Rome & the Amalfi Coast: Winter in Sorrento

Arrive in the “Eternal City” of Rome! This city steeped in history and tradition comes alive with holiday shoppers, decorated streets, and a cheerful atmosphere.

Tonight, join your fellow travelers for a welcome dinner celebrating the start of your Italian journey. (D) Stay: Hotel Imperiale (3 Nights)

Start your day with a locally guided walking tour of Rome's Renaissance and Baroque highlights. Climb to the top of the Spanish Steps for views of the city's skyline and down its famous 135 stairs. Stroll over cobblestone streets and weathered passageways, encountering Rome's seasonal sights, sounds, and smells such as caldarroste (roasted chestnuts). Be dazzled by the chic street of Via Condotti with its festive lights and store windows and by famous sights such as the Trevi Fountain and the Pantheon's imposing facade.

Finish a full morning of exploration in the oval-shaped Piazza Navona, built upon the site of the ancient Stadium of Domitian. The afternoon is yours. Perhaps you'll meander through Rome's lively Monti district to soak in the local life. (B)

Today, join an expert guide to explore the Imperial Fora. Tread in the footsteps of ancient gladiators during an in-depth visit of the Colosseum. Make the most of a free afternoon in Italy's capital city. Maybe you'll set off for Saint Peter's Square to take in the iconic scene or do as the Romans do and take care of some holiday shopping along Via Cola di Rienzo.

This evening, consider joining an optional food tour dinner and taste your way around Rome's bohemian Trastevere district. (B)

Journey to the Sorrentine Peninsula, an iconic coastline of rocky beaches and towering cliffs. En route, pause at a local winery to savor the area's famous Lacryma Christi wine and enjoy a typical lunch. Then, experience the eerily preserved ruins of Pompeii your way, because it's your choice! Join a local guide for an in-depth tour of Pompeii's best-known monuments -OR- venture further afield to discover the hidden corners of this vast archeological site. In the late afternoon, settle into your hotel in Sorrento, your home for the next five nights. (B/L) Stay: Hotel Michelangelo (5 Nights)

This morning, set out for a walking tour of Sorrento. Located along the eastern cliffs of the Bay of Naples, this picturesque resort town is packed with holiday charm and smiling locals. Wander through its narrow streets, perhaps peeking into the peaceful cloister of St. Francis or sampling some gelato made with local lemons.

This afternoon, visit a traditional terraced farm and see how mozzarella cheese is still made by hand. Get a taste of the product at a farm-to-table dinner capped off with homemade limoncello. Return to your hotel in the late evening. (B/D)

Today, discover the sights of Naples during a walking tour through the city's historic center. Get an up-close look at why Neapolitan nativity scenes are renowned for their intricate detail and craftmanship: this Christmas tradition dates back centuries and is deeply ingrained in the city's cultural heritage. Enjoy time on your own for lunch and exploring more as you wish, before returning to Sorrento for the evening. (B)

Drive along the Amalfi Coast, pausing at a panoramic viewing point for a peek at Positano, with its pastel-colored houses clinging to the cliff. Spend time in the town of Amalfi. A former trading hub, Amalfi is now a quiet coastal town of historic landmarks and a black-and-white marble cathedral. Explore on your own before boarding a ferryboat and sailing to Salerno.

This evening, join a hands-on cooking class featuring traditional holiday recipes before enjoying the results for dinner. (B/D)

Enjoy a day at leisure to take in the relaxing beauty of Sorrento. Perhaps you'll take an optional tour to the National Railway Museum of Pietrarsa, learning how the railways connected independent kingdoms across the country prior to Italian unification. After visiting the museum, travelers who opt for this tour will tour a family-owned pasta factory and pause for lunch there. No matter how you choose to spend your day, join your fellow travelers for a holiday-inspired farewell dinner tonight. Gather together and bid salute to the end of your Italian getaway. (B/D)

Your tour comes to a close today. (B)