Rome
Thursday, September 3rd - Upon arrival in Rome you will meet the ladies from the USA and your Italian/English-speaking escort who will remain with you for the remainder of your stay in Italy. You will then be transferred by private deluxe motor coach to your hotel in Rome. After check-in at the hotel, you will have ample time to relax and freshen up prior to the welcome/orientation lunch. After a little rest, you will meet in the lobby to see Rome at night via the Hop on - Hop Off bus with our tour guide. Later return to the hotel for a Bella Italia mixer before your first taste of Roman night life.
Friday, September 4th - After enjoying breakfast you will embark on a accompanied Vespa (motor scooter) ride/tour that will show you the sights and sounds of Rome. The Vespa tour will end at Castel St. Angelo with it magnificent 360o view of Rome. After Castel St. Angelo your guide will return you to the hotel. Have a quick lunch on your own before the metro orientation and guided train ride to the Spanish Stairs and Trevi Fountain. After your day of fun and shopping back to the hotel for a Bella Mixer and then you are off to dinner (not included) and a night at Alexanderplatz Jazz Club. Alexanderplatz is to Rome what The Cotton Club was to New York City, smooth by nature and completely devoid of pretension. Alexanderplatz is actually more than just a club though the music is undeniably its greatest draw. Part restaurant, part bar, part members-only dance hall, this twenty plus year old venue has all the major components of a delightful evening out. its sophisticated crowd and its superb ambiance. Step in, or rather down the blue-lit club where musicians from all nationalities and jazz genres join for night after night of sultry, sweaty grooves. Here you'll find a crowd that's too mature for the club circuit and live music that's too hot for CD.
Saturday, September 5th - Today you will enjoy the entire morning exploring the rich heritage of the Vatican. Your tour begins at 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".
From the Sistine Chapel, exit directly into the Basilica of St. Peter's where you will see Bernini's great bronze altar canopy, the great dome and, of course, Michelangelo's delicately sculptured "La Pieta".
After an independent lunch you can enjoy an tour of Ancient Rome. See the famous Colosseum, which you are sure to recognize from the popular film "Gladiator", the ancient Roman Forum, the Arch of Constantine, and the Palatine Hill among other stunning sights. After the tour you are free to continue exploring the city on your own or in small groups. Later it's back to the hotel hotel for a Bella Mixer and then off for a night of dancing at another hot night club in the special reserved Bella Italia section. This is also the night we celebrate all the birthday girls!
Pompeii/Naples/Sorrento
Sunday, September 6th - This morning you will check-out and depart Today you will 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 spent the afternoon in Sorrento the "Land of Mermaids". Famed for its sea cliffs, the town's steep slopes look out over azure waters to Ischia, Capri and the Bay of Naples. The birthplace of Limoncello liqueur offers some good diving, great sea fishing, boat cruises and appetizing restaurants. Then you are off for late check-in in Naples (Napoli in Italian), is the third most-populated city in Italy and the biggest city in Southern Italy. After a little R&R meet in the lobby for a Bella Italia Mixer before dinner and dancing at club Nabilah one of the most amazing night clubs in the world built on the beach.
Naples/Capri
Monday, September 7th - After breakfast you are off to the Isle of Capri, described as a "vertical village" for its cliff hanging pastel coloured houses. It has been a luxury resort island since the time of the Romans. The luminescence of the Blue Grotto, the striking Faraglioni rocks and Palazzo al Mare add to the magical spell. Snorkel from Marina Piccola beach on the island's south side, believed to be the spot where Odysseus nearly succumbed to the Sirens' song. After Your Blue Grotto tour, explore Capri on your own or in small groups before meet the the tranfer boat for your Sunset ride back to Naples. Meet in the lobby of the hotel for wine and a little bella time together.
Catania/Taormina
Tuesday, September 8th - After breakfast at the hotel you will take a flight to the Sicilian town of Catania. You will spent 3 hours in Catania on the main shopping streets Via Vittorio Emanuele and Via Etnea, near Piazza del Duomo before leaving for Taormina. Taormina is one of the most attractive resorts in the Mediterranean. Taormina is situated high above the sea, with views over the beaches below, including the beautiful bay of Isola Bella. This is a land where nature and history embrace to create a magical atmosphere, where peace reigns supreme over the shimmering sea, and visitors are left quite simply spellbound. After check-in at the hotel, the rest of the day is free to relax, unpack, or explore your glorious surroundings. We suggest taking a a cable-car (funivia) or bus down to Mazzarò and enjoy an evening along the beach. Enjoy dinner on your own at one of the many wonderful Sicilian eateries. After dinner meet back at the hotel for a Bella Mixer. After the mixer, If you can hang (smile), we're off to a local pub for drinks and laughs.
Taormina
Wednesday, September 9th - Following breakfast at the hotel you will meet a local tour guide who will take you on a half-day guided tour of the town of Taormina, featuring a visit to the Greek Amphitheater, with its spectacular view of the Mediterranean Sea and Mount Etna the largest active volcano in Europe. Enjoy lunch on your own and some time to spend exploring the back streets and the craft shops of Taormina. The rest of the afternoon is at your leisure. Tonight, enjoy dinner together, then you are off to a night of dancing at a local nightclub where you will enjoy the evening in a special Bella Itaila reserved space.
Thursday, September 10th - Following breakfast join us for an optional day of snorkeling or enjoy a free day to explore Sicily on your own or in small groups. One suggestion is visiting the tiny nearby village of Castelmola. This is a tiny, picturesque village that is about 500 meters above sea level, rivals Taormina on having the best view of the Ionian Sea. This is an ancient town. Castelmola was built to defend Taormina from the attacks of potential invaders. There is still an atmosphere of "old times" that transmits a feeling of temporarily going back in time. This feeling is made even stronger by the fact that no cars can be driven in Castelmola. Later that night party at one of the best bar in Taormina, open till 3:00 am, It has the best drinks and it is always crowded with amazingly beautiful people.
Taormina/Catania/USA
Friday - September 11th -Today your Italian sojourn is brought to an end. This morning after breakfast, you'll be transferred to nearby Catania airport to board your flight back to the USA, returning with fond memories of your time spent in this most special destination.
Buon Viaggio!
