Compare Italian Campaign Tour by Stephen Ambrose Tours vs Country Roads of Puglia & the Neapolitan Riviera - Classic Group by Insight Vacations
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| Trip |
5 | Excellent
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5 | Excellent
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| Duration | 10 days | 10 days |
| Price From | $ 3,790 | $ 3,250 |
| Price Per Day | $ 379 | $ 325 |
| Highlights |
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| Trip Style | Group tour | Small group tour |
| Lodging Level | Premium | Standard |
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N/A |
| Countries Visited | ||
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| Flights & Transport | Ground transport included | Airfare included |
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| Meals Included |
8 Breakfasts and 7 Dinners |
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| Description |
Winston Churchill called Italy, the “soft underbelly,” of Europe, but the 5th Army as commanded by General Mark Clark found the campaign for Italy anything but “soft.” It was literally and figuratively an uphill struggle pitched against one of the most competent commanders in the German war machine, Field Marshal Albert Kesselring. Sometimes referred to as “the Forgotten Campaign,” the Allied effort in Italy that we cover on the Italian Campaign Tour was actually of terrific significance. As historians have noted, the campaign became a proving ground for Allied capabilities on sea, land, and in the air. Amphibious landings with Higgins crafts on the beaches of Italy provided crucial training for the Normandy invasion. Proceeding to fight and push the Germans north, the Allied forces in Italy created another front for Hitler, dividing his defense of the Reich. After the 15th Air Force established its bases in Italy, the Allies destroyed 6,282 enemy aircraft in the air and on the ground. PLEASE NOTE: We offer a post-tour to Florence. |
Food and fun abound in this 9-day guided tour through Italy. Puglia is a paradise for wine lovers. Here, you will indulge in the region’s most robust reds with an expert vintner before you are welcomed to a local family’s home in Alberobello for an intimate orecchiette pasta dinner. Board a hydrofoil to zip across the Gulf of Naples to the rocky, sun-drenched island of Capri. Here you can join Local Expert for a tour of Augustus Gardens or take a rousing walk along its narrow, cobblestone alleyways with your Travel Director and sample local specialties like limoncello. In Pompeii, join a Local Expert for a walk through the ruins left behind by the eruptions of Mount Vesuvius in 79 A.D. And in Rome, celebrate a fantastic trip with a once-in-a-lifetime experience: a private operetta performed during a feast of Italian specialties and wine. |
DAY 1 Flight
Flight from a city of origin to Fiumicino Airport, Rome.
DAY 2 Paestum
After landing in Rome, the group will travel by luxury motor coach to Paestum. In the evening we will have dinner and our historian will provide an introduction and briefing on what to expect during the tour.
DAY 3 Sorrento
We begin the day at the beaches near Paestum on the Gulf of Salerno. Here is where the 36th Division came ashore in September 1943. We will visit the 36th Division Monument and its surrounding park that have been restored over the past several years before we proceed to the ruins.
The ancient Greeks came to this area around 650 BC and settled there after viewing the wide-open beaches, the scenic beauty and the potential of the fertile land. Later, we will cross the Sele Bridge on our drive to Maiori (on the left flank of the invasion). By the end of the day, we will climb the precipitous Chiunzi Pass where the Rangers crossed and held a strategic position for moving across the Sorrento Peninsula. We return to the Sorrento hotel for the evening.
DAY 4 Sorrento
The group will take the ferry across to the verdant, flower-strewn Isle of Capri. Medieval churches, villas, scenic walks and pleasant cafes are just part of the appeal. As options, you can choose to take a short trip to the ancient ruins of Pompeii, buried by the eruption of Mt. Vesuvius in 79 AD, or just enjoy the charming town of Sorrento. We will return to Sorrento for the night.
DAY 5 Cassino
We depart Sorrento after breakfast, heading to Cassino on the Appian Way and travel through the Mignano Pass to the Mount Lungo Museum. Monte Cassino, San Pietro, and Monte Lungo formed the defensive line dominating the approach to the Liri Valley. We will visit the ruins of the old village of San Pietro above the modern town, and review the destruction, troop actions and the German scorched earth policy of the battle that took place.
DAY 6 Anzio
After breakfast, we will visit the Abbey of Monte Cassino. The Abbey has been destroyed several times since its founding in the 6th Century by St. Benedict. The most severe damage came at the Battle of Cassino in May 1944. After the Allies had taken Naples, the Germans made Cassino the key stronghold in the system of defenses guarding the approaches to Rome. On May 17, the Allies launched their final assault, with the Polish corps as the spearhead. After a raging battle, the Germans abandoned Cassino on the following day. This allowed the Allies to join forces and opened the road to Rome. After the war, the abbey was rebuilt according to the original designs.
After this visit, we will head to the Polish and German cemeteries. We'll continue with a scenic tour along the Rapido and Liri Rivers on the old highway. The end of the day will find us enjoying a wonderful dinner and overnight stay in Anzio.
DAY 7 Anzio
This morning we go to Nettuno, where, along with Anzio, the American troops landed in January 1944. We will visit the Museo dell Sparco Allevato (Museum of the Allied Landing). We then make a pilgrimage to the invasion beaches and the U.S. Cemetery, where 7862 Americans are buried. We will overnight in Anzio.
DAY 8 Rome
Our group will depart for Rome in the morning and visit Cisterna along the way. Upon arrival, we will visit the Crypt and War Memorial at this site, which was a German victory and setback for the Rangers. We then go on to Rome for dinner and our hotel. Our final dinner together will be this evening, where we can review the Italian Campaign.
DAY 9 Rome
We will begin the day with a 4-hour city tour with a local guide. Among the sites are the Coliseum, Pantheon, Forum, Trevi Fountain and Vatican City. This is where we say Ciao to all our new friends. Guests will have free time in the afternoon.
DAY 10 Home
Transfer to Rome's Leonardo da Vinci International Airport/Fiumicino Airport (airport code FCO).
Day 1: Welcome to Rome
Transfers to your hotel depart from Rome's Fiumicino Leonardo da Vinci Airport at 09:30, 12:30 and 15:30. Join your Travel Director at 17:30 to explore the Eternal City, passing the renaissance palaces and baroque churches scattered throughout the city. Get to know your fellow travellers over a pleasant Welcome Dinner as you dine at your hotel's restaurant, Unique al Palatino.
Kolbe Hotel Rome.
Dinner with Wine
Day 2: Across the Apennines to the Trulli Town of Alberobello Relaxed Start
Head southeast, through the sun-baked landscapes to the region of Puglia and its most spectacular town, Alberobello, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.With your Local Expert, explore the small, white-washed stone houses - known as Trulli - which are clustered together throughout the city and built entirely without mortar.
Grand Hotel La Chiusa di Chietri, Alberobello.
Breakfast, Dinner with Wine
Day 3: Exploring Alberobello Relaxed Start
This morning is yours to enjoy at leisure. For your Dine-at-Home experience, you are welcomed into a local family's home. See Nonna making orecchiette pasta and join her for a traditional freshly prepared southern Italian meal.
Grand Hotel La Chiusa di Chietri, Alberobello.
Breakfast, Dinner with Wine
Day 4: Free Time in Alberobello Relaxed Start
The day is free for you to enjoy this extraordinary town as you wish. Why not join an Optional Experience to the stunning city of Ostuni? With its dazzling white-washed houses and fascinating history, it is a true delight.
Grand Hotel La Chiusa di Chietri, Alberobello.
Breakfast
Day 5: The Sassi di Matera and Sorrento
Visit Matera with a Local Expert for an in-depth exploration of the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Sassi — a labyrinth of cave dwellings, churches, staircases and arches, hewn out of the solid rock. You may recognise Matera as the biblical backdrop for the film ‘The Passion of the Christ.’ Continue to the small village of Grottole. Once a thriving community, it has lost most of its activity. Meet Silvio and Michela, two locals who strive to bring back the traditional way of living of the area. On this MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience visit their home and explore the historic old town to learn about the fascinating history of the village. Later, enjoy a light lunch and wine tasting, helping to preserve the local culture.
Grand Hotel Vesuvio, Sorrento.
Breakfast, Lunch with Wine
Day 6: Capri, The Isle of Dreams
Cruise by jetfoil through the impossibly blue sea to the sun-drenched island of Capri.Travel to Capri Town by open-top taxi and meet your Local Expert for an orientation walk of the narrow alleyways. Explore Capri with Insight Choice. Choose to visit the immaculate Gardens of Augustus with a Local Expert and admire the views over Faraglioni Rocks. Alternatively, enjoy a limoncello tasting, Capri's famous lemon liqueur.After exploring the winding cobble streets, descend to the port by funicular before returning to Sorrento where you are at leisure for the rest of the day.
Grand Hotel Vesuvio, Sorrento.
Breakfast
Day 7: The Amalfi coast and Positano Relaxed Start
Travel along Italy’s finest coastline, the Amalfi Coast. Stop for a bird’s-eye view of the terraced houses of Positano before venturing in to the heart of the town. There’s time to be tempted by the boutiques before returning to Sorrento to enjoy stunning views down to the clear waters of the Bay of Naples. Maybe relax over coffee and contemplate your options. You could stroll down to the harbour, visit the Church of St. Francis, take a swim from the foot of the cliffs or just relax and enjoy the warm, southern sunshine.
Grand Hotel Vesuvio, Sorrento.
Breakfast
Day 8: On to ill-fated Pompeii and Rome
Journey north to the ancient Roman city of Pompeii, eerily preserved by the eruptions of Mount Vesuvius in A.D. 79. Your Local Expert walks you through cobbled streets to explore some of the shops, villas and temples. Witness the colourful frescoes that were hidden for centuries. Continue beneath the striking hilltop monastery of Monte Cassino and back to Rome where your journey reaches its zenith in the evening. In the heart of the Eternal City, you are treated to a quintessential Italian experience – fine food, wine, music and a private performance of enchanting operetta for your Celebration Dinner.
Kolbe Hotel Rome.
Breakfast, Dinner with Wine
Day 9: Arrivederci Roma
Bid farewell to the glories of Italy. Departure transfers arrive at Rome’s Fiumicino Leonardo da Vinci Airport at 07:00 and 09:30.
Breakfast
