From the enchanting caves to the elegant gardens, the seaside panoramas to the dramatic castles, you will be fascinated by the momentous beauty and rich history found along the Amalfi and Cilento coasts. The scent of zesty lemon emanates from the thriving groves that grow across the mountainous landscape as locals cook fresh seafood over open grills within view of the glowing Mediterranean Sea. Narrow cobblestone lanes lead to dramatic castle ramparts and secluded sea caves, and the water shimmers...
Customizable Itinerary
Day 1
Naples – Arrive in the Bustling and Historical Capital of Campania
The city of Naples bustles with activity throughout the day, where the image of opulence from the former kingdom stands in the city center. The wealth of the harbor continues to touch the city as the premium shipping port of Italy. Yachts, sailboats, and fishing boats moor in the marina as the water laps at the hulls and wooden posts that support the walkways. Cafes set out tables and chairs along the promenade for patrons to enjoy the sea breeze and the view of the boats as they return to port. The history of Naples’s connection to the Mediterranean is as long and lustrous as the history of the city itself, with the first settlers coming from Greece in the 8th century BC. Each subsequent generation has left its mark on the people, art, and architecture.
The royal palace crowns the plateau of the Capodimonte that overlooks the historical center. The palace was erected under the patronage of King Charles III, becoming the residence of the royal family before transitioning into a museum that now exhibits the Farnese collection. The lavish interior offers insight into the life of the former ruling class of Naples along with one of Italy’s finest art collections, with more than 500 paintings including works by Caravaggio, Botticelli, and Bellini. Your private transfer will meet you at Naples International Airport and lead you to the comforts of your accommodation in the beating heart of this Baroque city before you set out to explore it.
What's Included:
Day 2
Ravello – Traverse the Amalfi Coast and Enjoy the Grandeur of Ravello
Day 3
Ravello – Indulge in the Splendor of the Villages along the Amalfi Coast
Day 4
Ravello – Explore the Seaside Cliffs and Lavish Ancient Villas of Capri
Day 5
Palinuro – Visit the Ruins of Paestum en route to the Seaside Palinuro
Day 6
Palinuro – Discover Enchanting Villages and Landscape on the Cilento Coast
Day 7
Palinuro – Relax with a Day at Leisure along the Cilento Coast
Day 8
Naples – Witness Charm and Opulence in Ancient Herculaneum and Naples
Day 9
Naples – Depart for Home
Trip Highlights
- Wander through the gardens of a historic villa that offers a serene view of the Mediterranean Sea
- Enjoy the flavors of the Mediterranean during a private cooking class in a fishing village famed for its tuna
- Discover medieval and ancient castles across the Mediterranean coastline, from the island of Capri to the village of Agropoli, Pisciotta
- Dig your hands into pizza dough of your creation during a private pizza making class in Naples
- Explore the wealth and power of the former Kingdom of Naples with a tour of the National Gallery in the Palace of Capodimonte
- Sample an array of olive oils in the seaside village of Pisciotta, famous for its olive trees and pure extracts
- Witness the remarkable colors of the Blue Grotto on the Cilento Coast for a tranquil and breathtaking experience
- Relish the historical streets and frescoes of Herculaneum, an ancient city preserved beneath ash, pumice, and magma
- Learn the process of making delectable buffalo mozzarella in the region best known for producing the world-famous cheese
- Traverse the walkways and porticos of the oldest and best-preserved Greek temples on mainland Italy
Detailed Description
Uncover the secluded beauty of the charismatic coastline of Southern Italy as your 9-day tour will take you from Naples, along the Amalfi Coast down to the Cilento Coast, immersing you in the culture and beautiful villages along the way. The journey begins with your arrival at Naples International Airport. Your private transfer greets you at baggage claim and escorts into the historic center of the former capital of the eponymous kingdom. Enjoy a private introductory tour of the city’s history, taking in the bustling streets, seaside promenade and lavish collections in the Palace of Capodimonte.
You will then make your way around the Bay of Naples to the Amalfi Coast, with a stop in the town of Sorrento for an exploration of the history and majesty found along the cobblestone streets. Once in Ravello, you can relax as you take in the remarkable views from the hilltop. Spend time the following day to explore the cobblestone streets and opulent villas of Ravello before setting out for the villages of the Amalfi Coast. Visit the famous towns of Positano and Amalfi before you enjoy the quieter beaches and streets of Vietri and Cetara. In the latter town, you will meet a private chef and embark on a cooking excursion to learn about the culture, history, and flavors of the local cuisine.
Next, you will take the ferry to Capri for a day spent in the historical landscape that inspired Roman emperors and artists alike. Visit ancient villas and see medieval castle ruins around the trails that crisscross with the interior mountains. Travel next to the ancient city of Paestum, whose ruins rise above the plains of Campania. A tour and cheese-making demonstration will be a highlight of your exploration of the Greek town, and then you will continue to the shores of the Cilento Coast at the town of Palinuro. Take to the sea the next day to discover the marvelous beaches and stunning caves of the coastline with a visit to the Blue Grotto for a chance to view the incredible glow of the sea and cavern.
You will continue along the hillside towns to visit historical castles, medieval streets, and the quiet culture of a unique lifestyle. Enjoy an olive oil tasting in the town of Palinuro, and then the following day your private transfer will escort you north to Naples with a stop en route at the ancient city of Herculaneum. Relish a private tour of the preserved homes, villas, and artwork before engaging in a pizza making class. Conclude as your private transfer will take you to Naples International Airport for your flight home.
Starting Price
$4,100 per person (excluding international flights)
Your Zicasso trip is fully customizable, and this sample itinerary is a starting place for your travel plans. Actual costs are dynamic, and your selection of accommodations and activities, your season of travel, and other such variables will bring this budget guideline up or down. Throughout your planning experience with your Zicasso specialist, your itinerary is designed around your budget. You can book your trip when you are satisfied with every detail. Planning your trip with a Zicasso travel specialist is a free service.
What's Included
- Accommodations
- In-country transportation
- Some or all activities and tours
- Expert trip planning
- 24x7 support during your trip
Your final trip cost will vary based on your selected accommodations, activities, meals, and other trip elements that you opt to include.
Reviews of Zicasso's Referral Service
4.9 stars based on 5956 reviews.
The trip was very well planned by Zicasso's travel company and all of the stops and pick-up points, cars, trains, boats, etc., were there and reliable. We had a fantastic time.
Reviewed By Jeffrey C.
I am writing to express my immense gratitude to the entire team at Zicasso’s travel partner for curating the most spectacular trip to Italy for my family. From start to finish, the level of service was beyond impeccable and truly set a new standard for what we consider luxury travel.
The planning process was an absolute pleasure. Communication was one of their greatest strengths; our contact was consistently available and responses to our questions were nearly instantaneous. This travel company made us feel like we were their only clients. They took the time to understand the different ages and interests within our family, and built a bespoke itinerary that perfectly balanced history, leisure, and unique local experiences.
This was genuine white-glove service in every sense of the word. From the moment we landed, every detail was flawlessly executed. Private drivers were waiting for us, guides were engaging and knowledgeable, and our accommodations were magnificent. We never once had to worry about a single logistic, allowing us to be fully present and enjoy our time together.
If you are looking for a travel partner that offers unparalleled personalized service and flawless execution for a trip to Italy, look no further. Thank you for giving our family memories we will cherish forever.
Reviewed By Christopher L.
My husband and I were thrilled with our recent trip to Italy that Zicasso’s travel designer put together. We began by attending a family friend’s wedding, held in Ravello, on the Amalfi Coast. Due to my husband’s mobility issues, we were met by a driver and headed to the Amalfi Coast. The driver was first class and the trip was very comfortable.
After the wedding festivities, we were able to have the most wonderful experiences visiting the towns of Amalfi and Positano, and our base for one week was in beautiful Sorrento. We attended a cooking class and enjoyed eating what we prepared. We had in-depth learning opportunities in Naples and Sorrento. Every guide we had spoke excellent English and was so knowledgeable. We especially enjoyed Pompeii! A super-fun day was had on the small group tour of Capri. The crew was fantastic and very accommodating in consideration of my husband’s mobility issues.
From beginning to end everything went well. The use of a messaging app was great for making sure everyone was on the same page.
The only thing that was a disappointment was the pizza in Naples. It wasn’t the best.
The hotel in Sorrento was phenomenal - it couldn’t have been better. The view of Mt. Vesuvius from our balcony helped create memories we will have forever. The hotel in Rome was also very nice. It was right in the middle of the main attractions.
We are very happy with our experience with this travel company and would not hesitate to recommend it!
Reviewed By Anne F.
Our trip was a family one, two grandparents over 70, two parents and one adult son, one teenage girl, and one younger girl, 12. Three of us had been to Italy while the others had not. We wanted as complete a trip as we could in 14 days, so we included all the traditional places, Venice, Florence, Rome, and Naples/Pompeii. We spent three days in each and one day in Ferrara. While it was a lot for 14 days, we did not feel rushed.
What I like about Zicasso is they give you options to pick the best fit for your trip—we worked with two other agencies before we picked Zicasso’s travel partner. This travel partner took the time to understand our needs: three hotel rooms, all different in sizes, and tours and timing. Very important was the degree of coordination before the trip with the travel agent; she was available and knowledgeable, and took the time to adjust our needs. One of the best things about this travel partner was they used a van for all the travel, except from Rome to Naples. This was a much better option than the train for seven people and baggage.
During the trip, we were met on time by every driver and every guide. The hotels were excellent and the whole trip went well. When we had a delay on the train, the driver knew it and adjusted our pick-up.
Reviewed By Fred S.
Zicasso’s travel company was wonderful in planning our trip on short notice and in line with our requests and preferences. Their suggestions of what to do and where to stay were perfect. And when we accidentally got off on the wrong island, the travel company quickly got us new ferry tickets to get to the right place. It was all seamless.
Reviewed By Sherry G.
This trip was the greatest week of our lives! Everything planned was better than I could have imagined. The private drivers being coordinated behind the scenes made the trip so easy and removed all the stress of trying to navigate a new country. Every driver and our tour guide was so nice and I feel like we made friends with all of them.
My favorite part of the trip was definitely the cooking classes and that every tour was private and intimate for my wife and I. The connections Zicasso’s travel agent hooked us up with made the trip the most memorable experience. Our travel agent and the travel company took special care of all the tiny details of the trip; our hotel knew it was my birthday and had a special surprise for me! I’m beyond thankful for the perfect honeymoon they provided my wife and I.
Reviewed By Branson S.