Compare Italian Campaign Tour by Stephen Ambrose Tours
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| Trip |
5 | Excellent
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| Duration | 10 days |
| Price From | $ 3,790 |
| Price Per Day | $ 379 |
| Highlights |
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| Trip Style | Group tour |
| Lodging Level | Premium |
| Physical Level |
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| Travel Themes |
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| Countries Visited | |
| Cities and Attractions |
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| Flights & Transport | Ground transport included |
| Activities |
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| Meals Included |
8 Breakfasts and 7 Dinners |
| 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. |
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).
