Discover Ancient History and Classic Scenery of Rome & Amalfi Coast Tour

The Roman Forum in Italy

What to expect on this itinerary

The Roman spirit lives within the splendid history and breathtaking landscapes of the Eternal City and the Amalfi Coast in this 8-day itinerary. Bask in the sea breeze as it sweeps across your boat on the way to see the Emerald Cave, and then linger in the blossoming flowers of a garden that once belonged to Emperor Tiberius before you wander through the vacant halls of the Vatican Museums for a unique perspective of treasured artworks. Your custom tour is tailored to your tastes to include secluded villages, ancient streets, and spectacular views that lead you from Rome to the Mediterranean Sea.

Countries Visited

Italy, Vatican City

Places Visited

Rome, Capri, Anacapri, Sorrento, Positano, Ravello, Amalfi, Conca die Marini, Vatican City, Pompeii, Atrani

Suggested Duration

8 Days

Customizable Itinerary

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Day 1

Rome – Arrive in the Eternal City with a Historical Introductory Tour

When arriving in Rome, it is easy to imagine Caesar’s welcome with crowds of citizens holding close to the cobblestone streets waving a friendly hello. Your private transfer will greet you at baggage claim after your flight lands at Fiumicino Airport. You will quickly enter the historical center of Rome, filled with ancient ruins, Baroque palaces, and rococo fixtures. The city welcomes you a different grandeur that once received the emperors, but Rome remains fascinating, grand, and eternal.

After checking-in to your hotel, your guide will meet you in the lobby eager to introduce you to the beauty of the streets and monuments. You will begin in the cobbled square crowned by the Pantheon, a relic of antiquity preserved for 2,000 years. A sense of harmony fills the former pagan temple and Christian chapel due to the elegant proportions; the diameter of the interior mirrors the height between the floor and the domed room. Your guide will point out the tomb of Renaissance painter Raphael, nestled between two niches. Artists and architects alike have found inspiration in the majesty of the Pantheon for two millennia. The structure continues to inspire visitors from around the world today, making it the perfect start to your tour of Rome.

What's Included:

Accommodation
Transfer
Tour
Day 2

Capri – Explore the Towns of the Island

Day 3

Capri – Beauty of the Treasured Island

Day 4

Positano – Ferry to Sorrento for a Walking Tour

Day 5

Positano – Delight in the Villages of the Amalfi Coast

Day 6

Rome – Visit Ancient Pompeii and the Vatican Museums

Day 7

Rome – Discover Ancient Rome and St. Peter’s Basilica

Day 8

Rome – Depart for Home

Trip Highlights

  • Witness the splendor of the Amalfi Coast with a panoramic view from the villas of Ravello
  • Wander through the ancient grounds of preserved Pompeii to see the decadence of the former city in the remaining villas and artwork
  • Explore the lavish ancient estates and captivating landscape on the island of Capri during a privately guided tour
  • Discover the glowing interior of the Emerald Cave, radiant with refracted light, located in the town of Conca dei Marini
  • Visit a third generation sandal maker in Positano who hand-makes the exquisite footwear
  • Delight in the artwork of the Vatican Museums in quiet galleries and halls with an after-hours tour
  • Walk through the ancient heart of Rome on a guided tour of the Roman Forum and Colosseum, taking you into the secluded niches of the empire
  • View the embracing trompe l’oeil artwork inside Sant’Ignazio church, whose frescoes nearly inspire you into the action

Detailed Description

Rome has been a beacon of civilization across the Western World for more than two millennia, a city to which all roads once led. Your 8-day tour will circle Rome and then lead you to the pleasures of Capri and the majesty of the Amalfi Coast, the beauty of which accentuates the wonders of the Eternal City. You will land at Fiumicino in Rome and begin your elaborate journey along the historical streets of Italy. Your private transfer will escort you into the center of the city for a walking tour of the palaces, fountains, and remaining temples that decorate the piazzas. On day two you have a private transfer to the harbor of Naples.

Next day, your private transfer will take you to the harbor of Naples where the ferry will take you across the Bay of Naples to Capri where your guide will collect you.  From there, spend the remainder of your day enjoying the cobbled streets and charming piazzas of Capri Town and Anacapri. The following day, you will have a guided tour to explore the riches of island life, from the stunning views of the Mediterranean Sea to the opulent villas in which Emperors Tiberius and Augustus lived. You will then board the ferry to Sorrento the next day to discover the elaborate past of the peninsula and the enchanting streets of a city in view of Mount Vesuvius.

Your guide will lead you through the mountain pass to reach the town of Positano, the gateway to the Amalfi Coast. Travel along the roadway as it hugs the cliffs to visit the marvelous villages and towns found along the water and perched on the hillsides. Marvel at the views of Ravello, and then linger in the Emerald Cave of Conca dei Marini. Venture next to Pompeii for a guided tour of the preserved splendor of the former Roman city. The wealth of the port town remained intact in the villas and artwork, both in the city and exhibited in the National Archeological Museum in Naples.

You will then continue north to Rome in time for a quiet private tour of the Vatican Museums after hours, to allow you more time with the art and fewer people to maneuver around. Ancient Rome is yours the next day to experience with a guide alongside. Stroll through the Roman Forum and wander along the labyrinths formerly beneath the platform stage of the Colosseum. Witness the grandeur of St. Peter’s Basilica and view the largest interior church in the Christian world. Your private transfer will meet you to conclude and escort you to Rome’s Fiumicino Airport for your flight home.

Starting Price

$3,800 per person (excluding international flights)

Your Zicasso trip is fully customizable, and this sample itinerary is a starting place for your travel plans. Actual costs are dynamic, and your selection of accommodations and activities, your season of travel, and other such variables will bring this budget guideline up or down. Throughout your planning experience with your Zicasso specialist, your itinerary is designed around your budget. You can book your trip when you are satisfied with every detail. Planning your trip with a Zicasso travel specialist is a free service.

What's Included

  • Accommodations
  • In-country transportation
  • Some or all activities and tours
  • Expert trip planning
  • 24x7 support during your trip

Your final trip cost will vary based on your selected accommodations, activities, meals, and other trip elements that you opt to include.

4.9

Verified Traveler Reviews

Based on 607 reviews

Italy Tour Review: Venice, Florence, San Gimignano, Siena, Rome, Vatican, Amalfi Coast, Capri, Sorrento, Positano, Doge's Palace, Colosseum, Palatine Hill, Boat Ride, 12 Days

This was possibly the best trip of my life!

Once I arrived in Venice and put myself in the hands of Zicasso’s tour company, I was supremely well taken care of.

I left my passport on the plane, so I was held up in the airport for probably two hours. This was the first time I used the emergency number (or the chat app). The communication was answered immediately and we were able to let my first guide know I was being held up. I thought the first person who helped me was just someone to get me to the hotel, but she was also a guide in the sense that she described many of the things we saw on the way to the hotel. A very pleasant and gracious guide who made sure also that I was prepared for where to be the next day. It was a very great first experience of the tour company’s service.

Throughout this adventure, the guides were outstanding, the hotels were located practically on top of the interesting sites (especially in Rome) and very pleasant to be in.

Also, I continued to use the emergency number or the chat app multiple times. They were very responsive, very pleasant, and perfectly helpful each time. I don't know if I was high-maintenance compared to other clients the tour company has had, but though I felt like it in my mind, I was treated completely graciously each time.

I loved every destination and I loved having a structured tour, combined with a good portion of free time to explore on my own. Perfect.

I was very well guided on each travel day, being met by drivers to drop me off and to pick me up, and the train travel was very fun.

I think there was only one guide who I thought was just going through the motions, but all the other guides were the height of professionalism. I loved being met by our guides at Doge's Palace, which was absolutely outstanding. Walking around old Florence was great fun! The drive out to San Gimignano and Siena was well-planned and well-guided! In Rome, the guide who took us to the Colosseum and Palatine Hill was outstanding, and it was a great outing. (I had also already pretty much visited all the sights since my hotel was practically in the middle of it all.)

The trip to the Vatican was a whole other story. Unfortunately, I forget that guide's name. This guide was also excellent—entertaining, informative, approachable, and professional. The trip to the Amalfi Coast was a long train ride, followed by a very long car ride, but it was worth it. What a beautiful setting! My trip to Capri was absolutely fulfilling and I was a little sad to say goodbye to the guide—we connected with him so well. The next day was our boat tour from Sorrento to Amalfi and Positano. I absolutely enjoyed being guided by our guides! On the way back after that beautiful excursion, we were just cruising along the water, 1970s music playing, wind rushing by and I had a peak moment of happiness. Truly.

This trip was as if the tour company had read my mind and provided even more than I had imagined. I come away deeply grateful.

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Italy Trip Review: Sorrento, Positano, Amalfi, Ravello, Pompeii, Herculaneum, Naples, 5 Days

Zicasso’s travel company helped us plan and execute a vacation to the Amalfi Coast. The travel specialists suggested sites and arranged hotels, ground transport, and guides. It was all accomplished flawlessly; we had a perfectly paced itinerary.

Not only were the drivers well experienced with the incredible labyrinth of roads along the coast and in Sorrento and Positano, where we stayed, but they were also great sources of local colorhighly experienced with the incredible labyrinth of roads along the coast and in Sorrento and Positano, where we stayed, but they were also great sources of local color and conversation, and, above all, they conversation, and, above all, showed their love for the country and region.

We had several guides who were spot-on, including an archaeology graduate for Pompeii and Herculaneum, and an incredible historian on a walking tour of Naples.

The hotels were wonderful, with experience and professionalism throughout.

The drive along the coast to Amalfi and Ravello was spectacular!

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Italy Travel Review: Rome, Ravello, Amalfi Coast, Positano, Sorrento, Naples, Pompeii, Capri, Mount Vesuvius, Cooking Class, Local Cuisine, 20 Days

My husband and I were thrilled with our recent trip to Italy that Zicasso’s travel designer put together. We began by attending a family friend’s wedding, held in Ravello, on the Amalfi Coast. Due to my husband’s mobility issues, we were met by a driver and headed to the Amalfi Coast. The driver was first class and the trip was very comfortable.

After the wedding festivities, we were able to have the most wonderful experiences visiting the towns of Amalfi and Positano, and our base for one week was in beautiful Sorrento. We attended a cooking class and enjoyed eating what we prepared. We had in-depth learning opportunities in Naples and Sorrento. Every guide we had spoke excellent English and was so knowledgeable. We especially enjoyed Pompeii! A super-fun day was had on the small group tour of Capri. The crew was fantastic and very accommodating in consideration of my husband’s mobility issues.

From beginning to end everything went well. The use of a messaging app was great for making sure everyone was on the same page.

The only thing that was a disappointment was the pizza in Naples. It wasn’t the best.

The hotel in Sorrento was phenomenal - it couldn’t have been better. The view of Mt. Vesuvius from our balcony helped create memories we will have forever. The hotel in Rome was also very nice. It was right in the middle of the main attractions.

We are very happy with our experience with this travel company and would not hesitate to recommend it!

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Italy Vacation Review: Venice, Florence, Tuscan Hills, Pompeii, Rome, Amalfi Coast, Sorrento, Capri, Cooking Class, Lemon Farm, Wine Tasting, Olive Oil Tasting, 2 Weeks

We had the pleasure of working with Zicasso’s travel agents to create the perfect Italian adventure. I had quite a few specific requests, from travel logistics to hotel preferences, and they were incredibly patient and collaborative, offering multiple variations of the itinerary until it matched exactly what we envisioned.

Our journey began in Venice, where we were seamlessly picked up by a private driver, transferred to a water taxi, and dropped directly at our hotel. After a wonderful stay, we were taken by private driver to the train station for our ride from Venice to Florence, our one and only train trip, as we opted (based on their smart recommendation) for private transportation for the rest of our travels to avoid potential delays and enjoy added convenience.

From Florence, we were driven into the Tuscan hills, where we experienced magical wine tastings, vineyard tours, olive oil tastings, and unforgettable meals with wine pairings. 

Next, our private driver brought us to Pompeii, where we enjoyed a fascinating tour with our private guide, and then continued on to Rome. In Rome, we loved the private golf cart tour of the city’s major landmarks, as well as a delightful cooking class that was arranged for us; it was a real highlight!

Finally, we traveled by private driver to Sorrento. From there, we had a breathtaking driving tour of the Amalfi Coast, a lemon farm tour, and an amazing day trip to Capri. Every detail was thoughtfully planned and executed.

Summary:

Planning and Itinerary Creation: Zicasso’s consultants made the entire process easy and stress-free. They worked closely with us to perfect the itinerary and were always receptive to changes and feedback.

Hotels: My sister and I requested adjoining rooms and were provided with beautiful family suites throughout the trip. Each hotel was ideally located, comfortable, and well-appointed, with all the amenities we needed.

Transportation: Every transfer was smooth and punctual. The private drivers were professional, friendly, and knowledgeable. (A special shoutout to our driver in Florence/Tuscany – he was the best!)

Communication: Throughout our trip, the travel company’s team was always accessible. Whether we needed to make adjustments or had a question, they handled everything promptly, allowing us to relax and fully enjoy our vacation.

We spent just over two unforgettable weeks in Italy and it was absolutely perfect, all thanks to the hard work, attention to detail, and excellent communication from Zicasso’s travel company! I highly recommend them and would not hesitate to use them again for future adventures.

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Italy Trip Review: Naples, Amalfi Coast, Sorrento, Capri, Positano, Rome, Boat Ride, Cooking Class, Wine Tasting, Colosseum, 12 Days

I recently completed an incredible 12-day vacation in Italy, arranged by Zicasso’s travel company, and it was one of the best vacations I have ever had. From the initial planning with the travel specialist and her team to the seamless execution on the ground, everything exceeded my expectations for a luxury custom trip.

We started in Italy, where we were immediately met at the airport by a hostess who got us through all the lines in record time and into a Mercedes Sprinter van that took us to Naples. Naples offered us a really vibrant, authentic Italian feel, and the incredible food that the travel specialist recommended from the movie "Eat Pray Love" was the best pizza I’ve ever eaten in my life. I don’t think I can eat pizza in the United States anymore. The private drivers and guides made this whole trip stress-free.

Our next incredible experience was the dream-like Amalfi, Sorrento, and the Isle of Capri. The hotel in Positano was beautiful. We were enchanted with all the colorful cliffs, the boutique shopping, and the stunning view from our balcony room. Sorrento was my favorite city of all. It was very relaxed, with lemon groves everywhere and beautiful sunsets, and our hotel had balconies that opened up on the Mediterranean. The highlight of our trip was the island of Capri. The boat ride was just fantastic and we started at the top of the mountain and did the chairlift so we had a whole view of the city.

The highlights of the trip for me were the boat ride along the Amalfi Coast, the cooking class and wine experience at the female venture, and the wine by Mount Vesuvius.

Our last two nights were back in Rome and it was kind of hard to go from the low-key vibes of Sorrento to the action-packed atmosphere of Rome, but the hotel the travel specialist picked was just perfect. It was 10 minutes from the Spanish Steps and she arranged a tour of the underground Colosseum. I learned so much about everything in that area. All the guides, the drivers, everything was magical. I would highly recommend this travel specialist and the travel company.

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Italy Tour Review: Rome, Florence, Amalfi Coast, Pompeii, Mount Vesuvius, Ancient Sites, Cooking Class, 1 Week

I can confidently say that Zicasso's travel specialist is truly dedicated to providing her clients a luxury experience. From the outset, we had a 20-minute call where she wanted to learn about our dream vacation and get to know us. She was attentive to every request we made and organized our itinerary accordingly. During the trip, she texted us daily to inform us about our drivers and guides for the next day. Additionally, she checked to ensure our trip was progressing smoothly.

Here are some highlights:

Rome: We were greeted at the airport by our agent, who expedited our passage through passport control. The following day, we started our exploration at the Vatican. Our agent had purchased our tickets in advance, allowing us to skip the line. She also planned the remainder of our self-guided tours of the Colosseum, Roman Forum, and other ancient sights. We accomplished so much in just two days!

Florence: We took part in a pasta-making class with a chef who was fantastic! Her husband was also quite charming. Our experience there was truly wonderful. Special thanks to our driver, who was incredibly helpful and informative.

Sorrento (Amalfi Coast): We began with a visit to Pompeii, where our guide, also arranged by our agent, was spectacular! His passion and extensive knowledge made the experience enjoyable. Next, we had a fun blind wine tasting. When we arrived at our amazing hotel, we were greeted with a surprise.

While in Rome, we encountered a minor issue, which our agent resolved quickly. She even went above and beyond by ordering us a bottle of prosecco to celebrate. We also took a car tour of Positano and Ravello, guided by a local from Ravello who was informative, knowledgeable, and delightful. We loved her! Our day ended with a lovely sunset cruise off the coast! Both days had excellent drivers.

This trip was a dream come true for my husband and me. Without a doubt, our agent made it the luxurious experience we desired. I highly recommend her and her team!

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Customizable Itinerary

This is a sample itinerary to inspire a personalized trip designed with your travel specialist.

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