Just this side of Heaven

1st day: Arrival in Naples airport in the morning. Transfer to our gorgeous Monastery-hotel in Sorrento for accommodation type Villa Daniela. In the afternoon, you can discover the picturesque Amalfitana coast driving along the coast, visiting its enchanting "pearls" such as Positano, Amalfi, Maiori and Minori. Dinner and overnight.
2nd day: In the morning, guided visit to Pompei, discovering daily life of the ancient Romans with its picturesque and moving details such as the street of Abundance or the big Forum with its markets and temples. Visit the Villa of Mysteries with its sumptuous frescos showing complex initiation rites and the Villa Oplontis, the residence of Poppea and see its well-preserved paintings. Lunch on your own. Late afternoon walking tour of historic Naples. Return at Hotel. Dinner and overnight.
3rd day: After breakfast, departure to Florence. On route, stop in Assisi and guided visit of the city of St. Francis. Lunch on your own or possibility to have lunch in one of our wonderful monastery-hotel, located in the city centre, just along the well famous "St. Francis' Brick Road" (OPTIONAL). Continuation to Florence, built on the Arno's banks, in a harmonious settings of hills full of houses and villas. The main city of Tuscany has a universal reputation of wonderful richness and high quality of monuments and art treasures. Arrival and check-in at our Monastery-hotel type Villa Duchessa Anna. Dinner and overnight.
4th day: In the morning, half day guided visit to Florence. Florence is considered the "Queen of Renaissance" and you will have the opportunity to see its world wide famous art treasure. Visit the Uffizi Gallery and Piazza della Signoria reaching the picturesque Ponte Vecchio (Old Bridge) crossing the Arno river. Afternoon at leisure. In the evening, you will have a wonderful typical Dinner in an enchanting restaurant located at the foot of the Certosa of Florence. You will taste genuine Italian cuisine prepared according the ancient monk's way in a original monk's style, tasting at the end the famous Cantucci con vinsanto, typical Tuscan biscuit with local liquor. After dinner, motor coach will bring you to Michelangelo Square for an outstanding view over the city of Florence. Overnight.
5th day: TO CHOOSE BETWEEN TWO ALTERNATIVES:
- a) Half day excursion to Siena, the town with the best quality in life. This is the town where any single "stone" has remained unchanged over the centuries, the atmosphere is unique for everything bear witness to ancient past which is still alive in the celebrations for "Palio" taking place every year with renewed enthusiasm. Half day guided visit of the city. Then visit of Montalcino, like an island in the heart of Tuscany, it offers to those who ascend from the valleys surrounding it the feeling of a gradual conquest, the sense of arriving in a snug harbour. Certainly the best image of Montalcino is revealed primarily by its wine, Brunello, the most precious gift of a land that is at the same time hard and generous. Wine tasting of the famous Brunello wine in an exclusive wine cellar of the XIV Century open only for you. Continuation to Rome. Arrival late afternoon, check-in in one of our centrally located monastery-hotels type Villa Domus. Dinner and overnight.
- b) Full day excursion dedicated to discover exclusive places of Tuscany. In the morning, departure to Sant'Antimo (South of Montalcino). Listen to the monks singing during the Mass. The Abbazia is very famous, still not known to everyone, for the genuine "Gregorian Chant" without music, only human voice. It is known as the "The singing stone" for its particular travertine marble its nave is build in. Then visit of Montalcino, like an island in the heart of Tuscany, it offers to those who ascend from the valleys surrounding it the feeling of a gradual conquest, the sense of arriving in a snug harbour. Certainly the best image of Montalcino is revealed primarily by its wine, Brunello, the most precious gift of a land that is at the same time hard and generous. Wine tasting of the famous Brunello wine in an exclusive wine cellar of the XIV Century open only for you. Continuation to Rome. Arrival late afternoon, check-in in one of our centrally located monastery-hotels type Villa Domus. Dinner and overnight.
6th day: After breakfast. Full day guided tour of the Italian Capital City, Rome. In the morning guided visit to Colosseum (exterior), Roman Forum, Pantheon, Piazza Navona and Trevi Fountain. Lunch on your own. In the afternoon, our art historian guide will drive you in a wonderful stroll throughout Monumental Rome admiring the Pantheon, the Trevi Fountain, Navona Square, the Spanish Steps. After this magnificent tour, you will have the possibility to enjoy an unforgettable experience: a cocktail on the exclusive terrace on the Bernini colonnade, facing Pope's apartments and St. Peter's Dome. Before reaching this magnificent place, you will see other important monuments like St. Angel's Castle, built by Emperor Hadrian as a mausoleum for himself and his successors, it was later transformed into a fortress and then into a prison. Today it holds an important art and military museum.
In front of you, St. Peter's square and on your left you enter the lift of on the ancient residence of a past important Cardinal..... and then on his terrace, you enjoy your aperitif greeting the Pope's windows just in front of you and admiring from a special point of view of St. Peter's Dome (OPTIONAL). Dinner and overnight at hotel.
7th day: In the morning visit the Vatican City: the Vatican Museums and St. Peter’s Basilica. In the afternoon, time at leisure for shopping. This evening, you can greet Italy enjoying a wonderful Farewell Dinner "Dining with Tenors" in one of the most typical restaurant of Rome. Overnight in the Monastery-hotel.
8th day: Transfer to the airport for departure flight. Arrivederci!

Our Wonderful Monastery-Hotels for this Tour:

Villa Domus in Rome

Villa Daniela in Sorrento

Villa Duchessa Anna in Florence