Rome - The Eternal City
Thursday, September 6th - "There is NO PLACE like Rome!" Rome has been adizzying mix of architecture and style for nearly 3,000 years; think magnificent historical architecture surrounded by Vespa-choked streets, picturesque piazzas dominated by trickling fountains and buzzing restaurants. Upon arrival you well transfer by private deluxe motor coach to your hotel near the Vatcain City where you will have time a quick shower before your walking tour that will start with a metro lesson and tour orientation lunch (included in package). After you will Roam Rome as you visit Piazza del Popolo, the Spanish Steps, and Church of Sant'Ignazio to see the amazing 18th century 3D fresco paintings by Father Andrea Pozzo. Pozzo also painted a false dome on the nave on a canvas that is over 17 metres wide. After the tour return to the hotel for a little R&R before joing the girls on the hotel roof for a special welcome to Rome wine mixer before leaving for Piazzale di Ponte Milvio to see the "Bridge of Love". You will have time for dinner and exploring this lively area before a night of dancing.
Friday, September 7th - Today your morning will start a visit to Citta del Vaticano (Vatican City) where you will met your local guide for a tour of St. Peter's Basilica. Originally founded by Constantine in 324, St. Peter's Basilica stands on the traditional site where Peter - the apostle was crucified and buried. St. Peter's tomb is under the main altar and many popes are buried in the basilica as well. After the St. Peter's tour you can take an optional tour of the Vatican Museum where your expert guide will lead you through the many galleries which lead up to the Sistine Chapel. Here you will have a chance to admire Michelangelo's recently restored frescoes which adorn the vault of the Chapel and his famous "Last Judgment".
After lunch near the Vatican you take a short walk to the open air market at Castel Sant'Angelo, one of the most original monuments in Rome. You will then walk over the Ponte Sant'Angelo (Bridge of Angels). Ten strikingly beautiful angel sculptures line the Bridge of Angels in Rome. Each angel holds a symbol of Christ's suffering and death. At the base of each sculpture is a line from the Bible in Latin. Across the bridge you will vist the Pantheon. Originally the Pantheon was a temple for all pagan gods, the temple was converted into a church in 609. The Pantheon contains the tombs of Raphael and of several Italian Kings. At the top of the dome is a large opening, the oculus, which was the only source of light. You will then visit Giolitti for the best gelatoto in Rome before retuning to the hotel and for the #1 HIGHLIGHT of the tour.
ZOOM, ZOOM!
Get ready for a magical evening to remember! 50 our more Italian men on Vespas (motor scooter) will converge at the hotel to whisk you away on a private group Vespa tour. For the first time the tour will start one hour before sunset, so you can see the some historical monument in daylight followed by seeing the magic of Rome by Night. Hold on thight to your handsome Italian drive as you zip and zoom around Rome visting such sites as the Colosseum and Trevi Fountain. The water at the bottom of the Trevi represents the sea. Legend has it you will return to Rome if you throw a coin into the water. You should toss it over your shoulder with your back to the fountain (Rome).
The tour will end at Piazza Navona one of Rome's most impressive and popular squares which displays the genius of Bernini and Borromini. You you will have time to mingle with the Vespa drivers before dinner at one of the many restaurants circling the piazza. After dinner meet at the desinated meeting place for a very short to Campo de Fiori for pre-party drinks and a little people watching.
Party over here! For those that can hang, the night will continue to hot night club for dancing along more mixing and mingling "Italian Style" :-).
Saturday, September 8th - Your free day in Rome will start with biking in Villa Borgese. In 1903 the city of Rome obtained the Villa Borghese from the Borghese family and the park was opened to the public. The 80 hectare/148 acres large park now featured wide a lake, shady lanes, several temples, beautiful fountains, museums, and many statues. After the visit Villa Borghese you can have the bike for upto 2 hours to explore Rome on your own. If biking is not your thing you can sign-up for an optional historical tour by Segway. Rome is an ancient city that must be seen by foot or in this case Segway! Most of the small streets, hills and hidden treasures are not accessible by modren day buses. Imagine the the excitment of a 3 hour tour covering 9 miles of historical sites along with many hard to reach nooks and crannies of Rome with inforamtive and fun guides while not worrying about walking or fatigue (See Video of the Belles Segging). Another choice is an optional day trip to Florence to see Michelangelo's David or designer outlet shopping. Afterwards head back to the hotel to change for "Ladies (bellas) in Red" your biggest night in Rome. The evening will start with dinner (not included) followed and night of partying at one of Rome most exclusive night clubs. This is also the night we celebrate our birthday girls.
Venice
Sunday, September 9th - What better way to sleep off a night of partyin that to sleep on the train to VENICE! No words can truly prepare you for the beauty and uniqueness of Venice. Venice is one of Italy's most beautiful and romantic cities, built on the water in a lagoon with small, motorized traffic-free streets along the winding canals. It actually consists of 117 bodies of land connected by more than 400 bridges over its 150 canals. Upon your arrival will meet your local guide and take a water bus to Piazza San Marco (St. Marks) to start your walking tour. Your tour will end with a Venetian glassmaking demostration. What made Venetian glass and glassmakers so special? For one thing, they were the first people in Europe who knew how to make glass mirrors. They also developed or refined technologies such as crystalline glass, enameled glass (smalto), glass with threads of gold (aventurine), multicolored glass (millefiori), milk glass (lattimo), and imitation gemstones made of glass. Their virtual monopoly on quality glass has lasted for centuries. After the demostration you will some time for lunch on your own to while exploring the water wonderland and/or enjoy a gondola ride through the scenic canals. At a desinated time and place meet the group for your retun to Rome.
The night is yours as we visit Trastevere means "across the Tiber." and many Trasteverini claim that this neighborhood is the heart of Rome. A microcosm encapsulating epochs, peoples and living styles. All wound up in a fascinating complex of intertwining medieval streets and dwellings, both aristocratic and common. Piazza Santa Maria in Trastevere could be called the piazza that never sleeps: street performers entertain crowds into the wee hours with music, fire juggling, acrobatics and comic skits. Mingle with Italians and other foreigners as they pour in after hours to enjoy the many bars and restaurants.
Pompeii/Naples
Monday, September 10th - This morning you will check-out and depart for your guided excursion to near by Pompeii, the Roman city destroyed yet preserved by the eruption of Mt. Vesuvius in 79 A.D. Here your expert guide will lead you through Patrician homes, public baths and commercial centers of this once thriving Roman resort...a true glimpse into the past. After the tour head to Naples the home modren Pizza. Have you can have lunch at pizzeria Brandi where Raffaele Esposito is credited with creating the Margherita pizza in honour of a visit to Naples by King Umberto I and Queen Margherita of Savoy. The pizza follow the colours of the Italian flag, the tomatoes for the red, basil for the green and Mozzarella for the white the patriotic pizza enjoyed around the world. You will have time to shop in the charming area before heading to your final destination, the picturesque cliffhanging resort town of Sorrento.
Sorrento is located on the coast and is reflected in the Gulf of Naples, with breathtaking views and landscapes. The Sorrento Coast is one of the most popular destinations of the entire Campania region of Italy. After checking in you will have time for a little R&R Later meet at the hotel for a sunset mixer before sampling Sorrento nighlife before meet the girls on the terrace for relaxing and breaktaking sunset wine mixer. Have your cameras ready for this one, as you watch the beautiful amber sun melt into the sea.
Sorrento/Capri
Tuesday, September 11th
After breakfast, take a small trolly to the port of Sorrento to board a hydrofoil for a ride to the Isle of Capri. Capri is best described as a "vertical village" because of its cliff hanging pastel colored houses. It has been a luxury resort island since the time of the Romans. Visit Ana Capri and take chairlife to the top of Mount Solaro, the highest place on the island (589 metres above sea level). After lunch tour the Carthusia Perfumes laboratories where the essences of the island's flowers are transformed into exquisite perfumes. Afterward you will have free time to explore Capri and visit its many unique shops. Shopping on the Island of Capri is a unique experience and the ideal occasion for those looking for that hot-off-the-catwalk designer dress, an important item of jewelry, a pair of made-to-measure sandals, or the island's legendary Capri Pants. Return to Sorrento for a walk into the center where you can have dinner and nightlife.
Wednesday, September 12th - Followingzbreakfast join the group for hop-on/hop-off bus tour of Sorrento. Enjoy a sightseeing tour of Sorrento and its surrounding area on an open top bus. On this tour, discover the rich history, culture and traditions of Sorrento's peninsula. Enjoys a wealth of medieval and religious history. The narrated tour (available in different languages) will cover the major sights of Sorrento and narrow medieval streets along with splendid panoramic sea views. You can utilize your 24-hour unlimited hop-on, hop-off flexibility to hop-off at any of the 7 stops to create your own customized experience. You could also take an optional cooking class (max 20) per class. Later you can have dinner in a private family villa with local music and dancing.
Thursday, September 13th - Following breakfast join us for an optional morning of snorkeling. Yes, sistas do snorkel! :) Maybe just enjoy just a lazy day on the beach. Later that evening grab your heels as we head out to enjoy our last night in Italy at one of Sorrento's open-air night clubs. You may want to pack BEFORE leaving the hotel. This night will be BANANAS! ;-)
Sorrento/USA
Friday - September 14th -Today your Italian sojourn is brought to an end. This morning after breakfast, you'll be transferred to the airport to board your flight back to the USA, returning with fond memories of your time spent in this most special destination.
Buon Viaggio!
