medieval wine cellar for a tasting of Umbria's best wines, olive oils and various Umbrian delicacies.
DAY 9, Perugia & Torgiano
In the morning visit Perugia. You will see the collegio del Cambio Palazzo dei Priori and the National Gallery of Umbria where you’ll view the work of Perugino.
You’ll have the afternoon at leisure in Torgiano to enjoy the quiet and peace of the Umbrian countryside and the small-town atmosphere. Your intimate, charming five-star hotel is a luxurious destination for gourmets from around the world.
For the visitor interested in food and wine, Torgiano is a veritable treasure trove. You may choose to visit the Wine Museum, a short walk from the hotel, with an astounding collection on the history of wine and the role of wine in different cultures over the centuries.
DAY 10, Torgiano & Assisi
This morning depart for Assisi – the "crown jewel of the medieval hill towns." Start the visit with the three levels of the Basilica di San Francesco: the crypt, where the Saint is buried; the Lower Basilica; and the Upper Basilica of Romanesque/Gothic architecture, built in the 13th-century to house the body of St. Francis of Assisi, patron saint of Italy, and most beloved of all saints for the Italians. The greatest masters of the time — Cimabue, Giotto, Simone Martini, Pietro Lorenzetti — were called here to fresco, rendering this church one of Italy's most outstanding art museums.
 DAY 11, Orvieto & Rome
Depart the medieval town of Orvieto. At the heart of the medieval quarter, visit the fascinating underground labyrinth of passages, with caves and archaeological finds dating back to the Etruscans.
You’ll see the town’s tranquil medieval square and tour the breathtaking Gothic cathedral to see frescos painted by Fra Giovanni from Fiesole and the Last Judgement cycle of frescoes by Luca Signorelli. The Duomo of Orvieto is one of the most important examples of Gothic architecture in Italy.
DAY 12, Depart for Home
This morning you will be taken to the airport in Rome for your flight home or on to your next destination.
Umbria & the Amalfi Coast Luxury Tour Accommodations:
Sorrento, Hotel Parco dei Principi:
The Hotel Parco dei Principi is a serene delight in scenic Sorrento. The entire complex preserves the work and flavor of its designer, Gio Ponti, the god-father of Italy’s post WWI design renaissance, while offering the modern amenities of a true Italian resort.
The resort is known for its vast garden area, highlighted by majestic botanical gardens displaying classical architecture amid the rare specimens of beautiful trees. Numerous examples of rare blooms abound, including the Washingtonia filifera, Washingtonia robusta and Livistonia, Jubaea spectabilis, Yucca elefantibes and Yucca messicana and, above all, Gingko biloba, a species now on the verge of extinction.
Capri, Grand Hotel Quisisana:
From 1845 onwards the 5-star Grand Hotel Quisisana has been receiving guests in an atmosphere of exclusive elegance and great hotel tradition. The Quisisana is now a symbol of Capri, nearly as much as the Blue Grotto, and it is a member of The Leading Hotels of the World.
Recreational facilities at the Quisisana are extensive. You can sunbathe on comfortable lounges around the large outdoor pool, play tennis on one of two courts, or relax in the elegant atmosphere of the Quisi Club, taking advantage of its indoor pool, beauty parlor, Jacuzzi, steam room, sauna and massage facilities.
Spoleto, Villa Milani:
Situated a few kilometers from the historical center of Spoleto, in a splendid position that dominates the town, the Villa Milani is surrounded by 20 acres of natural meadows and woods. Built in 1880, the villa was the country residence of the architect Giovanni Battista Milani, one of the most important exponents of the Roman architecture. It was named a Historical Residence by Regione Umbria.
Torgiano, Hotel Le Tre Vaselle:
Within the city walls of Torgiano is the 5-star Hotel Le Tre Vaselle, a refined inn and restaurant. The structure of the large 17th-century manor is characteristic of an old Umbrian residence with its thick stone walls, wooden beams, terracotta floors and impressive stone fireplaces. The fine decor combines antique Umbrian furnishings from the 17th- and 18th-century, hand-woven fabrics from central Italy, trompe-l'oeils, oil paintings, embroidery and antique etchings on a viticultural theme.
Rome, St. Regis Grand Hotel:
You can enjoy a unique dining experience at the Restaurant Vivendo, nominated by Zagat as the number one restaurant in Rome, and the Gold Key award winner for design and decor. The private wine cellar, Di Vino, selected to be depositaire de l’enotheque Dom Perignon, offers private dining with regional and international menus enhanced by a wide selection of wines to complement each course.
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10/08
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