Women Only Tour: Fashion, Food, Wine, Spas September 12-22 2024

This morning we will be getting up early for a tour of the Vatican Museums before they open for the general public. The visit begins with a buffet breakfast in the Pine Courtyard, then begins the tour with an official Vatican guide. Over the next 2hrs you will visit some of the most famous galleries of the Museums, including the Pio Clementino Museum, Gallery of the Candelabra, Gallery of the Tapestries, Gallery of the Geographical Maps, the Raphael Rooms, Sistine Chapel. At the end, you will exit into the incredible space of St. Peter's Basilica.

Following the visit, we will have lunch nearby then you will have the afternoon to yourselves to enjoy some Rome.

In the evening, the group will meet again for dinner. At the end, a driver will meet us for a fabulous night tour of the city and her most famous monuments, including Piazza Navona with Bernini's beautiful Fountain of the Four Rivers, the Pantheon, the Trevi Fountain and the Spanish Steps. The tour will end back at the hotel.

Overnight in Rome.

Today is all about you! After breakfast we will be heading out of the city to the spa town of Tivoli for a morning relaxing in the thermal, sulphurous waters of the Acque Albule spring, with their wonderful anti-inflammatory properties. The massaging water jets, whirlpool, hot and cold waters, sauna and Turkish Bath, as well as the optional treatments like thermal mud, will leave you feeling rejuvenated, relaxed and ready for the afternoon.

The next stop will be Lazio's most famous wine-producing area in the hills outside Rome, the Castelli Romani. Here we will stop at a winery for a wine tasting and light lunch of local products.

Heading towards the coast, our final stop today will be the Castel Romano Outlet Village, where you will have a few hours to check out the designer stores where discount typically range from 30% to an incredible 70% off.

In the evening, we will head back to the hotel, where you will be at leisure to enjoy your final evening in Rome.

Overnight in Rome.

Today we will be bidding farewell to the Eternal City and heading south to the eternal beauty of the Amalfi Coast. On the way, we will stop at the UNESCO World Heritage site of the Royal Palace of Caserta, the world's largest royal residence – you may not have heard of it, but you will undoubtedly have seen it as it frequently doubles for the interior of the Vatican on film!  We will stop here for lunch, to visit the palace and stretch out legs in the stunning gardens, inspired by the gardens at Versailles.

Continuing south, we will arrive in Sorrento, where we will be staying at the Hotel Riviera.

Dinner and overnight in Sorrento.

Today will be a day dedicated to enjoying the beauty of the Amalfi Coast.  Our private driver will meet us at the hotel after breakfast and take us on a fabulous journey along the famous twisting, winding coastal road, which is undoubtedly one of the most beautiful drives in the world.  On the way we will stop in the towns that dot the cliff face, including Amalfi, with its beautiful cathedral, Ravello and its lovely gardens, Positano and the most breath-taking panoramic views you will see during your trip at every bend.

In the evening we will head to Sorrento for dinner where we will dine by the sea and enjoy local wines from the Campania region.

Overnight in Sorrento.

This morning we will set sail to the magical and world-famous island of Capri where we will visit the San Michele gardens and enjoy some of the most spectacular views this island has to offer.  There will be plenty of time for shopping, enjoying the local delicacies and just taking in the smell of the beautiful Mediterranean floral this island is so famous for.

As we sail round the island, we will see some of the famous caves and be able to dive from the boat into the clear blue waters.

In the evening we will return to the hotel for dinner.

Overnight in Sorrento.

After breakfast at our villa this morning we will depart for the ruins of Pompeii where we will explore these ancient ruins with a local licensed guide.  None of the citizens were prepared for the eruption of Vesuvius on an August night in 79AD, as you walk through the town, everywhere you will see signs of people going about their daily lives, which were so unexpectedly interrupted.

After our visit, we will stop at a nearby winery for a tour of the cellar, to taste the local red and white wines, to relax a little and enjoy lunch.

Refreshed, we will head up the flanks of the imposing Mount Vesuvius, which dominated the landscape across the Bay of Naples, posing a constant threat to the surrounding population in the most densely populated volcanic region on earth.  We will take the final half-hour walk to the crater on foot, while marveling at the wonderful views on every side.

In the evening, we will return to Sorrento for dinner.

Overnight in Sorrento.

This morning we will depart early from the villa to get the ferry to the beautiful Island of Ischia, home to some of the most beautiful natural hot springs in Italy.

In the morning we will enjoy the sights of the island including the amazing subtropical Mortella Gardens. In the afternoon we will head to the Nitrodi Baths on the Island of Ischia, before taking the ferry back to Sorrento in time for dinner.

Overnight in Sorrento.

After breakfast this morning, our driver will meet you at the hotel for the return trip to Naples airport.  

If you are interested in extending your Italian vacation, one of our travel consultants will be happy to assist you with your itinerary.