For Questions & Reservations Contact:
Christine Gardner
903-922-9209 or 903-729-9500
TASTE ITALY ON A CHEF-GUIDED TOUR!
Culinary Travels with
Christine Gardner & Simon Webster
PRIVATE VILLA * EXCLUSIVE TOURS
PERSONAL CHEFS * SMALL GROUP
PRIVATE DRIVERS * PERSONAL SERVICE
8 DAY/7NIGHT ITINERARY
SEPTEMBER 2024 PRINTABLE ITINERARY HERE
Villa Location: Positano
Ladies Only in this group. Maximum 10.
Please inquire for exact dates trip.
Dates are not published for privacy reasons.
SEPTEMBER 2024 ITINERARY
DAY 1: BENVENUTO ALLA DOLCE VITA!
Members of our group rendezvous at our private villa in Positano during the afternoon.
(Additional information regarding transport to the villa will be provided at time of reservation.)
Upon arrival you will have time to relax at the villa and get settled. See photos of villa below.
For our evening meal, a local chef will create a multi-course authentic Neapolitan dinner. We’ll enjoy a family style Italian meal on the terrace of our villa overlooking beautiful Positano.
MORE DETAILS ABOUT OUR VILLA:
Our villa is located on the main road in Central Positano. You’ll enjoy breathtaking views of the city of Positano, sparkling sea, beach and marina.
Built in 1906, the villa was originally Positano’s first art gallery and was constructed by one of the noble families of Italy. The villa spreads out over three levels and is connected by an elevator that reaches from street level to each floor of the villa. There are multiple kitchens to service the different levels, a pool, two jacuzzis, fitness room, spa room and numerous living areas and balconies where you can relax and enjoy the view.
Amenities include daily breakfast, air conditioning, parking garage, wi-fi and handcrafted toiletries made with wine from the villa owner’s vineyard. We will also have a supply of wine from their vineyard to enjoy at the villa. To see more villa photos, click here.
DAY 2:
POSITANO & PRAIANO
Today is a day of free time in Positano. There are many historical sites in the area, trails for hiking, shopping or great spots to relax on the beach. In the evening, vans will arrive to take us to the tiny town of Praiano – on the opposite side of Positano. We’ll have dinner at a well-known trattoria located in the courtyard of the famous Church of San Gennaro. This scenic terrace offers some of the most beautiful views along the Amalfi Coast. (Additional cost for this day: Lunch in Positano. Personal expenses.) Click here for more photos of Positano.
DAY 3:
PRIVATE BOAT TO CAPRI
After breakfast we walk down to the Positano marina to catch our private boat to Capri. This excursion lasts about 8 hours. Beverages & snacks are provided on the boat. The boat is very comfortable with ample deck space, seating and a bathroom. Along the way you will see part of the Amalfi Coast before you begin to see the Faraglioni rocks of the “blue island” of Capri. Our cruise takes us through the famous grottos and around Capri to admire the beautiful island.
Capri is divided between two sides of the island, Capri and Anacapri. We arrive in Marina Grande and you can take a taxi to either side. On the Capri side is La Piazetta and Via Camarelle where there is a lot of shopping, alleyways and great restaurants. You can also visit the Augustus Gardens, stroll the Pizzolungo trail to the natural Arch or tour the ancient Roman ruins of Tiberius' villas. On the Anacapri side, you can also take the chairlift to the top of Monte Solaro, visit the Church of St Michele Arcangelo (hand-painted floor depicting Adam and Eve and the Garden of Eden) and Villa San Michele.
We will meet back at the marina later that afternoon. After returning to Positano, enjoy dinner on your own. Plenty of great restaurants near the villa or in the center of Positano. (Additional cost for this day: Lunch in Capri. Dinner in Positano. Taxi in Capri.)
DAY 4:
AMALFI COAST TOUR
This all-day excursion will take us on a driving tour of the scenic Amalfi Coast. Our first stop is the seaside city of Amalfi where you can tour the famous Duomo, browse the harbor & visit the unique shops. We then drive up into the Lattari mountains near Tramonti. The ancient vines in this area are cultivated by the winemakers of Tenuta San Franceso. We will tour the vineyard, learn about their production and enjoy a tasting and lunch.
We’ll come back down the mountains to the city of Ravello. This quaint village is home to two medieval villas – Rufolo and Cimbrone. You will have free time in Ravello for exploring. The excursion ends with a visit to one of the largest ceramic stores on the Amalfi Coast where you’ll find beautiful Italian ceramics in dozens of patterns. When we return to the villa everyone is free to dine on their own in Positano. (Additional cost for this day: Dinner in Positano. Personal expenses during excursion.)
DAY 5:
SORRENTO VISIT & PIZZA MAKING EXPERIENCE
On this day, the drivers take us to Sorrento for exploring, shopping or relaxing at the beach club. Choose your favorite spot to enjoy lunch with a view of Mt. Vesuvius & the Bay of Naples or visit the alleyways of shops that are filled with treasures. Later in the afternoon we go to a beautiful agriturisimo to have a pizza cooking class. You will learn to make this official Neapolitan classic and we will have dinner on the terrace of their stunning garden. (Additional cost for this day: Lunch in Sorrento.)
DAY 6:
HISTORY OF PASTA & MT. VESUVIUS VINEYARDS
Today we visit Gragnano: Citta dei Pasta. In this valley, the purest wheat grows and becomes flour for pasta and pizza. We will visit a historic family-owned pasta making factory.
Learning about the grain grown at the base of the Lattari Mountains will help you understand why the purity of the wheat and flour from this area is like no other in the world. We’ll learn the history of the industry and pasta-making techniques that have been passed down for centuries. Lunch will be prepared featuring some of the factory’s specialty pastas.
After the pasta factory, we will visit two Mt. Vesuvius vineyards. The first vineyard is the family estate of our villa owner and maker of the wonderful wine we’ll be enjoying at the villa all week. The second is our friends at Cantina del Vesuvio who will welcome us with a wine tasting, tour and dessert. Also, a chance to relax in their cantina and take in the amazing views of Vesuvius. When we return to the villa you have the remainder of the evening to enjoy a nightcap or late dinner in Positano. (No additional costs on this day.)
DAY 7:
FREE TIME
On this day there are no planned group excursions. Spend the day enjoying the incredible views and amazing scenery of Positano & the Amalfi Coast. You are free to plan your own excursion, relax by the pool, visit the beach, or stroll through Positano.
Other possible activities include massages at the villa, lunch at recommended restaurants or visit to other Amalfi Coast locations. We will rendezvous at the villa in the evening for a farewell dinner prepared by Chef Simon.(Additional cost: Added excursions, lunch, personal expenses. Assistance is available for arranging whatever activity you choose.)
DAY 8:
DEPART FROM POSITANO
Everyone departs the villa by 10am. Breakfast will be available before everyone heads out to fly home or visit other destinations.
(Group transportation to Naples airport or train station is provided. Assistance with travel to other destinations is available. Rome transfer is available for an additional fee.)
RESERVATION & PRICE DETAILS:
This itinerary is for Positano September 2024
Printable Itinerary Here
Dates are not published for privacy reasons.
Contact us for exact dates.
(EMAIL for inquiries about private groups or other trips.)
Please be advised, the terrain of the Amalfi Coast area and many locations visited on this tour are not advised for those with limited mobility. This tour requires a great deal of walking. Most locations visited are not handicap accessible and involve stairs, inclines and uneven cobblestone pavement. This tour is not advised for those who are unsteady on their feet, have difficulty walking or mobility concerns.
6250 euros per person includes double occupancy accommodations, group excursions, group scheduled transport from Naples to and from villa, group meals, wine at villa and other designated activities.
(Airfare not included. Does not include some meals, as indicated in itinerary.)
Cost in dollars is calculated at current exchange rate. At publication $1.08/1 euro = $6750.
Final price will be calculated based on exchange rate at time of final payment, plus 2% for bank fees.
$2500 deposit due upon reservation, per person.
($500 nonrefundable service charge for cancellation, per person.)
Balance due 180 days from departure. Cancellation after balance is paid is 100% non-refundable.
(Participants are advised to purchase travel insurance. Additional payment/cancellation details provided in travel agreement.)
Itinerary is subject to change due to unforeseen circumstances.
When changes occur, we work to achieve the same level of service and offer better or similar excursions.
For Questions & Reservations Contact:
Christine Gardner
903-922-9209