Drive along the Amalfi Coast, one of Europe's most dramatic shorelines. See the brightly colored houses set on towering cliffs above the sea, and the houses in the town of Amalfi built between the 10th and 13th centuries. Then it's on to Ravello to visit the exquisite gardens of Villa Rufolo, the former residence of several popes, offering perhaps the best view on the coast.
Lunch today is at a family-owned restaurant overlooking the Gulf of Salerno – a favorite of locals and celebrities alike – where you'll get a real taste of Italy with delightful homemade dishes. Return to Positano, and enjoy the afternoon and evening as you please. (B/L)
Depart Capri by high-speed ferryboat this morning to Naples – capital of the Campania region and one of Italy's most important cities. Board a coach to Herculaneum for a guided tour of the archaeological site. What was once an affluent Roman resort town was buried in volcanic ash by the same eruption of Mount Vesuvius that destroyed the nearby city of Pompeii in 79 AD.
As you'll see during your visit, studies of Herculaneum's remains have enabled archaeologists to create a picture of daily life in the Roman Empire in the 1st century. A high-speed train ride in first-class accommodations follows your Herculaneum adventure as you make your way from Naples to Rome, to conclude your trip with a three-night stay at a historic hotel in the heart of the city.
Enjoy an afternoon at leisure in Rome, before joining us later this evening for a Tauck Exclusive – a once-in-a-lifetime, after-hours visit to the Vatican Museums (subject to availability and day of visit may vary), where you can view the Sistine Chapel, the Tapestries and the Candelabra and Map Galleries, at a more leisurely pace, without crowds! (B)
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