Benevento  Amalfi Coast

Southern Italy Singles Vacation

June 18 - 27

$3195*

‘Nowhere in Italy is as ancient as Benevento’ so the legend goes. It was founded by Diomede and Ausone, sons of Ulisses and Circe.  Benevento is also famous for its production of wines such as: Aglianico, Falangina, Fiano, Taurasi and for its wine tasting in a unique vineyard with vines of over 150 years of age. 

The Amalfi Coast Drive is said to be the most spectacular drive in Europe. The winding cliff top road offers breathtaking panoramic views at every town. Each spot is as fantastic as the last and will inspire the imagination and create unforgettable memories. The unmistakable cluster of white, tightly packed houses rising up the hillside are dominated by beautiful cathedrals. 

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Itinerary

Day 1 - June 18 - Friday:  Depart from Home

Board your overnight flight to Rome (remember you are flying home from Naples). Best Single Travel will gladly help with your flight info

Day 2 - June 19 - Saturday:  Rome, Italy

On arrival at the Rome airport, you will take a shutlle to our hotel. To give everyone a chance to arrive, no activities are planned, but optional tours will be available.  We will meet for dinner (not included) at 7:00pm 

Hotel - Nord Nuova Roma

Day 3 - June 20 - Sunday:  Rome - Benevento

After an early breakfast the group will transfer to Termini railway station. All Aboard!! Next stop Benevento. 

The town of Benevento, 40 miles northeast of Naples, has a rich and complex history stretching back even before Rome. Benevento became an important colony of the Roman Empire thanks to the road the Romans constructed through there to get to Brindisi and sail to Greece and to the East.

Upon arriving in Benevento we will be met at the train station and taken to our lovely hotel. Enjoy your Welcome Lunch in the historical centre of the old town. This afternoon board the Train of Art. On this guided tour, you will see a very well preserved Roman Theater (still in use) and the Arch of Traian, probably the best arch ever made by the Romans for celebrating an emperor. The Church of St. Sofia was built in the Middle Ages, when Benevento was ruled by the German Longobards. Another interesting site you can visit is the Museo del Sannio, rich in pre-Roman archaeology.  

Tonight enjoy Dinner (optional) in a local restaurant.  Hotel President Benevento

Day 4 -June 21 - Monday: Sant’Agata de’Goti  

After a leisurely breakfast explore the medieval hamlet of Sant’Agata de’Goti, one of the most picturesque Samnites villages in Italy. Every corner in Sant’Agata is to be discovered and appreciated. Besides the noteworthy churches and monuments like the 9th century Duomo and the churches of Annunziata, Sant'Agata and Santa Menna, the town offers you the possibility of tasting the wines of the area including the famous Sant'Agata de'Goti Doc, in ancient cellars dug into the tuff several feet underground.

After our walking tour relax over lunch in the central trattoria of the village in front of the old gothic main church. Then time for some local shopping, exploring the churches or try out your Italian with the locals.

In the late-afternoon, wine tasting will be hosted by one the oldest family-owned wineries in the area with dinner and live music to follow.

Your last stop for the night is a photo opportunity of the Benevento Castle, better known as the Rector's Fortress. It stands on the ruins of an ancient Longobard small fortress and the ruins of a Roman building. Hotel President Benevento

Day 5- June 22 - Tuesday: Amalfi

Today we leave behind the countryside and transfer to our hotel in Amalfi. Set in a wide cleft in the cliffs, Amalfi is the largest town and perhaps the highlight of the coast. Amalfi was an independent republic during Byzantine times and  one of the great naval powers, with a population of some 70,000. There is still the odd remnant of Amalfi's past glories around today, and the town has a quaint attractiveness with it's whitewashed courtyards and alleys that are fun to wander through.

Spend the day visiting the magic town of Amalfi, its history, art and culture. Amalfi, is a UNESCO World Heritage site featuring St. Andrea’s Cathedral, whose 57 steps will reward you with a great workout and a great view. The city is also home to the Museo della Carta, which introduces you to the art of paper making for which Amalfi is known.  Amalfi was the first maritime republic of Italy and in the Civic Museum the Tabula Amalfitana, the first navigational code in history has been preserved.

Time to relax at tbe hotel before we meet for an optional dinner and an evening walk along the marina to where the mega-yachts dock.  Grand Hotel Excelsior Amalfi

Day 6 - June 23 - Wednesday:  Ravello

A cooking course at Nonna Orsola school is truly an unique experience. To travel and visit new countries also means to know the tastes and flavours. Our mid-morning lesson will consist of traditinal Neopolitan cuisine with an emhasis on Amalfi recipes. This is a "demonstration" cooking course where you will learn about the natural ingredients used, which are fresh picked the very same morning of each class. Enjoy wine with your lunch that you helped prepare.

A slow uphill drive along a very narrow road passing several wineries and olive factories, leads to Ravello and one of the most splendid views of the entire coast.  Perched on top of the mountain cliff situated above Amalfi and Minori. Ravello, famous for its breath-taking views, natural beauty and ancient monuments are presented at their best in the gardens of Villa Cimbrone and Villa Rufolo (where our tour begins). In high season, these gardens are rich in sweet secants of blooming flowers, shadows of flora and perfume of lemons. Apart from the main cathedral, also situated in the square, and a history museum constructed in the basement of the cathedral, there are many other churches to visit given that there used to be a total of 13 churches in the village.

After this wonderful experience we return to Amalfi for the night. Grand Hotel Excelsior Amalfi

Day 7 - June 24 - Thursday:  Amalfi Coast - Capri

Your full-day boat tour begins when you depart Amalfi and steer towards the nearby seaside towns of Maiori and Minori. Just beyond Maoiri is the marine cave called Pandora's Grotto, experience this beautiful natural wonder. Visit the nearby Marmorata Falls and view the majestical Ravello, the famous village of music, which is seated high on a cliff face towering over Amalfi.    

Sail along to the pristine enclave of Santa Croce and the Lover's Arch and onwards to Conca Dei Marini where you can visit the Grotta Dello Smeraldo or the Emerald Grotto. Then you will sail by the Furore Fjord, cruise along the twin-mountain town of Praiano, continue towards the village of Positano, before steering out to sea to visit the mythical islands of Li Galli. The Amalfi Coast officially ends and the Sorrento Coast begins as we near Capri at Punta Campanella. Circle the island and visit the famous Blue Grotto (entrance optional), the Faraglioni rock formation and the White and Green Grottos before docking in Capri.

Enjoy a few hours on the beautiful island of Capri, immerse yourself in the atmosphere of a coastal village inhabited by fishermen and sailors; explore marine caves; walk through masses of sheer rock and peer over precipices which drop dramatically into the sea; stroll through olive groves and orchards of lemon and orange trees; have lunch or browse through the boutiques, elegant hotels, artists studios, churches, and the remains of Roman villas.

On the way back to Amalfi, stop for a swim in a picturesque location where it is possible to dive straight off the boat.

Swim in some of the most beautiful waters of the Mediterranean, where the water is a deep blue color yet clear enough to see many feet below.  Grand Hotel Excelsior Amalfi

Day 8 - June 25 - Friday :  Pompei - Sorrento - Positano

Step back in time as we walk through the ancient city of Pompeii. A thrilling archaeological journey unfolds as we explore the ancient ruins which were buried in ashes after Mount Vesuvius erupted almost 2000 years ago. Discover the everyday life of Rome's Imperial age at this UNESCO World Heritage Site, and imagine the panic felt by the people in those last few minutes before the city was buried.

After leaving Pompei drive the coastal road to its furthest point to Sorrento.  Spectacular views of the entire bay of Naples and the Island of Capri are revealed as the Amalfi coast road emerges from over the mountain cliff. Sorrento stands on a terrace of tuff and is a city full of vegetation (its lemon trees are very famous). The city is said to originate from ancient Greece, but the old town shows a roman origin.

Positano is a province of Salerno and has been a vacation destination since the ancient Roman times. The town is built in a charming fashion on terraces on the steep rocks of the Monte Comune, and around a small, well-protected bay. The church of Santa Maria Assunta features a dome made of majolica tiles as well as a 13th Byzantine century icon of a black Madonna.  Enjoy your last evening in Amalfi.

Grand Hotel Excelsior Amalfi

Day 9 -June 26 - Saturday:  Amalfi Coast - Naples

Enjoy your last views of the Amalfi Coast when you visit the hamlets of Atrani, Majori and Minori.

Atrani is an isolated fishing village, away from the noise and bustle; it is also the smallest town in the Southern Italy. The distinctive white houses whose balconies are overflowing with flowers are built on the slopes of the surrounding mountains among the lemon orchards and reach down to the sea.

Maiori lies at the head of the Tramonti valley and is said to have been founded by the Etruscan Lucumone Rehginna, whose name was given to both the stream that divides the town (Reghinna Major) and the main road (Corso Reghinna).

After a stop for lunch in a restaurant along the coast, visit the town of ceramic… Vietri is a delightful town on a  terrace overlooking the sea and is famous for for its highly colorful ceramics that decorate most of the civic buildings and the façade of the Villa Guariglia… 

Villa Guariglia is an elegant and sumptuous villa located in Raito, a hamlet of Vietri sul Mare.

Everything in the Villa is exactly the same as it has been left by the Ambassador Raffaele Guariglia: the pictures in the living room, the collection of painted and decorated mother of pearl fans (over 100), the silverware, porcelain, weapons and a rich library, composed by over 4000 books, some of which were written by the Ambassador.

Onto Naples for an overview of the city and to check into our hotel.  Learn to make pizza at our Farewell Dinner!  Holiday Inn Naples

Day 10 -June 27 - Sunday:  Depart Home

Say Arrivederci to Italy as your Southern Italy vacation ends and you are transferred to the Naples airport for your return flight home.

Southern Italy Tour Benevento - Amalfi Coast June 18 - June 27 Price - $3195* Includes * 7-Nights Accomodations   1 Nights Rome   2 Nights Benevento Hotel   3 Nights Amalfi   1 Nights Naples * Breakfast Daily * 2 Dinners - 3 Lunches * Singles Travel Hostess * Tours and Admissions as stated in itinerary * Air Conditioned Coach/Van * All Transfers on Tour Dates * Taxes and Surcharges *The price per person is for a double room. Free roommate matching is available so there is never a need to pay a "single supplement".  If you wish to room alone the cost is an additional $650  Not included * International air flights * Tips ($12 per day - collected first day of trip)

Deposit - $500 Balance Due May 1                        *The deposit can be paid by credit card the balance is to be paid by check or money order. If you wish to pay the balance by credit card there is a 3% charge.  For More Information 877 848-7477 Italy@bestsingletravel.com