Merrimack College Alumni and Friends
and
House
Of Travel
present
The
Amalfi Coast & The Isle of Capri
April 22-
April 29, 2006
Join us for our annual adventure! Terry Monahan '66, owner
of the
House
Of Travel,
will again personally escort this year's tour. This trip promises to be the
best yet but space is limited so call today to reserve your space!
Here’s our day by day itinerary:
Day 1 –
Saturday - April 22, 2006
USA - Italy. Depart USA for
overnight flight to Naples. Dinner is served shortly after take-off. So, sit
back and relax and enjoy the in-flight entertainment.
Day 2 – Sunday - April 23, 2006
Morning arrival at Naples Airport where after clearing
customs we are greeted by our Tour Manager. Transfer via motorcoach to
Sorrento. Afternoon at leisure in beautiful Sorrento.

In the lanes of the old city centre, still untouched
have survived churches and ancient monasteries, keepers of valuable memories.
Centuries old palaces and Durazzo portals evidence the splendour of the noble
families of Sorrento. Via S. Cesareo, the lively "decumanus", is the beating
heart of the town, with its many-coloured shops, where tourists from every
part of the world crowd. But the real architectonic jewel of the town is the
fourteenth century Cloister of San Francesco, with crossed tuff arches of
Arabian derivation, where the traditional concerts of the "Estate Musicale
Sorrentina" take place.
Sorrento Peninsula has a landscape unique in the world, where low and high
hills, deep valleys and majestic mountains alternate, where the Man’s work -
who leveled even the most impervious areas, transforming them in the famous
terraces degrading towards the sea, on which he cultivated orange and lemon
trees, olive groves and vineyards - has been grandiose. These are the
delight’s gardens that in springtime exhale a stirring scent of orange -
blossom. The mild and dry climate for most part of the year makes Sorrento
Peninsula the ideal destination in every season.
We celebrate our first day in Italy together with dinner at our hotel.
The Grand Hotel de la Ville. (or similar ****)
Day 3 –
Monday - April 24, 2006
After breakfast at our hotel this morning we visit
Pompei.
The ruins of Pompeii are for all who love archaeology and history. The city,
once a thriving town for wealthy Romans was completely buried when Mount
Vesuvius erupted in 79 A.D. Pompeii is considered the most magnificent and
important archaeological site in world. The ruins give a unique view into the
lives of ancient Romans. Included are amphitheatres, baths, mosaics, statues,
shops, temples, homes, paintings and statues. Visiting the ruins will whisk
you back in time to Ancient Rome and a lost civilization.
The Forum of
Pompeii seen through the Samnite
portico with Mt. Vesuvius in the distance.

Afternoon and evening at leisure in Sorrento
Within the ancient walls of the town, between the fragrance of the first
blossoming orange groves and the light of the landscape that enchanted the
travelers of the Grand Tour, revive monuments, churches, and evidences of an
ancient civilization.

Overnight Sorrento.
Day 4 –
Tuesday - April 25, 2006
After breakfast we say goodbye to
Sorrento and travel to Positano for our ferry to the Isle of Capri.

After enjoying the sights and sounds of Capri we gather together for dinner at
our hotel.
La Residenza (or Similar ****)
Day 5 –
Wednesday - April 26, 2006
This morning after breakfast we enjoy a boat trip around
Capri with afternoon and evening at leisure.
The round trip of the island by boat starts from Marina Grande, from the small
jetty crossing the harbor wharf. Traveling west, we flank the beach of Marina
Grande and of Bagni di Tiberio. The next stretch of coastline consist of the
high calcareous cliff with fissures and grottoes covered by lush, indigenous
vegetation.After passing Punta Gradola, we reach the Blue Grotto.
About 200 m. further to the east, below the Cathusian monastery of San Giacomo,
we find the Dark Grotto, access to which was obstructed by a landslide, that
it the tower guarding the Chartusian monastery in 1808. A little further on,
in a small protected inlet, lies the grotto known as the Sailors‘s Hotel,
which was used by fishermen as a shelter during sudden storms.
After rounding Punta di Tragara with the Faraglioni rocks, we soon arrive at
the small harbor of Tragara. The solitary rock on the opposite side is known
as the Monacone.
Proceeding towards Cala del Fico, in front of Punta Massullo, on which Villa
Malaparte stands, and after rounding Cala di Matermania, at the foot of the
large amphitheatre covered in greenery, we reach the White Grotto and the
Marvelous Grotto. One can be reached from the sea, and the other by steps with
a landing stage. They both provide extraordinary light effects due to the
reflections of the water on the weird stalactite formations.

Overnight Capri.
Day 6 –
Thursday - April 27, 2006
After breakfast we journey back
to the mainland to start our day long excursion of the scenic Amalfi Coast.
Nowhere do colors shine with such different, clear tones as on the Amalfi
Coast, which has always attracted visitors of the greatest prestige. The
villages scattered along the coast bewitch every visitor, even the most
astute. Here everything becomes symbolic: the earth rich in citrus groves, the
sea with the most incredible shades of blue and green, the enchanting beaches,
the little islands, the clumps of white, pink and yellow cottages gathered
round the tiny harbors. Its charm lies not only in the places themselves but
also in their history, which has left important traces in art: here you can
find some of the finest churches, villas and monasteries.

Evening at leisure. Overnight Hotel Panarama in Maiori
Day 7 –
Friday - April 28, 2006
" After breakfast this morning we take a lovely drive
along the coast and on the highway to Caserta.
The monumental complex at Caserta, created by the Bourbon king Charles III in
the mid-18th century to rival Versailles and the Royal Palace in Madrid, is
exceptional for the way in which it brings together a magnificent palace with
its park and gardens, as well as natural woodland, hunting lodges and a silk
factory. It is an eloquent expression of the Enlightenment in material form,
integrated into, rather than imposed on, its natural setting.
The Reggia di Caserta, designed by Vanvitelli, with its Park and English
Garden, was built in the mid 18th century by order of the king of Naples, who
wanted it to rival the Palace of Versailles. Vanvitelli, the most famous
architect of the period, accepted the challenge, and today it is one of the
most visited of Italian monuments, and is an interesting example of a royal
residence.
Vanvitelli's genius is evident in the architecture of the imposing complex.
Next we ascend to Mount Cassino and visit the renowned Abbey bombed during the
second World War and entirely rebuilt in the same style soon after. The Monte
Cassino Monastery was founded by St. Benedict about 529 of the Christian Era
on the remnants of a preexisting Roman fortification of the municipium Casinum.
The heathen cult was still practiced on this mountain site in the temple of
Apollo and in a nearby holy grove to which a sacrifice area was adjoining.
Montecassino became famous for the prodigious life and the sepulcher of its
Founder. Through the ages, the abbey was looked upon as a place of holiness,
culture and art for which it became renowned on world-wide level.
 
Many additions and embellishments were made during reconstruction so that the
abbey acquired the greatness and imposingness it conserved until February 15,
1944, during the final stage of world war II when Montecassino happened to be
on the firing line between two armies.
Tonight we enjoy our Farewell Dinner at our hotel. Overnight Amalfi
Coast.
Day 8 –
Saturday- April 29th, 2006
After breakfast we start our journey and take with us
lasting memories of one of the most beautiful regions of the world.
Transfer to Naples airport for our flights to Boston.
$2299
per person based on double occupancy.
International Air Taxes Additional.
Please
contact
Tiphany
at House Of Travel, Newburyport, 172 State Street,
978-465-4100 for questions and arrangements.
Book
this trip!
Inquiries
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