MAGIC MOMENTS

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 day at leisure.

Step back in time and 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.

In the afternoon, following lunch and time at leisure, your chauffeur will pick you up and drive you to the Via Appia Antica where you will experience the thrill of cantering along the Regina Viarum – meaning Queen of Roads – just like the ancient Romans did – on horseback.

Located just ten kilometres from the Colosseum, the Ancient Appian Way offers visitors a breath of fresh air in the lush green area outside the centre as well as a unique opportunity to plunge into the capital’s centuries-old history. As the Latin expression goes Omnes viae Romam ducunt – meaning “all roads lead to Rome”. Have you ever wondered how this saying originated? This is where it all began. Running from Rome to the port of Brindisi, the Via Appia Antica was the earliest, widest and strategically most important road in the ancient Roman Republic. Flanked by extraordinary monuments, including mausoleums, ruins of patrician villas and traces of a thermal complex, today this 2,300-year-old cobblestone path continues to impress visitors and is known to be the best-preserved surviving Roman road.

Appropriate for horse riders with experience at any level, from beginners to seasoned cowboys, this activity is led by an expert instructor who can customise itineraries to suit different ages, needs and skills. The owner of the riding school has worked for twenty years in equestrian tourism and his family has lived on a property bordering the Ancient Appian Way for over a century, a guarantee of his in-depth knowledge of the area.

Enjoy the splendid views the Eternal City has to offer from the saddle. As you ride through history along the Ancient Appian Way, imagine chariots whizzing by and the Equites, the ancient Roman knights, galloping off to defend the borders of far-flung corners of the Empire. Just beyond the 5th milestone, you will come across the stunning archaeological remains of the Villa dei Quintili. Built by two wealthy brothers in the 2nd century AD, this prestigious ancient suburban residence was so spectacular that even Emperor Commodus, one of Rome’s most wicked rulers, was impressed by its grandiosity. Commodus grew so envious that he came up with a plan to claim the villa for himself. He charged the brothers with treason, had them sentenced to death and confiscated the property. As luck would have it, Commodus himself was killed ten years later in a conspiracy on this very spot. The imposing ruins of the villa’s thermal baths can still be admired and stand as a potent reminder: Covet all, lose all.

After the horseback ride 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.

Gastronomy is a cornerstone of local culture but you may not know that the Italians’ obsession with food has very ancient roots dating back to Etruscan times and the Hellenistic era when Italy’s southern coastal areas were colonized by the Greeks. The etymology of typical Italian dishes is evidence of their ancient origins. The words lasagne, maccheroni and pizza derive from the ancient Greek terms làganon, makària and pektos. Surviving paintings and mosaics unearthed in Pompeii, depicting banquet scenes, bread, eggs, fish, fruit and vegetables show that ancient Romans were gourmands right to the soul. Epicureans might also be interested in knowing that fast foods are far from being a modern invention. Before the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 79 AD Pompeii had already launched a chain of thermopolia offering ready-made refreshments that could be served and eaten quickly.

One of the earliest known cook books, dating back to the 4th century AD, contains recipes attributed to 1st century AD Roman star-chef Marcus Gavius Apicius. Apicius was a much gossiped-about celebrity who maintained relationships with the imperial family and is described in historical sources as a gluttonous spendthrift who squandered all his fortune on a luxurious lifestyle and colossal banquets which eventually led him to bankruptcy. Apicius went to great lengths to procure high-quality ingredients and had he been alive today it is likely he would have been Michelin-rated. According to a curious anecdote, he once sailed all the way to Libya in search of some prawns and not finding any to his satisfaction among those that were brought to his ship he returned home without even setting foot on shore.

With the assistance of your instructor you too will learn how to select the best ingredients – without fear of going bankrupt of course! You will meet her in Largo Argentina and begin your day with a visit to the outdoor food bazaar of Campo de’ Fiori, one of the city’s oldest markets which has been trading the choicest goods since 1869. Enjoy the sensations of the scene: 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, juicy fruits, delicious cheeses, the freshest of fish; watch bargainers as they haggle for the best deal. Your teacher will show you how to select the seasonal ingredients needed for the cooking lesson, then head for the kitchen and listen as she shares her culinary secrets with you. You will discover regional recipes, try out infallible cooking techniques and pick up tricks you can use to impress your friends back home at the dinner table. After the cooking experience tuck into the meal you just prepared… Buon appetito!

In the early afternoon your chauffeur will drive you back to your hotel.

After breakfast and check out meet your private driver outside your hotel and relax on the ride to Naples. Here your guide will be waiting ready to lead you on a trail past the city’s best-loved epicurean landmarks, while revealing the culinary traditions of the homeland of pizza – the best-known symbol of Italian gastronomy.

You may not know that the origins of pizza date back to the ancient Greeks and Romans who enjoyed baked flat breads that were topped with olive oil and local spices, delicacies that today we would call focaccia breads. The word pizza derives from ancient Greek pektos meaning solid or baked.

The origin of the modern pizza is, however, something of a mystery. Neapolitan baker Raffaele Esposito is often credited with the honour of being the very first pizza-maker. According to a popular urban legend, shortly after Italy’s unification, King Umberto I and his wife Queen Margherita, took a trip to Naples. While there, the queen grew bored of French cuisine, which was popular at that time in southern Italy, and requested that something more local be prepared. Chef Esposito did just that. He created a selection of three pizzas for her pleasure, one of which was chosen by the Queen as her favourite and supposedly named after her. This pizza was topped with three ingredients whose colours recall the Italian flag: basil (green), buffalo mozzarella (white) and tomato sauce (red). And that’s how Pizza Margherita was invented in 1889, triggering a culinary tradition that began in Naples and spread throughout the world.

But Naples is so much more than pizza! Sink your teeth into the city’s culture and traditions on a discovery journey of its flavoursome treats. Your private guide will lead you through the city centre, sprinkled with cafes, ice cream parlours, restaurants and wineries and point out Neapolitans’ best-loved haunts. You will have the opportunity to see where locals meet, eat and purchase food and find out how gastronomy permeates daily life here.

Kick off your day in true Neapolitan style delighting your senses on a ritual coffee at the renowned Scaturchio bar. Then drop in at a celebrated pastry shop to savour traditional local sweets, including scrumptious sfogliatelle, baba soaked in rum and zeppole filled with cream. Your eating adventure might also cover street food kiosks, a deli store, a confectioner’s and a gelateria. No food tour of Naples would be complete without a taste of limoncello… cheers to Bella Napoli!

After the tour reach the port, hop aboard your private boat and set sail for Capri. Upon arrival a short taxi ride will bring you to your hotel where you will be staying for 4 nights. Following check in spend the rest of the day at leisure.

Ravishing landscapes, crystal-clear waters, glorious sunshine and tempting cuisine have long attracted writers, artists, philosophers and rulers to this Mediterranean haven. For over 2,000 years Capri has mesmerized travellers with its extraordinary allure. Indeed the island’s first tourists were the ancient Romans, drawn to its shores in search of beauty and tranquillity. Roman aristocrats and emperors would reach Sorrento on horseback or by carriage, then sail nine miles to Capri to escape the summer heat and relax away from the pressing demands and duties of the Caput Mundi. After the collapse of the Western Roman Empire in 476 AD, Capri was gradually abandoned and repeatedly sacked by the Arabs and corsairs throughout the Middle Ages. It was only in the mid-1700s that the island began to regain its well-deserved fame due to the renewed interest in the region of Campania aroused by the fascinating findings unearthed in Pompeii and Herculaneum. In 1826 the rediscovery of a natural wonder, the Blue Grotto, enhanced the island’s appeal leading Capri to become one of the most sought after destinations for generations of Grand Tour travellers in the 19th century. Capri’s popularity as a peaceful Mediterranean retreat and glamorous meeting spot is still unrivalled today. Discover why on this treasure island spree.

You will meet your private guide at your hotel and begin your day with an uphill walk to the island’s most striking archaeological site. Here, atop a cliff, lie the crumbling ruins of Villa Jovis, the palace once occupied by Roman Emperor Tiberius. For ten years, from 27 to 37 AD, the fate of the empire was decided on this very spot. Today the impressive remains of stone walls, arches and cisterns still stand as evidence of the former magnificence of this residence and attest to the ingenuity and remarkable engineering skills of yesteryear’s builders. Your guide will lead you through the excavations, pointing out the most noteworthy features of the remains, and explain how Tiberius spent his time in this luxury hideaway. Among other pursuits, he is said to have cleared the stage of dissenters by hurling them from the top of the cliff into the swirling rocky waters below.

Later walk back to Capri and take a taxi to Anacapri, the island’s upper village. After some time at leisure for lunch, you will visit the former residence of Swedish physician and author Axel Munthe. Located on a towering plateau about 320 metres above sea level, Villa San Michele embodies the dreams of its visionary creator: “My house shall be open to the sun, to the wind, and the voice of the sea, just like a Greek temple, and light, light, light everywhere!” The rooms of this 19th century hideout are filled with Dr Munthe’s original furnishings and precious collection of antiquities, including marble and bronze sculptures, fragments of sarcophagi, columns, capitals and bas-reliefs. Brightly coloured azaleas, roses and hydrangeas bloom in the lovingly tended gardens, punctuated by stone seats that once must have provided prominent guests with a welcome place to rest. As you amble under the wisteria pergola and pause on the outdoor terrace, imagine the Swedish Queen Victoria – Munthe’s special friend – revelling in the views of the dramatic cliffs cascading down into the jewel-toned waters below.

But it gets even better… enjoy an exhilarating chairlift ride up to the summit of Mount Solaro, soaring 589 meters above the sea, and feast your eyes on the spellbinding panorama stretching all the way to the Bay of Naples and Mount Vesuvius.

After the tour take a taxi back to your hotel and spend the rest of the day at leisure.

Relish the breathtaking beauty of Capri on a private boat excursion along the island’s coast.

Rising dream-like from the crystal-clear waters of the Tyrrhenian Sea, Capri has charmed visitors for centuries. An all time-favourite with celebrities since ancient Roman times, the island has hosted countless generations of artists, writers, poets and politicians. Prominent guests include Emperors Augustus and Tiberius, Swedish Queen Victoria, Nikolai Lenin, Jackie Kennedy, John Singer Sargent, Friedrich Nietzsche, André Gide, Henry James and Pablo Neruda…. The list of Capri’s VIP fan club members spans centuries and continues to grow. The island keeps delighting and alluring travellers from far and wide with its ravishing landscapes, archaeological ruins, tempting cuisine, stylish boutiques and timeless, magical atmosphere.

Capri has been inhabited since the Neolithic era but it was under the Romans that the island flourished and became a popular holiday destination. Roman aristocrats used to travel by horseback to Sorrento and sail nine miles to Capri to escape the summer heat of the Caput Mundi. From here Emperor Tiberius governed the empire for ten years, between 27 and 37 AD, enjoying the stunning panoramic views from Villa Jovis, his mountaintop residence. Repeatedly sacked by the Saracens in the Middles Ages, Capri was abandoned up until the 18th century when it started regaining popularity with Grand Tour travellers, attracted to Campania by the discoveries unearthed in Pompeii.

Enrich your Capri experience and discover its hidden beauty spots on a scenic boat trip. Meet your skipper in Marina Grande, hop aboard your private boat and set sail around the island. You will cruise past rugged sea cliffs, marvel at astonishing rock formations and dip into the limpid waters of idyllic coves. As you navigate smoothly along the coastline, your skipper will point out major features of interest, including the White and Green Grottoes, the legendary Faraglioni rocks, the soaring Arco Naturale, Villa Malaparte and Tiberius’ precipice.

Depending on queues, sea and weather conditions, you might want to take a peek inside the Blue Grotto, the island’s best-known natural attraction, named after the blue light that reverberates inside this splendid sea cave, “more blue than any other, blue below and blue above and blue along each curve of its vault” (Raffaele La Capria). Sunlight filters through an underwater cavity creating a dazzling azure glow that must have enchanted visitors 2,000 years ago just as it still does today. In ancient Roman times this was one of Emperor Tiberius’ favourite haunts. He chose the Blue Grotto as his private swimming pool and turned it into a marine temple, embellishing the cave with several statues of sea gods. Avoided for centuries and suspected of being inhabited by witches and evil spirits, the grotto is now a marvel in which all can delight – high tides permitting.

Stop for a swim or snorkel, relax with the sound of the lapping waves and enjoy the refreshing sea breeze as you glide along the sun-kissed coast of Capri.

After the excursion dock at the port of Marina Grande, return to your hotel independently and spend the rest of the day at leisure.

Spend a full day at leisure in Capri.

After breakfast and check out a taxi will pick you up outside your hotel in Capri and drive you to Marina Grande. Here your skipper will be waiting ready to take you to Sorrento by private boat. Upon arrival, enjoy a leisurely stroll around this popular summer resort.

According to tradition, the town’s name derives from the word Siren and is linked to the legend of Ulysses and the mermaids. These mythical sea creatures, half female and half fish, seduced sailors with their celestial voices and lured them onto the rocks causing shipwrecks. As the Odyssey recounts, Ulysses heard the Sirens singing as he was sailing past Sorrento and succeeded in defeating them by filling his companions’ ears with wax and asking his crew to tie him to the ship’s mainmast. The Sirens were so humiliated by their failure that they hurled themselves into the water and turned into the rocks that today rise from the sea, south of the Sorrentine Peninsula, and are known as Li Galli.

Here you can saunter along pretty streets lined with Baroque-style churches, boutiques and craft shops, take a peek inside the intimate cloister of San Francesco, famous for its 14th century arcade, and admire the trompe l’oeil paintings of the Sedil Dominova. This is an open loggia which once served as a meeting place for the local nobility and is now a popular gathering spot for card players. Not to be missed are also Piazza Tasso, the pulsing heart of Sorrento, and the view of the Vallone dei Mulini from Via Fuorimura. Here visitors can look down on this deep ravine that appeared more than 35,000 years ago, after the eruption of the Phlegraean Fields. Though abandoned today, this site was formerly a bustling centre of activity. Ruins of a 17th century flour mill enveloped by lush vegetation still stand as enduring monuments to Sorrento’s distant past.

Sorrento was a fashionable summer spot for wealthy patricians in ancient Roman times and remains a prime tourist destination today with its tasty culinary specialities, gorgeous seascape views and glorious weather.

After some free time for lunch your chauffeur will drive you to Positano where you will be staying for 4 nights. Following check in spend the rest of the day at leisure.

After breakfast meet your private chauffeur in Positano and enjoy a full day of sightseeing along the Amalfi Coast. Some of Italy’s most marvellous landscapes will unfold before your eyes on your visit to two popular summer resorts.

A 1-hour drive will bring you to Ravello. With its beguiling hilltop location, unparalleled panoramas and splendid gardens, this pocket-size town has captivated countless artists, writers and musicians throughout the centuries. Founded in the 400s as a refuge from the Barbarian invasions, Ravello flourished under the rule of Amalfi when wealthy merchants built its most famous villas. Highlights include the Church of San Giovanni del Toro, home to the pulpit mosaics that prompted M.C. Escher to create his interlocking patterns; Villa Rufolo, whose atmospheric setting inspired the enchanted Garden of Klingsor of Wagner’s Parsifal; Villa Cimbrone, world-known for its belvedere poetically named Terrace of the Infinite. Ravello also prides itself on a thriving tradition of ceramic-making. As you wander through its streets you’ll encounter a number of pottery ateliers selling beautifully displayed and exquisitely hand-painted goods, including plates, vases, fruit bowls, mugs and limoncello cups. You’ll find much to feast your eyes on in this delightful town!

After lunch rejoin your driver and reach your next destination. Set at the foot of Monte Cerreto, the small town of Amalfi is, nonetheless, the largest on the coast. It may be hard to believe that in its 10th and 11th century heyday this tiny jewel of a town was a maritime superpower that successfully dominated Mediterranean trade routes, rivalling Genoa, Pisa and Venice. Folklore claims that Amalfi owes its name to a beautiful nymph with whom Hercules had fallen in love. After her premature and tragic death, the Roman hero searched the world over to locate a place that could match her splendour and decided to bury her on this very spot. Above her tomb he built a town in her honour ensuring her name and charm would live for eternity. A plaque welcomes visitors to Amalfi with the following poetic statement: “The day of judgment, for Amalfitans that go to Heaven will be a day like any other”. A treasure trove of artistic and architectural wonders, the town is sure to impress. Enjoy a leisurely stroll through Amalfi’s lively streets, revel in breathtaking views from the waterfront and take a peek inside the medieval Cathedral of Sant’Andrea, sitting proudly atop a steep flight of steps on the main square. The mortal remains of Saint Andrew, stolen from Constantinople in 1206, lie under the altar in the lavishly decorated crypt. The adjoining Cloister of Paradise, with its interlaced Moorish-style arches enclosing a garden, is well worth a visit. Originally built in 1266 as a burial place for the local aristocracy, today this peaceful corner offers a shady retreat to visitors basking in the beauty of sunny coastal sights.

In the afternoon your private chauffeur will drive you back to Positano where you will spend the rest of the day at leisure.

After breakfast meet your private driver at your accommodation and relax on the ride to Pompeii. Your guide will be waiting at the excavations ready to lead you on a tour 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 as 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.

A delicious lunch, featuring classic regional specialities, will be served at a nearby Vesuvian winery.

In the early afternoon your private chauffeur will drive you back to Positano where you may spend the rest of the day at leisure.

Spend a full day at leisure in Positano.

In the evening a delicious tasting menu featuring fresh, seasonal ingredients will be served at a Michelin-star restaurant in Sant’Agata sui Due Golfi, located a 35-minute drive away from Positano.

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.