FEEDING DREAMS

Munch your way through the Eternal City on this tasty morning passeggiata. Your guide will lead you on a tour through downtown Rome, stopping en route to introduce you to popular local treats.

Much of Italian culture and lifestyle revolves around food and you’ll find out that Rome’s gastronomic triumphs are no less astounding than its artistic and archaeological treasures. An absolute must for gourmands, this experience will give you the chance to wrap your tongue around a wide range of Roman specialities and unveil the yummy side of this multi-faceted metropolis.

Get a flavour of daily life in Italy and dip into the capital’s long-standing delicious traditions as you roam the streets and squares of the centro storico. Your eating adventure begins with a stroll through the lively square of Campo de’ Fiori. Here, savour the sights, scents and sounds of the fresh food bazaar, one of the city’s oldest markets which has been trading the choicest goods since 1869. Hear noisy hawkers loudly proclaim the quality of their wares to encourage passing trade; admire stalls brimming with a tempting assortment of produce that will make your mouth water; feast your eyes on crisp green vegetables, seasonal fruits, delicious cheeses, the freshest of fish; watch bargainers as they haggle for the best deal. Then follow a trail of Rome’s signature aromas, dropping in at nearby food stores to sample typical artisan delights. Scrumptious highlights might include slices of pizza, prime quality cured meats, fried snacks hot from the pan… simply delicious, or better, buonissimo! You will see where Rome’s most acclaimed coffee is made, taste freshly baked goods from a renowned boulangerie and drop in at a well-known family-owned gelateria, since 1900 the creator of the capital’s most celebrated ice cream.

Along the way, your Cicero will point out noteworthy artistic landmarks, relating the true stories that surround them to animate your experience. While you saunter through Piazza Navona, gelato in hand, you will admire Bernini’s glorious Fountain of the Four Rivers and hear tales of the best known rivals in the history of art that will certainly raise a smile. In Piazza della Rotonda, home to a centuries-old salumeria selling high quality cold cuts and cheese, you might want to step inside the Pantheon to see one of the world’s largest free-standing domes with its famous roof open onto the skies. Your walk may end with a glass of wine or craft beer and a toast: long live La Dolce Vita!

Later, it’s time to relive the astonishing feats and glories of the Roman Empire on a private tour of the capital’s ancient wonders. Accompanied by your expert guide, you will travel down the centuries and find out how this small city-state – by dint of perfectly planned military campaigns, outstanding organisation and technological genius – conquered lands far and wide and spread its influence over vast swathes of the globe, rightfully gaining the title of Caput Mundi – Capital of the World.

Specially designed to provide guests with an overview of ancient Roman history, society and culture, this tour encompasses the most significant and iconic archaeological sites. While you follow a time-worn route, past triumphal arches and majestic temples, your guide will bring the ancient city back to life, conjuring up the epic figures who walked along its streets and the world-shaking events that originated on this very spot. Take a deep breath and what you’ve only read about in books now appears right before your eyes!

Your journey begins as you access the Colosseum, the best-known symbol of the mighty Roman Empire and most visited monument in the whole of Italy. This masterpiece of ancient engineering is evidence of the Romans’ brilliant construction skills and provides an eloquent example of their ingenuity and innovation in the fields of technology, science and architecture, achievements which remained unequalled for centuries. The first stone of the amphitheatre was laid in 72 AD at the request of Emperor Vespasian whose intention was to appease public discontent and control the masses by donating a gift to his citizens and win their support with panem et circenses – bread and circuses. The cruel yet spectacular shows of great popular appeal staged inside the Colosseum were like nothing seen before or since, and included mass executions, warrior fights, wild animal hunts and even naval battles. Here, ill-fated prisoners fought to the death before ecstatic crowds and exotic beasts were butchered in the name of entertainment. While you roam through the ruins of stone walls and bleachers, imagine how a gladiator must have felt as he prepared for combat and awaited his destiny, stirred by the roars and cheers of 60,000 blood-thirsty spectators echoing through the arena.

Next, enjoy the myths and stories that took root in Rome on your climb up to Palatine Hill, the oldest part of the Caput Mundi. According to legend, this is where the baby twins Romulus and Remus are said to have been rescued and raised by the she-wolf and it is here that Rome was founded in 753 BC, after a boundary dispute between the two brothers and a fratricide. For centuries this was the city’s most coveted neighbourhood, owing to the stunning views of the Colosseum, the Roman Forum and the Circus Maximus – Rome’s grandiose chariot-racing stadium – to be admired from the top of the hill. The luxurious villas of the patricians were gradually replaced by the emperor’s awe-inspiring palaces. The impressive remains of the Domus Flavia, the Palatine Stadium and the Baths of Septimius Severus still provide an extraordinary glimpse of the opulent lifestyle and excesses enjoyed by the ancient Roman courts.

Your tour will end with a leisurely stroll through the Roman Forum. Originally the social, commercial and political hub of the ancient city, the Forum was a grandiose district of temples and vibrant public spaces where trials, business dealings and elections took place. The marks of the Roman carriage wheels are still visible along its cobbled streets. As you retrace the footsteps of busy market traders and faithful temple-goers, you will learn about the everyday customs of these city dwellers as well as the rituals and beliefs of their pagan creed. Your guide will certainly point out the Curia Iulia, an imposing building that once echoed with the fierce debates of the senators and the rousing speeches of the great orators. You will also see the Temple of Divus Iulius and find out more about the extraordinary achievements and brutal murder of Julius Caesar, the first Roman citizen to be deified after the mythical founder Romulus. Statues of the priestesses who were tasked with ensuring Rome’s sacred flame remained forever lit still line the hall of the House of the Vestal Virgins. Here, you’ll hear moving stories of their lives and sometimes premature, tragic deaths and discuss the role of women in Roman society. Not to be missed are also the Basilica Julia and the Basilica of Maxentius, the most important courthouses of the ancient city.

What was once a busy centre of Roman city life is now still alive and pulsing with visitors eager to step back into history.

After the tour return to your hotel and spend the rest of the day at leisure.

Roll up your sleeves, tie your apron strings and season your Roman experience with a hands-on cooking lesson.

Food has always been central to the hearts and minds of Italians and is an essential component of the country’s culture. Ancient Romans are reputed to have been gourmands as attested by one of the earliest-known cook books, the De Re Coquinaria, containing recipes by 1st century Roman chef Apicius, and paintings of food and banquet scenes uncovered in Pompeii. The “epi-curious” might also like to know that hundreds of Italian expressions, sayings and proverbs in common use are inspired by gastronomy and the act of eating: Che pizza! = What a pizza! (What a bore!); Dire pane al pane e vino al vino = To say bread to bread and wine to wine (To call a spade a spade); Non si fanno frittate senza rompere le uova = You can’t make an omelette without breaking eggs (You have to take action, if you want to bring about change); Al contadino non far sapere quant’è buono il cacio con le pere = Don’t let the farmer know how good cheese is with pears (Never show others how much you are interested in something because giving away a secret might hurt your interests).

By teaching you how to prepare traditional dishes this cooking lesson will allow you to dip further into Italian culture and give you a key to understanding the local food-centred way of life.

You will meet your instructor in Trastevere and begin your day with a pleasant walk through this picturesque, lively neighbourhood to Piazza Santa Maria in Trastevere where your kitchen caper takes place. En route stop at local food stores to purchase the ingredients needed for the cooking lesson. Under your host’s watchful, friendly eye, you will discover regional recipes, get to know about Roman culinary traditions, try out infallible cooking techniques and have fun creating a delicious lunch. After the experience enjoy the meal you just prepared… compliments to the newly qualified chef!

Admire some of the greatest works of art ever created on a private tour of the Vatican Museums, Sistine Chapel and St. Peter’s Basilica. Follow your guide right to the core of the Christian world and uncover the fascinating history preserved within the walls of the Vatican City. You will gain an understanding of the origins and development of a remarkable 500-year-old collection, retrace the lives of the artists who worked at the papal court and reconstruct the context in which the Vatican’s masterpieces were produced. Your guide will enrich your exploration by recounting intriguing tales about the protagonists of what was once one of the West’s most influential seats of power – and is today the smallest independent state in the world.

The beginnings of this unrivalled collection date back to 1506 when art lover Pope Julius II first started arranging his acquisitions of classical sculptures in the Octagonal Courtyard. This extraordinary – though originally modest – assembly of works was enhanced and extended throughout the centuries by successive pontiffs and evolved into the 7-kilometre-long treasure trove you see today. The dazzling array of wonders on display includes artefacts from so many different eras, traditions and artistic styles ranging from Egyptian steles to Renaissance fresco paintings, from Etruscan bronzes to 16th century maps. Where else can you find the finest sculptures of antiquity, priceless tapestries, Michelangelo and Raphael’s supreme achievements, all hanging out in the same space? Your guide will lead you back down the centuries, along a carefully planned trail, through the museum’s corridors and halls – impossible to cover all 1,400 of them! – and introduce you to the masterpieces no visitor should miss.

While you weave your way through the Pinecone Courtyard, the Belvedere Courtyard, the Gallery of the Candelabra, the Hall of Maps and the Tapestries Gallery you will pick up a sense of this encyclopaedic collection spanning thousands of years. No doubt you will be moved at the sight of the Laocoon – a poignant representation of the anguish and agony suffered by a doomed family – and inspired by the aesthetic perfection of the Apollo del Belvedere and Torso del Belvedere. Your guided encounter with these ancient statues will give you a better understanding of Greek and Roman art and the ways in which Renaissance masters were later influenced by their muscular anatomies and emotional intensity.

Among the unmissable highlights of your tour are also Raphael’s Rooms, four exquisitely decorated chambers once belonging to Pope Julius II’s private apartments. Find out why a young painter from Urbino was chosen for such a prestigious commission and enjoy an introduction to the refined iconography of the School of Athens, Raphael’s best-known fresco depicting antiquity’s most illustrious philosophers.

But what draws millions of visitors to the Vatican Museums every year is the spectacular Sistine Chapel. Michelangelo spent eight years of his life in this sacred room painting what would become the most renowned and iconic images in the whole of Western art. As you gaze up at the stunning frescoes of the Creation of Adam and inspect the intricate composition of the Last Judgement your guide will help you spot fascinating details and decipher the secret messages left here by the Renaissance master in the 16th century. An account of Michelangelo’s life, career and priceless legacy will allow you to gain a deeper appreciation of his unparalleled genius.

The final stop on your tour will lead you to St. Peter’s Basilica, located on the site of what is believed to be the burial place of the apostle and topped by one of the largest masonry domes ever built. Michelangelo’s moving Pietà, a universal icon of maternal tenderness and sorrow, and Bernini’s bronze baldachin cast a deep impression on all those who visit this magnificent church.

Walk out into St. Peters Square, this unique centre of power and glory, where the faithful have gathered for centuries to celebrate great Christian events and catch a glimpse of their Pope, embraced in the curve of its open arms.

After the tour return to your hotel and spend the rest of the afternoon at leisure.

A memorable evening at one of the capital’s top-rated restaurants will be the perfect conclusion to your Roman stay. Your chauffeur will pick you up at your hotel and drive you to a Michelin-star restaurant boasting fabulous views of the Colosseum. Here, you will feast on a sublime series of dishes accompanied by a careful selection of wines.

After breakfast and check out meet your private driver outside your hotel and set off for Positano. En route stop to enjoy some free time for lunch followed by a tour of Pompeii. Your guide will be waiting at the excavations ready to lead you on an exciting exploration of one of the world’s most fascinating archaeological sites.

Buried in deadly volcanic ash after the sudden eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 79 AD and accidentally discovered in 1748, Pompeii is an absolute must for first-time visitors to Italy. Your guide will take you on a carefully planned trail through this incredible ancient settlement and explain the purpose and function of the foundations and buildings you will see along the way. You will also find out about the lifestyle and customs of those who inhabited them, the techniques used to uncover and interpret findings made here and the evidence that has been pieced together to give us such a stunningly vivid and accurate picture of Roman Campania. Although much excavation work remains to be done and conservation presents the curators with a massive challenge, what you can still see and touch here is simply astounding.

Step back in time as you access the excavations through the city gate of Porta Marina. Once inside, follow your guide through the ruins of the ancient city and conjure up scenes of Pompeii’s inhabitants while they go about their daily chores. Can you imagine how life must have been in this once thriving agricultural and trading centre peacefully perched in the shadow of mighty Mount Vesuvius, unaware of the imminent disaster, 2,000 years ago? How did Pompeii’s 15,000 residents spend their time? What were their occupations, beliefs and traditions? What did they eat? Which leisure activities did they enjoy? The answers to these and many more questions are securely safeguarded within Pompeii’s crumbling walls, jigsaw pieces in a tantalizing, real life puzzle just waiting to be reassembled – with a little help from your guide.

When you walk along the well-planned streets, taking the very same route once trodden by faithful temple-goers and busy market traders, you’ll notice the road building skills that were needed to set the large paving blocks in place and the high kerbs and stepping stones conveniently arranged to allow people to cross without getting their feet wet and dirty. This is just one small but significant example of the ingenuity of the ancient Romans in the fields of engineering and urban planning, achievements which remained unequalled for centuries and whose remarkable legacy continues to guide us to this day. Our culinary habits, pastimes and vices too may well have their roots here. From fast foods to spas, from red light districts to gambling the ancient Romans of Pompeii were already seasoned experts in the pleasures and transgressions of the city.

Your guide will certainly point out Pompeii’s age-old venues for public meetings: the forum, once the site of the market, administrative offices and court; the thermal baths where citizens came to relax, play sports and socialize; the temples, a source of precious clues to our understanding of the creed and religious rituals of yesteryear’s worshippers. Theatres were popular with the locals who gathered here to watch a varied calendar of shows, such as Greek tragedies, musical performances, poetry readings and the much-loved light-hearted plays that featured frauds, betrayals and brawls. You will also take a peek inside a private residential villa which provides a wonderful example of the layout of a wealthy citizen’s dwelling and the decorative tastes of the age.

Casts of the bodies of the ill-fated population, trapped forever at the very moment of death, leave the visitor with a particularly haunting memory of a cataclysmic event that has meticulously secured for us so much priceless knowledge about the Roman way of life.

After the tour rejoin your driver and reach your hotel in Positano where you will be staying for 4 nights. Following check in spend the rest of the day at leisure.

Dip into Campania’s star-studded gastronomic traditions on this hands-on cooking class. Food lovers will perfect their culinary skills, pick up precious tips and learn how to turn raw ingredients into delicious meals.

After breakfast meet your private driver in Positano and relax on the ride to a renowned historical estate. First established as a farmhouse in 1890, today the premises have evolved into a gorgeous boutique hotel and a Michelin-rated restaurant. Herbs and vegetables are lovingly home-grown on the 7-hectare organic farm and used to concoct the dishes served to a discerning and faithful clientele. Prime quality extra virgin olive oil and lemon liqueur are also among the locally produced sources of pride. Indeed, as the owners say, “great cooking happens in the fields, like great wines in the vineyard”.

Join your chef in the cooking laboratory and let your culinary revelation begin. This group cooking class will teach you how to prepare three different dishes with top-class Campanian ingredients. Depending on the day of the week, recipes might centre on locally grown seasonal vegetables, freshly caught rockfish or shellfish, superfine wheat pasta made in the nearby towns of Gragnano or Torre Annunziata, meat from the mountains of Irpinia or traditional and modern Neapolitan confectionary. Under the chef’s guidance, gourmands will unveil the secrets of the finest Mediterranean cuisine and start to master the divine art of creating stellar meals. You will discover regional recipes, try out infallible cooking techniques, learn the characteristics of first-rate ingredients and become adept at combining different flavours. You will also hear about the estate’s cooking philosophy, based on a curated mix of innovation and respect for culinary heritage, history, local produce and, above all, for the land. Here gastronomy is highly regarded as a human achievement. It is considered to be part of a region’s culture, expression of certain values, tastes, beliefs and skills, just as much as its monuments and artistic treasures. A dish is, therefore, a true work of art.

After the lesson return to your hotel with your newly acquired skills and the lingering taste of your very own masterpiece.

After breakfast and check out, which will take place before 10:00 or 11:00 AM, meet your private driver in Positano and head for the airport or your next travel destination.