ACA: Amalfi ~ The Divine Coast - TRIP CURRENTLY FULL/WAITLISTED

TRIP CURRENTLY FULL - WAITLIST ONLY

Download the ACA: Amalfi ~ The Divine Coast brochure!

From $2,995 per person based on double occupancy, not including air and V.A.T.
Operated by Alumni Holidays International (AHI)

View photos from last year's trip

Itinerary
Day 1 : In Transit North America to Naples, Italy
Depart for Naples, Italy aboard scheduled jet service, which is provided for Air Program participants. Travelers participating in the AHI Travel Air Program will enjoy advanced seat assignments on most airlines, air price guarantee including all fuel surcharges, airport and airline taxes, arrival and departure transfers including baggage handling, and many other benefits.

Day 2 : Vietri sul Mare
Arrive in Naples. Air Program passengers will be met by an AHI Travel Representative in the arrivals hall. Other passengers who arranged independent flights through AHI and are able to join the group transfer and Land Program passengers who have purchased a transfer from AHI should check the flight arrivals monitor and proceed to the group flight arrivals hall to join the awaiting AHI Travel Representative.
Transfer to the deluxe Hotel Raito, situated high above the town. (Provided for Air Program participants only.) All guest rooms have views of the spectacular coast.

At your hotel, room keys will be distributed and luggage will be delivered directly to your room. Your AHI Campus Director will be with your throughout your journey to handle all program logistics and to assist with sightseeing arrangements, dinner reservations, shopping suggestions and more.
This evening, join your fellow travelers for a festive Welcome Reception and Dinner accompanied by local wine.

Day 3 : Mozzarella Farm and Paestum
Excursion: Mozzarella Producer and Paestum.
Visit a local farm where mozzarella is produced from the milk of water buffalo. Participate in a tour, followed by a tasting. Continue to Paestum, site of the most beautiful and well-preserved examples of Greek architecture outside of Greece. The Temples of Hera and the Temple of Athena are part of what have made this place a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Lunch is served at a local restaurant overlooking the temples.

Educational Focus: Magna Grecia.
In the eighth and seventh centuries BC, Greeks began to settl in southern Italy. Learn how these colonists left a alsting imprintin Italy, particularly on the culture of ancient Rome.

Day 4 : Ravello, Amalfi and Positano
Educational Focus: The Amalfi Inspiration.
Examine how the beautiful Amalfi Coast, now designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, has inspired artists and writers through the years.

Excursion: Ravello, Amalfi & Positano
Take a scenic ride to the charming town of Ravello, where you will visit the Villa Rufolo, home to gardens so exquisite that they inspired the home of the Flower Maidens in Wagner’s opera Parsifal. From there, continue to the charming town of Amalfi, where there is time for a leisurely stroll before lunch at a local restaurant. After your meal, a private boat awaits for a cruise along the coast to the gorgeous town of Positano, where colorful houses cling to a hillside overlooking the sea. Explore Positano at your leisure before returning to the hotel.

Day 5 : Naples
Educational Focus and Excursion: Museo Archeologico Nazionale.
Travel back in time with a visit to the Museo Archeologico Nazionale in Naples. With its collection of artwork and other objects from Herculaneum and Pompeii, it is one of the most important archeological museums in the world.

Excursion: Naples.
Enjoy a walking tour of the historic center of Naples to see the Piazza Plebiscito, Palazzo Reale and San Francesco di Paola.

Local Flavor: Admire views of the sea and dine on local specialites during lunch.

Dinner is at the hotel this evening.

Day 6 : Pompeii and Herculaneum
Educational Focus: The Horror and Splendor of Vesuvius.
At a restaurant in Pompeii, learn the history of Vesuvius and it's impact on ancient cities of Pompeii and Herculaneum.

Excursion: Pompeii & Herculaneum.
Visit the UNESCO World Heritage List sites of Pompeii and Herculaneum, which were destroyed when Vesuvius erupted in A.D. 79. The seaside town of Herculaneum was preserved by mudflows, while Pompeii was covered in ash. Tour Pompeii, with its museum and well preserved frescoes, and then enjoy lunch just outside the ruins. Afterward, explore Herculaneum, the smaller and wealthier victim of Vesuvius’ fury.

This evening, return to the hotel for dinner.

Day 7 : Sorrento
Excursion: Sorrento.
Awash in beautiful gardens, this village built atop a cliff overlooks a bay. In these waters, the legendary Ulysses was said to be tempted by the Sirens.

Excursion: Isle of Capri.
Cruise to Marina Grande on the enchanted Isle of Capri. Then, take a private boat around the island to see the White Grotto, with its impressive array of stalactites and stalagmites, and the Faraglioni rock formations, jutting up from the striking blue of the sea

Independent Exploration: This afternoon, enjoy free time in Sorrento to enjoy lunch and pursue your individual interests.

This evening, choose from among Vietri sul Mare’s fine restaurants to enjoy dinner on your own.

Day 8 : Vietri sul Mare
Independent Exploration: Today, your final day on the Amalfi Coast, is at leisure to explore as you like. Go shopping, seek out postcard-perfect views on a photo excursion, or just relax with an espresso or a glass of wine and enjoy the spectacular scenery.

Tonight, gather with fellow travelers for a Farewell Reception and Graduation Ceremony followed by a Farewell Dinner at the hotel.

Day 9 : In Transit
After breakfast, Air Program travelers transfer to the airport in Naples for their return flights to North America.
Meals—Breakfast and Appropriate In-Flight Meal Service

Please note: Itinerary sequence and/or scheduled events may change. Many excursions in this program involve an element of walking.

INCLUDED FEATURES

Accommodations: Hotel Raito
Located above the peaceful village of Vietri sul Mare, the luxurious Hotel Raito overlooks the dazzling Amalfi Coast and is surrounded by verdant gardens. In addition to its own sun-drenched beach, the hotel has an indoor and outdoor swimming pool and a spa with a full range of treatments. Its restaurant is one of the most famous along the coast and offers a selection of fine local specialties. Each guest room is beautifully decorated and includes a hair dryer, Internet access, plasma television and minibar.

Meals

• Enjoy an extensive meal program, including seven breakfasts, three lunches and five dinners, in addition to in-flight dining service. Tea or coffee is included with all meals, plus wine with dinner. Take advantage of leisure time to try local cuisine independently.
• Sample authentic regional specialties at local restaurants.
• Attend a special Welcome Reception and Dinner.
• Gather for a Farewell Reception and Graduation Ceremony followed by a Farewell Dinner.

Your Exciting Travel Program

• Informative programs presented by local experts to enhance your insight into the region.
• Personal VOX listening devices allow you to hear every word from your expert English-speaking guides.
• All excursions:
  -Discover the allure of the Amalfi Coast with visits to Ravello, Amalfi and Positano.
  -Drive along the serpentine stretch of the Amalfi Drive.
  -Visit picturesque Sorrento.
  -Cruise to the Isle of Capri.
  -Explore the riches of Naples.
  -Discover the ancient ruins of Pompeii and Herculaneum.

Many Included Extras

• Consultation services of a dedicated Passenger Service Representative prior to departure.
• Services of a professional Campus Director and expert English-speaking local guides throughout your stay.
• Tipping of all guides and drivers.
• Detailed travel and destination information to assist you in your planning.
• Complimentary travel wallet.

Air Program
For your convenience, AHI offers a flexible Air Program featuring special air fares available at an additional cost in conjunction with the Land Program.  AHI has designated specific Group Air Schedules for this departure utilizing scheduled, round-trip jet service between North America and Naples, Italy. Those participating on these flights will enjoy:

• Transfers between the arrival/departure airports abroad and the hotel, including baggage handling.
• Prices are dependent upon dates, air routes and class of service chosen and will be reflected on your Reservation Confirmation, which will be sent to you upon receipt of your reservation. Air schedules will be sent with your Final Invoice approximately 90 days before departure.
• Prices quoted to you will include all domestic and foreign governmental airport departure taxes and fees and any applicable fuel surcharges.
• AHI ticketed passengers will also receive Automatic $250,000 Flight Insurance, subject to policy terms.

Your Northwestern Host

Dominic Missimi (Director) is Professor Emeritus-in-service.   Founder and former director of the Music Theatre Program, he is currently the Executive Director of the American Music Theatre Project.  He recently retired as director of the famed WAA-MU show, having staged 17 of the original student revues.  In his 31 years at Northwestern, he has directed more than 80 plays, musicals and operas and he has staged 35 musicals for the Marriott Lincolnshire Theatre, where his productions have received many Joseph Jefferson nominations and awards.  He has worked for opera companies throughout the United States including Chicago Opera Theatre and the Michigan Opera and has directed in regional theatre and for all of Chicago's music theatre houses.  He held the Donald Robertson Endowed Chair for Music Theatre and was given an impressive retirement party in the form of an all-star alumni variety show entitled STARRY, STARRY NIGHT in May of 2010.  Mr. Missimi’s work was last seen this past summer when he staged GODSPELL and two musical revues, THE GOLDEN AGE and THE NEW AGE. His recent production of RENT broke all box office records.   His production of PIRATES OF PENZANCE is currently running at the Marriott. This summer he will create a new musical revue for Northwestern called THE SWEETEST SOUNDS, a tribute to Richard Rodgers. Missimi was recently named executive director of Chicago’s Sarah Siddons Society.