Absolute Italy by Italy Vacation Specialists

Absolute Italy with Italy Vacation Specialists

Absolute Italy including Tuscany and Wine Tasting

Absolute Venice with Italy Vacation Specialists

PRIVATE NAPLES

Absolute Italy: Mostly Private Tour of Italy including the Amalfi Coast - Capri - Pompeii - Rome - Tuscany - Florence and Venice

Tour Code TUR-01352

Duration 11 days

Group Type Private

Departs From Naples

Meeting Point Airport

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6 May 2019

Overview

Many of the most beautiful places in Italy are not accessible by train or public transit, especially on Italy's Amalfi Coast where getting to places like Ravello, Pompeii and the island of Capri by car are not advisable or even legal in many instances.

For this reason, we've put together this incredible Absolute Italy experience which includes all your transportation needs with local professionals who will take you to some of the most beautiful places in Italy which are otherwise inaccessible that you wouldn't want to visit with big groups who require the big coaches.

Over the course of this 11 day experience, we visit some of Italy's most popular destinations with local experts in each location and everything is coordinated by our expert team.  All of our tours include VIP skip the line tickets and one of the top features of this tour is that you will be away from the big groups tours and able to move around easier without the hassle of the crowds!

Our local drivers and professional guides, bring the history of places like Pompeii, Vatican City and ancient Rome to life! You will step inside the galleries of Florence, the Sistine Chapel, the Colosseum with ease and experience Italy with our team who is passionate and at your disposal to give you insider information about all of the destinations we have included.

Highlights include, the Amalfi Coast and gardens of Ravello, the island of Capri, Pompeii, the Val d'Orcia in Tuscany home to the tows of Montepulciano, Pienza, Montalcino and others.

This itinerary truly does have it all and is a special holiday experience that is a combination of private & small group tours, private transport, high speed rail and wine experiences, to name but a few, put together by your local experts here in Italy who organize all the logistical elements of your experience so that you can relax and enjoy the beauty of this amazing country which we call home!

Itinerary

Private Transfer from Naples Airport to Sorrento - Welcome Dinner in Sorrento Sea View Dining Experience

Where We Visit: Naples Sorrento | Meeting Location: Airport

Upon arriving at the Naples airport (train station or port) a member of our team will be there to meet you to begin your journey south the Amalfi Coast. You will travel along one of the most beautiful coastlines in Italy known as the Sorrentine peninsula, to the beautiful town of Sorrento. Depending on how tired you are, your driver can stop for some wonderful photo opportunities overlooking the bay of Naples which offers impressive views towards the islands of Capri, Ischia and Procida.

In Sorrento, you will be staying in one of the town’s superior or luxury 4* hotels, situated on the cliffs overlooking the Mediterranean. Sorrento is loved by visitors for its mild climate, lemon-lined streets and beautiful sea-views, looking out onto Capri. It’s the perfect location to discover the Amalfi Coast and the ancient sites that surround Mount Vesuvius in the distance.

Upon arrival at the hotel, you will be at your leisure to enjoy a stroll around the town, wander down to the beach or find a clifftop bar and have your first aperitivo and embrace the relaxed pace on an Italian evening.

This evening, walking distance from your hotel, we provide you with ample dinner recommendations and reservations in a number of locally owned fantastic local trattorias we work with where we know the cuisine is outstanding.

Overnight in Sorrento.

Full Day Private Tour of the Amalfi Coast with Our Local English Speaking Hosts

Where We Visit: Amalfi Coast

After you have enjoyed breakfast, looking out onto the sea, your driver will pick you up at the hotel reception for your tour.

Driving the narrow coastal road can be harrowing for experienced drivers if they are unprepared for the twisting roads, sharp drops and oncoming traffic. In the comfort of a luxury vehicle and in the safe hands of a local, professional driver, you can relax and concentrate on the stunning views on one of Italy’s most beautiful natural landscapes.

Your driver will take you to the most famous of the towns scattered along the jagged cliffs, sharing local knowledge as you go. First stop of the day will be Positano, once a popular retreat for artists who were responsible for the painted houses. You will have time to wander the narrow streets that lead down to the beach, discovering great shops and wonderful views as you go.

From here we head further south stopping in towns like Maiori, Minori, Amalfi, Conca Marini, Ravello and many other stunning places.

For lunch, we recommend you to dine in a special tower called Torre Normani, which is one of the most beautiful restaurants on the Amalfi Coast, although we have several other incredible restaurants the Torre Normani is one you don't want to miss, although depending on your interests you may want to dine in Positano, on the cliffs of Ravello, where we will provide you with some simply spectacular and very reasonably priced suggestions.

Return in the evening to Sorrento where you will have free time to enjoy Sorrento and dinner at leisure.

Overnight in Sorrento.

Sorrento - Pompeii - Wines of Mt. Vesuvius - Rome

Where We Visit: Pompeii Rome

Following your final breakfast in Sorrento, you will find your driver waiting to take you and your bags to Naples.

On the way, you’ll be stopping in the legendary city of Pompeii, for a privately guided tour of the ruins with a licensed, local guide. For 2hrs you will walk the ancient streets of this incredible city, frozen in time on an August day in AD79 for you to discover as you make your way to the Forum, bath house, theaters, houses and brothel, in the shadow of Europe’s most dangerous volcano.

Before leaving Naples, you will stop for lunch at a local winery, where you’ll enjoy fresh, local produce and some of the wines produced in the rich, volcanic soils that surround Vesuvius.

Your driver will leave you at Naples train station, in time to catch the high-speed train to Rome and in little over an hour, you’ll be in the heart of the Eternal City and on your way to your hotel with.

Our drivers ensure to put you on the train and there to pick you up in Rome.

After a demanding day, your first evening in Rome will be at your leisure.

Overnight in Rome

Where We Visit: Rome

Following breakfast at the hotel, we will pick you up and head to Vatican City, the smallest city state in the world.

Your local expert guide will show you the highlights of this amazing collection, started by Pope Julius II in the 16th century and added to by successive popes ever since. The path through the galleries, leads to the Sistine Chapel, where you will need a little time to absorb the wealth of detail and color surrounding you from the Creation on the ceiling, to the Last Judgment adorning the altar wall.

Exiting straight into the Basilica of St. Peter's, the most imposing of Rome's Papal Basilicas. Julius II declared that this was to be the greatest church in all of Christendom and with Bramante, Michelangelo, Carlo Maderno and Bernini all playing a role in its design and construction, it was destined to be. Prepared to be awed by the space, the light, the lavish decoration and the wonderful works of art that have been commissioned by popes keen to leave their mark here.

Our services will end here at Vatican city an some of you may want to venture into Trastevere for lunch or enjoy more of Vatican city on your own, however our tours try not to jam so much in that you can't enjoy Rome!

There is great shopping in Rome near the Spanish Steps, Via Condotti and many other areas around your hotel.

The rest of the day will be at leisure. You will have time to see something of Rome on your own.

Overnight in Rome

Ancient Rome: The Colosseum & Roman Forum

Where We Visit: Rome

This morning’s tour will take you through some of the fascinating ruins of ancient Rome. From her mythical foundations, to the expansion of the empire throughout Italy and the Mediterranean, Rome continued to be ruled from the narrow stretch of land in the center of the city: The Roman Forum. Today a mix of temples, churches and monuments spanning more than 12 centuries of history, our guide will help you unravel this mix of beautiful structures and explain the story of their survival.

Standing above the Forum is the Palatine Hill, where Romulus and Remus are said to have been raised by the She-Wolf and where Augustus and the emperors who followed, chose to build their palaces. Here we will see the remains of some of these palaces and the wonderful view the emperors would have had of the races in the Circus Maximus, without having to mix with the people!

The final monument in the archeological complex, is perhaps the pinnacle of Roman engineering and lasting symbol of power: the Colosseum. Here we will skip-the-line and head inside to learn about the violent world of public entertainment in the Roman Empire, discover how and why the Colosseum was built and why this spot was chosen and to dispel a few myths!

Free time for lunch and rest of the afternoon at leisure in Rome.

Overnight in Rome

Rome - Tuscany - Wine Tasting in Tuscany - Florence

Where We Visit: Rome Montalcino

It’s time to bid farewell to Rome and prepare for a day in one of the most beautiful parts of Tuscany.

Following breakfast, you will check out of the hotel and meet your driver at the reception. Relax and enjoy watching the hilltop towns of the Lazio region as you drive north into Tuscany and the Orcia Valley. This valley is a UNESCO World Heritage site, recognized as a cultural treasure for its outstanding natural beauty.

It is also home to numerous winemakers, producing reds such as Brunello di Montalcino. Close to Montalcino, you will stop for lunch at a winery to discover some of these wines and enjoy some typical local products.

In the afternoon, you will have some time to visit Pienza on your own, considered to be the ideal Renaissance town and Montepulciano, where visitors who climb all the way to the square at the top, are rewarded with wonderful views out across the valley. It’s also a great place to shop for souvenirs, or stock up on wine!

The tour will end as you arrive in your hotel in the heart of Florence and you will be free to relax and enjoy dinner at your leisure.

Overnight in Florence.

Morning Train from Florence to Venice - Afternoon Tour of the Venetian Islands

Where We Visit: Venice

After breakfast, head to the railway station to catch the fast train to Venice, where a private boat will be waiting to take you to your hotel, giving you your first glimpse of the beautiful canals that run throughout the city.

Once you have checked into your hotel, you’ll have some time to look around St. Mark’s Square and the surrounding area and enjoy your first Venetian meal, before getting in another boat and heading out into the lagoon to visit some of the other islands.

The delicate ecosystem of the lagoon is home to 118 small islands, and countless species of animals and birds. Your tour will take you to 3 of the larger islands, Murano, Burano and Torcello. Murano has been home to the city’s famed glass-makers for generations, and during your visit you will see a demonstration of glass-blowing. Burano is known for lace-making and its brightly-colored houses, while Torcello is home to Venice’s first cathedral, the Medieval Santa Maria Assunta, decorated with wonderful examples of 11^th century mosaics.

Returning to Venice, you will be free to enjoy dinner, a typical Venetian aperitivo and to visit the streets in the quiet of the evening.

Overnight in Venice.

Inclusions & Exclusions

What's Included

4 star hotels in great locations
Daily Buffet Breakfast
Excellent Photo Opportunities
Full day excursion to Capri
Half-day private walking tour of Venice with expert bilingual certified guide
Personalized Services
Private Amalfi Drive excursion with expert bilingual driver
Reservation and Ticket to the Accademmia Gallery
Road Tolls
Service charges and taxes included
Skip the Line Entrance to Colosseum, Roman Forum and Palatine Hill
Transfer from Venice Railway Station to hotel in Venice
Privately Guided Tour of Vatican City with Licensed Guide

What's Not Included

Everything not clearly specified under â€œrates includeâ€.
Food and beverages not mentioned in the program
Gratuities of any type
Hotel City Taxes which must be paid locally

Pricing & Availability

Please contact us today by either phone or email for assistance with this booking.

Email: team@italyvacationspecialists.com
Toll Free: 1-866-779-2565

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Client Testimonials

I am a travel agent from Lebanon and have organized several group tours as well as individual tours of Italy with Italy Vacation Specialists. I highly recommend them as one of the very best tour operators in Italy to work with, given their professionalism and work ethic which I feel is second-to-none in the travel industry. All of the staff, the guides, the coaches and even the… Read More
— Nicole Haddad, Lebanese Travel Agent
The trip was great we appreciate all the hard work you and your team invested to make our experience a once in a lifetime trip. We appreciate all the attention to the details in particular Giuseppe spending the time and the focus with us on the road and as we were exploring your great country.… Read More
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My husband and I just took a two week trip to Italy that was planned for us by Eleanor Kinchin-Smith. It was a fantastic trip and we could not have been more thrilled. We worked together with Ele to let her know about our interests and our style of travel. She planned the perfect trip with excellent private guides at all of our sites, professional drivers and lovely hotels. We … Read More
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Jesse & Giuseppe,Sandy and I have been looking through my slides of our trip to Southern Italy. We had such a good time with you and Giuseppe that we wanted to let you know again. You were the best guides ever.… Read More
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We're home now from the most amazing trip to Italy! I can't thank you enough for your efforts and coordination of what was without question the finest vacations I've been on to date.… Read More
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I am a travel agent with All About Honeymoons and I would highly recommend Italy Vacation Specialists. Jessica was wonderful in helping us plan in a last minute anniversary vacation during high season without any issues. She even checked on our clients while on vacation to make sure things were going well. I plan on using them again soon for all my future bookings!… Read More
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This company really knows their stuff and recommended our family to stay longer in each location. We didn't listen to them, but wished we had in every single place we went. They recommended Sestri Levante over the Cinque Terre which was our favourite destination on our entire trip. We visited Rome where we stayed in the outstanding Hotel Locorno where they know the owner there,… Read More
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