The city of Naples needs little or no introduction. It is probably one of the most vibrant cities in Europe. In Italy, it is one of a handful of unique large cities that are on top of everybody’s list of preferred travel destinations. Indisputably, its location is unique and possibly one of the most attractive in the world. Another indisputable fact is that Naples offers an almost inexhaustible wealth of art and great sights, whether within the city’s confines or in its scenic surroundings.

Our tour will commence with dinner at our base for the week, the smart Hotel Palazzo Alabardieri, a converted 19 th century mansion in the heart of the elegant downtown area.

The first day of sightseeing will take us to the baroque Capella Sansevero, famous for its ‘living marble’ sculptures, and to the simple beauty of the Provençal-gothic church at the Santa Chiara religious complex. En route to lunch, which will be offered by the Marchese and Marchesa Alfredo Diana at their unique house in Posillipo, the grotta di Cocceio, the Roman Theatre and Odeon will be seen. The afternoon will be spent at the Certosa San Martino, formally a Carthusian monastery complex dating from the 14 th century, easily the most visible landmark of the city and commanding great views of the Gulf of Naples, seen at their best from the adjacent star-shaped Castel Sant’Elmo of the 16 th century. Dinner that evening will be at a local restaurant.

The next morning, we shall travel by coach to Caserta to visit the impressive Royal Palace and its Gardens. Lunch will be given by Conte and Contessa Angerio Filangieri di Candida at their villa and garden in the village of Livardi. Conte Filangieri has kindly agreed to give a short post-lunch lecture on the historical, artistic and geological background of the Campania Region. After return to Naples, the remainder of the afternoon will be free. Dinner will be hosted at a magnificent private villa-apartment right on the seaside at Posillipo.

The hustle and bustle of the historic centre of Naples cannot be missed. Our walkabout in that area of town will show us some of the city’s main religious and secular monuments. The morning will end with a visit to the Pio Monte della Misericordia church with its famous Caravaggio painting, and after a subsequent private visit to the superb museum of the Pio Monte della Misericordia, a simple lunch will be offered at the museum by this institution’s President and Governors. The National Archaeological Museum - probably the most important collection of Roman and Greek antiquities in the world - is a must for any visitor to Naples, and will be the highlight of the afternoon. In the evening, Conte and Contessa Leonetti have graciously invited the tour’s participants for drinks at their villa, which houses a superb collection of art. Dinner will follow at a restaurant.

A drive through the countryside will take us to ancient Pompeii with its very well preserved Roman heritage, and to Pompeii ’s elegant suburb, Oplontis, famous for its villas with magnificent murals. To take all these glorious remains of the Roman era in, a leisurely full day’s programme has been devised. In the evening, Madame Pisani will receive us for drinks at Palazzo Cellamare, one of the spectacular palaces of Naples. The remainder of the evening will be free, e.g. to visit an opera performance at the Teatro San Carlo (programme permitting).

A visit to Naples would not be complete without a tour of the spectacular Amalfi Coast. Steep rugged mountains and seaside cliffs of 700 meters afford mesmerizing views all along this coastal stretch with its amazing natural beauty and picturesque villages. We shall stop at the pretty coastal resort of Amalfi and see the impressive Romanesque Cathedral. The second town to be visited is Ravello, situated in a splendid position on a rocky spur, where Madame Lola Nunziante is graciously offering lunch at her fascinating villa. In the afternoon we shall visit the important Arab-influenced Villa Rufolo, followed by Ravello’s splendidly decorated Duomo, and finish with a walk through the magnificent garden of the Villa Cimbrone. In the evening, dinner at one of the most important private houses at Naples is planned.

The final morning we shall depart (with luggage) for the airport, but cannot really leave Naples without having seen the, recently restored, famous Palazzo Reale di Capodimonte, which houses one of the most important painting collections in Italy. After lunch at the restaurant at Capodimonte, the tour will end at the airport at 14.00 hrs.

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