Pleasures of Southern Italy-Ischia

Tour start date(s):	05-10-2022
Duration:	12 days
Location:	Ischia, Sorrento, Naples, Positano, Amalfi
Price (including tax):	DBL-$2360 USD, SNG-$2840USD

During the tour we will visit the highlights of the south of Italy, colorful Naples, magnificent Italian Versailles-Royal Palace in Caserta, plunge into the mysterious world of excavations of Pompeii, taste wines at Mount Vesuvius, take a fantastic trip along the Amalfi coast, walk along Positano and Amalfi, and also see glamorous Capri and its famous Faragloni

Then we will enjoy some rest and thermal springs on the island of Ischia, which is deservedly called the thermal capital of Europe. The ancient Romans discovered this wonderful island with its rich mineral springs, clean air, mild climate and called it the island of youth.

Every year, tens of thousands of people go to Ischia to recover and feel the energy of youth!

Our tour will allow you to swim and go for treatments in the world-famous thermal parks of the island (Poseidon and Negombo Gardens), located in picturesque bays overlooking the sea, as well as learn the natural splendor of the island and its attractions. We will visit the Aragon Castle, see pine and citrus groves, lush flowering and fruiting cacti and of course enchanting panoramas of the Gulf of Naples.

05.10.22 (Wednesday)  Arrival in Naples

Arrival in Rome, transfer to the hotel, checking into the hotel. At 17:00 exploratory bus tour of Rome: you will see Rome in its romantic sunset, its ancient squares and beautiful narrow streets, lush gardens and impressive cathedrals that look even more majestic in the fading light of the sunset.  You’ll stroll around the Old city and see its main places of interest, you will admire the panorama of Rome from the most popular observation decks.  Self-dining in one of the restaurants of the city. Overnight stay at a hotel in Rome.

06.10.22 (Thursday)   Rome – Naples

After breakfast departure from the hotel and transfer by train to the South of Italy, its southern capital Naples (220 km, 2 hours 10 minutes).  During the sightseeing tour we will get to know the southern capital of Italy - lively, bubbling, colorful and captivating. Our route will pass through the square and the church of Gesu Nuovo, we will go to the Jesuit church and follow in the footsteps of Sophia Loren, where the shooting of the movie "Marriage ItalianStyle" took place, we will walk along Spakcanapoli Street with its many shops, see the castle of Castel Nuovo, the symbol of Naples, and then visit the Chapel of San Severo, one of the best museums in Naples, where we will see the mysterious sculpture "Christ under the Shroud", and find out what legends and symbols are associated with this unique place. Our tour comes to an end in the Ancient Pizzeria Da Michele in the center of Naples, where you can taste the best pizza in Italy.  It's not just pizzeria but a live symbol of pizza, its revived history and traditions.  We will taste the world-famous Neapolitan sweets: divine rum soaked Baba (rum balls) and queen of the Italian pastries Sfogliatella, invention of the monks of the Amalfi coast who treated themselves with a warm layered cake with a delicate filling of ricotta, cinnamon, vanilla and orange zest.  We will drive along Spacanapoli, the street that divides the city into two parts, and in the evening, we will check into a hotel in Naples. Overnight stay at a hotel in Naples.

 07.10.22 (Friday)  Italian Versailles - Royal Palace in Caserta

Breakfast at the hotel. Meeting with the guide in the lobby of the hotel. Tour to the Royal Palace in Caserta.

The Royal Palace in Caserta (Reggia di Caserta), known for its enormous size and luxurious style, is a triumph of late Italian Baroque architecture. The largest royal residence in the world, the Palace was built to challenge Versailles in its size and luxury. The palace is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Built by architect Luigi Vanvitelli for the Bourbon kings of Naples, the palace is majestically located on a hill and is surrounded by gardens, fountains and ponds.

It is impossible to see all its 1200 rooms, of course, but we will see the royal apartments, the Throne Room, the Palatine Chapel and the Great Staircase, all of which are magnificently decorated with frescoes, marble and gold leaf. Return to the hotel. Self-dining at restaurants in the centre of Caserta. Overnight stay at a hotel in Caserta.

08.10.22 (Saturday)   Naples-Pompeii- Sorrento   (The legendary city of Pompeii and tasting of Vesuvius wines at the winery)

Breakfast at the hotel. Departure from the hotel with the luggage. Transfer to Pompeii, where we will see the ancient city, which was buried as a result of the devastating eruption of Vesuvius in 79 BC. For 1700 years, Pompeii was buried, wiped off the face of the earth. But weather-protected buildings, mosaics and even remains have survived to this day. Excavations began in 1748 and continue to this day. Archaeologists say that Pompeii did not die, they live and we will make an unforgettable journey through time!

We will start the tour with the Forum - the political, religious and economic center of Pompeii, see the elegant Basilica, the temples of Apollo, Vespassian, Jupiter, the Forum Baths, magnificent Pompeian mosaics.

Then we head off to the most famous winery in southern Italy on the slopes of Mount Vesuvius. 16 hectares of fertile volcanic soil give the local grapes a unique taste. The vines are rooted in dark and porous lava soil, which does not need to be irrigated, as it naturally retains moisture. Since 1948, the winery has been producing wines, some of which are in limited quantities and it is possible to buy them only here. We will learn about the world-famous Lacrima Christi wine, which has been produced here at Vesuvius since the 5th century BC! Transfer to the Sorrento area. Checking into a 4* hotel in Sorrento. Self-dining in the hotel restaurant or in one of the numerous restaurants near the hotel. Overnight in a hotel in Sorrento. 

09.10.22 (Sunday)  Sorrento - Guided bus tour of the Amalfi coast with a visit to Amalfi, Positano and Limoncello tasting

Meeting with the guide in the lobby of the hotel. Tour along the Amalfi coast. According to the legend, the city got its name from Amalfi, a beloved nymph of Hercules. The unique architecture of the white houses, the mild climate for most of the year and the characteristic artisan stores make it an ideal tourist destination chosen by thousands of tourists. Amalfi is a city of about 7,000 people, rich in history and art, and gives its name to the Amalfi coast, known all over the world, and since 1997 declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Among the most famous monuments, of course, is the Amalfi Cathedral in the Arab-Sicilian style, dedicated to St. Andrea, the patron saint of the city.

We will also make a stop and visit Positano. It was here that magnificent villas stood in the Roman period. We will admire the multi-colored majolica dome of the church of Santa Maria Assunta, where we will see the Black Madonna, icon of the 18th century. We will finish the visit with a tasting of local limoncello liqueur. Return to the hotel in the Sorrento area.

10.10.22 (Monday) Sorrento - Full day cruise to the glamorous island of Capri

Meeting with the guide in the lobby of the hotel. After breakfast at the hotel, we take the bus to the port of Sorrento. From there we sail with a guide to the island of Capri.

In Capri, we will visit the famous Piazza Capri, also known as the "living room of the world": the center of the local social life. Here you can walk down the Corso Vittorio Emanuele and continue along via Camerelle to go shopping, or just look at the windows of the world's largest luxury brands. We will take a pleasant walk through the characteristic medieval quarter of Sant'Anna, and then reach the Certosa di San Giacomo, the medieval pearl of Capri. Return by boat to the port of Sorrento and transfer to the hotel by bus

11.10.22 (Tuesday)  Arrival on the island of Ischia.

After breakfast at the hotel, we meet with the escort, leave the hotel with luggage and transfer to the port of Sorrento. The group boards the boat. By boat, we go to the island of Ischia. Upon arrival, meeting with a local escort and transfer to the 4* hotel, check in. Hotel Hermitage Resort & Thermal Spa has its own thermal pool. Afternoon swim in the hotel's thermal pool and leisure.
Unguided walks. Dinner and overnight stay at the hotel.

12.10.22 (Wednesday)  Ischia - Thermal springs Poseidon Gardens

Meeting with the escort in the lobby of the hotel. After breakfast at the hotel, we go by bus to the largest and most famous park of thermal springs Poseidon Gardens (www.giardiniposeidonterme.com) These are 25 outdoor and indoor thermal pools with different temperatures and concentration of thermal water, contrast pools, cascades and a well maintained sandy beach. In the vast territory of the park, which occupies 60 thousand square meters, there are 22 pools with regularly updated thermal water. Each of the twenty-two pools bears the name of an ancient Greek character. Attention! To receive a bracelet for visiting the pools, a deposit of 5 euros is made, which is refunded after returning the bracelet at the exit from the Park. Return to the hotel. Dinner and overnight stay at the hotel.

13.10.22  (Thursday)  Ischia - Tour of the Aragon Castle and the steaming beach of Sorgeto

Meeting with the escort in the lobby of the hotel. After breakfast at the hotel, we depart by bus on a fascinating tour of the island of Ischia.

The Aragon Castle is the symbol of the island of Ischia, it is situatedon an islet east of the island of Ischia and is connected by a stone bridge of 220 meters long to the ancient village of Ischia Ponte. It is accessed through a tunnel dug in the rock and illuminated by windows in the roof that join the mules trail leading to the top of the islet. From here, other streets with different paths lead to various buildings and gardens, which are part of the castle. The main attractions of the tour are: the Church of the Immaculate Conception, monastery and cemetery of Poor Clare, Cathedral of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary with a crypt, Church of St. Clare, church of St. Pietro a Pantaniello, Church of St. Maria delle Grazie, political prisons, panoramic terrace with olive trees, vegetable gardens and vineyards. You will never forget the breathtaking view that opens from the height of 113 meters above the sea level to the castle, the island and the bay! Then we go to Sorgeto Bay, which is an area of natural hot water pools where people can relax at the end of a rainy or sunny day. A real experience when hot water from the deep thermal and cool sea water mix in natural pools. Return to the hotel. Dinner and overnight stay in the hotel.

14.10.22  (Friday)    Ischia - Negombo Thermal Park

Meet the escort in the lobby of the hotel. After breakfast at the hotel, we take the bus to the Negombo Thermal Spring Park. This is a unique complex that includes exotic gardens, bars and restaurants, as well as works of art! The history of the park is very unusual. In 1946, a much-traveled Duke Luigi Silvestro Camerini fell in love with the Bay of Ischia in San Montano, which reminded him of Negombo Bay in Ceylon. The result of the Duke's passion for botany is the Negombo Thermal Park, which is home to hundreds of rare plant species from Australia, South Africa, Japan and Brazil. There are pools filled with both thermal and sea water among the luxurious garden. Return to the hotel. Dinner and overnight stay at the hotel.

15.10.22 (Saturday)  Ischia – Naples - Rome

Meeting with the escort in the lobby of the hotel. After breakfast departure from the hotel to the port of Ischia, help of the escort in boarding the boat. Departure for Naples (without escort). Arrival at the port of Naples and meeting with a guide at the port at the exit from the boat. Transfer to the railway station, boarding the train Naples – Rome.  Arrival in Rome, transfer to the hotel.  Self-dining.  Overnight stay at a hotel in Rome.

16.10.22  (Sunday)  Departure from Rome

Breakfast at the hotel. Transfer to Rome Airport