Day 1 | Rome
Rome is a city that needs to be walked. There is never enough time to explore the Eternal City and never adequate words to describe the sense of awe as you walk through a visual history that is 2,777 years old. There are hidden in plain sight unbelievable treasures, if you only knew where to look! There is no better place for aperitivo and a golden sunset than a bar overlooking the rooftops of Rome, our agenda for the first night.
Day 2 | Rome
A day of discovery wandering the ancient neighbourhoods of Monti, Trastevere and the Jewish Ghetto, revealing hidden gems away from the crowds of tourists. Time for a treasured memory, whether it be a guided tour of the Colosseum or Sistine Chapel or a personalised vespa tour with an expert driver/guide through narrow alleyways and cobblestone streets.
Day 3 | Matera
Matera, in the region of Basilicata, is a layered history of man since the beginning of time, unlike any other place in Italy. It is haunting and beautiful, mysterious and timeless. We stay in the Sassi (meaning stone dwellings) in the ancient city and sleep and eat in old caves that have been renovated into stunning boutique hotels and restaurants.
Day 4 | Matera
“Anyone who sees Matera cannot help but be awe-struck, so expressive and touching is its sorrowful beauty.” This is how Carlo Levi, a Roman Jewish writer and artist, described Matera in 1952. As we explore the Sassi, you feel a deep emotion walking the maze of narrow streets stacked nine levels high in a town that is one of three continually inhabited places in the world. Man never left. This is a story you will want to hear – a dramatic story of rebirth from being the shame of Italy in the 1950s to the pride of Italy as the European Capital of Culture in 2019.
Day 5 | Matera
The best way to understand this ancient land is to wander the uneven stone stairways and the lanes that zigzag past a tangle of grey stone houses. As you wander aimlessly, you can’t help but feel the ghosts of the past as you pass abandoned streets and caves where children once played. In contrast, there is the joy of seeing the town transition into an exciting place with wonderful restaurants, art galleries and artisans at work. Time also to explore one of the last inhabited cave houses and walk the spectacular gorge with caves dating back 10,000 years.
Day 6 | Ravello
High above the Amalfi Coast we arrive in enchanting Ravello, a paradise above the sea only six kilometres from Amalfi, yet a world away. We arrive in time for a blissfully long lunch, Italian style, followed by an afternoon of delightful discoveries from the beautiful ceramic factories to the gardens of Villa Cimbrone overlooking the coastline.
Day 7 | Ravello
Amalfi and Atrani beckon. Amalfi is lemon heaven with hard to resist limoncello, artisan shopping, seafood from the ocean onto the plate and a long tradition of paper making. Tucked around the corner and often missed by tourists is Atrani, the smallest village in southern Italy and well worth a 15 minute walk for an aperol spritz in the quiet piazza with the locals.
Day 8 | Ravello
If you could choose just one epic adventure, it would be to walk The Path Of The Gods. We arrive by bus in Bomerano, a village of Agerola, high in the mountains above Amalfi. The goat trodden path leads us to the tiny hamlet of Nocelle, perched above Positano where we catch the local bus down the mountain to the seaside.
Day 9 | Positano
Positano is intoxicating. Touristy, yes, but there’s nowhere else you’d rather be. It is described by artist Paul Klee, as “the only place in the world conceived on a vertical rather than a horizontal axis.” You can stroll for hours, mostly up, and then find your way back down to the less touristy beach of Spiaggia di Fornillo and the coastal pathway to Spiaggia Grande.
Day 10 | Positano
A Positano highlight is catching the little wooden boat to tiny, layback Da Adolfo’s for a special lunch on the pebbly beach. Time to kick back and eat simple, delicious food including the signature dish of mozzarella grilled on lemon leaves, a tradition since 1966. Incredibile!
Day 11 | Capri
You can only truly know Capri by staying on Capri. The island is a walker’s paradise. Capri is vibrant, buzzy and busy with daytrippers, whereas Anacapri has a more tranquil, villagy feel and this is where we spend three glorious nights. A few minutes from our hotel overlooking the sea is the village square and a chairlift that climbs to the top of Monte Solaro, the highest point on the island with spectacular 360 degree views.
Day 12 | Capri
Magic on the water today with a private tour circumnavigating 17 kilometres around the island in a beautiful wooden gozzo boat. We visit the non touristy sea grottoes and hidden coves, perfect for swimming. It is an entirely different perspective seeing the island from the water.
Day 13 | Capri
There are sensational walking trails traversing the entire island through nature and history. An easy 40 minute walk from Capri takes us to Villa Jovis, built by Emperor Tiberius in the 1st century AD. A longer walk from the Lighthouse to the Blue Grotto leads us past the four forts that were built to defend the island from attacking pirates. A softer option is a stroll through the gardens of Villa San Michele in Anacapri, considered to be one of the top ten gardens in Italy.
Day 14 | Rome
Ferry to Naples for a private transfer to Rome for one last tantalising afternoon of wandering the secret corners and narrow streets of the centro historico. Dinner at a favourite trattoria.
- Deb is your Tour Manager and will be with you from the start of the journey until the end
- Accommodation x 14 nights in a twin share/double room in boutique hotels or villas centrally located
- Breakfast every day
- Transfers in private, luxury air conditioned mini bus:
– Rome to Matera
– Matera to Ravello
– Ravello to Positano
– Naples to Rome - Bus tickets:
– Amalfi to Ravello return
– Amalfi to Bomerano
– Nocelle to Positano - Ferry tickets:
– Positano to Amalfi
– Positano to Capri
– Capri to Naples
- Return transfer Marina Grande to Anacapri
- Guided walks in Rome, Path of the Gods and on Capri
- Gianni’s Wooden Gozzo Private Boat Tour around Capri
- Gratuities for drivers
- Hotel city taxes
Tour dates
16th to 30th May 2024
1st to 15th October 2024
17th to 31st May 2025
Rates 2024
- Tour Cost: $6,040
- Single room supplement: $1,250
Rates 2025
- Tour Cost: $ $6595
- Single Room Supplement: $1450
Email deb@ciaoitaly.com.au for updated itineraries
NEW TOUR!
Lake Garda – Dolomites – Verona
Tour Dates
11th to 22nd June 2024 (11 nights)
1st to 15th June 2025 (14 nights)
Rates 2024
Tour Cost: $4700
Rates 2025
Tour Cost: $6495
- A booking is confirmed by payment of a deposit of $500 per person which is non refundable.
- Payments can be made by transferring funds into the bank account of Ciao Italy Tours. Transfer fees are the client’s responsibility.
- The final payment is due not less than eight weeks prior to departure.
- Cancellations – If you decide to cancel your booking, the following charges will apply:
- 60-30 days before the start of the tour: 50% of tour costs
- 29 days before the start of the tour: 100% of tour costs
Cancellation of a tour must be received in writing – please click here to email Deb.
- It is compulsory for clients to have full travel and medical insurance and provide a copy of the policy prior to departure.
- The tour price includes all items listed in the package. It does not include flights, accommodation additional costs (e.g. telephone, minibar etc) and any other items not specifically mentioned in the package details.
- Occasionally, circumstances beyond our control may necessitate changes to itineraries. Ciao Italy reserves the right to make changes if required, but will endeavour to operate the tour as close to the original itinerary as possible.
