DAY 1 Arrive Rome (2)

On arrival at Rome's Fiumicino airport you are met and transferred to your hotel. After check-in there's time to relax and unwind or you may wish to explore this exciting capital city. Tonight, we will meet with our Tour Director and fellow travelling companions for a welcome  drink, the perfect introduction to our tour.

DAY 2 Rome sightseeing & at leisure

Today it's an early  start as we make our way to the world-famous Sistine Chapel in the  Vatican city, where with a local guide using our excellent audio system,  we are able to enjoy an explanation as to how Michelangelo painted the Pope's ceiling.  After we continue our sightseeing tour into St. Peter's Basilica where we see the Pieta and then on to ancient Rome with views of the Colosseum and the Forum. Later, there's time to relax or sightsee further - 'Roma non basta una vita' - a lifetime is not enough to see all Rome has to offer! (BB)

DAY 3 Rome - Gargano Peninsula (Manfredonia)

This morning after breakfast, we leave the 'Eternal City' and travel into the Abruzzi Mountains to the Adriatic Coast. Soon we reach the Gargano promontory,  a popular seaside resort with the locals, and drive along its pretty coast. Next  we make our way to the curious site of Monte Sant Angelo before arriving in Manfredonia, guarded by its 13th century castle. This evening, we will enjoy a dinner of fresh fish specialities in a seaside restaurant. (BB) (HD)

DAY 4 Gargano Peninsula (Manfredonia) - San Giovanni Rotondo - Alberobello (3)

Behind the Monte Sant Angelo we drive to what is known as the Forest of Shadows and to San Giovanni Rotondo, where the monastery  in which Padre Pio lived for over fifty years till his death in 1968 is located.  Padre Pio was known for receiving the stigmata and for having the ability to appear  before cardinals of Rome, while his body was still sleeping back in the monastery!  From here we continue our journey to the pretty region of the Trulli in sunny Puglia and to the town of Alberobello (where there are over 1,000 Trulli - white, conically shaped houses) and where we will spend the next three nights. Tonight, dinner is served at our hotel. (BB D)

DAY 5 Castellana Caves Excursion

This area is not only known  for its pretty white towns and its 'trulli', but also for their famous 'grottos'  at Castellana. Here we will visit the deepest part of the grottos called the Caverna Bianca - a glistening wonderland hung with thousands  of glassy stalactites - probably the most spectacular of their kind in Italy. Later, we return to Alberobello where the remainder of your day is at leisure perhaps  to shop for souvenirs, relax or write your postcards. This evening we have dinner at the hotel. (BB D)

DAY 6 Lecce Excursion

After breakfast this morning we enjoy  a full day excursion to nearby Lecce which is Italy's most beautiful baroque city. Here our sightseeing tour with a local guide will show us among  other great sites - the Piazza Sant'Oronzio and the very baroque churches  of Santa Croce and San Matteo as well as the Piazza del Duomo. There's  time on your own perhaps to enjoy a 'cappuccino' and sweet southern Italian pastry  before we make our way back to Alberobello for the night. (BB D)

DAY 7 Alberbello - Paestum Today we travel on a scenic  route via Matera and Potenza in the Basilicata Region to the ancient  Greek site of Paestum. Here we will visit the excavations of the only well-preserved Greek Temples north of Sicily. We also have time to admire the Cilento  Coast with its fine long beaches. Dinner is at our hotel in Paestum this evening. (BB D)

DAY 8 Paestum - Naples - Ischia (3)

Our journey  today takes us along the coast and north to Naples, where an orientation tour show us the Castel dell'Ovo, Mergellina and the Opera  house. Next we board our ship for the crossing across the Bay of Naples to the green, mountainous and volcanic island of Ischia, where we spend the next three nights. (BB D)

DAY 9 Ischia orientation & at leisure

After breakfast, an orientation tour explores this elegant island with its superb beaches, radio-active springs and pretty villages. We will visit the beautiful gardens, admire  the stunning views from atop the extinct volcano, Monte Epomeo, and stop at the pretty fishing village of Sant'Angelo. Later, you will have time on your  own perhaps to relax on the beach or shop for souvenirs. (BB D)

DAY 10 Isle of Capri Excursion

Today we take a ferry to the sister island of Capri, where an sightseeing tour takes us  up to Capri town where we enjoy views over the Faraglioni Rocks and Marina Piccola. Then we will visit the Piazzetta, where the rich and famous sip  their cappuccinos, followed by free time to perhaps ascend to Anacapri. At the end of the afternoon we take a ferry and cruise back to Ischia for the night. (BB D)

DAY 11 Ischia - Pompeii - Rome

We cruise back  to Naples and re-board our coach for the short drive to Pompeii.  Here with a local guide we will visit the excavations of the city literally petrified by the eruption of Vesuvius in AD 79. Then, as we make our way back to Rome, we see the Abbey of Monte Cassino, site of a bloody battle  in World War II. This evening, why not go out for a final dinner in a friendly Roman trattoria, with your Tour Director and fellow travelling companions? (BB)

DAY 12 Depart Rome

Time to say 'arrivederci Roma' as Trafalgar  transfers you to Rome Fiumicino airport for your return flight home. (BB)

Why Choose Trafalgar

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