Here We Come Italy – September 2026

🗺️ 14-Day Trip Itinerary Overview (Group A) 🧭
Sat. 9/12/26 to Sat. 9/26/26

Before You Go

• Trip Insurance: Allianz Manage a Policy
  • Allianz Basic Plan
  • Allianz Journey Plan
  • You can also download the Allyz app to keep your plan details handy.
• Trip Email Address
• European Union Entry/Exit System Requirements

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Itinerary

• Day 1 — Departure Flights ✈️ 9/12/26
• Day 2 — Arrive in Venice 🛬 (3 nights) 9/13/26 (Weather)
  • Transfers
  • 🏨 Hotel Cavalletto e Doge Orseolo (booked)
• Day 3 — Venice 🚤 9/14/26
  • 🏨 Hotel Cavalletto e Doge Orseolo
  • 🎟️ Venice in a Day Tour at 8:30 am
• Day 4 — Venice 🌉 9/15/26
  • 🏨 Hotel Cavalletto e Doge Orseolo
  • 🚤 Murano & Burano Islands Guided Small-Group Tour (booked)
• Day 5 — Venice to Florence 🚄 (3 nights) 9/16/26 (Weather)
  • 🚅 Trenitalia Frecciarossa 9413
    • Departing Venezia S. Lucia at 10:26 am, Coach 4 Premium
    • Arrives Firenze S.M. Novella at 12:39 pm
  • Santa Lucia Train Station Guide
  • 🏨 Hotel Loggiato dei Serviti (booked)
  • Dining at Ristorante Rosso Crudo
    • Other Restaurants
  • 🎟️ Visit to Stanza Segreta 3 pm (MAA), 6 pm (SP)
  • 🎟️ Galleria Accademia 4 pm Timed Entry
  • Giotto Pass
    • Giotto Bell Tower 6:45 Timed Entry
    • Baptistery
    • Opera del Duomo Museum
    • Santa Reparata
• Day 6 — Florence (Tuscany Day Trip) 🍷 9/17/26
  • 🏨 Hotel Loggiato dei Serviti
  • Laundry Services
• Day 7 — Florence (Free Day) 🖼️ 9/18/26
  • 🏨 Hotel Loggiato dei Serviti
  • 🎟️Passepartout for Uffizi 9 am + Vasari Corridor 11:15 am Timed Entry (GROUP)
  • 🍝 Lunch at Eataly Florence
  • Self-Guided: 🍷 Explore Florence Wine Windows
  • 🪦Church of Dante
• Day 8 — Florence to Sorrento 🚐 (4 nights) 9/19/26 (Weather)
  • 🚅 Trenitalia Frecciarossa 9419, Coach 6
    • Departs Firenze S.M. Novella at 10:14 am
    • Arrives Napoli Centrale at 1:15 pm
    • Transfer TBD Naples to Sorrento
  • OPTIONS: Things to Do on the Amalfi Coast
  • 🏨 Hotel Il Faro (booked)
• Day 9 — Sorrento 🌊 9/20/26
  • 🏨 Hotel Il Faro
• Day 10 — Sorrento 9/21/26
  • 🏨 Hotel Il Faro
  • 🚐 Day Trip Sorrento – Positano – Amalfi – Ravello
• Day 11 — Sorrento 🚆 9/22/26
  • 🏨 Hotel Il Faro
  • Option: Cooking Class in Sorrento or in Amalfi
• Day 12 — Sorrento to Rome ⛪ 9/23/26 (Weather)
  • 🚐 Private Driver Arranged by Cerchio Travel
  • Option: 2-hr. Private Guided Tour of Pompeii enroute to Rome
    • Pompeii or Herculaneum?
  • 🏨 Best Western Hotel Artdeco (booked)
• Day 13 — Rome 🏛️ 9/24/26
  • 🏨 Best Western Hotel Artdeco
• Day 14 — Rome 9/25/26
  • 🏨 Best Western Hotel Artdeco
• Day 15 — Depart Rome Airport (FCO) ✈️ 9/26/26
  • Tax Refund – The VAT
  • Airport Lounges at FCO
  • Return Flights ✈️
    • Groups 1, 2, 4, 5

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Italy Itinerary – Days 1 to 15

Curated by Cerchio Travel

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Flights and Venice Hotel

Day 1 – Depart for Italy ✈

Date: Sat. 9/12/26
Group 1 – 🛫 Depart Philadelphia on AA714 at 7:45 pm | 🛬 Venice (VCE) at 9:55 am

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Day 2 – Arrive in Venice ✈

Date: Sun. 9/13/26
Hotel: Hotel Cavalletto e Doge Orseolo, Venice (Night 1/3)

Venice – Three Nights

Lagoon city, canals, Murano glass, and soft landings in Italy.

Click here for a comparison of the neighborhoods of Venice.

Airport to Hotel

There are several choices for transfer from the airport to your Venice hotel: private transfer or shared transfer (advance booking) or book on arrival, and public water bus.

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Hotel Cavalletto & Doge Orseolo is a historic 4-star hotel in the heart of Venice, located just 50 meters from St. Mark’s Square and overlooking the iconic Orseolo Basin. This central Venice hotel offers 107 Venetian-style rooms, many with romantic gondola-filled basin views, making it an ideal choice if you are seeking convenience and authentic charm. It is in an unbeatable location behind Piazza San Marco, with easy access to Venice’s top attractions.

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Day 3 – Venice

Date: Mon. 9/14/26
Hotel: Hotel Cavalletto e Doge Orseolo, Venice (Night 2/3)
Murano Glass experience and time to explore Venice at your own pace.

⚠️ Dress Code: All individuals must cover their shoulders and knees to enter holy sites. It is acceptable to bring extra coverings to put on just before entering. The tour operator is not responsible for anyone denied entry.

This full-day Venice experience blends the city’s most iconic landmarks with the feel of everyday Venetian life, creating a seamless introduction for first-time visitors. You’ll begin by exploring the Rialto district, crossing the famous Rialto Bridge and wandering through the bustling fish and produce markets that have anchored local culture for centuries. A traditional gondola ride along the Grand Canal and its quieter side waterways offers a peaceful change of pace before the afternoon’s landmark visits. With pre-reserved, skip-the-ticket-line entry, you’ll step inside the shimmering St. Mark’s Basilica and continue into the Doge’s Palace, where grand halls, political history, and the Bridge of Sighs bring Venice’s past vividly to life. The small-group format and expert guide help tie the day together, making it an efficient and engaging way to experience the city’s essential highlights.

Open the Map

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Day 4 – Venice

Date: Tue. 9/15/26
Hotel: Hotel Cavalletto e Doge Orseolo, Venice (Night 3/3)
Free day in Venice for canals, museums, and hidden neighborhoods (custom touring as arranged).

🚤 Murano & Burano Islands Guided Small-Group Tour by Private Boat

Tue. 9/15/26 at 9:30 AM – Arrive 15 minutes early

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Day 5 – Venice to Florence 🚄

Date: Wed. 9/16/26
Hotel: Loggiato dei Serviti, Florence (Night 1/3) – Check in 2:00 pm
High-speed train from Venice to Florence.
Hold luggage prior to check-in and an evening at leisure in the Renaissance city.

Florence – Three Nights

Renaissance art, Chianti day trips, and easy rail connections.

Venezia Santa Lucia Station Guide

Taxi to Your Florence Hotel

The main taxi stand for Santa Maria Novella (SMN) station in Florence is located outside the main entrance, near the Piazza Adua side. As you exit the main entrance of the train station, you’ll find the official taxi stand right outside in Piazza della Stazione. Look for the line of white taxis with official markings. Avoid accepting rides from individuals inside the station offering taxi services, as they may not be licensed.

How to Get a Taxi

• Walk to the taxi stand—taxis operate on a first-come, first-served basis.
• Hop into the next available taxi—no need to negotiate fares, as taxis in Florence use meters.
• Provide your destination—if needed, show the driver the address in Italian for clarity.
• Confirm payment options—most taxis accept cash and credit cards, but it’s good to check before starting your ride.
• Long taxi queue? You can call a taxi service like Taxi Merci Firenze (website) or 4390 Taxi Firenze (website). Alternatively, apps like Uber, ItTaxi or FreeNow allow you to book a taxi in advance. Florence Taxis Stands (map and list).
  • A short ride within Florence’s historic center typically costs €10–€20.
  • There may be extra charges for luggage, late-night rides, or trips outside the city.
  • Tipping isn’t required, but rounding up the fare is appreciated.

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The elegant rooms offer period furniture, Wi-Fi, flat-screen TVs with satellite channels, and desks. They also come with minibars. Breakfast is served in a casual dining room. Other amenities include a low-key bar, a TV room and a lobby lounge.

Laundry at Hotel Loggiato Dei Servitti

Hotel Loggiato dei Serviti can send out your laundry. You will find a list with prices for each item and a plastic bag in your room. The service is available Monday to Saturday. You can leave the bag at the reception desk before 10am (on Saturday before 9am) and it will be returned in the afternoon. You can also choose to launder your own clothes at a laundromat.

🧼 Nearest Public Laundry Options

Express Wash Laundry Point

📍 Via degli Alfani, 2 — 3 minutes from Loggiato dei Serviti ⭐ 3.9 (76 reviews) ⏰ Opens 7 AM This is the closest laundromat to the hotel — basically around the corner.

Caution: Bring change – some reviews state the bill changer dispenses tokens good only at the laundry.

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Stanza Segreta – Florence
6:00 PM, September 16, 2026

TICKETS ARE VERY LIMITED (6 left) TO THE “SECRET ROOM”
Let me know ASAP if you want me to book you.
32€ per person

🎟️Booked for 9/16/26 for 3:00 pm Entry (MAA)
🎟️ Booked for 9/16/26 for 6:00 Entry (SP)

Stanza Segreta at Piazza di Madonna degli Aldobrandini 6, right beside the Medici Chapels. The timing gives you an easy walk from Hotel Loggiato dei Serviti and a moment to enjoy the quiet energy of the square before stepping inside this rare space.

Michelangelo’s secret refuge was uncovered in 1975, when Paolo Dal Poggetto, director of the Medici Chapel Museum, peeled back plaster during restoration and found the walls alive with the artist’s own sketches. Dal Poggetto believed Michelangelo had hidden in this cramped seven‑meter chamber for nearly two months, fleeing Medici vengeance after taking the opposing side in Florence’s political struggle. As the city fell under siege in 1529–1530 and the Medici prepared to reclaim power, Michelangelo slipped into this concealed room beneath the New Sacristy of San Lorenzo—leaving behind a private diary of drawings made in the dark.

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Your combo ticket includes full access to the Medici Chapels, the monumental burial complex of the Medici family inside the Basilica di San Lorenzo. Long the parish and resting place of the dynasty, the museum leads you through the richly decorated Cappella dei Principi, the family crypt, and the New Sacristy—Michelangelo’s sculptural masterpiece created for Lorenzo and Giuliano de’ Medici, and one of the defining works of the Italian Renaissance.

The Medici Chapels Museum (Cappella dei Principi, crypt, New Sacristy) operates on general admission, so you may enter at any time during opening hours. Because the Secret Room is located within the same museum complex, you’re already inside the Medici Chapels before or after your timed entry slot. You simply visit through the main spaces at your own pace, typically 45–60 minutes, moving from Medici grandeur to the artistry that shaped their legacy.

🧭 Walking Directions

• Exit Hotel Loggiato dei Serviti onto Piazza della Santissima Annunziata.
• Walk straight toward Via dei Servi, the main street leading toward the Duomo.
• Turn right onto Via dei Servi and continue toward the cathedral.
• At the Duomo square, continue straight onto Via dei Cerretani.
• Follow Via dei Cerretani as it becomes Via Panzani.
• Turn right onto Via del Giglio (you’ll see signs for the Medici Chapels).
• Continue straight into Piazza di Madonna degli Aldobrandini.
• Number 6 is on the right side of the square, near the Medici Chapels entrance.

Walking time: 10–15 minutes.

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🎟️ Sept. 16, 2026 | 4:00 pm Timed Entry

🎟️Timed Entry for 6:45 pm on 9/16/26 Giotto’s Bell Tower

Walking from Stanza Segreta (Piazza di Madonna degli Aldobrandini 6) to Giotto’s Bell Tower (Campanile di Giotto) is quick and straightforward. It’s about 450 meters and takes 5–7 minutes on foot through the historic center.

Giotto’s Bell Tower: The ascent is along a stairway of 414 steps and there is no elevator. The climb is strongly NOT recommended for people with cardiovascular, respiratory diseases, vertigo, claustrophobia, and pregnant women. Holders of Giotto Pass must access the time slot chosen at the purchase to climb Giotto’s Bell Tower (not modifiable). The entry time to the Bell Tower is the start time of the booked timeslot.

• The recommended duration for the visit is approximately 45 minutes.
• It is MANDATORY to leave suitcases, backpacks, parcels, containers and large and medium-sized bags and other types of objects in the Luggage Storage (Piazza Duomo n. 38/r). 🔗More details on rules for visiting.

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Other Giotto Pass Inclusions

Baptistery: Access from the North Door; NB. Visitors are advised that the Baptistery is undergoing restoration of the mosaics of the vault, which are not visible. Every first Sunday of the month the Baptistery closes at 1:30pm.

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Opera del Duomo Museum: Access from Piazza del Duomo n. 9. The Museum is closed every first Tuesday of the month.

Santa Reparata: Access from the Cathedral’s “Porta Campanile” (beside Bell Tower): this entrance is valid also to visit the Cathedral. 🔗 Click for my post on the ancient Church.

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Cathedral free entry: Monday-Saturday 10.15am – 3.45pm. Closed on Sundays and during religious holidays. Visitors are reminded that clothing appropriate for a place of worship is required to enter the Cathedral: access is not permitted with bare legs and shoulders.

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Day 6 – Florence (Tuscany Day Trip)

Date: Thu. 9/17/26
Hotel: Loggiato dei Serviti, Florence (Night 2/3)
Tour: Florence: Tuscany Grand Tour-Siena, San Gimignano, Chianti & Pisa

Please be at the meeting point 15 minutes before the scheduled departure time.

This small‑group Tuscany tour hits Siena, San Gimignano, Chianti, and Pisa in one efficient day, combining a guided walk in Siena, free time in two medieval towns, and a Tuscan lunch with wine tasting before ending at the Leaning Tower.

Read more about – Florence: Tuscany Grand Tour-Siena, San Gimignano, Chianti & Pisa

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🍷 Rosso Crudo: A Florence Favorite Worth Savoring

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Day 7 – Florence (Free Day) 🖼️

Date: Fri. 9/18/26
Hotel: Loggiato dei Serviti, Florence (Night 3/3)
Uffizi Galleries, Vasari Corridor, Museums, shopping, and exploring.

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Ufizzi Gallery (website)

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Vasari Corridor Immediately after Uffizi Tour

Access to the Vasari Corridor at 11:15 am (map & rules)
Visits to the Gallery of Statues and Paintings must be made 2 hours before entry to the Vasari Corridor. It takes approximately 45 minutes to reach the Corridor entrance from the Gallery.

PLEASE NOTE
For the Vasari Corridor, please ensure you are on time at Meeting Point D19.
Once the visit has started, latecomers will no longer be allowed to join the group.

The Vasari Corridor offers a rare walk through Florence’s hidden history—a raised passageway built in 1565 to let the Medici move unseen between the Uffizi and Palazzo Pitti. Reopened after decades, it now leads visitors along a quiet, elevated route over the Ponte Vecchio and through centuries of art and power. The visit moves in a single direction and typically lasts about an hour, giving you a striking, behind‑the‑scenes view of the city that once belonged to the Medici alone.

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Amalfi Coast

Cliffside villages, sea views, and time to unwind.

Day 8 – Florence to Sorrento 🚄

Date: Sat. 9/19/26
Travel from Florence to the Amalfi Coast via train to Naples and onward coastal transfer.
Hotel: Hotel Il Faro (Night 1/4)
OPTIONS: Things to Do on the Amalfi Coast

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🏨 Hotel Il Faro – Sorrento (booked)

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Day 9 – Amalfi Coast / Sorrento

Date: Sun. 9/20/26
Hotel: Hotel Il Faro (Night 2/4)
Private driver for a day along the Amalfi Coast

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Mondo Guide – Endorsed by Rick Steves
Day Trip Options

• Capri and Pompeii Full-Day Small-Group Tour from Sorrento $200 per person
• Pompeii, Herculaneum and Vesuvius Wine Tasting with Lunch Small-Group Tour from Sorrento $200 per person
• Paestum & Buffalo Mozzarella Farm Experience Private Tour for Eight $ $982.00 $122.75 per person
• Full-Day Herculaneum & the Amalfi Coast: Positano and Amalfi with 2 hour private walking tour of the ruins of Herculaneum $1,031.10 for eight.
• Pompeii Half-Day Tour with an Archaeologist and 2-hour walking tour $797.88 per group of eight.
• *Note: some of these do not include entry fees, like the €22 per person for Pompeii.

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Day 10 – Sorrento

Date: Mon. 9/21/26
Hotel: Hotel Il Faro (Night 3/4)

🎟️🚐Full day on the coast; private driver (booked)

(Positano, Amalfi, Ravello, coastal touring).

A Perfect Day on the Amalfi Coast Sorrento · Positano · Amalfi · Ravello — by Private Driver

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There is no better way to experience the Amalfi Coast than from the back seat of a private car, with a knowledgeable local driver navigating the cliffside curves while you take in one of the most breathtaking coastlines in the world. This itinerary takes you from the elegant streets of Sorrento through the iconic villages of Positano and Amalfi before climbing to the serene hilltop town of Ravello — a full day of beauty, culture, food, and unforgettable views.

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🟦 Sorrento — Your Starting Point

Begin your morning in Sorrento, a refined clifftop town perched above the Bay of Naples with views stretching to Mount Vesuvius and Capri.

What to do before departing:

• Stroll the Piazza Tasso, the lively heart of the city
• Browse the shops along Via San Cesareo for limoncello, ceramics, and inlaid woodwork
• Stop for a morning espresso and pastry at a local bar
• Visit the Chiostro di San Francesco for a quiet moment of beauty

Depart Sorrento mid-morning to give yourself maximum time in Positano and Amalfi.

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🟦 Positano — The Jewel of the Coast

Cascading down a steep hillside to a pebble beach, Positano is one of the most photographed villages in Italy — and it earns every click. Your driver will drop you at the top of the village and you’ll wind your way down through narrow lanes lined with bougainvillea, boutiques, and lemon-scented air.

What to do:

• Walk down to Spiaggia Grande, the main beach, for a swim or simply to soak in the scene
• Visit the Church of Santa Maria Assunta and its famous majolica-tiled dome
• Browse the boutiques along Via dei Mulini for locally made sandals, linen clothing, and ceramics
• Lunch at a terrace restaurant overlooking the sea — Next2, La Tagliata (just above town), or Ristorante Max are excellent choices
• Pick up a pair of custom-made Positano sandals — a local tradition

Allow 2.5 to 3 hours in Positano.

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🟦 Amalfi — History at the Water’s Edge

Once a powerful maritime republic rivaling Venice and Genoa, Amalfi punches well above its size in history, architecture, and atmosphere. Your driver drops you at the port and the town unfolds from there.

What to do:

• Climb the grand staircase to the Duomo di Amalfi (Cathedral of Sant’Andrea), one of the finest Norman-Arab-Byzantine buildings in southern Italy
• Explore the Chiostro del Paradiso, the cathedral’s stunning 13th-century cloister
• Wander the Valle dei Mulini (Valley of the Mills) — a historic paper-making valley just behind the town
• Visit the Museo della Carta (Paper Museum) — Amalfi invented a distinctive paper-making technique still used today
• Shop for locally produced limoncello, sfusato amalfitano (Amalfi lemons), and hand-painted ceramics
• Stop at Bar Gran Caffè on the main piazza for a coffee or aperitivo on the terrace
  • This bar is owned by Vince’s cousins, Marcello, Bruno

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Allow 2 to 2.5 hours in Amalfi.

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🟦 Ravello — Above the World

Perched 350 meters above the sea, Ravello is the coast’s most tranquil and refined destination — a hilltop village of villas, gardens, and extraordinary views that have inspired writers and composers for centuries. Richard Wagner, D.H. Lawrence, and Gore Vidal all called it home at various points.

What to do:

• Visit Villa Rufolo — a medieval villa with terraced gardens that drop dramatically toward the sea. Wagner was so moved by the view that he set part of Parsifal here. The gardens host the famous Ravello Festival each summer.
• Walk to Villa Cimbrone and its Terrazza dell’Infinito (Terrace of Infinity) — a belvedere lined with marble busts offering what is arguably the finest view on the entire Amalfi Coast
• Explore the Duomo di Ravello and its remarkable bronze doors and mosaic pulpit
• Wander the quiet lanes and enjoy the calm — Ravello feels a world away from the busier towns below
• Dinner in Ravello before descending — Rossellinis (fine dining), Cumpa Cosimo (beloved local trattoria), or Il Flauto di Pan at Villa Cimbrone

Allow 2 to 3 hours in Ravello — more if you linger for dinner.

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Amalfi Coast – Choice of Grotto’s?

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✨ Which One Should You Choose?

Choose Emerald Grotto if…

• You’re touring the coast with a private driver or boat.
• You’re staying in Amalfi, Praiano, or Positano
• You want a quick, scenic stop without major detours
• You prefer a calmer, less crowded experience

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Choose Blue Grotto if…

• Sea conditions are ideal
• You’re already planning a full day on Capri or are staying in Sorrento
• You don’t mind waiting for the iconic “blue light” moment
• You want the classic, world-famous grotto experience

⭐ Cerchio Travel Tip: For most Amalfi Coast itineraries, the Emerald Grotto is the more reliable and accessible choice. For Capri days, the Blue Grotto is a spectacular add-on — but only if the seas cooperate.

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Day 11 – Sorrento

Date: Tue. 9/22/26
Hotel: Hotel Il Faro (Night 4/4)

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Day 12 – Sorrento to Rome 🚐

Date: Wed. 9/23/26

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Pompeii or Herculaneum? – Which to Visit?

Option: Two Hour Private Tour of Pompeii

Leave Sorrento at 8:30 am | $1531.41 + €22 per person for Pompeii Ticket

Or you can also Transfer to Rome with a Stop in Herculaneum | $1,358.51 + € 17 per person

From Mondo Guide: Why book this transfer with sightseeing en route?
✨Maximize your time and money by conveniently visiting Pompeii along the way.
✨Door-to-door transfers with your luggage safely stored in the vehicle.
✨Transfers scheduled around your preferred time for a smooth and stress-free journey.
✨Fixed, transparent pricing with no hidden fees or unexpected charges.
✨Option to add a professional archaeologist guide for an in-depth tour of Pompeii.
❌ Pompeii entrance fee € 22 Per Person is not included.

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Rome – Three Nights

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Day 13 – Rome

Date: Thu. 9/24/26
Hotel: Best Western Hotel Artdeco (Night 2/3)
Full day in Rome for sightseeing, neighborhoods, and final Italian experiences.

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Day 14 – Rome

Date: Fri. 9/25/26
Hotel: Best Western Hotel Artdeco (Night 3/3)

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OPTIONS: Things to Do in Rome

Rome | Links for More Information

Rome with Kids – Fun things to do, what’s free, what to expect (romewise.com)

Rome Taxi- Guide to Taxi to/from airport and city center.

GetYourGuide – please book through this link.

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Day 15 – Depart Rome ✈

Date: Sat. 9/26/26

Preparing to Return – The VAT

Purchases of many articles in European Union countries are subject to a value added tax. In Italy you may see the tax on your receipt as “IVA”.

You may claim a refund of the tax on articles that will be taken home without being used in the E.U. Here is a guide for the process.

Please review this page about claiming a VAT refund at the airport in Naples.

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City by City Weather

Venice

Florence

Sorrento

Rome