Rome to Amalfi Coast: Food & Wine Tour

Your tour of Rome will begin in the morning when your guide meets you in the hotel lobby after breakfast. The marvelous ambiance of the city will return when the bars that overlook the winding cobbled lanes of the city center open their doors, filling the streets with the refreshing aroma of freshly brewed espresso and flaky pastries. You will follow your guide on a tour of the monuments that decorate the city center and will turn Rome into an open-air museum of ancient and Baroque splendor. You will reach the Trevi Fountain, which is a sculpted masterpiece from the seventeenth century that has been immortalized in countless films including Roman Holiday with Gregory Peck and Audrey Hepburn. Water will spill out of an ancient aqueduct and crash down into the marble basin. The sea god Oceanus stands at the center of the display overlooking the horses, tritons, shells and splashing pool that is filled with coins.

In the afternoon, your tour of Rome will continue inside a luxurious home that overlooks the Spanish Steps for a hands-on cooking lesson that will offer authentic Roman recipes and traditional cuisine from the Lazio countryside. Your private chef will provide insight into the customary ingredients and flavors of Rome, which differ from the idea of traditional Italian cuisine outside of Italy. The kitchen will fill with the aromas of black pepper, salt, and fresh pasta dough as you make the noodles for a delicious cacio e pepe yourself, following the guidelines of your chef. Your delectable dish will consist of tonnarelli noodles in a simple sauce with an explosive flavor that is made from black pepper and Pecorino Romano cheese to provide a sharp, savory bite.

The scent of flowers will drift through the streets of Rome in the morning, emanating from the intermittent florist stalls that brim with lilacs and tulips. Your guide will meet you in the hotel lobby eager to introduce you to the cuisine of Rome on your private culinary tour that will unveil the passion for seasonal, fresh, and locally sourced ingredients. The culinary diversity of the city will capture a glimpse of the vast reaches of the Roman empire and the pride for local recipes that continue to be passed down through the generations.

You will sample the traditionally fried rice ball known as supplí and watch as your guide tears open the center, revealing the rich, steamy center that often contains a delicious tomato sauce or sauce of cheese and pepper. You will stroll through the famous working-class neighborhood of Trastevere where the decadent flavors of Rome’s true cuisine will hide. Here, you will sample remarkable cheeses, such as Gorgonzola and Parmigiano Reggiano that are drizzled with aged balsamic vinegar. Lastly, for today, you will bask in the enchanting aromas of pizza that is cooked inside a wood-fired oven, giving the dough a satisfying crunch.

The morning will bring the treasures of Vatican City into the spotlight with your private tour of St. Peter’s Basilica and the Vatican Museum. The remarkable galleries possess artifacts and artworks from antiquity to the Baroque age with a stunning array of Etruscan objects, Egyptian relics, Roman sarcophagi, and masterpieces from the Renaissance. Strolling beneath the gilded ceilings of the Map Gallery will showcase the grandeur and prestige of the Catholic Church during the sixteenth century.

Your remarkable tour will end in beneath the lavish, renowned ceiling of the Sistine Chapel. The marvelous colors will radiate from the sixteenth-century frescoes. These paintings by Michelangelo will capture the spirit of Genesis as the master artist separated light from darkness, depicted eh sun and the moon, and separated the land and the sea. At the center of the ceiling, you will find the iconic image of the Creation of Adam and Eve.

In the afternoon, your culinary exploration of Rome will continue with a private dessert tour of the city’s most prominent sweets, immersing you in the tastes of famous creations, renowned bakeries, and charming shops that are known only to locals. Your tour will begin with insight into the best gelato in Rome and how to recognize true artisan gelato from imposters. You will bite into your first sample of traditional stracciatella, for a simple flavor with a refined taste that stems from the creamy texture, light body, and satisfying touch of decadent dark chocolate chips.

In the morning, the scent of sweet and sour cherries will drift through the doors of the famous bakery in the Jewish Ghetto where old women bake pies that are stuffed with layers of ricotta cheese and black cherries. After breakfast, you will travel by scenic train to Naples where your private transfer will meet you at the station and take you the gates of ancient Pompeii. Your private guide will lead you through the entrance and into the center of the preserved city that was trapped for nearly two millennia beneath 20 feet of pumice and ash after the eruption of Mount Vesuvius.

The scent of clay will linger in the air as you wander the wide cobblestone boulevards that lead to the Forum. On the opposite edges of the vast city, you will find the amphitheater that was first constructed in 80 BC, making it the oldest building of its kind that is standing in the world today. The stadium seating accommodated up to 12,000 spectators. You can stand at the center of the former stage and imagine the cheering and jeering crowds as gladiators battled for their lives.

You will continue to the enchanting ambiance of Sorrento where you can relax in the comforts of your luxurious hotel that overlook the stoic waters of the Bay of Naples. The view will spread across the marina where colorful boats wade in the Tyrrhenian Sea. The scent of lemons will stem from the thriving orchards nearby. You will revel in the beauty of Sorrento at your own pace with a stroll alongside the regal buildings that surround Piazza Tasso or by taking in the view of the bay that reaches up to Mount Vesuvius from atop Villa Comunale. The stunning panorama will sweep across the water, looking west to the rocky point of Capo di Sorrento, which makes it a perfect destination to enjoy the view, the sea air, and the colorful sunset.

The beauty of Sorrento will act as the gateway to the Amalfi Coast, introducing you to the marvels of the Tyrrhenian Sea and the splendors of the Campania region. Your guide will meet you at the hotel and escort you into the hills that overlook Sorrento to visit a family-owned farm that grows gigantic lemons and plump olives. Upon arriving at the farm, the owner will welcome you with a guided tour through the orchards. You can sample the olives directly from the trees and note the bitter flavor when they are not quite ripe.

With a fabulous view over the landscape, your guide will provide samples of the extra virgin olive oil that is produced on the property and will explain the difference between the grades of olive oils. You will sample the luscious flavor of the homemade oil with a little freshly baked bread where you will find peppery notes with a hint of bitterness. At the next farm, your guide will introduce you to a family with over 50 years of cheese-making experience. This is where you will finally produce the delectable flavors of buffalo mozzarella. You will first enjoy a demonstration of the farmer that crafts the handmade cheese before you will sample the incredible milky flavor and springy texture.

The stunning history of winemaking around the Bay of Naples dates back to the ancient Greek settlers in the eighth century BC. After breakfast, your guide will escort you around the waters of the Tyrrhenian Sea to explore the diverse flavors and sensational complexity of traditional wines and liqueurs that are crafted along the foothills of Mount Vesuvius. Your tour will begin at a celebrated vineyard that crafts wine in the traditions of ancient Rome. You can wander through the trestles where plump grapes thrive in the volcanic soil, absorbing the rich minerals that add to the special flavors of the wine. Your guide will explain the history of the vineyard and the ways in which the winemakers have rediscovered the ancient methods and flavors of wine that was once consumed in Pompeii.

You will enjoy an outdoor tasting, beginning with the unique tastes of the wine that imitates the ancient Roman methods. Before leaving the winery, you will also learn about the favored, local liqueur of Limoncello, which is a digestif that is made from lemon rind, sugar, and alcohol. After your wine experience on the foothills of the volcanic slope, you can trek to the short trail that lies on the top of Mount Vesuvius’s peak at 4,203 feet above sea level for a spectacular view over the Bay of Naples and a unique perspective into the venting fumaroles of the active crater.

You will venture out of Sorrento in the morning bound for the vibrant shores of the Amalfi Coast and the charming towns that line the gorgeous cliff-side roadway that connects Positano in the west to Vietri sul Mare in the east. You will pass the pastel-colored homes that climb up the hillside of Positano to reach to the elegant, cobbled lanes and captivating scenery of Amalfi, which is the oldest maritime republic in Italy. The architectural influence of Normans, Longobards, and Saracens remain prevalent across town, highlighting the marvelous power of Amalfi before its naval defeat by Pisa in the twelfth century.

The Cathedral stands atop 62 steps that lead up from the main piazza, and the interior will contain the aroma of frankincense and myrrh. The frescoes that span the vaulted ceiling represent the grandeur of Italian Baroque art. Behind the piazza will stand the historic arsenals where the powerful republic built their ships, which now gives way to the artisan shops along the neighboring Piazzetta dei Dogi.

After traversing the beautiful beaches that are lined with gold sand and colorful lounge chairs, you will explore the defensive tower that dates back to the ninth century. The enchanting ambiance will stem from the mixture of colorful homes that rise up the steep, luscious slopes, the azure waters of the Tyrrhenian sea, and the narrow pedestrian lanes that wind between quaint, local shops. The streets will contain the scent of lemon, which derives from the terraced orchards that border the town, and the fading sunlight will reflect against the elegant majolica tiles that adorn the church cupola. You will easily understand how the natural splendor and cultural charisma of Positano captured the hearts of M.C. Escher, John Steinbeck, Liz Taylor, and Pablo Picasso.

In the morning, you will find the pleasant scent of lemon blossoms once again filling the streets of Positano that will create a sense of harmony with the salty scent of the Tyrrhenian Sea. The picturesque landscape will meet the shoreline that is connected by a series of twisting narrow lanes and steep. After breakfast, your private guide will meet you at the hotel eager to introduce you to the wines of Amalfi, which differ greatly from the wines that you sampled on the foothills of Mount Vesuvius.

The vineyards will line the sheer mountainside as they plunge into the water. These vines grow on terraces and collect the cool breeze that rises from the Mediterranean waters. The warmth of the coastline stems from both the radiant sunlight and the friendliness of the locals that welcome you onto their private vineyards where they grow and harvest a vast selection of grapes. You will venture to the gorgeous fjord of Furore to sample wine within a collection of small houses that are perched on a cliff. The winds from the north cool the property in the summer while the natural walls protect the vines during the winter. Your guide will pour you a sample of the Fior d’Uva, which is a delightful white wine that contains aromas of passionfruit and cantaloupe and will offer a refreshing sweetness beneath the Mediterranean sunlight.

The sensational history of the Campania region will become more tangible in the morning when your private guide escorts you to Paestum Archeological Park where you will have a tour of the preserved Greek temples that date back approximately 2,500 years. The architecture embodies the Greek ideals of beauty and perfection that is displayed in the designs of the largest structure: the Temple of Hera. The elegance of the remaining temple will create a dazzling effect that represents ancient architectural design, aesthetic, and engineering.

When you visit the museum, your guide will offer deeper insight into the marvels of the ancient Greek settlement and the artistry that is featured in the Tomb of the Diver. The tomb that was made from limestone slabs hosts artwork that dates back to the fifth century BC and represents the only evidence of large-scale Greek paintings. The fascinating work depicts a naked young man, diving into the ocean that acts as a visual transition between life and death.

You will return to Positano in the afternoon and meet your private chef for a fabulous foray into crafting traditional Neapolitan pizza during a private lesson. You will begin by mixing water, flour, and salt to make the dough by using your hands to knead the soft, sticky texture until the kitchen fills with the scent of yeast. You will also learn the secrets of crafting a proper Neapolitan pizza, as well as the history of the dish in Italy. You will use a wood-fired oven to cook the pizza at a perfect temperature after adding your favorite toppings. The lesson will become a remarkable display of Italian hospitality and culinary passion as you indulge in your creation as well as a selection of local appetizers that are made with local cheeses and desserts.

With the day at leisure, you can indulge in the beauty of Positano, linger in the spectacular views of Ravello, or visit the stunning history on display in Naples. You can also spend the day on the favored island of Capri for an experience of overlooking the enchanting, azure waters that once captured the heart of Roman emperor Tiberius. The idyllic scenery will mesmerize you upon arrival at Marina Grande where the ferry docks beneath the sea cliffs stand 200 feet tall. A funicular connects the esplanade to the Piazzetta where cafe tables and the aromas of frothy cappuccinos will fill the square.

Elegant boutique shops will line the cobbled lanes of Capri Town, and an ancient stairway that was first constructed by Phoenician settlers connects to the upper plateau upon which the smaller town of Anacapri sits. You can visit the charming Church of San Michele to view the eighteenth-century majolica tile floor that depicts scenes from the lives of Adam and Eve, or you can stroll through the collection of Roman, Egyptian, and Etruscan antiquity that is on display in Villa San Michele. For the ultimate view of the island’s past and present beauty, you will wander the Giordino di Augusto, which is a terraced garden that overlooks the azure Tyrrhenian Sea with views that stretch from Mount Solaro to the bay of Marina Piccola.

In the morning, the sounds of the water lapping against the golden shores of Spiaggia Grande will drift through the lower-streets of town before the bars and cafes open for breakfast. The favored beach of Positano reaches nearly 985 feet long and will host colorful umbrellas and rows of lounge chairs that look out to the sea. Fashionable tourists and vacationing locals will enjoy the longest stretch of sand on the Amalfi Coast and venture to the smaller shores of Fornillo Beach for a quieter spot in which to relax in the Mediterranean light. Your private transfer will meet you at the hotel after breakfast and escort you around the Bay of Naples to the international airport where you will board your flight home, sadly bringing an end to your culinary exploration of Rome to the Amalfi Coast.