Italy 2024
Regions of Lazio and Campania
September 3rd - 10th​
This tour is fully booked
October 7th - 14th​
This tour is fully booked!
The Soul of Southern Italy
This is a fully guided, women-only, small-group tour.
No buses, no roommates, and no mass-produced meals! Your guide will be with you for the duration of the tour, from arrival at the airport to the day you depart. In each place you visit, you will also be joined by local guides as you embark on tours to learn more about the history, culture, and traditions of the area.
Day 1: Benvenuto a Roma!
Welcome to Rome! When you arrive, we will begin our trip with a walking food tour designed to help you orient yourself and gain an understanding of the rich history of this ancient city. We will taste traditional Roman foods like fiori di zucca, porchetta, and pizza al taglio.
Our guide will share stories, show you important landmarks, and even share some of their favorite local spots with you.
This evening, we have reservations for dinner together at a local restaurant in Rome.
Inclusions:
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Car transfer from Rome airport to hotel
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Guided walking food tour (with local guide)
Day 2:
Ancient Ruins and Aperitifs
This morning, we have some free time to explore before we set off to tour the spectacular colosseum, where ancient Romans were entertained in some exceptionally gruesome ways.
Our private guide will begin with an in-depth tour of the colosseum and its history before we make our way into the Roman Forum, the ruins of the heart of ancient Rome's political, religious, and social activities. The ruins here reveal the daily life of early Romans, from the grooves made by wheels on the ancient roads to a Roman board game carved into a set of stone steps. Then, we will venture around Palatine Hill, widely considered the birthplace of the Roman Empire.
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This evening, we will have an aperitif at a classic Roman spot, then have an optional group dinner in the lively Travestere neighborhood of Rome.
Inclusions:
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Entrance to the Colosseum
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Private guided tour of the Colosseum
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Entrance to the Roman Forum and Palatine Hill
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Private guided tour of Roman Forum and Palatine Hill​
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Day 3:
Exploring Vatican City
Today, we explore Vatican City, the smallest country in the world. Vatican City is a city-state surrounded by Rome, Italy, and it is the headquarters of the Roman Catholic Church. It's home to the Pope and a trove of iconic art and architecture. Its Vatican Museums house ancient Roman sculptures such as the famed “Laocoön and His Sons” as well as Renaissance frescoes in the Raphael Rooms and the Sistine Chapel, famous for Michelangelo’s ceiling.
Our licensed private guide will lead us on an exploration of everything from St. Peter's Basilica to the artistic treasures collected through the centuries.
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This evening, we will have free time to explore the city. This is a perfect opportunity to revisit a site, shop, or sit in Piazza Navona and people-watch!
Inclusions:
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Entrance to the Vatican Museums and the Sistine Chapel
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Private guided tour of Vatican City, including St. Peter's Basilica, the Vatican Museums, and the iconic Sistine Chapel
Day 4: We Head to the Coast...
Today we begin the second half of our adventure! This morning, we will take the train from Rome to Naples, where our driver will pick us up and take us to our hotel overlooking the Bay of Naples.
We will have lunch in Sorrento before taking the ferry to the Isle of Capri. We will spend the remainder of the day exploring Capri. I will lead a leisurely hike around the edge of the Isle, stopping for dinner at a restaurant that overlooks the coast of the mainland. Otherwise, you are free to explore the island!
This evening, we will take the ferry back to the mainland.
Inclusions:
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Premium class, high speed train tickets from Rome to Naples
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Private transport to the hotel on the coast of the Bay of Naples
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Ferry ticket to the Isle of Capri and back
Day 5: The Amalfi Coast
This morning, our driver will pick us up for our day exploring the Amalfi Coast, a UNESCO site. First, we will visit Positano, a cliff-side town with pebble beaches, streets lined with boutiques and cafes, and a beautiful Church whose origins date back to the fifth century. The church houses a Byzantine-era Madonna, brought to the area in the 700s.
Then, we move on to Amalfi, set at the base of the steep coastal cliffs. The Arab-Norman architecture of the cathedral here captures the diverse history of the town. We end our day in lovely Ravello, perched 365 meters above the Tyrrhenian Sea. In each town, we will have time to explore and soak up the beautiful views.
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We will return to Sorrento this evening, where we have a reservation to dine in a delicious restaurant set in a lemon grove.
Inclusions:
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Private Car and Driver for the day
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Amalfi Coast Tour
Day 7:
Pompeii, Volcanoes, and Pizza!
This morning, our driver will pick us up to begin making our way toward Naples. Our first stop is Pompeii, where we will meet our guide for an interesting and informative tour of the remains of this ancient coastal trading city. After our visit, we will head to a local vineyard for a tour, tasting, and lunch. The vineyard sits in the shadow of Mt. Vesuvius, and the views are as incredible as the wine.
After a delicious lunch, we will drive up Mt. Vesuvius to the highest point our driver can go. From there, we can hike the remaining 140 meters to the crater. Along the hike, the Bay of Naples glistens below and you are surrounded by beautiful flowers hearty enough to grow in this volcanic soil. At the top, you get a sense of the power of this magnificent volcano, which last erupted during WWII. The hike is about 30 minutes, and the views are incomparable.
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After our hike, we will head to Naples, where we will spend our last night. We will go for a group dinner of the cities namesake, traditional Neapolitan style pizza.
Inclusions: ​​​
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Private car and driver for the day
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Entrance to Pompeii
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Guided tour of Pompeii
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Tour, tasting, and lunch at a local vineyard
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Entrance to Mt. Vesuvius
Day 6: A Taste of Italy
Today our driver will take us to a private home in a small town in Campania, where we will take part in a private cooking class. Here, we will learn how to make traditional dishes from the Campania region.
The class will incorporate regional ingredients, and include wine, olive oil, and cheese education and tastings. We will make starters, pasta, desserts... We will cook, learn, and feast!
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This evening, you have free time to explore or revisit any area you would like!
Inclusions:
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Private car and driver
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Cooking class and tastings
Day 8: Arrivederci!
Today, we depart from Italy. A car will take you to the airport to begin your journey home.
Inclusions:
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Car transfer to airport
Scroll down for
pricing and inclusions
September 3rd-10th
Fully Booked
October 7th-14th
Fully Booked
Inclusions
The Soul of Italy Tour includes the following:
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Private driver for transfer to Rome from the airport
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Your own private room in a historic hotel located in the city center of Rome for 3 nights, the Amalfi Coast area for 3 nights, and Naples for one night.
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Breakfast each day
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Private, guided walking food tour in Rome
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Entrance to the Roman Colosseum, The Roman Forum, and Palatine Hill
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Private, guided tour of the Roman Colosseum, The Roman Forum, and Palatine Hill
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Entrance to St. Peter's Basilica, the Vatican Museums, and the Sistine Chapel
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Private, guided tour of St. Peter's Basilica, the Vatican Museums, and the Sistine Chapel
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Premium class, high speed train tickets from Rome to Naples
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Private driver for transfer from Naples train station to our hotel on the Amalfi Coast
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Ferry ticket to the Isle of Capri and back
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Private car and driver for our tour of the Amalfi Coast
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Tour of the Amalfi Coast, including Positano, Amalfi, and Ravello
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Intensive cooking class in a private home in Campania
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Private car and driver for the day we explore Pompeii and Vesuvius
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Entrance to Pompeii
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Guided tour of Pompeii
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Tour, tasting, and lunch at a local vineyard
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Entrance to Mt. Vesuvius
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Transfer to the airport
Exclusions
Travelers are responsible for:
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Travel to and from Italy. On this tour, we start in Rome and end in Naples I am happy to assist with planning your flights or offer advice on extending your tour. There are many ways to get good airfare and I am happy to assist you!
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Italy is open for travel with no restrictions. You can visit the following website for the latest updates: Italian Health Ministry Website
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Travel insurance REQUIRED (Allianz Global offers great plans for around $150 per person) this can be purchased with airfare
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Lunches and dinners ~ with the exception of the Food tour in Rome and the cooking class in Campania
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Tips for Drivers and Guides (approximately $100 total, given at your discretion)
Payment
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​$400 deposit to secure your spot. Because of the small size of these trips, it is advisable to secure a spot early.
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40% of trip cost ~ $1600~ due 120 days out from departure
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Balance of trip cost ~ $2000~ due 60 days out from departure
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Monthly payments are also an option, with $400 to secure your spot and the balance divided into equal monthly payments.