Highlights of Rome, Naples, Tuscany & Umbria Tour

In the morning, Rome glints with golden stones along the ancient districts. At breakfast, the scent of freshly brewed cappuccino accompanies the frothy texture of the morning drink. Your guide meets you at the hotel and leads you through the ancient districts of Rome, passing the Jewish Ghetto and arriving in the Celio, crowned by the towering figure of the Colosseum. The marbled figure of Constantine’s Arch leads you to the Roman Forum, which was once the spiritual heart of the Roman Empire. Temples and monuments continue to demarcate the public space where markets and gatherings once took place. Follow your guide along the Via Sacra for an immersive excursion into Roman Life.

The path passes beneath the Arch of Titus and acted as Ancient Rome’s main boulevard, connecting the Colosseum to the Capitoline Hill. Staggered Corinthian columns connote the once stunning frame the Temple of Vesta, a circular building home to the city’s unique cult of the Vestal Virgins. The temple was erected in the 7th century BC and refurbished in the 1st century AD. The marble was taken in the Renaissance and used to support the churches and papal palaces around Rome. After traversing the lanes of the ancient city, you continue to Vatican City to relish the magnificent artwork of the museums, from the apartments of Borgia to the painted ceilings of the Sistine Chapel.

The Historic Center of Rome returns to life in the morning light. Visitors spill out onto the cobblestone lanes in search of the columns of the Pantheon and the dreamy statues of the Trevi Fountain. After an early breakfast, your guide escorts you south to Naples to visit the splendor at the heart of the former Berber Kingdom. The harbor was once the southern region’s connection to the Mediterranean Sea. Fishing boats cruise along the reflective water to weight anchor alongside the serene cobblestone promenade. Tables of local cafes provide a view of the water. The National Archeological Museum displays some of the world’s finest collections of ancient life, including treasures of the Farnese family.

The polished floors of the museum demonstrate the wonder exhibited in the galleries. The first floor contains the remarkable Farnese Hercules, a 3rd century AD sculpture standing more than 10 feet tall. The marvelous depiction of the mythological structure has a marble frame shining translucent in the soft museum light. After visiting the museum, you meet a local chef eager to teach you the perfect recipe to make the famous Neapolitan pizza. Dig your hands into the soft dough. Shape the pizza with your own hands and dress the dough with fresh sauce and soft mozzarella cheese before placing the dish in the oven. The scent of delectable crisping crust begins to fill the kitchen.

The sunrise casts an ethereal light over the angel statues decorating the bridge of Sant’Angelo. The castle stronghold adorns the edge of the bridge overlooking the ancient borders of Rome. Today your guide leads you out of the historic city to wander along the traditional villages of Tuscany. Cypress trees line the country roads. Sunflowers grow in radiant squares along the rolling hills. The yellow petals of the sunflowers give way to the emerald leaves of vineyards blanketing the countryside. You stop first at the town of Pienza, which is known for its picturesque Renaissance architecture erected in the 15th century under the patronage of Pope Pius II. The scent of artichoke and pecorino cheese emanates from the artisan stores of the historic town center.

The Piccolomini Palace and Town Hall overlook the central square, drawing attention to the symmetrical shape of the public piazza. The cathedral contains uneven floors with crags moving across the pavement. Little glass plates decorate the walls and have shifted over the centuries. Outside of town, you visit a local vineyard overlooking the golden fields of the Val d’Orcia. Wheels of Pienza Pecorino decorate the walls of the interior villa. Wander through the vines lining the hillside to learn about the importance of the region’s soil before entering the tasting room. The ruby hue of the wine flows against the tabletop. The aroma of dark cherries rises out of the glass.

Today your guide meets you at the hotel early in the morning eager to take you north to the Umbrian town of Assisi, followed by Orvieto, the latter of which stands atop the limestone tufa crag of the Paglia Valley. The rich scent of stone emanates from the hillside. The breeze brings the aroma of the grass from the valley. The unique façade of the cathedral crowns the main square with black basalt and yellow limestone. Stained glass shimmers in the sunlight against elegant mosaics.

The bronze doors add a modern atmosphere to the 13th-century structure. The public garden inside the historic fortress holds a 200-foot deep well encircled by a spiral staircase. Locals would ferry donkeys up and down the well without stopping. From the mouth of the well, you can see the foundations of an Etruscan temple. In the narrow lanes wind along the tufa stone leading to underground rooms carved into the hillside. Medieval craftsmen once used a number of the underground rooms as workshops to produce textiles and ceramics.

The lanes lead to the old town gate of Porta Maggiore, offering a stunning view of the valley floor. In the heart of town, your guide takes you into a charming olive oil shop filled with distinct, flavorful oils produced near town. The clerk offers you a history of the various olive groves and mills in the region before pouring a sample of oil, eager to teach you the differences between Virgin and Extra Virgin, along with allowing you to taste the variety of olive oils infused with the regional flavors of Umbria.

Today you leave behind the lavish palaces of Rome for a half-day tour among the decadent villas of Tivoli. The historic town stands along a limestone ridge overlooking the River Aniene. The hillside location once acted as a perfect escape for wealthy Romans during the sweltering summers in the city. The heart of town contains a medieval castle known as Rocca Pia, erected under the patronage of Pope Pius II. The inscription over the entrance said the structure was built for the protection of Tivoli. However, the imposing four round towers and thick ramparts tell a different story.

Along the right bank of the Aniene River lies the small trail of Via delle Cascatelle. The path leads to along the rushing water to a view of small waterfalls beneath the outline of town. Once in Hadrian’s Villa, you uncover a world of ancient replicas. The complex of buildings and gardens was constructed in the 2nd century AD and encompasses nearly 300 acres. The emperor ordered reproductions of the statues and monuments that caught his eye during his time traveling around the empire, from Greece to Egypt.

Graceful marble statues glisten in the reflective pool beneath decorative arches. The Roman replicas of the Greek statues have outlasted the originals. The open-air museum atmosphere emphasizes the architectural ruins, sensational greenery, and Roman dedication to the arts. When you return to Rome, your guide leads you on a marvelous excursion through the bountiful history of the city’s churches, from the Basilica di Santa Maria Maggiore to the catacombs beneath the church of San Clemente.

At midday, a cannon fires at the top of Gianicolo Hill and has sounded the stroke of noon since Italian forces took the city during the battle for Rome. The scent of fresh baked cookies emanates from the bakeries of the Jewish Ghetto. After breakfast, the day is yours to enjoy the wonders of Rome and the countryside of Lazio. The day offers you the opportunity to reveal the overlooked niches of the city, from the gardens of the Villa Borghese to looking through the antique keyhole of the Knights of Malta building on Aventine Hill.

After breakfast, you make your way to the Santi Quattro Coronati Church, a Romanesque structure built in around the 4th century. To reach the church, you pass through the gate of a fortified building with a large tower casting a shadow over the entryway. Two internal courtyards lead you to the entrance of the church. A mosaic floor decorates the two-ailed nave. Small columns support the loggia leading to a small chapel. If you ring the bell in the cloister, an Augustinian nun will open the door.

The aroma of mint emanates from the arches. You can hear the trickling water of a fountain decorating the garden. Arches and columns surround the fountain, which contains the elaborate feature of lions. The cloister was erected in the 13th century, and the walls contain decorations of paleo-Christian graffiti. Walk through the tranquil grounds and the nun happily regales you with the tale of St. Sylvester when guiding you to the chapel. In the evening, you can stroll through the Bohemian neighborhood of Trastevere for dinner, often referred to as Rome’s most flavorful district.

In the morning, the market stalls of San Cosimato brim with colorful produce. Melons and bananas sit beside crates of oranges and blushing tomatoes. Locals stroll through the marketplace and gossip with one another about the current events of the neighborhood. Vendors share the freshness of their goods by offering free samples, from figs to prosciutto, along with roasted spring onions brushed with olive oil. Rome returns to its bustling atmosphere after breakfast when sunlight has washed over the domes and towers of the Eternal City. Your private transfer meets you at the hotel and escorts you to Rome’s Fiumicino Airport for your flight home.