Amalfi coast Luxurious Villa Stay

Itinerary

• Italy

  Italy is one of the most visited destinations in the world. It's top attractions include; Rome (Colosseum, Vatican City, PIazza Navona, Forum, Pantheon, Fountains of Trevi, Spanish Steps), Florence (Duomo, Old City, Ponte Vecchio, Uffizi), and Venice (Grand Canal, Doge's Palace, St. Marks Square). But there is much more to discover outside these heavily travelled spots.  Tuscany and Umbria with its wine, food and hilltowns (Sienna, San Gimignano, Orvietto, Spoleto), the dazzling Amalfi Coast (Positano, Capri, Sorrento), Siciliy with its old words ways, the urbane Milan and nearby Lake Como, the Italian Riviera... and more.  One important piece of advice, the soul of Italy is in its small towns, so be sure to get outside the big cities and into the country. That is where you will find the magic.

• Praiano

  Praiano is located between the towns of Amali and Positano.  A typical coastal fishing village, it offers a quaint pebble beach and excellent seafood restaurants. One of the more popular attractions is the Grotto Esmerelda, or the "Green Grotto". Although not nearly as famous as the Blue Grotto of the island of Capri, the Grotto Esmerelda, as the name would suggest, features a green light reflection inside the grotto pool.

• • Praiano
  • Villa Pompea Sun Deck
  • Villa

  Day 1: Naples - Praiano

  Utilities such as energy, gas, water, heating and AC as well as satelite TV and internet are included in your villa rental.

  Enjoy a private transfer with a vehicle and English speaking driver from Naples to your accommodation on the Amalfi coast, stopping off at Pompeii for a 2 hour guided visit with an English speaking Guide. Your Private Guide will meet you at Pompeii and Herculaneum respectively and bring you through the fascinating sites. Walk through some of the ancient streets of Pompeii where you can see the baths, forums and villas built by the prosperous Romans in the year 80 BC. Marvel at the fabulously preserved frescoes which adorned the walls and floors of the villas. Even if your interests do not lie in history, you will still be incredibly impressed by this massive archaeological site which includes the Amphitheatre, Gymnasium, House of Menandro, The Grand theatre and Small theatre, Gladiators Barracks, Thermal baths, House of Vetti. Your trip will continue along the highway to Herculaneum. Herculaneum was destroyed along with Pompeii in 79 AD and rediscovered in 1709. The site offers a more intimate and detailed exploration than Pompeii. A residential town without Pompeii’s commercial importance, it was surrounded by villas of the wealthy Romans, and submerged under a torrent of mud that preserved many of the timber features and household objects which can still be seen today. Continuing en route to the Amalfi coast, you will be transfered to your hotel. Enjoy the rest of the afternoon as you settle into your new surroundings. (Includes entrances into Pompei and Herculaneum and lunch.)

  Unpack at leisure and settle into your new surroundings. You may like to have a leisurely swim in one of the two pools on property before thinking about dinner plans.

  Consider wandering down to the charming fishing village of Praiano this evening and having dinner in one of the restaurants. The village is a leisurely five minute walk along the main coastal road from your villa.

  Accommodation: Villa: Villa Pompea

  Located in Praiano, a charming former fishing village situated between Amalfi and Positano, the spectacular four bedroom Villa Pompea property is only a 5 minute walk down the main coastal road to the center of town.  Its secluded position, high above the coastline, makes this property the envy of its neighbors and offers guests a truly strategic position. The villa was entirely rebuilt and transformed into a modern and luxurious residence with utmost care in 2009. Many details are designer items from Dolce & Gabbana and Philippe Starck to name two, floors are in white ceramic tiles and several ceilings have hand-painted decorations and special lighting.  The villa features 4 suites each differing in style and color and all boasting private en-suite bathrooms. One of the suites accesses a private, super-panoramic terrace where the furnishings change with anything from couches to sun lounge chairs to bench seats.  The property boasts a beautiful, indoor pool with hydro massage/chromatic therapy set in an area with hand-painted vaulted ceilings as well as an outdoor pool.  The spacious living area includes sofas, a table, and a large, flat screen Satellite TV.  There is a courtyard with chairs and tables and a second living room with sofas overlooking the indoor pool. The modern, fully equipped kitchen leads out into the dining room.  There is also access by an internal staircase to a beautiful roof top terrace with cushions for relaxing and enjoying the magnificent coastal views. All in all, this property makes for a spectacular vacation villa.

• • Villa Rufolo
  • Villa Pompea Sunset

  Day 2: Praiano

  Enjoy a continental breakfast this morning in your villa served to you by a Maid.

  Included in your villa rental are bed and bath linens and daily towel change.

  Enjoy a full day private tour exploring the stunning Amalfi coast in the company of an English speaking guide and chauffeur driven vehicle visiting the iconic villages of Ravello, Amalfi, Positano and Sorrento. Ravello has been attracting celebrities for centuries, and the Duomo (Cathedral), Villa Cimbrone (both 11th century) and Villa Rufolo (13th century) are all magnificent sights. The town of Amalfi lies at the mouth of a deep ravine, at the foot of Monte Cerreto and is surrounded by dramatic cliffs and coastal scenery. The town features a series of white houses, most with barrel vault ceilings and built on terraces within a picturesque web of alleys and stairways and its main monument and symbol of the city is the romanesque Cathedral of St. Andrew, preceded by an imposing staircase. One of the pearls of the coast is Positano which presents itself as a cluster of pastel houses clinging to the steep ledges of the Lattari Mountains, which reflect themselves in the clear sea below, surrounded by an intense fragrance of lemon and bright and vivid colors of bougainvillea. It is made up of a maze of alleys and steps with small artisanal shops with leather goods, ceramics and limoncello and has a number of achitecturally and historically interesting sites.  Sorrento is surrounded by hills and shielded from the Mediterranean by perpendicular cliffs that plunge directly into the water, and is the centerpiece of the Amalfi Coast. There are many different sites of note worth visiting which your guide will introduce you to. At days end, you will transferred back to your accommodation.

  Consider having a chef come to your villa this evening to prepare your evening meal which you can then enjoy on the terrace overlooking the Mediterranean below. Please speak to your Sales Advisor if you are interested in adding this service during your villa stay.

  Accommodation: Villa: Villa Pompea
• • Cooking Class
  • Villa Pompea Indoor Pool

  Day 3: Ravello - Praiano

  Enjoy a continental breakfast this morning in your villa served to you by a Maid.

  There is a four hour daily maid service included in your villa rental.

  Enjoy the morning learning the art of Italian cooking in the presence of a true Italian Mama! You will be made feel welcome upon arrival in your hosts' private home situated on a cliff top 1,000 ft above the sea with stunning coastal views. The cooking course is held in a state-of-the-art outdoor kitchen on the terrace laden with lemon trees which provide welcome shade from the heat of the day (not to mention the delicious homemade lemon cake!). Your host has a vast experience in traditional southern Italian cuisine and has cooked for both Italian Heads of State and American celebrities that frequented Ravello in the 1950's and 60's, such as Humphrey Bogart, Elizabeth Taylor, and Jacqueline Kennedy and many others. Her extraordinary gift for home style cooking with regional ingredients comes across in everything she prepares. This is a "demonstration" cooking course where you will learn about the natural ingredients used, which are freshly picked the very morning of your class. The Italian garden is located below the terrace, so you can also learn about growing the organic vegetables. On the same level is a small farm with free-range chickens, turkeys and rabbits. Traditional dishes will include antipasti, pastas, breads, seasonal vegetable dishes as well as meat dishes. Last but not least are the cakes and marmalades! All the recipes will be clearly demonstrated in a warm and relaxed atmosphere. After the class, share in the wonderful meal, and enjoy the local wines of the Amalfi region. In a land where limoncello is famous, your host also prepares liquors made from tangerine, apricot and fennel which you may like to sample to finish off the feast. Your gastronomic afternoon ends approximately 4pm after a leisurely lunch. Please let your Sales Advisor know if you would like to have a car and driver arranged for the transfer to and from the cooking class venue which is located a couple of kilometers out of Ravello.

  Transfer using a local taxi. Please note that this is not included in trip price and is payable locally.

  Transfer using a local taxi. Please note that this is not included in trip price and is payable locally.

  Enjoy the late afternoon sunshine in the comfort of your private garden. Have a swim in the indoor or outdoor pool or relax on the rooftop terrace and take in the breathtaking panoramic views.

  Accommodation: Villa: Villa Pompea
• • Punta Carena Lighthouse
  • Capri Island

  Day 4: Capri - Amalfi - Praiano

  Enjoy a continental breakfast this morning in your villa served to you by a Maid.

  Transfer using a local taxi. Please note that this is not included in trip price and is payable locally.

  Enjoy a full day (7hrs) of sightseeing with your private vehicle and English speaking Guide around the beautiful island of Capri. There are many places to visit such as: The Punta Carena Lighthouse, Villa Jovis on Mount Tiberio, The Gardens of Augustus and the Carthusian Monestary of the Certosa of San Giacomo. Of course there are lots of picturesque viewing points along the way as well as plenty of swimming opportunities. Having your own vehicle, Driver and Guide allows you to play out the day as you wish.

  Consider spending the day lounging by your private pool or wander into Praiano village.

  Instead of transferring to Capri by boat, you could consider taking a private scenic flight from the mainland to the island of Capri - and even extending it to get a birds eye view of world famous archaeological sites of Pompei and Herculaneum, as well as Monte Faito, Amalfi and Positano. Please speak to your Sales Advisor if this is of interest.

  Sit back and take in the views on your transfer from Amalfi to Capri by jet foil.

  Leave Capri Island by jetfoil and enjoy the ride as you are taken to Amalfi on the mainland. The crossing should take approximately 1 hour and 15 mins.

  Transfer using a local taxi. Please note that this is not included in trip price and is payable locally.

  Accommodation: Villa: Villa Pompea
• • Wine Tasting with Sommelier

  Day 5: Ravello - Praiano

  Enjoy a continental breakfast this morning in your villa served to you by a Maid.

  Transfer using a local taxi. Please note that this is not included in trip price and is payable locally.

  Spend the evening discovering the wonderful world of wine! You will be made feel welcome upon arrival in your hosts' private home situated on a cliff top 1,000 ft above the sea with stunning coastal views. The wine class with dinner with the Sommelier Gennaro will no doubt prove to be an amazing experience for those who appreciate good food and wine. The evening is kicked off by analyzing the wine (visual, olfactory, and tasting analysis) and the sommelier will explain how the wine is made, as well as some giving an insight into the most famous vines of the Campania region. After the initial wine tasting (without food), a food and wine pairing will be done. Because we start small and move to more complex food, you will be able to see the difference with the combination of food and wine. The meal typically consists of olives, salty biscuits, toasted bread with dry tomatoes, pumpkins preserve, cherry tomatoes, caprese, eggplant parmigiana, meatballs, pasta frittata, a mix of more than 10 cheeses, and finally, for desert, cakes with grappa and limoncello - truly a feast fit for a king! The sommelier Gennaro is also a cheese and olive oil taster and Grappa collectionist, so you can be sure that you are in expert hands! If you would like return transportation to be arranged, you can do this in advance through your Sales Advisor, or alternatively, you can arrange a taxi on site.

  Transfer using a local taxi. Please note that this is not included in trip price and is payable locally.

  Accommodation: Villa: Villa Pompea
• • Island of Ischia
  • Amalfi Coast

  Day 6: Praiano - Sorrento

  Enjoy a continental breakfast this morning in your villa served to you by a Maid.

  Enjoy a private transfer between Praiano and Sorrento.

  Enjoy a full day tour to the island of Ischia in the company of an English speaking Guide. After being picked up from your hotel, you will board a Jetfoil to the island. Ischia is a volcanic island in the Tyrrhenian Sea, at the northern end of the Gulf of Naples and is well known for its thermal hot springs and volcanic mud. Once on the island, take a transfer by bus to the Poseidon Garden thermal park where you have time at leisure to avail of the hot springs. The major attraction of this thermal park is its unique setting which is in the bay of Citara in Forio.  The therapeutic effect is based both on the richness and variety of mineral salts, and on the beneficial effect of the high temperature of these waters. The water temperature varies from 28° C to 40° C (82° F to 104° F ), and the abundance of water means that it is constantly renewed. A Roman sauna, a large private beach are equipped with deck-chairs and beach umbrellas, and various restaurants of which one is situated in a beautiful grotto of local tuff-stones and a boutique with a newspaper kiosk, complete this establishment.

  Enjoy a private transfer between Praiano and Sorrento.

  Accommodation: Villa: Villa Pompea
• • Mount Vesuvious

  Day 7: Praiano

  Enjoy a continental breakfast this morning in your villa served to you by a Maid.

  Choose from any number of activities today such as a guided (or self guided) hike along one of the walking trails that takes you high above the Mediterranean below, a guided walking tour of one of the towns in the area, spend the day at sea on a private sailing boat, explore the wines of the region on a winery Tour, or view Mount Vesuvious volcano up-close.  Please let your Sales Advisor know if you would like to have anything arranged for you for this day.

  A chef will come to your villa this evening to prepare a wonderful evening meal for you which you can enjoy at leisure either in the spacious dining room of the villa or outdoors - perhaps on the rooftop terrace, where you can take full advantage of the strategic position of the villa which has expansive views of the coastline.

  Accommodation: Villa: Villa Pompea

• Day 8: Praiano

  Enjoy a continental breakfast this morning in your villa served to you by a Maid.

  A security deposit of 1000 euros  is required for the rental of this villa. (not included in tour price). This deposit taken at time of final payment and is reimbursed after villa rental subject to inspection.

  Sit back and relax on your private transfer from Praiano to Naples. The transfer should take about one and a half hours.

  Accommodation: Depart (Int`l Airport)

Accommodation

• Local Pastimes

  Italian coffee rituals are often baffling to the uninitiated. Espresso coffee is very small and very strong. It is usually consumed in one or two gulps while standing at the bar. Italians will spend three hours eating a meal and then refuse the restaurant's coffee (which is always served at the end of the meal after dessert) because they want to drink it in a particular bar. If you ask for a Caffe you will get espresso, whereas a Caffe Americano will be a "long" espresso.  Caffe Latte is the true version of what we have colloquialized as a "Latte", but be careful not to order a "Latte" as you will receive simply a delicious glass of steaming milk.

• • Villa
  • Terrace
  • Coastal View

  Villa: Villa Pompea

  Located in Praiano, a charming former fishing village situated between Amalfi and Positano, the spectacular four bedroom Villa Pompea property is only a 5 minute walk down the main coastal road to the center of town.  Its secluded position, high above the coastline, makes this property the envy of its neighbors and offers guests a truly strategic position. The villa was entirely rebuilt and transformed into a modern and luxurious residence with utmost care in 2009. Many details are designer items from Dolce & Gabbana and Philippe Starck to name two, floors are in white ceramic tiles and several ceilings have hand-painted decorations and special lighting.  The villa features 4 suites each differing in style and color and all boasting private en-suite bathrooms. One of the suites accesses a private, super-panoramic terrace where the furnishings change with anything from couches to sun lounge chairs to bench seats.  The property boasts a beautiful, indoor pool with hydro massage/chromatic therapy set in an area with hand-painted vaulted ceilings as well as an outdoor pool.  The spacious living area includes sofas, a table, and a large, flat screen Satellite TV.  There is a courtyard with chairs and tables and a second living room with sofas overlooking the indoor pool. The modern, fully equipped kitchen leads out into the dining room.  There is also access by an internal staircase to a beautiful roof top terrace with cushions for relaxing and enjoying the magnificent coastal views. All in all, this property makes for a spectacular vacation villa.

  • More information

The Fine Print

• Trip Operator

  Horizon & Co. (founded in 1963), is a privately-owned leading boutique travel company. Horizon designs and stages authentic and deeply personal travel experiences that are carefully choreographed to induce a life-long memory. In addition to offering published trips on seven continents, Horizon builds private custom trips for discerning individuals and small groups.

• Contact Information

  Horizon & Co.
  Tel: 1-800-387-2977
  Email: admin@horizon-co.com
  Web: www.horizon-co.com

• What's Included:

  • Villa rentals are typically for a 7 night minimum (though there is sometimes flexibility on the number of nights during low and medium season) and rental starts on a Saturday - Accommodation, Activities, Transfers, Meals, Fees where indicated as per the itinerary - Local and international traveler assistance during your tour - Specialised and personalised services

• What's not Included:

  • Security deposit - Tips - Laundry - Soft drinks and alcoholic beverages unless explicitly noted - Optional activities/extras – Visas (unless noted) - Vacation insurance

• Trip Terms & Conditions

  • Your deposit is due immediately on booking (50% of program price). The balance is due 90 days prior to departure. We accept payment via credit card, certified check, wire transfer or money order.
  • Tour quotes do not include airfare to/from the trip start point unless noted on the itinerary
  • Cost increases in currency exchange, government fees, taxes, surcharges or hotel/lodge tariff increases between quote date and start date are payable by the client.
  • Availability cannot be guaranteed until booked. We will exercise best efforts to book hotels per the itinerary, however, in busy seasons and with client bookings made within 90 days of tour date we may be forced to offer substitutes.
  • Cancellations 90 days or more prior to departure will be subject to loss of deposit. 30-59 days will be subject to loss of 100% of program price.
  • Payment of the program price constitutes your acceptance of the terms and conditions set out at www.horizon-co.com/terms-and-conditions
  • Living Standards and practices at destination may differ from those in North America with respect to provisions of utilities, services and accommodation.

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