ROME & THE AMALFI COAST, SEPTEMBER 9-19, 2026

This amazing small group adventure begins with two days in Italy’s Eternal City of Rome.  See the iconic ancient Colosseum and ruins of the Roman Forum, Michelangelo’s Sistine Chapel, St.Peter’s Square, the Spanish Steps and Trevi Fountain.

 Then spend a week at a luxury villa perched among the cliffs on the Amalfi Coast.  Day trips from the villa will include a boat ride to the island of Capri, an excursion to historic Pompeii, and visits to the towns of Amalfi, Positano, and Sorrento  But with a private chef and some of the most breathtaking views in the world, you wouldn’t ever have to stray from the villa to have memories to last a lifetime.  

 Italy's Amalfi Coast boasts a classic Mediterranean landscape, a sensual blend of both natural and cultural wonders. The breathtaking terrain includes dramatic coastline topography scattered with terraced vineyards, orchards, and pastures—often with enchanting views of the vibrant waters below. –National Geographic 

After two nights stay at a upscale boutique hotel in Rome, a luxury villa perched among the cliffs of the Amalfi Coast will be our home away from home for the next week.  All of the bedrooms at the villa are ensuite and the villa will also feature outdoor areas offering breathtaking views of the Mediterranean Sea.  A private chef will prepare breakfast and dinner during our stay.  Our villa will  serve as our home base for a number of amazing day trips throughout the week (See Trip Itinerary for more details).  Note: The trip package price is based upon DOUBLE OCCUPANCY stay at both our Rome hotel and Amalfi villa.  Traveling without a roommate?  We can either see if there is someone else who is looking for a roommate or a SINGLE SUPPLEMENT of $1,500 guarantees you your own private hotel and villa bedroom.  

Except for most lunches, personal items, and optional tips (For villa staff & chef and our bus driver), our package is all-inclusive!  For a detailed list, see below:

 Wednesday, September 9 – Departure Day!

Meet at Dulles International Airport for an evening departure on an overnight flight to Rome. Once everyone has checked in and made it through security, the party begins … Complimentary  prosecco toast  at Vino Volo.  

 Thursday, OSeptember 10 - Arrival in Rome

• Transfer from Rome’s Da Vinci airport to a welcome lunch at a city center trattoria located a stone's throw from the Colosseum.

• After lunch, a local guide will lead a tour of one of ancient Rome's most iconic structures, the Colosseum. The adjacent ruins of the Roman Forum are also included in the tour.

• Once checked in at our centrally located hotel, everyone will enjoy dinner and wine at a nearby restaurant. 

 Friday, September 11

• In the morning, we will have “skip the line” tickets to view Michelangelo’s Sistine Chapel followed by a visit to St. Peter’s.  

• In the early afternoon, the group will enjoy  a three hour Food Tour in one of Rome's neighborhoods known for its local cuisine.   

• Other sites to be included in our tour are the Spanish Steps and Trevi Fountain

Saturday, September 12

• From Rome’s main train station, we will take a high speed train south to Naples and enjoy a lunch of authentic Neopolitain pizza admist views looking out on the Bay of Naples.  

• After lunch at a seaside Neapolitan pizzeria, we will have a few hours to explore Naples with a local guide.

• We then will be transported to our villa on the Amalfi Coast.  Once settled in at the villa, the group will sit down to dinner together to enjoy a meal prepared by our private chef for the week  

 Sunday, September 13

• After sleeping in and enjoying a leisurely breakfast at the villa, we make the short journey into the town of Amalfi.  The best things to do in Amalfi include strolling historical piazzas for a feel of the local life as well as admiring its ancient cathedrals and cloisters.  

• Late afternoon will be spent visiting nearby Ravello.  Ravello isn't a beach town; it’s a garden town. It’s known for its refined atmosphere, luxury villas, and deep connection to classical music. It has served as a retreat for celebrities and artists for centuries—from Richard Wagner and Tennessee Williams to Jacqueline Kennedy.

 Monday, September 14

• We will head to the harbor where we will board two speedboats for a cruise to the island of Capri,  Along the way, we will stop for an opportunity to swim and explore the caves along the coast.  Once on Capri, you will have time to enjoy lunch and explore the island.  Our two boat captains will drop us back at the end of a very special day! 

 Tuesday, September 15

• Another special day as we visit Sorrento.  Perched on high tufa cliffs overlooking the Bay of Naples, Sorrento is the bustling "hub" of the region. It’s technically on the Sorrentine Peninsula, just around the corner from the official Amalfi Coast, and it offers some of the best infrastructure for travelers in southern Italy.

• Sorrento is the world capital of the Femminello del Sorrento lemon. They are huge, fragrant, and used to make the town's famous Limoncello. You’ll see lemon motifs on everything from ceramic plates to summer dresses. We will visit a local farm where they make Limoncello and sample the local product.

 Wednesday, September 16

• We head up into the nearby hills this day for a memorable expefience at a local, family owned winery. Not only will the group enjoy a wine tasting and a tour of the vineyards, but the Nonas will also make and serve lunch to everyone.

 Thursday, September 17- Excursion to Pompeii

• Pompeii is famous for its degree of preservation after being destroyed by Mount Vesuvius in 79 AD. From plaster casts of the dead to murals, domestic goods, food, infrastructure, and other artifacts, Pompeii is a time capsule of what life was like in Ancient Rome.  

• On the way back to the villa, we will stop at one of the largest ceramic factories on the Amalfi Coast.

 Friday, September 18

• Enjoy undiscovered Minori

• Just a couple towns down from Amalfi, is the much less touristy town of Minori  Minori offers a glimpse into the more authentic culture of the region.  You will have time to explore this sleepy town that offers a number of very good lunch spots– in addition to one of the best bakeries on the planet!

•  In the evening, we will celebrate the memories made on our trip and enjoy our final dinner together.  

Saturday, September 19

We will make our way back to Rome for our return flight to Washington Dulles.