this itinerary as a PDF

ROME
Ischia
Capri
Tivoli
Ninfa
Sorrento
Taormina
Siracuse
HIGHLIGHTS
GARDENS OF
Let us take you to the most
beautiful places in the world.
+ M
arvel at the power of water at the Neptune
Fountain at Villa D’Este
+ Arrive by hydrofoil to the beguiling Isle of Capri:
capricious, hedonistic and bewitching
+ Spend six nights in the lap of luxury in Sorrento,
on the Amalfi Coast
+ Discover Castel Gandolfo, summer residence
of the Pope with its grand ‘Imperial’ garden
+ R
un your hands through the limpid pools at the
romantic ruins of Giardina Ninfa
+ Walk in the footsteps of ancient Romans at
Pompeii before they were buried by Vesuvius
+ Travel in a small group and make new friends
+ Relax – we’ll take care of everything!
AND SICILY
Brand new, a trip south from Rome
to Sorrento for six nights to explore
the Amalfi Coast, Capri and Ischia
and then on to Sicily. Includes Italy’s
treasures: the remains of Pompeii, The
‘Walk of the Hundred Fountains’ at
Villa D’Este, Castel Gandolfo, summer
residence of the Pope with its ‘Imperial’
garden. And its archaeological
treasures on Sicily including Taorima’s
beautiful Greek Theatre. Be pampered
in the best hotels, showered with fine
Italian hospitality... buon appetito!
For a detailed itinerary, please visit :
www.rosstours.com/italy
TOUR LEADER
MICHAEL MCCOY
Michael is a botanist, garden
designer and garden writer who
gardens at Mount Macedon in
Victoria. His vast knowledge and
unflagging enthusiasm make
him a popular leader with Ross
Tours.
ITALY
Graham Ross, founder of Ross Garden Tours
TO BOOK PLEASE CONTACT ROYCE OR ROSLYN
1300 233 200
[email protected]
Visit our website www.rosstours.com
18 SEPTEMBER - 4 OCTOBER 2016
Italian Renaissance and Baroque gardens are
extravagant exercises in philosophy, mythology and
glorious theatre. Add the mesmerizing Amalfi Coast and
the island of Sicily with its archaeological treasures and
you have an unforgettable experience.
TOUR DETAILS
ITINERARY
DAY 1 SUN 18 SEP
SYDNEY TO ROME
Meet Michael McCoy at Sydney
airport for your flight to Rome.
DAY 2 MON 19 SEP
ROME
Our hotel in Rome for 3 nights is
the Hotel Ponte Sisto, located in the
heart of the old city, across the river
from Trastevere. Welcome Dinner
tonight in a local restaurant.
DAY 3 TUE 20 SEP
CASTEL GANDOLFO
The Pope escapes the heat of Rome
at his summer residence, Castel
Gandolfo, and that’s where we’re
headed today... it’s a treat on three
levels and we will explore it all.
DAY 4 WED 21 SEP
TIVOLI
Villa d’Este at Tivoli represents the
quintessence of the Italian High
Renaissance. The use of water, all
gravity fed, is thrilling. Nearby is
Hadrian’s Villa, built by Emperor
Hadrian in 117AD, it’s a magnificent
complex of ruins that inspired
Renaissance architects.
DAY 5 THU 22 SEP
ROME - SORRENTO
Ninfa is a garden in a ruin.
It’s a garden unlike any other,
breathtakingly beautiful, free of
people and chemicals and silent
except for bird song. Lunch in the
hill town of Norma.
Travel on to Sorrento and check in to
our luxurious Bellevue Syrene Hotel
for the next six nights overlooking
the Gulf of Naples with Mount
Vesuvius in the background.
DAY 6 FRI 23 SEP
AMALFI COAST
A day to explore the famous Amalfi
Coast, one of the most beautiful
coastlines in Europe. We’ll spend
time in Positano, Amalfi and Ravello
where we will visit two villa gardens.
DAY 7 SAT 24 SEP
CAPRI
Take a hydrofoil this morning to
the Isle of Capri. Blue skies and
turquoise water, breathtaking
views, couture shops and cafés
characterise this island paradise.
Explore Capri’s famous Blue Grotto,
a sea cave that’s bathed in a cobalt
blue light. Afternoon visit to Villa
San Michele, the dream home of the
Swedish physician, Axel Munthe.
DAY 8 SUN 25 SEP
POMPEII
The scenic coast road to Pompeii
this morning then a walking tour
of Pompeii. This ancient city was
devastated by Mt. Vesuvius in
79 AD. Excavations have made it
possible to explore and appreciate
what life in early Rome was like.
DAY 9 MON 26 SEP
NAPLES
This UNESCO listed complex awaits
us this morning outside Naples.
It’s Palazzo Reale di Caserta, a vast
Royal Park with the Aqueduct of
Vanvitelli. The English Garden is
one of the greatest, oldest and most
picturesque gardens in Europe.
DAY 10 TUE 27 SEP
ISCHIA
Today a ferry to the island of Ischia
in the Bay of Naples. Aragonese
Castle (474 B.C) is impressive
standing on its huge volcanic rock
and connected to the island by a
stone bridge. We’re heading to La
Mortella, the enchanting garden that
Sir William Walton built in a quarry
with sheer sides and no water.
DAY 11 WED 28 SEP
SORRENTO - SICILY
Fly to Catania, Sicily. First stop is
Le Stanze in Fiore Canalicchio, the
fusion garden of Rossella Pezzino.
We’ll discover her passion for plants
and hospitality. Later we’ll head to
our waterfront hotel in Taorima,
overlooking the Bay of Mazzaro.
DAY 12 THU 29 SEP
TAORIMA
The Greek Theatre is Taormina’s
famous Roman ruin, suspended
between sea and sky. We’ll spend the
afternoon in Catania where Mount
Etna dominates the city; high,
impressive and silent.
DAY 13 FRI 30 SEP
TAORIMA - SIRACUSE
We are travelling south today
to Siracuse, a treat with some
exceptional private gardens. Check
in to our luxury hotel Des Etrangers
for three nights on the harbour front
of Ortigia in the historical centre of
Syracuse.
DAY 14 SAT 1 OCT
SIRACUSE
There’s a staggering number of wellpreserved Greek and Roman ruins
here in Siracuse. The Greek Theatre
dates back to the 5th C. BC! We will
visit this, the Roman amphitheatre
and the ancient limestone quarry
(Latomia) now fragrant with lemons.
Another garden this afternoon
before our Farewell Dinner tonight.
+ OUR TOUR INCLUDES
group economy airfare with Emirates Sydney / Rome,
° Return
Naples / Catania and Catania / Sydney
° Deluxe accommodation in 4 and 5 star hotels with full breakfast
° 2 lunches and 2 dinners
° Air-conditioned coach throughout the tour
tours of Rome, Sorrento, Amalfi Coast, Capri, Ischia,
° Guided
Siracuse Sicily
fees to all gardens and sightseeing including Castel
° Entrance
Gandolfo, Villa d’Este, Villa Adrian, Ninfo Garden, Villa Cimbrone,
Villa Rufolo, Isle of Capri, Villa San Michelle, Pompeii, Caserta
Palace, Palazzo Mondo, La Mortella Garden, Castle Aragonese,
Le Strenze in Fiore Canalicchio, Villa San Giuliano, Il Biviere
+ OUR TOUR COSTS
Twin Share per person , land only
DAY 15 SUN 2 OCT
(Airfare valid until 29 April 2016)
SICILY - HOME
It’s a relaxed breakfast this morning
as we have the morning free before
our transfer to Catania airport for
our flight to Rome and onward
connection.
Single Supplement DAY 16 MON 3 OCT
INFLIGHT
DAY 17 TUE 4 OCT
ARRIVE HOME
$11,795
Twin Share per person, including air $14,295
$3,295
+ DISCOUNTS
Early Bird $300 (pay in full before 13 May 2016)
Previous Traveller $100
Garden Clinic Member $50
All prices in Australian Dollars. Price based on minimum 15 passengers. Departure from Sydney. Price
from other ports available on application. Group meals do not include beverages. Please refer to Ross
Garden Tours standard terms & conditions. Ask us about other sightseeing and travel arrangements
including pre and post tour accommodation, transfers, stopovers and other tours.