Here We Come! | Italy | Sept. 4, 2022

Day 1 – Departing Greater Cincinnati Airport (Sunday 9/4/22)

Departing CVG

Arriving in Rome (FCO) for a layover

Day 2 – Arriving in Bari, Italy (Monday 9/5/22)

Bari, Italy

Departing Bari, Italy Cruise Port for Corfu, Greece; Dubrovnik, Croatia, then on to Venice, Italy

Day 2-3 (Monday 9/5/22 – Tuesday 9/6/22)

Bari, Italy


Day 4 (Wednesday 9/7/22)

Corfu, Greece

Corfu Hop-on Hop-off City Sightseeing Bus Tour – All Day

With your day pass for this hop-on hop-off tour you’ll learn about Corfu’s history and the city’s top attractions with the aid of multi-lingual commentary available in 8 languages. On the 60-minute Kanoni route you’ll pass by most of the city’s landmarks and monuments. Your ticket gives you the flexibility to explore the city’s sights at your leisure and at your own pace. Sights you’ll see include the Old Town, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Old Fortress and New Fortress, and the Palace of St. Michael and St. George. Admire the Venetian mansions and the water-colored buildings with their characteristic ochre color. See Pontikonisian Island the Panagia Vlaherna Monastery. Explore the many alleyways and narrow streets, gardens, and beautiful squares such as Bosketo and Spianada. Admire the architecture of the churches, theaters, museums, and imposing mansions. In the commercial center you’ll find many unique shops, as well as numerous cafés, bars and restaurants.

Tour Stops: Kanoni Tour

Stop 1 – Corfu New Port – Main Gate Stop 2 – Kanoni
Stop 3 – Mon Repo Palace
Stop 4 – Anemomylos
Stop 5 – Spianada Square
Stop 6 – Spilia Square
Stop 7 – Old Port


Day 5 (Thursday 9/8/22)

Dubrovnik: Blue Cave & Sunj Beach Boat Tour with Drinks – 10 am (4 hours)

Take a boat tour of the highlights of the Elaphiti Islands. Soak up the sun on Sunj beach and swim through the magnificent Three Green Caves and Blue Cave of Kolocep Island. Enjoy unlimited drinks and hearty snacks on board your boat as well as hotel transfer.

Be picked up from your accommodation and delivered to your boat in Dubrovnik port. Receive a safety briefing from your skipper and then set sail for the stunning Elaphiti Islands. 

First stop is the glorious Sunj beach on the island of Lopud. Here, you will be dropped off for a fantastic shore swimming experience. Explore the warm waters of the stunning lagoon before climbing back aboard your boat.

Next stop is Kolocep Island, where you’ll swim through the natural wonder of the Three Green Caves. Before heading back to shore, stop off at the famous Blue Cave and feel like you’re entering a forgotten paradise as you swim through its crystal clear waters. Book here.

Dubrovnik: The Ultimate Game of Thrones Tour – 4 pm (2 hours)

Immerse yourself in the city of ‘King’s Landing’ with a guided tour of Dubrovnik’s famous sights, as seen in Game of Thrones. Explore Westeros’ capital city with local guides, who will take you to the most famous filming locations and let you in on the secrets of its production. Instantly recognize where parts of the story played out while your guide shares anecdotes and shows you iconic images from the series. Visit the impressive Lovrijenac Fortress (Red Keep) and admire the seemingly endless fortified walls where Tyrion Lannister and Varys took a stroll. See the Pile Gate where King Joffrey was faced with a citizens’ riot and was pelted with dung or put yourself into the shoes of Cercei as she was taking her walk of shame through the city. Listen to the behind-the-scenes stories and as your guide may well have been a Game of Thrones extra or stand-in and have the opportunity to take a photo on the famous iron throne!

The Walls of Dubrovnik website has some information on the city, including Games of Throne tours. Rick Steves also has information on the city.


Day 6 (Friday 9/9/22) At Sea

The MSC Fantasia


Days 7-8 (Saturday 9/10/22- Sunday 9/11/22)


Days 9-10 (Monday 9/12/22- Tuesday 9/13/22)

Rome

Tuesday 9/13/22- Dinner at Trattoria Veccia Roma at 8 pm

The menu.

Vatican: Museums & Sistine Chapel – 10 am Tuesday

Take a stirring journey through art and religious history with skip-the-ticket-line entry to the Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel. Avoid the long ticket lines and then enjoy your visit at your own pace.  Wander through the Greek Cross Gallery to see elaborately-carved sarcophagi that might just contain the earthly remains of some of antiquity’s famous kings and queens.

Peek at the Cabinet of the Masks, or tour the Sala degli Animali to see a virtual menagerie of fantastic beasts, real and imagined. Walk the Upper Galleries, including the Gallery of Maps, to see how cartographers depicted the world through the ages.

See masterpieces by Renaissance masters in the Raphael Rooms, and rest for a while in the Borgia Apartments. Then, it’s time to marvel at Michelangelo’s exquisite Sistine Chapel, the crown jewel of the Vatican, and perhaps even of all the world’s art treasures.

Rome: Castel Sant’Angelo with Reserved Ticket – 4 pm Tuesday

Discover the history of this mausoleum-turned-museum with skip-the-line, hosted access. Located on the right bank of the Tiber only a short distance from the Vatican City, the Castel Sant’Angelo is an ancient fortress with centuries of history. Explore the museum’s seven floors to discover an extensive collection of ancient artifacts and perfectly preserved frescoes from the Renaissance period. Built in 135 AD for the Roman Emperor Hadrian, the building has played an important part in Rome’s architectural history. Climb the spiral staircase to reach the Chamber of Ashes where a number of historical figures were incarcerated, before continuing up to visit the Papal Residence. Immerse yourself in the stories of each different room as you admire the art within. Finish your experience with a panoramic view over Rome and the River Tiber from the castle terrace. A great opportunity to take some photos of the Ponte Sant’Angelo bridge, also known as the Bridge of Angels.

Click here for some history on the Castel.

Dinner at Veccia Roma (menu) – 8 pm – Tuesday – Our antipasto on my last visit.

Days 11-13 (Wed. 9/14/22 – Thur. 9/15/22 – Frid. 9/16/22)

The Amalfi Coast


Need transportation? Mimmo Taxi is the #1 taxi in Amalfi, literally! Look for the white van with taxi license #1 on the rear. If my cousin Mimmo’s taxi isn’t available, Marcello in the white van with taxi #5 can provide you with excellent service.

Shopping at Il Ninfeo Ceramic Shop
Shopping at Destination Amalfi
Lunch on Bar Gran Cafe’s Terrace
Dinner at Lo Smeraldino
Dinner and Dessert at Sal de Riso in Minori
Lunch at Donna Sofia Ristorante

Days 14-15 (Saturday 9/17/22 – Sunday 9/18/22)

Felitto

B&B Al Vicolo del Cilento – The breakfast pastries from my last visit.

Days 16-17 (Monday 9/19/22 – Tuesday 9/20/22)

Rome

Days 18 (Wednesday 9/21/22) Depart Rome, Italy

Day 19 (Thursday 9/22/22) Arriving at Greater Cincinnati Airport


Contact Vince to plan your unforgettable trips.