VIP ITALY EXPERIENCE - AMALFI COAST

DAY ONE

Arrival into Naples Airport – Enjoy private leisurely transfer from the Airport to Positano stopping en.route to take in the highlights of Pompeii with local expert guide – On arrival at Naples Airport please collect your luggage and make your way through customs and into the Arrivals Hall where the driver will await you with a sign saying your surname. Enjoy a leisurely transfer from Naples to Positano stopping en.route to take a step back in time in Pompeii.

Pompeii which was buried under cinder from 79 A.D. in of the most disastrous volcanic eruptions, today provides us with first class evidence of how the way of life was in a Roman city during the time of the Roman Empire. This site is located in an extremely attractive setting and your guide, who will meet you in Pompeii will not only make this city become alive for you but she can rebuild the city before your very eyes. The Roman Forum, the Basilica, the town centre, the stores, the fast food places, the Stabian Baths with their separate men/women sections, the swimming pools, the hot and cold rooms which are in an amazingly excellent state of preservation, this is all there to be lived, enjoyed and understood, learn how life over the centuries or should we say way of life has changed very, very little….What to some people may be a few old rocks and stones is in fact one of the most beautiful cities of a past Roman Empire.

Check into the Hotel Villa Franca where you have a beautiful Deluxe Panoramic View Room Reserved for 3 nights including breakfast, service and taxes
One of the most pleasant hotels in Positano the Villa Franca is located in a commanding position over the white landscape, the hotel offers a magical vision of the breathtaking poetical nature of things. This family owned hotel offers a warm and welcoming atmosphere of the old seigneurial villa: tiled floors, stone from Vesuvius, lacquered terracotta vases, typify the surroundings and blend in with the original architecture in which white predominates. Each of 37 rooms are romantically decorated and are equipped with air conditioned, telephone, minibar, safe box, TV SAT, pay per view television and all look out over the town and marvellous coastline. Apart from the actual beauty of the property itself and the fact that each and every corner of the property is carefully maintained with the finest touches – here at Villa Franca you really do get to understand that ‘Italian Hospitality’ means. The Russo Family have a long history in the hospitality business and it certainly shows from the warm welcome you receive on arrival to the excellent service that you will enjoy during your stay whether you be enjoying a massage, a drink by the roof top pool area which offers a 360° view of Positano or simply a leisurely breakfast overlooking one of Italy’s most beautiful coastlines. The property is actually made up of two buildings, the Hotel itself and the nearby residence which offers the same high standard of accommodations that you enjoy in the main building.

Restaurant: The restaurant Ligalli is opened for lunch (from 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm) and for dinner (from 7:30 pm to 10:30 pm). It offers traditional fresh fish dishes, succulent handmade pasta dishes and delicacies which have been produced using centuries old local traditions and cooking techniques.

SPA: The hotel has a Spa with Gymnasium area and Turkish bath free for the guests.

Amenities

Free upgrade on availability on arrival
A bottle of Spumante for Honeymooner and Anniversary
Welcome cocktail

Dinner at Leisure in one of Positano’s Restaurants – see IC Bellagio Recommended Restaurants Collection for ideas..

DAY TWO

Breakfast in the Hotel

Day Completely at Leisure to Relax and Enjoy and Explore Positano on own…

Dinner Reservation at the beautiful La Sponda Restaurant – payment for Dinner Direct to Restaurant
A very elegant restaurant with a wonderful terrace from where you can see the entire Positano coast and the small Mermaid Isle. This restaurant is located within the grounds of the Hotel Le Sirenuse, a noble villa, now considered to be one of the most beautiful hotel’s on the Amalfi Coast. The service is very professional and Vincenzo Galani is the famous maitre who takes care of their excellent service and very refined table settings. All dishes have been prepared using the highest quality ingredients. Good selection of wines. They have an interesting choice of local cheeses and traditional cakes.

DAY THREE

Breakfast in the Hotel

Morning with Driver to Enjoy the nearby town of Sorrento followed by lunch at the famous Ristorante Don Alonso in the hills above Sorrento (payment direct to restaurant for lunch) before returning to Positano..
This morning enjoy a leisurely drive along the coast to the beautiful town of Sorrento which is famous for its Artisans who you will see practising their crafts in their workshops located throughout Sorrento, the famous inlaid woodworks, the limoncello liquor : this is a must whether you purchase the lemon liquor or even some lemon soaps as a souvenir to leave the Sorrentina Peninsula with no reference whatsoever to those wonderful fruits would be a crime. You may wish to save Sorrento for the afternoon so that you can enjoy your time strolling through those small streets and alleyways enjoying one delightful surprise after another. Following your time in Sorrento enjoy a leisurely drive to Ristorante Don Alonso before returning to Positano.

Ristorante Don Alfonso: This has to be one of Italy’s best restaurants – if not the best…For Wine and Foodies who are in the Positano/Sorrento area there is no better restaurant ..From the moment you arrive in the parking area, to the warm welcome that you receive from Costanzo or Ernesto this gives you a very clear idea of things to come…The food here is really quite exceptional and we guarantee you will not find better service, presentation or quality of dishes anywhere…Following lunch or dinner here at Don Alfonso do remember to ask about their extensive, very famous wine cellar…There are over 25,000 bottles of wines from many countries in the world and this has to be one of the best private collections of wines in Italy. Your visit to the cellar will be of course assisted by one of the restaurants’ premier sommeliers.. When you go into the cellar do be sure to head down to the bottom of the tunnel where you are many metres below ground to see the important collection of cheeses stored here…The Don Alfonso Restaurant is not just a fabulous dining experience but an overall food and wine experience that will leave you the most amazing memories for a long time to come…Distance from Positano is approximately 10 kms.

Dinner at leisure in one of Positano’s Restaurants – see IC Bellagio Recommended Restaurants Collection for ideas..

DAY FOUR

Breakfast in the Hotel

Check out of the hotel and settle incidentals account..

Day with Driver to Enjoy the Amalfi Coast before transferring to the beautiful Palazzo Sasso in Ravello your home for the next 3 nights..
One of the most scenic drives you will ever take, the perfume of the lemons, the locals, the sunshine and simply the atmosphere of the area will make you never want to say goodbye to the Amalfi Coast. Amalfi is our first stop of the day, approximately 30 minutes drive from Positano, probably one of the most famous towns along this coastline. The beautiful Cathedral of Amalfi just off the sea side promenade was founded in the 9th century and still to this day it retains its original bell tower. This church went through a number of alterations and although much of the façade was rebuilt in the 19th century, much of the original structure can still be enjoyed today. We do recommend during your visit there that you don’t forget to pass through the church into the Cloisters of Paradise where you can admire one of the most charming and beautiful pieces of Norman/Arab architecture. You should take the time to explore the rest of the town too, before continuing your journey to one of the coastal areas most beautiful hidden secrets. Just a short drive from Amalfi, Ravello different to many of its neighbouring towns is actually located high up the sea level … This small town has character, culture, art, history, great shops and pastry stores offering some of the best ‘dolce’ of the coastal area as well as the Villa Rufolo which is a beautiful 13th century Villa built by the Rufolo family in the 13th century. Just like Wagner, we are sure you will fall in love with it, enjoy the Moorish style courtyard which was initially a cloister with an 11th century bell tower that overlooks the Villa and Gardens …The views from the terrace areas give you picture postcard images of the area that so many of us know as the Amalfi Drive – as you explore Ravello your driver will be handing your luggage to the hotel ready for your check in for your next 3 nights stay. (tour duration: 7 hours)

Check into the Hotel Palazzo Sasso where you have a King Double Sea View Room Reserved for 3 nights including breakfast, service and taxes
Hotel Palazzo Sasso Ravello is a stunning new five star deluxe hotel on Italy's famous Amalfi coast. The hotel is a 12th century Italian villa tucked away in the hill top village of Ravello perched high on the cliffs, 350 meters (1,000 ft.) above the sparkling Mediterranean and overlooking some of the coast's most picturesque fishing villages. Just as Palazzo Sasso opened its door as a new hotel in 1997, it has been rated as one of the finest hotel and restaurant in the World.

Rooms and Suites
All rooms are decorated with hand made Vietri tiles, antique carpets and furniture from the XVIII and XIX centuries. Brass accessories and appliqués. Frette linen and Bulgari amenities, satellite TV, safe, minibar, internet access.

King Double Room – Sea View
They have a large window overlooking the Mediterranean sea, all bathroom have either Jacuzzi bath or Jacuzzi shower. Size: 20 square metres (270 square feet). Bedding type: King or twin.

Dining

Our two Michelin stars restaurant has just been awarded with very high ratings in all major Italian guides. The just reward for endless passion. Pino Lavarra our Executive Chef after having worked at Le Manoir aux Quat'Saisons in Oxford with Raymond Blanc went to run the renowned Grissini at the Hyatt Carlton Tower in London, is back in Ravello with the goal to make of Rossellinis one of the finest Italian restaurants.

The restaurant is closed from the November to March. During the season, the "Rossellinis"is open for dinner only. If you think of treating yourself with an unforgettable meal, think of doing so at night, on one of our terraces, looking down on the fishing boats 1,000 feet below!
Donato Marzolla, our Restaurant Manager, and his team will accompany you throughout your meal with a friendly, attentive and unobtrusive service.

Well Being Facilities

Palazzo Sasso offers a peaceful sanctuary overlooking the sea:
SPA with hydro pool, Turkish steam bath, Beauty treatments
Fitness area on the open air
Heated swimming pool
Solarium with Jacuzzi Pools
Beauty Treatments

Dinner at Leisure this evening in one of Ravello’s Restaurants – see IC Bellagio Recommended Restaurants Collection for ideas..

DAY FIVE

Breakfast in the Hotel

Day Completely At leisure to Relax and Enjoy Ravello on own..

This evening enjoy a very special Dinner at Mamma Agatha’s in the heart of Ravello…
A very unique experience: The cooking career of Mamma Agata started at the young age of thirteen. She went to work in order to help her family and was employed in the kitchen of a wealthy American lady who owned a summer villa in Ravello, overlooking the Amalfi Coast. Mamma Agata’s first experience in the kitchen proved her to be a natural, and in just a few months the meals shifted from American food to the regional specialties of the Amalfi. They called her “Baby Agata” since she was so young but dedicated to her craft.
Either cooking for a large gathering or an impromptu poolside lunch, the approach was always the same. Traditional dishes with regional ingredients replaced formal ones and Mamma Agata always remembered her guest’s favourites. When Fred Astaire came to call, after a lunch of spaghetti alla puttanesca, he would waltz the hostess’s elderly mother around the courtyard. Humphrey Bogart was more reserved, and quietly ate his alici fritti while taking in the view. The pasta e fagioli was a dish exclusively reserved for Anita Eckberg, a gloriously tall woman with skin like milk. But, the favourite memory that Mamma Agata shares is that of Jacqueline Kennedy, who impressed her with “un eleganza molto simplice” an elegant simplicity that was unique only to her, enjoying mozzarella and tomato salad by the pool.

She worked until her middle twenties, when she married and had children. When her children became adults, she was sought after to prepare private dinners for politicians and writers such as Agnelli and Gore Vidal. In 1997, the idea of the cooking school was born, in order to share her many talents.
For a very special dinner, why not follow in the footsteps of stars such as Humphrey Bogart, Anita Eckberg, Richard Burton, Liz Taylor, Fred Astaire, Charles Cubbon, Van Hefflin, Federico Fellini (big pasta e fagioli eater), Jacqueline Kennedy (1962 in Ravello), and Marcello Mastroianni and have Mamma Agata prepare a very special dinner for you on the terrace for a once in a lifetime experience with Mamma Agata as your personal chef, hostess/translator, your personal Sommelier and waiter too. Included in this very special experience is:

*Welcome Cocktail
*Dinner on the Terrace
*Mineral Water and Wines
*Coffee

DAY SIX

Breakfast in the Hotel
Day Completely at Leisure to Enjoy Ravello on own ..
Dinner at Leisure in one of Ravello’s Restaurants – see IC Bellagio Recommended Restaurants Collection for ideas..

DAY SEVEN

Breakfast in the Hotel
Check out of the hotel and settle incidentals account.
Private Sedan Transfer from Palazzo Sasso Hotel in Ravello to Amalfi Port – Enjoy a very special day transferring to Capri by Private Motorboat enjoying the Amalfi Coast, Li Galli Islands and Island of Capri from the best possible place – the sea itself..
What better way to transfer from the Amalfi Coast to Capri to taking the day with your private yacht, served well by English speaking crew members on board, enjoying soft drinks as you follow the coastline taking in the beautiful towns and villages that line one of Italy’s most famous Rivieras. You have the option of stopping for lunch at one of the many cove restaurants that line the shores or perhaps ordering something to take and enjoy on board, pass the Li Galli Isles and enjoy a swim in the clear blue waters which surround them, enjoy the Isle of Capri from the best possible place, the sea itself before arriving late afternoon into Capri Port.

On arrival in Capri – Enjoy a pleasant sedan transfer from the Port to the beautiful Capri Palace Hotel – a very special way to transfer from Capri Port to Capri Palace Hotel

Check into the Hotel Capri Palace where you have a Double king room with Sea View Reserved for 2 nights including breakfast, service and taxes
To say that the Capri Palace knows the true meaning of service and hospitality is almost an understatement. From the minute you arrive at the Capri Palace to the minute you reluctantly leave, you are sure to experience a very special and enjoyable stay enjoying the luxury, exquisite service and food, relaxing spa treatments not to mention the very comfortable accommodations.

Official Description: From its position on the heights of Anacapri, the most exclusive and unspoilt part of the island, the Capri Palace Hotel and Spa, offers breathtaking views over the surrounding sea, a panorama spectacularly framed by the Bay of Naples and the islands of Ischia and Procida creating a masterpiece of natural beauty.

The Hotel has 81 tastefully furnished rooms, among them 14 suites, offering the utmost in luxury for the most discerning of travellers. A recent re-styling inspired by the simple elegance of classical Mediterranean architecture has lent the Capri Palace the grace of an ancient Patricia Palazzo stepped in tradition and history. The columns, arches and vaulted ceilings blend in perfect harmony with the white stone paving and the softly textured ecru-coloured furnishing. Light plays with shadow through the rooms in true Chiaroscuro fashion, glimmering across the refined white and gold interior decoration and Louis XVI period furniture.

The Restaurant L’Olivo is a favourite rendez-vous for the most discerning of Gourmets. Fine Cuisine created by the hotels young and creative chefs with Mediterranean specialities is served in the most elegant of surroundings with comfortable arm chairs beside private fire places and library areas. The Hotel’s Wine Cellar is new and this features 9000 prestigious bottles with more than 1000 labels. The Capri beauty farm has taken its inspiration from the innovations of the past to become one of the most modern and fully equipped beauty farms in Europe, a regular port of call for many of the most well known names in the contemporary world of art and show business.

Room Descriptions

Double “Deluxe” Rooms with Sea View
Peace and romance with four poster or canopy king beds or twin beds, sitting area adorned with ethnic wall tapestries, ethnic style furniture and original colonial ceiling fans. Some rooms with patios onto the garden or balconies. 35 m² (378 square feet). Rooms facing the Mediterranean.

All the rooms feature:
Direct dial phone, air-conditioning, safety box, mini-bar, satellite TV, DVD, Hi Fi system.

Dinner at Leisure in one of Capri’s Restaurants – see IC Bellagio Recommended Restaurants Collection for ideas..

DAY EIGHT

Breakfast in the Hotel

Day Completely at Leisure to Enjoy Capri on own..

Dinner at Leisure in one of Capri’s Restaurants – see IC Bellagio Recommended Restaurants Collection for ideas..

DAY NINE

Breakfast in the Hotel

Check out of the hotel and settle incidentals account..

Private Sedan Transfer from Capri Palace to Capri Port – Hydrofoil from Capri to Naples – Private Sedan Transfer from Naples Port to Naples Airport – the most leisurely way to transfer from Capri Palace Hotel to Naples Airport – Departure from the hotel will be 4 hours prior to flight departure time.

Buon Viaggio!