6-Nights The Sweet Life: Rome & Sorrento - Tauck Bridges Family Travel from $6,190
Tauck
OFFER ID 1632755
Our family journey through Italy is a multi-course feast of ancient wonders, artistic treasures, breathtaking landscapes, and hands-on culinary fun - an unforgettable adventure from Rome to the Amalfi Coast, to savor together, one memory at a time.
When in Rome… go to gladiator school! This family journey through Italy brings history vividly to life, from hands-on lessons in gladiator skills to exploring ancient ruins and underground catacombs. A privately guided visit to the Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel invites your family to discover the stories behind some of the world's most celebrated masterpieces. Walk together through the remarkably preserved streets of Pompeii, where everyday life was frozen in time. In Sorrento, enjoy a pizza-making class on a family-run farm, then set off by high-speed ferry for the Isle of Capri - where your family will explore by convertible and funicular, with a well-deserved gelato break along the way.
6 nights from $6,190 per person
Itinerary Details
Day 1 Rome, Italy
Ciao Bella Roma
Tour begins: 3:00 PM, Parco dei Principi Grand Hotel & SPA. Your family adventure in Italy begins with an included transfer from Rome's Leonardo da Vinci Airport in Fiumicino, Ciampino Airport or Roma Termini train station to Parco dei Principi Grand Hotel & SPA. You'll feel like royalty at Parco dei Principi Grand Hotel & Spa, a deluxe hotel overlooking the Villa Borghese park. A brief city tour shows you some of Rome's most famous sights - with your local guide, view the Circus Maximus, the Caracalla Baths and other features of Imperial Rome. We invite you to join us this evening for a welcome reception and dinner.
Meals: D
Day 2 Rome, Italy
Gladiator school and the catacombs
Experience a close-up look at ancient Rome as you head out along the Appian Way. Your first stop is gladiator school, where your family gets a fun introduction to ancient Roman history. Next up is a guided visit to the Catacombs of St. Callixtus where you'll learn all about the "secret language" of the early Christian symbols found throughout the underground tunnels of the Catacombs. Have lunch at a restaurant on the Appian Way, then the remainder of the day is free to spend as you please.
Meals: B, L
Day 3 Rome, Italy
Vatican Museums, Sistine Chapel, St. Peter's Square, the Pantheon & more
Accompanied by a local guide, today you'll visit Vatican City and some of the world's most recognizable places - the Vatican Museums, Sistine Chapel and St. Peter's Basilica in St. Peter's Square. Your day begins with a privately guided visit inside the Vatican Museums and the Sistine Chapel; navigate the vast collections with ease, gaining deeper insight into iconic masterpieces and hidden gems - from celebrated galleries to Michelangelo's amazing ceiling frescoes in the Sistine Chapel. From the grandeur of St. Peter's Square, your guide will explain the symbolism behind its architecture, the role of the Swiss Guard, and the legacy of the papacy - and of course magnificent St. Peter's Basilica. Afterward, take a walking tour that includes the Pantheon and Piazza Navona with its beautiful Fountain of the Four Rivers by Bernini. After lunch at a local restaurant near Piazza Navona, spend the rest of the day as you please.
Meals: B, L
Day 4 Sorrento, Italy
Pompeii & a Slice of Local Italian Life
Travel from Rome to Naples through the Italian countryside via high-speed train, then on to Pompeii - totally buried by tons of pumice and hot ash when volcanic Mount Vesuvius blew its top on August 24th in 79 AD. Today, its streets are much like they were before the volcano erupted, offering a glimpse of what daily life was like in 1st century AD. After your visit, enjoy lunch at a local restaurant. Continue on to Sorrento, nestled between the mountains and the sea, with great views of Vesuvius and the Gulf of Naples. Visit a family farm - or agriturismo - to find out how cheese, olive oil and other tasty treats are made. Then, try your hand at using that cheese as a professional chef shows you how to make your own pizza for dinner; your evening includes traditional Neapolitan music. Enjoy Executive Level Sea View rooms during your stay at Hilton Sorrento Palace.
Meals: B, L, D
Day 5 Capri, Italy
The Isle of Capri
Head across the Gulf of Naples by high-speed ferry to the enchanting Isle of Capri. Just like a jet-setter, take a fabulous ride in a private convertible along the cliffs of the road to Anacapri, ending in the town. A funicular (chairlift) takes you to the highest point of the island to get a good look at the beautiful Gulf and the town below. After lunch in the town of Capri, and some free time, take the funicular down to the pier to catch your high-speed ferry back to Sorrento. From your Executive Room at the Hilton Sorrento Palace you'll be able to look out at the Gulf of Naples and, in the distance, the infamous Mount Vesuvius. Spend the rest of the day and evening with your family as you please.
Meals: B, L
Day 6 Amalfi, Italy
Positano, a cruise & more on the Amalfi Coast
If you like roller coasters, you'll love the drive along the Amalfi Coast today! The road seems to sometimes go straight up, sometimes straight down and careens around sharp corners at the edge of the cliffs. Walk through the town of Positano, seemingly holding on to its cliff-side perch for dear life, before climbing aboard a private boat bound for Amalfi to view the amazing cliffs of the Amalfi Coast, now above you. In the town of Amalfi, you'll have time to check out the sights along the maze of lovely winding streets. Your adventure concludes back in Sorrento tonight with a barbecue farewell dinner, where you can share some favorite moments of your family's unforgettable trip to Italy.
Meals: B, D
Day 7 Sorrento, Italy
Journey home
Trip ends: Sorrento. Fly home anytime. Your family's Italy adventure ends with an included transfer from Hilton Sorrento Palace to Naples International Airport or Naples train station. Please allow 3 hours for airport check-in formalities. We wish you a safe and pleasant journey home. Arrivederci!
Meals: B
Excursions
Amalfi Coast Tour : 6-8 hours
Spend a full day on the famous Amalfi coast with an English speaking driver visiting the towns of Positano-Amalfi and Ravello. This tour covers all the Amalfi coast with the possibility of stopping in lesser known towns. Enjoy a relaxing day with ample time for lunch and limoncello tasting.
Tour duration: 6 to 8 hours
Not wheelchair accessible
Physical activity: Steep walking in the town of Positano
Included in the price :
- Car/van and English speaking driver guide for the day.
- Clients are picked up and dropped off at the Port
Not included: Meals
Amalfi Coast by Car - 8 Hours
Without doubt, this is one of the most stunning drives in Italy, if not Europe! This is a MUST for any visitor to southern Italy. The entire drive has spectacular views of the mountains plunging down to the azure sea, with enchanting villages nestled between and the tour starts with one of the finest, Ravello. We will be visiting two villas, each with the most beautiful gardens. The Villa Rufolo once belonged to one of the major families of the area and boasts rich gardens overlooking the precipitous coastline and is home to a series of chamber concerts. The Villa Cimbrone once welcomed members of the Bloomsbury Set as well as Greta Garbo and it’s not hard to see why when wandering through these gorgeous gardens, set on two levels, dotted with statues and delightful little temples, before arriving at the belvedere, which must be one of the most stunning views on the entire coast. After lunch (not included), continue on this magical drive, passing through scented lemon groves, past ruins of ancient fortresses, seemingly perched on the rocks before coming down to Positano one of the finest villages on this coast, which seems to tumble down to the sea.
Duration: 8-hours
Pricing: Please Inquire
Amalfi Coast by Private Boat - 8 Hours
Amalfi Coast by Private Boat - 8 Hours
Enjoy a unique view of this magical coastline by taking to the sea. The boat will be at your disposal for the entire day and you will even be able to swim around the Li Galli isles if you feel like it. The cruise will take in beautiful Praia and the incredible fjord of Furore before reaching the Saraceno beach, and the emerald grotto, once a notorious route for Saracen pirates. You will also get to visit Amalfi, which gives its name to this incredible coast and get a totally different perspective, coming from the sea. On the return leg, the boat will take you towards Positano, passing by the beautiful bay around the little village of Nerano.
Pricing: Please Inquire
Duration: 8 Hours
Excursions
Sorrento: The Ancient City of Pompeii - 6 Hours
Sorrento: The Ancient City of Pompeii - 6 Hours
Highlights:
- Visit the incredibly preserved Roman city of Pompeii
Tour Can Operate: Morning/Afternoon
Wheelchair Accessible: Please enquire for more information
Physical Activity Level: Light
Inclusions:
- Luxury car or minivan at your disposal during the tour
- An expert English-speaking guide at the Pompeii site (3 hours)
- Entrance fees to the Pompeii site
- All taxes
- All cruise travel, personal items, meals and associated costs
- Gratuities
Sorrento: The Iconic Amalfi Coast - 6 Hours
Sorrento: The Iconic Amalfi Coast - 6 Hours
Highlights:
- Drive along the magnificent Amalfi Coast, stopping at Positano, Amalfi and Ravello.
Tour Can Operate: Morning/Afternoon
Wheelchair Accessible: Please enquire for more information
Physical Activity Level: Light
Inclusions:
- Luxury car or minivan at your disposal during the tour
- An expert English-speaking driver-guide throughout the tour (6 hours)
- Entrance fees to the Villa Ruffolo
- All taxes
- All cruise travel, personal items, meals and associated costs
- Gratuities
Sorrento: Capri Exploration by Private Motorboat – 8 hours
Sorrento: Capri Exploration by Private Motorboat – 8 hours
Highlights:
- Private skippered motorboat to explore the beautiful island of Capri, including Marina Piccola and Marina Grande.
Tour can Operate: Morning
Wheelchair Accessible: Please enquire for more information
Physical Activity Level: Light
Inclusions:
- 34-foot (1-4 pax) or 43-foot (5-6 pax) private motorboat with English-speaking skipper (8 hours)
- All taxes
- All cruise travel, personal items, meals and associated costs
- Gratuities
Sprawled across seven legendary hills, romantic and beautiful Rome was one
of the great centers of the ancient world. Although its beginning is shrouded
in legend and its development is full of intrigue and struggle, Rome has always
been and remains the Eternal City.
Rome enjoyed its greatest splendor during the 1st and 2nd centuries when art
flourished, monumental works of architecture were erected, and the mighty Roman
legions swept outward, conquering all of Italy. These victorious armies then
swept across the Mediterranean and beyond to conquer most of the known world.
With Rome's establishment as capital of the western world, a new ascent to glory
began.
Today's Rome, with its splendid churches, ancient monuments and palaces, spacious
parks, tree-lined boulevards, fountains, outdoor cafes and elegant shops, is
one of the world’s most attractive and exciting cities. Among the most famous
monuments is the Colosseum. As you walk its cool, dark passageways, imagine
the voices that once filled the arena as 50,000 spectators watched combats between
muscled gladiators and ferocious animals.
Stop to see the remains of the Forum, once the city's political and commercial
center. In later times, Rome's squares were enhanced with such imposing structures
as the Vittorio Emanuele Monument and grandiose fountains like the Fontana di
Trevi. Join the millions who stand in awe of Christendom’s most magnificent
church and admire the timeless masterpieces of Michelangelo's frescoes in the
Sistine Chapel.
Rome jars the senses and captures the soul. Grasp all you can during the short,
precious time you have available in the Eternal City. With so much to see and
do, a day or two will only allow you a sampling of the city's marvelous treasures.
Caution: As in many big cities and tourist destinations purse snatching
and pickpocketing is common. Valuable jewelry and excess cash are best left
in a safety deposit box in your hotel.
Shopping For most visitors shopping for beautiful Italian leather articles,
designer shoes, fashions for men and women, linens, knitwear, silk scarves and
ties is a favorite pastime. Except for tourist-oriented shops, the majority
of stores are closed on Sundays. Some of the department stores, such as Rinascente,
open in the late afternoon on Sundays.
Cuisine Rome's choice of restaurants is mindboggling as is the variety
of cuisine. Whether your meal is at a top-rated restaurant or a rustic trattoria,
you can be sure that you will enjoy your food, especially when accompanied by
wines from the hill towns surrounding Rome.
Other Sights Rome's attractions are endless, and depending on how much
time you have at your disposal a careful selection has to be made about what
to see. Be aware of horrendous traffic conditions and major construction work
all around the city in preparation of Jubilee 2000, the Holy Year. Some of the
sights not to be missed:
Piazza Venezia - This busy square is easily recognized by its imposing Vittorio
Emanuele II Monument. The white marble structure was inaugurated in 1911 as
a symbol of Italy’s unification.
The Forum - Once the civic heart of ancient Rome, today the remains include
a series of ruins, marble fragments, isolated columns and some worn arches.
Colosseum - No visit to Rome is complete without a stop at this awe-inspiring
theater, which is among the world’s most celebrated buildings. Here ancient
Rome flocked to see gladiatorial contests and numerous other spectacles.
Trevi Fountain - Take a stroll to Rome's famous fountain. A spectacular fantasy
of mythical sea creatures and cascades of splashing water, the fountain is one
of the city's foremost attractions. Legend has it that visitors must toss a
coin into the fountain to ensure their return to Rome.
St. Peter's Square - Part of Vatican City, this square created by Bernini
is considered one of the loveliest squares in the world. Twin Doric colonnades
topped with statues of various saints and martyrs flank either side of the square.
In the center stands an 84-foot obelisk, brought from Egypt in 37 A.D.
St. Peter's Basilica - At the head of the square stands Christendom's most
magnificent church, which was begun in 1452 on the site where St. Peter was
buried. Throughout the following 200 years, such Renaissance masters as Bramante,
Michelangelo, Raphael and Bernini worked on its design and created an unparalleled
masterpiece. Of special note are Michelangelo's Pieta and the bronze canopy
over the high altar by Bernini. The immense dome was designed by Michelangelo.
Vatican Museum - To see this museum's immense collection would take days.
As you enter, there are special posters that plot a choice of four color-coded
itineraries. They are repeated throughout the museum and are easy to follow.
It is a good idea to pickup a leaflet at the main entrance and concentrate on
exhibits of major interest. Of course, the Sistine Chapel is a must. Most likely
you may have to wait in line to enter.
Excursions
Rome Highlights and Vatican: 9 hours
Rome Highlights and Vatican: 9 hours
Meet your private English-speaking driver at the pier side of Civitavecchia port.
Rome is a mix of architecture styles, of antiques and new, of sacred and profane. In this full day tour you can enjoy a sample of this capital city. With your guide reach the Vatican city where you can visit the Museums, admiring its priceless collection of art and architecture: highlights include Raphael's Transfiguration, The Raphael Rooms, the Sculpture Garden featuring the famous Laokoon. Finally, the restored Sistine Chapel, famous all over the world for the breathtaking Michelangelo’s ceiling and the Last Judgment. From here you walk to St. Peter's Basilica to marvel at Michelangelo's Dome, his statue Pietà, Bernini's magnificent Baldacchino and the Tombs of the Popes. The tour will continue with a look at the ancient part of the Eternal city and its symbol: the Coliseum, where, jumping the lines, you will be able to enter in the magnificent Flavian Amphitheatre and admire where the gladiatorial duels, wild beast fights were arranged for the entertainment of Roman people.
The second part of the day will be dedicated to the visit of the city center, starting from Navona Square, the most important of Baroque Rome, where today it is possible to admire the monumental Fountain of the Rivers by Bernini. Continue your tour visiting the Pantheon, the jewel of Roman architecture, then Trevi Fountain, the most famous and beautiful fountain in Rome. End the tour at the Spanish Steps, built entirely in travertine in the 18th century.
We will ensure your timely return transfer to the Civitavecchia Port
Access to the Vatican Museums and St. Peter's Basilica is allowed only to properly attired visitors.
Highlights:
- Vatican Museums, Ancient Rome, main highlights
Tour can Operate: Morning
Wheelchair Accessible: Yes
Physical Activity Level: low
Inclusions:
· Luxury Mercedes minivan at disposal for the entire day
· English-speaking driver at disposal for the entire day
· 6 hour private English-speaking guide
· No Line entrance fees for the Vatican Museums and Colosseum
Exclusions:
· All cruise travel, personal items, meals and associated costs
· Gratuities
Tivoli: Villas in the Countryside - 8 Hours
Tivoli: Villas in the Countryside - 8 Hours
A trip out to Tivoli, just east of Rome, makes for a perfect and relaxing day, when you need a little rest from extensive sightseeing in the city. On your way out, you will pass the Travertine marble quarries from which so many of Rome’s important buildings were constructed. Tivoli itself is a very pleasant town, perched on a hill but its main claim to fame lies in its country villas, Hadrian’s Villa and the Villa d’Este. The emperor Hadrian was very well traveled and when he decided to build a country villa, he was greatly influenced by some of the spectacular sights he’d seen on his travels. The result was probably the largest and most sumptuous villa in the Roman Empire and by any standards, it is huge and covers an area that would normally be occupied by a small town. The site became a sort of retirement home for Hadrian, from 135AD until his death three years later. Here you will see the remains of peaceful and romantic gardens, pools, a theater and baths, which were of course an essential part of any Roman villa. From here, you will visit the stunning Villa d’Este, built for Cardinal Ippolito d’Este in the mid-16th century. Its gardens and fountains are legendery but the restored ground floor apartments have some stunning frescoes.
Duration: 8 hours
Pricing: Please Inquire
Ostia Antica - 6 Hours
If you can’t fit in a trip to Pompeii, Ostia Antica makes a very worthwhile substitute and even though it is right by the airport, it is largely overlooked by the majority of tourists and never suffers from crowds. Ostia Antica was the main port for the city of Rome and consequently, where goods from all over the Empire were unloaded. You will see warehouses, high rise apartments for the workers and sumptuous villas for the nobility as well as baths complete with mosaics and the odd bar or two. Even the public lavatories have survived! Just outside the town, lies the beautiful castle of Pope Julius II, largely built from recycled bricks from Ostia Antica.
After the visit of the archaeological site, driving back towards the port, you will have the chance to stop for lunch in a great fish restaurant overlooking the sea.
Duration: 6 hours
Pricing: Please Inquire
Cardinals’ Villas and Parks - 8 Hours
Cardinals’ Villas and Parks - 8 Hours
The area around Viterbo, north of Rome, became a retreat for popes and cardinals during troubled times in Rome. Happily for us, they have left a legacy of beautiful villas and gardens, designed in one of Italy’s finest periods, the Renaissance and consequently models for the rest of Europe to copy. One of the finest villas is the Palazzo Farnese at Caprarola, a huge edifice, standing at the top of the town’s steep main street. Surrounding the palace are two magnificent gardens, a south-facing summer terrace and an east-facing winter terrace, each with appropriate plants and design. After lunch in a traditional local restaurant (not included), you will visit the Villa Lante in Bagnaia, another splendid Renaissance palace and built by Vignola, the architect of the Palazzo Farnese and considered to be his finest creation. Here though, it is the gardens that take pride of place and epitomise the Mannerist period of the Renaissance. The final visit of the day will be to the Sacro Bosco di Bomarzo, the sacred Bomarzo wood, otherwise known as the monster Park; it consists of the most amazing and often bizarre sculptures, many carved from the local rock, scattered through the woods.
Pricing: Please Inquire
Duration: 8 hours
Roman Castles - 8 Hours
The Castelli Romani (Roman castles) are a mere 35 minutes from Rome, but you could be hours away. Beautiful green hills, topped with ancient towns, a couple of volcanic lakes, delicious cuisine and abundant wines, the most famous being Frascati; all explain why Romans have been building their summer villas here for centuries. The most famous of these being Castel Gandolfo, the summer residence of the Pope. Frascati is the largest of these towns, while Nemi, the smallest gives its name to one of the lakes. The route out of Rome is worthwhile too, as you will pass the remains of the aqueducts that once carried water into the city and other imposing ruins.
Duration: 8 hours
Pricing: Please Inquire
Lake Bracciano and the Monster Park - 8 Hours
Lake Bracciano and the Monster Park - 8 Hours
You will start the day by being driven to Lake Bracciano, a delightful spot and much favored by Romans escaping from the heat of the city by having a refreshing swim in the lake. It burst onto the world stage in 2006, when Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes got married in the local castle.
After a stroll around the town, you will be taken to Viterbo where at nearby Bomarzo is a most extraordinary garden, known as the Parco dei Mostri, the Monster Park. This makes a great day out for children. Created by the hunchbacked Duke of Orsini in 1552, he set out to mock the Mannerist gardens of the time by deliberate vulgarity. At the entrance to the park stands a giant warrior, tearing apart a woodcutter, while deeper into the park, you will come across an English prince pouring the brains of a madman down an elephant’s trunk. The surprises continue to come; mossy sculptures of tortoises, elephants, a whale, dragons, nymphs and butterflies, to name but a few. After Orsini’s death, the park became very neglected but has now been restored to its former glory.
Duration: 8 hours
Pricing: Please Inquire
Vacation Details
* This departure has been designated a guaranteed departure by the operator, meaning that the minimum number of guests has been met, although still subject to weather and other conditions.
All fares are quoted in US Dollars.
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