The Southern Odyssey
By Celtic Tours World Vacations
05/27/2008
The Southern Italian Odyssey is a cultural expedition and is a Celtic Tours World Vacations exclusive. “Riviera Ulysses”, a coastal region, located between Rome and Naples, is named for the legendary journey and adventures of Ulysses, who landed in Gaeta with his companions and was placed under the magical spell of the Sorceress Circe. With English-speaking guide throughout, this fully escorted tour provides six nights 3 Star accommodation, and a comprehensive sightseeing program with admissions.
Contact Information:
t: view phone 800-833-4373
e: view email operations@celtictours.com
w: view URL http://www.celtictours.com
- Sperlonga
- the Amalfi Coast
- a specialty pizza lunch
- “Neapolitan Feast"
Tour Dates:
Start Tour Date: 10/15/2008
End Tour Date: 04/22/2009
Number of Days: 8
Italy – Southern Odyssey
Itinerary:
Day 01: U.S. to Rome: Depart U.S. for our overnight flight to Rome, Italy. Dinner will be served on board.
Day 02: Rome - Riviera Ulysses: Morning arrival into Rome where our Celtic Tours Escort will warmly greet us. We will travel south to the stunning Riviera Ulysses where we will check into our hotel, which will be our base for the next six nights. This evening we will have a “Neapolitan Feast” including wine and local dishes. Overnight at our hotel. D
Day 03: Riviera Ulysses - Gaeta: This morning we will enjoy a tour of Sperlonga. This ancient and picturesque old town with its narrow and terraced streets was originally a fortress protecting the local population against invaders from many lands. The local homes are built into a massive rock which sits on a spur of land jutting out into the Tyrrhenian Sea. We will also visit the National Museum and the site of the villa of the Emperor Tiberius. Before returning to the hotel, we will stop at a MOZZARELLA CHEESE FACTORY for a tasting. After lunch on your own, depart for a half-day guided tour of the picturesque town of Gaeta. We will see the baroque church of Santissima Annunziata dating from 1320, the Cathedral of St. Erasmo with its Romanesque style dating from 1180, and visit the Sanctuary of Montagna Spaccata. Legend states that the “Split Mountain” divided three ways after the death of Jesus. Dinner and overnight at our hotel. B/D
Day 04: Riviera Ulysses - Sorrento and the Amalfi Coast: This morning we will depart for a full-day excursion to Sorrento and the Amalfi Coast. Our excursion to the Amalfi Coast takes us along one of Europe’s most beautiful drives. The peninsula takes in the wild and rocky coastline, caves and sea shore grottos towards the Bay of Naples. Our journey takes us to Sorrento for a visit, after which the journey continues on to Positano with its breathtaking views. Arrive in beautiful Amalfi, a splendid town in an incomparable setting. Lunch on our own and return to the hotel in the evening. Dinner and overnight. B/D
Day 05: Riviera Ulysses (optional: Rome & Vatican City): After breakfast at our hotel, the day is free to explore Gaeta on our own.
Optional Tour $130 pp: Morning departure for Rome. On arrival, we are met by our private guide and start our full-day guided visit of the Eternal City including the Vatican and St. Peter’s Basilica. Our guided visit of the Vatican Museums includes the Hall of the Greek Cross, the Candelabra Gallery, the Tapestry Gallery, the Maps Gallery, the Raphael Room and above all the Sistine Chapel. We will enjoy a guided visit of St. Peter’s Basilica to see “Pieta” by Michelangelo.
After lunch on our own, our tour continues with a walking guided tour of the Roman Squares. Then, on to the Pantheon and Trevi Fountain. Late afternoon departure from Rome to our hotel on the “Riviera Ulysses.” Dinner at the hotel and overnight. B/D
Day 06: Naples - Pompeii (Pizza Tasting): After breakfast, we will leave for a full-day guided visit to Naples and Pompeii with a visit to the archaeological excavations. Beyond Naples, we see the city of Pompeii, sitting in the shadow of Mount Vesuvius. Pompeii was built in 7 B.C. and lasted until 79 A.D, when it was overcome by Vesuvius’ eruption of rock and ash. The city disappeared from the maps for nearly 1,700 years. Rediscovered in the 18th century it was clear that the volcanic ash had preserved a good deal of the lost city. Enjoy a true delicacy for lunch-NEAPOLITAN PIZZA with Buffalo Mozzarella and fresh tomatoes. After lunch, we travel to Naples for a panoramic drive through the city. Return to our hotel for dinner and overnight. B/L/D
Day 07: Riviera Ulysses: Our morning is free. This afternoon enjoy a guided excursion to the lovely Abbey of Fossanova, famous for its unique Gothic-Cistercian architecture. Through narrow winding mountainous roads to the city of Terracina and a visit to the Temple of Jupiter, a complex dating to 4 B.C. This evening enjoy an authentic Southern Italian farewell feast at the hotel. B/D
Day 08: Riviera Ulysses – U.S: After breakfast, transfer to Rome’s Leonardo da Vinci Airport for the return flight to U.S. Take with us the memories of the best of Italy. “Arrivederci,” a nostalgic goodbye with a promise to return. B
