Italy Luxury Travel: Custom Vacation Package

DAY 1: Depart for Italy

DAY 2: Arrive in Rome - Positano
Arrive in Rome in the morning and private transfer to hotel in Positano. While en-route, enjoy lunch at Le Sirenuse reserved for 2:00pm. In the afternoon, arrive in Positano and check in at hotel. The rest of the afternoon is free time to relax and explore the town. Dinner will be independent at Risorante Max reserved for 8:00pm.

DAY 3: Positano - Capri
This morning you will meet your private boat and captain down at the beach of Positano. You will be taken on a full day excursion to the island of Capri.

CAPRI
Imagine the beauty of a golden sunset on a canvas of the Tyrrhenian Sea framed on the island of Capri and you will begin to understand the kind of experience that awaits you on this cruise which starts in Positano and takes you to one of the most romantic places in the world - Capri. Your boat, skippered by the charming Gennaro or Salvatore, will cross over to Capri. You will be dropped off at the port in Capri for a couple of hours' exploration. There will be maps of the island provided and your captain will be able to tell you about the "must-see" stops of Capri as well as the various means of getting around the island. At that point you will set up a time to meet back at the boat for a tour of the island by sea.You will have time to visit the town, as well as have a visit to the famed Blue Grotto. There will be a short break for lunch on your own during the excursion before continuation of Capri visit and return to Positano at end of day. Dinner is reserved at at Le Sirenuse reserved for 8:00pm.

DAY 4: Positano - Sorrento
In the morning, you will be picked-up by your sedan and private driver for a morning driving tour along the coast to Sorrento. According to the historian Diodoro Siculo, Sorrento's origins stem from a legend that the town was founded by Liparos, son of Ausone, who was the king of the Ausoni and son of Ulysses and the with Circe. According to this legend, the town dates back to an ancient Italic population, that of the Ausoni. Today, visitors flock to Sorrento to relax and enjoy its natural beauty. Spend your morning shopping before heading to lunch at Il Buco, reserved for 12:30pm. Do not forget to try an after-lunch drink of limoncello, which is the best in southern Italy.

In the early afternoon, return to Positano to relax before transferring to Ravello for dinner at the Palazzo Sasso, reserved for 7:30pm. You will have two hours to wine and dine before heading to concert in Ravello at the Villa Rufolo at 9:30pm. Following concert you will be transferred back to Positano.

DAY 5: Positano - Pompeii
In the morning, you will picked up by private car and driver at your hotel for half day tour of Pompeii.

POMPEII
In the first century AD the Roman Empire had many cities, but none located in a more beautiful setting than those lining the Bay of Naples. On August 23rd, 79 AD, Pompeii looked like any other bustling, prosperous ancient city but just three days later, on August 26th, the city fell silent and the place itself had literally vanished from the face of the earth. Gradually grass and vines covered the land where the towns had stood and the local people eventually forgot even their names. For more than 1600 years, it remained buried until Pompeii was rediscovered in 1748. The imagination of Europe was ignited and suddenly, the classical world was in vogue. Philosophy, art, architecture, literature and even fashion drew upon the discoveries of Pompeii for inspiration. The Neoclassical movement was under way. Now, more than 1900 years after that fateful August morning, we are learning more and more about the last days of Pompeii.

Lunch will be independent at a recommended restaurant or trattoria. After, you will be driven back to Positano for free afternoon to relax or explore. Dinner is also independent at Donna Rosa reserved for 8:00pm.

DAY 6: Lake Como
In the morning, check out of Le Sirenuse. Private trasfer to Naples airport for Net Jet flight to Milan.Arrival in Milan and private transfer to Villa D'Este on Lake Como. Lunch is independent at Veranda Villa d'Este reserved for 1:00pm.

This afternoon is free to wander the romantic resort town of Bellagio, also known as the "Pearl of the Lake." Walk along the picturesque cobblestone streets and admire the beautiful panorama of Lake Como. Explore some of Bellagio's churches including the Basillica di San Giacomo, Chiesa di Santa Maria A Loppia, or the Chiesa di Santa Maria Annunciate di Breno. Next, walk through the center of twon along Via Garibaldi, where you will find an assortment of shops and restaurants. Finally, walk along the lake to Piazza Mazzini. Sit and relax at a local cafe with a hot espresso.

Dinner is independent at The Grill at Villa d'Este reserved for 8:00pm.

DAY 7: Lake Como
FULL DAY BOAT EXCURSION
Morning boat tour of spectacular Lake Como, from the Villa d'Este to Bellagio, admiring lakeside villas and villages enroute. Arrival in Bellagio, transfer to a villa overlooking the lake for a wine tasting and hors d'oeuvres.

Lunch along the lake in the village of Loppia and will be followed by a walking tour of Bellagio and Villa Melzi Gardens. Dinner is independent at Veranda Villa d'Este reserved for 8:00pm.

DAY 8: Lake Como
In the morning, you will be picked up by private car and driver at your hotel for full day touring in the Milan area. In the morning, you will have a half-day Private Shopping Tour with English speaking guide!

THE SIMPLEST OF TASTES: SHOPPING FOR THE BEST IN MILAN
As most already know, Italy is a shopper’s paradise and as the country's style capital, Milan - for many - represents the ultimate shopping destination. When Oscar Wilde said "I have the simplest of tastes. I am always satisfied with the best," we know just what he means. From fashion to food, fantastic jewels, furnishings and antiques, all of this and more can be found in the city’s superlative shops. To many outsiders, Italians seem have an innate sense of style that is effortlessly expressed. Whether dressing the body or furnishing a room, the results are always the same; a refined, elegant and unaffected beauty that is distinctly Italian. Like a Sixth Sense, they seem to know exactly how to mix fabrics, colors, shapes and textures to their best effect. Such is the confident personal aesthetic of Simona Iulini, your shopping companion and guide on this excursion into the most exclusive boutiques, showrooms and galleries of Milan. Trained as an architect, Simona Iulini has a natural eye for interior decor, which was honed during time spent living in London working with the highly regarded designer Ashley Hicks. From interior design she moved into fashion, doing PR for both Romeo Gigli as well as the high priest of Italian haute couture, Giorgio Armani. Now she puts her well-trained eye and expertise as a professional fashionista at the service of visitors wishing to maximize their precious shopping time in Milan.

Lunch is independent at a recommended restaurant or trattoria. At 3:00PM, you will start your half-day Private Walking Tour with English speaking guide.

DISCOVERING MILAN'S MASTERPIECES
In spite of its bustling, modern incarnation as the fashion and business capital of Italy, Milan offers enchanting treasures from its glorious past. Founded by the Gauls in the 4th century BC, the ancient city of Mediolanum was named after its strategic position in the middle of a fertile plain. From Roman domination to recent times, wealthy clients and important artists have left countless vestiges of their power and taste. First stop on our itinerary is Leonardo's recently-restored Last Supper, considered a highlight of Italian Renaissance painting due to its artistic, theological, and scientific implications. A fifteen-minute walk takes us to the Sforzesco Castle with its unforgettable skyline and beautiful courtyards. It was the residence of the Sforza dukes in the 15th century and now houses the Sculpture Museum. Here we can admire Michelangelo’s final work, the touching Rondanini Pieta, on which he was working the week he died. Downtown, the majestic Late Gothic Duomo enchants with its marble-encrusted facade and fabulous spires. The huge square in front of the Cathedral is flanked on the left by the porticoes of the Victor Emanuel Arcade. The cast-iron and glass dome of the gallery shelters the luxurious cafes and shops within. The Arcade leads to La Scala opera house, probably the most famous theater in the world. Unless a rehearsal is taking place, it is possible to visit the wonderful neoclassical interior and museum, which displays unique memorabilia of the performing arts from all periods.

Dinner is independent at a recommended restaurant or trattoria. Following dinner, return to Villa D'Este.

DAY 9: Lake Como
You will have a free morning and afternoon with suggested itineraries. Lunch is independent at a recommended restaurant or trattoria while dinner is also independent but is reserved at Sant'Anna 1907 for 8:00pm. You will transfer to and from restaurant w/private car & driver

Suggested Itinerary: Varenna
Today, take some time to explore Varenna, a community built along Lake Como dating back to the Roman Ages. Begin your self-guided walking tour at the promenade along the lake, which connects the port with the town centre, and walk towards town. Visit the Basilica of Saint Giorgio, which was originally consecrated in 1313 and later restored in 1957. Next, stroll through the streets exploring the town's small shops and stop for lunch at a local trattoria. In the afternoon, walk outside of Varenna towards Villa Monastero, which now serves the needs of the National Counsel for Research. Continure on to the Castello di Vezio. Upon arrival, visit the castel and witness their "Falconer" in action...

DAY 10 : Venice - Verona
Check out of Villa D'Este in the morning. Private full day transfer to Venice, stopping for tour of Verona.

MEDIEVAL VERONA
On this walking tour of the city, you'll quickly understand that Verona is much more than the famous Roman amphitheatre and the ill-fated love affair of Romeo and Juliet. Starting with the Romans conquering it, and ending with its contemporary history, the different ages of the city are visible through all the various monuments scattered around its historical center.

Lunch is independent at a recommended restaurant or trattoria then continue on your drive to Venice. Late afternoon arrival in Venice with private water taxi transfer to hotel for check-in. Dinner at Cipriani hotel restaurant reserved for 8:00pm

DAY 11: Depart for USA
Check out of hotel in the morning with private water taxi transfer to Venice airport.