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ROME, NAPLES, AND SOUTHERN ITALY TOUR
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OVERVIEW
Once the center of the Roman Empire, during the Renaissance part of the Papal States, and today the capital of Italy. Rome, the Eternal City. It's no exaggeration to claim that around every corner is another ancient temple or a medieval church, a Baroque fountain or a museum filled with masterpieces. There's enough in Rome to captivate visitors for months, even years, on end.
The splendor that was Rome might be hard to discern in the ancient forum, among piles of fallen pillars and truncated statues, but it is palpable in the rest of the city, where residents still savor la dolce vita. The dense medieval quarter awakens each morning to the sounds of the Campo dei Fiori market and stays alive well into the night; Rome's effortlessly chic residents traverse the streets on foot and by Vespa; tourists sip drinks in piazzas filled with splashing fountains and ringside cafes. The Piazza Navona, built on the site of an ancient stadium, remains a favorite for people-watching. "In Rome," wrote E.M Forster, "one had simply to sit still and feel."
Naples, Italy's 3rd-largest city, is arguably its most colorful and certainly its most chaotic. Underneath Vesuvius the streets of Naples teem with activity, where Italians eat, work, play, and gossip. Here the amazing architectural monuments are the backdrop to street markets, small shops, and lively neighborhoods. The narrow streets of the old city are home to a treasure trove of churches and palazzi.
The capital of Campania, Naples was founded by the Greeks, enlarged by the Romans, and invaded by foreign invaders in later centuries. And since Naples was once the center of a far-reaching kingdom, it's not surprising that there are royal palaces and castles there as well. Il Mezzogiorno, the land of the midday sun, is also home to the pleasure island Capri, the historic ruins at Pompeii, and the stunning Costiera Amalfitana, south of Naples.
Over a century ago, local writer Renato Fucini promised that when the amalfitani go the heaven on Judgment Day, it will be a day like any other. Those who drive along the Amalfi coast still find it heavenly. The road from Sorrento to Salerno winds through quaint white villages built on steep angles, with one side of the village unfolding down to the cerulean water and the other rising up the mountainside. Inside each village, there are more delights for the senses: hand-painted tiles, lemons the size of grapefruits, leisurely lunches of grilled fish from the morning market, and a sea-sky so intensely blue it inspired Steinbeck to call Amalfi "a dream place."
Guests on the Rome, Naples, and Southern Italy tour will visit many incredible Roman sights, such as the Pantheon, the Roman Forum, the Colosseum, the Vatican and St. Peter's Basilica, and the Spanish Steps. We will travel to the region outside of Rome to explore such marvels as the hill-town of Tivoli, once a favored resort of the ancient Romans.
In southern Italy we will tour the famous highlights of Naples and visit some of the picturesque neighborhoods. We'll also travel to the island of Capri and take day trips to the amazing excavations at Pompeii; Ravello with its lush villas; the royal palace at Caserta; and the Amalfi Coast, famous for the unforgettable mountainside towns.
TOUR HIGHLIGHTS
Marvel at Michelangelo's Sistine Chapel and the dazzling Basilica of St. Peter's at the Vatican
Discover the ancient historic center of Rome including the Foro Romano and Colosseo, scene of gladiator battles and pageantry
Visit the spectacular Villa Adriana and the water park at Villa d'Este in Tivoli
Enjoy a guided tour of Naples, including the Piazza del Plebiscito, the Museo di Capodimonte, and the Spaccanapoli
Explore the historic ruins of Pompeii
Tour the picturesque towns of the Amalfi Coast
Travel by boat to Capri, the pleasure island that was once the resort of choice for Roman emperors
Visit the Royal Palace at Caserta, Italy's largest royal palace
TOUR MANAGER
Michael San Filippo, the founder and director of Cantalupo Tours To Italy, will also accompany guests on the tour. The author of Everything Learning Italian as well as co-author of The Complete Idiot's Guide to Italian History and Culture, Michael is also founder and editor of About Italian Language, the leading online destination for Italian language.
Michael studied in Italy as a graduate student and currently conducts private tutoring in Italian for students of all levels and abilities. With a Master of Arts degree in Italian Studies from the Middlebury College Italian School Abroad program, he has a thorough knowledge of all things Italian including Italian culture, history, literature, and Italian wine and cooking. Having traveled throughout il bel paese, Michael is dedicated to sharing his passion and enthusiasm for Italy with fellow travelers.
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