Shauna Damboise

Fancy Fox Travel

Fancy Fox Travel's Italian Adventure! April 14-22, 2023

Apr 14, 2023 to Apr 22, 2023
Italy!

Your dreams of traveling thru Italy are becoming a reality!

April 14th thru 22nd you are going to experience all that Italy has to offer, from food, wine, art, music and so much more. 

 
 
Trip Overview 
9 DAYS / 8 NIGHTS
 
 
Overnight stay in 3 locations:
Florence, Rome & Sorrento Venice
 
AGES
Minimum Age: 16 Suggested Age: 18+ 
 
FLIGHT INFORMATION
Arrive: FCO (Rome) Return: NAP (Naples)
 
13 MEALS
8  Breakfasts, 2 Lunches, 3 Dinners
 
 
 

What's included in this trip:

Professional English/Italian Speaking Tour Director

 

 Transportation by Local Deluxe 50 seat Motorcoach with A/C when needed 

Boat rides & Cable funicular: 

Day 7 – April 20th: Positano- Amalfi 

Day 8 – April 21st : RT Sorrento- Capri ferry; Capri boat excursion 

Day 8 – April 21st : Funicular in Capri 

Quitevox system headsets at disposal for 9 days from April 15th to April 21st 

Licensed Professional Local Guide at disposal for the following Tours: 

Day 2– April 15th : Tour of Florence (2hrs) 

Day 3 – April 16th : Tour of Rome (3hs ) 

Day 4 – April 17th : Tour of Rome FD (8hrs) 

Day 5 – April 18th: Tour of Rome FD (8hrs) 

Day 6 – April 19th: Tour of Pompeii HD (3hrs) 

Day 7 – April 20th : Tour of Amalfi coast (6hrs) 

Day 8 – April 21st : Tour of Capri (6hrs) 

 Entrance Tickets with pre-reservation to the following: 

Day 2 – April 15th: Academy of the Fine Arts 

Day 4 – April 17th or 18th : 

Vatican Museums private visit, date and time subject to confirmation accordingly to Vatican Musuems approval. Visit may be confirmed either on April 17th or April 18th, either in the early morning or late afternoon 

Day 5- April 17th or 18th: Colosseum & Roman Forum- depending on Vatican Museums private visit day 

Day 6- April 19th: Pompeii 

Day 8- April 21st : Gardens of Augustus e/fees 

Meals 

Full spectacular buffet style breakfast included daily at our hotel

Day 2 – April 15th : Florence, dinner at Palazzo Borghese with music entertainment 

Day 3 – April 16th : San Gimignano, Poggio Alloro Lunch

Day 4 - April 17th: Rome, dinner at local pizzeria 

Day 7 – April 19th: Sorrento area- afternoon mozzarella cheese tasting

Day 8 – April 21st: Sorrento area- farewell dinner at Grand hotel la Favorita 

 

 
 

 

What's not included:

  • Transportation between residence and airport from which you are departing
  • Round-trip air or any other transportation between home airport and vacation destination
  • Arrival/Departure transfers to/from airports and hotels, train stations, or other locations not specifically described for each departure*
  • Meals, activities and transportation not specifically set forth in the applicable itinerary
  • Gratuities for our full time personal Guide, Massi (suggested gratuity for each person is $125 for entire trip)
  • Customs and immigration fees
  • Passport and visa fees
  • Travel protection insurance (can be purchased thru Fancy Fox Travel/Allianz for $388 pp)
  • Baggage fees, excess baggage fees, and other airport/airline fees
  • Laundry, telephone, alcohol (unless noted as included), and all other items of a personal nature
  • Additional taxes may apply which are not included in the vacation package
 

 

Itinerary:

    • Pre-departure: Book your flights for April 13th heading into FLR- Florence International Airport. This will be an overnight flight arriving the next day, April 14th. I can do this for you or let me guide you to booking the best flights and connections for your trip.
     
     
    • Day 1 - April 14  (Florence):

       

      Our representatives from The Aloschi Bros. will meet you at the airport in Florence- take in the sights as your driver delivers to the hotel in Florence

      Cradle of the Renaissance, romantic, enchanting and utterly irresistible, Florence (Firenze) is a place to feast on world-class art and gourmet Tuscan cuisine.

       Check into the Hotel Albani Firenze  a particularly elegant palazzo property with lavish period touches, located a short stroll from Florence's main station.  The restaurant provides fine wines and alfresco dining, while a gym and sauna are handy additions for some. Guests checking into the Albani can expect deferential service, a wonderful breakfast and engaging traditional accommodations.  Oversized Carrara marble baths come with hair dryers, magnifying mirrors, bidets, combination tubs, heated towel rails, robes and modest Dahlia toiletries. All rooms support flat-screen TVs and there are smartphones provided to guests in the rooms with pre-loaded city guides. Once a well-kept secret, Hotel Albani is consistently booked well in advance thanks to its long list of loyal repeat guests and convenient walk to most of the city's main sights.

       

      Please come and enjoy a Welcome drink this evening at the hotel followed by Dinner on own, at your leisure

     
    • Day 2 - April 15 (B,D) (Florence)

       

      Guided walking tour: Signoria Square, where a copy of Michelangelo’s majestic David towers over the scene, and Palazzo Vecchio, one of the most important public buildings in Medieval Italy the Cathedral , the tour ends with a stroll over the Ponte Vecchio, window-shopping its historic gold and silver workshops. You will also visit the beautiful Academy of the Fine Arts, home to some of the most important painting and sculpture collections in the world, including sculptures by Michelangelo, his renowned David among them, and a rich collection of early Italian painting.

      Free time for lunch and shopping

      Dinner tonight at Palazzo Borghese with music, great food, and  entertainment

      Overnight at the hotel

       

       

     
    • Day 3 - April 16 (B,L) (Heading to Rome)

      Travel by private bus to the beautiful Tuscan countryside in San Gimignano area. Reach the estate Poggio Alloro, a working farm with its own winery—located in the heart of the Chianti wine-growing region. Be welcomed by the chef, who will lead us in a fun a Pasta Making activity. Private pasta making class featuring the art of creating pasta from scratch, with English- speaking professional cooking instructor.

      Next , enjoy a delicious pasta Lunch on the wooden terrace with panoramic views of San Gimignano. Tour the family winery, and then enjoy wine tasting, sampling several of their recent vintages. After the pasta party, the Sala Grande room will be rearranged to accommodate the wine tasting and olive oil on one side while the other side will be prepared for the lunch tables.

       

      After an amazing afternoon lunch, we will travel from Tuscany to Rome, arrival at the hotel, check in for 3 nights. 

      Check in at the Hotel Savoy Roma, one block west of Via Veneto (Rome's Park Avenue), midway between Piazza Barberini and the Villa Borghese, a 15- to 20-minute stroll from the Forum and Colosseum, about 10 minutes to the Spanish Steps and Via Condotti's celebrated shopping,  the location is superb.  The handsome late-19th-century cream and ochre stone building makes a fine introduction to the classic period interiors, which take in the usual marble, ormolu and Murano chandeliers all set before a pinch of authentic art deco. The reception staff is quick-witted and versed in five languages—service is a highlight here, as is the rooftop terrace. The plump seating in the adjacent lounge provides a respite from the world outside. Even during rush hour, street noise remains at bay.

      This hotel harbors an especially lovely rooftop perch with a beautiful restaurant and bar. The terrace is seasonal, staffed during the summer months. Nonetheless, it is lovely even during winter cold spells, with good views of prominent Roman domes.  Rooms sport fresh graphic-print fabrics and wallcoverings, elegant upscale modern furnishings and trendy lighting. All units retain a traditional veneer, with fancy period moldings and large windows double glazed for efficient soundproofing. Baths are  marble- or tile-trimmed units, with towel warmers, bidets, combination tubs, hair dryers, robes, slippers and good toiletry kits with Savoy's own stamp.

      Overnight at the hotel 

       

       

       

    • Day 4 - April 17 (B,D) (Rome)
     

    In the morning explore the many wonders of ancient Rome by visiting inside the magnificent Coliseum and the Roman Forum. The symbol of the Roman Empire recognized as one of the 7 Wonders of the World, the Flavian Amphitheater - also known as the Colosseum - is a must-see for anyone visiting Rome. It is the largest amphitheater in the world, telling the story of the magnificent deeds of gladiators and Ancient Rome. This imposing and evocative place is the most representative icon of the Rome and Italy as a whole all over the world.

    The Roman Forum was the beating heart of the political and civil life of Ancient Rome. It was the administrative center of the city comprising a series of buildings, monuments, streets and squares where the public life of Rome took place

    You’ll also view the Circus Maximus, the Arch of Titus, the famous Baths of Caracalla and the Arch of Constantine.

    Overnight in Rome.



    • Day 5 - April 18 (B) (Rome)

    Enjoy an exclusive, private to only our group, Vatican VIP Tour: Exclusive Vatican Museums & Sistine Chapel

    Join us on this once in a Lifetime Experience:  Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel BEFORE  public opening hours

    Our Early Access Tour of the Vatican Museums offers you the opportunity to tour at your own pace and to visit the Vatican museums before the regular opening time. 

    Our small group will explore the Vatican Museums with a private guide on this 2-hour VIP tour. You'll see the museums' renowned collection of works by artists including Michelangelo, Raphael, and Botticelli. Gaze in awe and wonder at the most famous contribution, which is undoubtedly Michelangelo's painting of the ceiling  of the Sistine Chapel, along with the Last Judgment behind the altar. Learn about the history and influence of the Vatican from a Licensed Vatican guide . 

    After our tour private tour we will enjoy an American Style breakfast at the Vatican's Bistrot La Pigna, located outside in the Vatican in the courtyard of the pinecones.

     
     
    • Day 6 - April 19 (B,L) (Sorrento):

    Travel from Rome to the lovely Sorrento, but before we will stop and explore the famous Pompeii. Board your air-conditioned motor coach for the approximately one-hour drive to historical Pompeii. Buried for 1,700 years, the town has been resurrected and a clear picture of primeval daily life emerges from the cinders. Marvel at temples, porticos, Law Courts, and the agora – the center of city life – where throngs of people once gathered. Beyond are vestiges of private homes, still adorned with the mosaic floors and brilliant frescoes. You may also view ghostly casts of bodies that were encased and incinerated when volcanic ash poured down on the city.

    After the visit, drive to a typical Sorrento farm house : this simple family-owned farm produces mozzarella cheese, fresh vegetables, olives and lemons. Visit the antique wine cantina and learn about the process of producing olive oil and hand-made mozzarella. Following the explanations and demonstrations, enjoy a taste of the mozzarella cheese, fresh tomatoes, salami and bread in a peaceful setting of lemon and olive trees.

    Continue to Sorrento, check in at the hotel for 3 nights.

    Check in at Grand Hotel La Favorita, where the hotel's common areas show a wonderful eclectic style, and while the public areas play both sides of the fence, the guest quarters have that delightful near-patented Campanian look of Vietri tile, white walls and antiques all bathed in a Cerulean haze.

    The owners also deserve credit for maintenance, which is not a sidebar. Housekeepers, receptionists, bartenders, waiters and even the landscapers comprise a first-rate team. This is a fine pick for families, and the staff is prepared for just about everything. A beaming Madonna and child greet guests at the handsome reception counter, a formal, heavily carved mahogany counter manned by a savvy, well-dressed staff. The surrounding lounges are done in a traditional vein, with local hand-painted tiles and mosaics, 19th-century Victorian-like seating, and a colorful collection of antiques and religious reliquary. The marble staircase and polished chandeliers add to the elegant appeal.

    Standing in sharp contrast is the bold, modern bar set beneath classical arches and furnished with an armada of tufted white leather roll-back sofas and armchairs. The modern bar generates a Fillmore-worthy light show at night, and after a few drinks of Campari and lime, the spidery designer stools look as if they could get up and walk away.

    The hotel has two full-service dining rooms and a highly stylish bar. Recreation is relegated to the rooftop pool furnished with ample chaise lounges and umbrellas, and the views of the bay and distant Mount Vesuvius are impressive. The public beaches are a short walk from the hotel. 

    The pretty blue and white abodes with fruitwood antiques and good-quality reproduction pieces are postcards of Campanian chic, tastefully blending old and new, white and blue, and hand-painted majolica floor tiles. Elegant sconce lighting and original art tie the ribbon on these pretty packages. Desks share space with the TV and feature easy-access power outlets. The updated baths are also showcases for creatively fashioned Vietri tile, many with floral displays. Combination tubs are in the majority, and lighting is excellent. Hotel-branded toiletries, robes and hair dryers are the norm.

     
    •  

 

Day 7 April 20 (B)  (Sorrento)

 

Drive along scenic the Amalfi Drive, the conventional name of a stretch of road which runs along the Amalfi Coast between the southern Italian towns of Sorrento and Amalfi, originally built by the Romans. Depending on traffic and as time permits, enjoy a photo stop of the village of Positano, which is built on the side of the hill. Positano being a classic Italian fishing village is now a mecca for artists and writers. 

In Positano guests will board a privately chartered boat for the scenic coastal cruise to Amalfi. The local expert will accompany guests on the boat to provide engaging stories related to the history and legends of the area. 

Upon arrival in Amalfi, your guide leads you to the main square, the Piazza del Duomo pointing out the main highlights, including the 11th-century Cathedral of St. Andrew, along the way. 

Continue to Ravello, the city of music, a medieval village full of winding cobblestone streets, lush gardens, and breathtaking views of the Mediterranean. 

During the excursion, guests will enjoy a Limoncello tasting, a delicious lemon drink typical of the area. 

 

On return to Sorrento, you may choose to return to the hotel or remain in town for independent exploration. 

 
  • Day 8 - April 21 (B,D) (Sorrento)
  • Today we will visit the enchanting island of Capri, renown as the Pearl of the Mediterranean, a summer residence of choice since Roman times, and stomping ground for poets, writers, and a slew of legendary personages. 

    Board the Minibus & transfer from hotel to Sorrento dock for Sorrento-Capri Ferry, board the public ferry and experience the funicular to upper Capri. 

    Guided visit: the famed Piazzetta di Capri is the traditional launchpad for a visit to the rest of the Island. Everything on Capri is reminiscent of the splendor for which the Island is known: from the spectacular Gardens of Augustus (from the 1930s), to the Certosa (Basilica) di San Giacomo, and the marvelous villas surrounded by blooms and flowers. 

    Free time for lunch 

    In the afternoon you will enjoy a Capri Boat Excursion. 

    Return to Sorrento by public ferry & transfer to Sorrento hotel by minibus. 

     

    Enjoy a Group Farewell dinner at the Grand hotel La Favorita – private room 

     

 
  • Day 9 - April 22nd  (Departure to Naples Airport)

Arrivederchi! Private Transfer to Naples Airport for flight back home - book return flights no earlier than 11:00 am departure 

 

 


Available Packages

Fancy Fox Travel's Amazing Italian Adventure
Unavailable as of March 14, 2023

$3,668.00
Deposit: $750.00 per person

Italia! It really has it all. Fashion, Food, Music, Architecture, Art, Cars... You will experience the warmth and hospitality of this amazing country, and really live, eat, and breathe like an Italian. 

This is a small group Adventure limited to only 20 guests- We will start our adventure in Florence for two nights, marveling at David and the Duomo, then traverse down to the beautiful Tuscany region. We will spend three magical nights in Rome to see all the amazing sights from the Colosseum to Vatican City, of course,  and then down to Pompeii and ending in Sorrento right on the Amalfi coast for 3 spectacular nights exploring the island of Capri and the coastal towns of Positano, Amalfi, and Ravello.

Think pizza, cooking classes, gelato, limoncello, and the best tomatoes you've ever eaten in your life. Scenery you have to see to really believe. 

Time to Batti il Ferro Finché È Caldo in April of 2023. Created specifically over April break for my teacher and educator friends that want to have adventures, too! 

  • Rome with visits to the Colosseum, Spanish Steps, Trevi Fountain, & Pantheon

  • Vatican City, St. Peter's Cathedral & the Sistine Chapel

  • Tuscan countryside with lunch and wine tasting

  • Sorrento with visit to Pompeii, Positano and Amalfi

  • Cruise to the Island of Capri

Extra Options

Early transfer to Naples airport
Unavailable as of March 15, 2023

$50.00
Deposit: $50.00

Private Transfer to Naples airport prior for early morning flight.