Pompeii, Herculaneum, Amalfi and Naples Custom Tours - Italy Hotline Custom and Gourmet Tours

Pompeii, Amalfi & Naples

Food & Wine
Chauffeur

Naples, rising from the bay in the shadow of the volcano of Vesuvius, is among the oldest cities in the world. Today it provides a fascinating glimpse into the past with its miles of underground passageways, strong traditions, museums and Neapolitan cuisine. In Campania, a region of intense contrasts, you'll discover sights ranging from the stunning ancient Greek temples of Paestum to the Bourbon splendor of the Palace of Caserta. Immerse yourself in ancient history among the stunning ruins of Pompeii, lunch atop the cliffs of the Amalfi coast where sky meets sea, or shop the lively Neapolitan artisan crafts and food markets with a local. Learn the recipes of Campanian cuisine. Visit tiny seaside towns such as Amalfi, Sorrento and Positano. Pompeii, one of the most important archeological sites in the world, is so full of astounding treasures that it would take weeks to see all of them, making any visit rich and exciting. Campania boasts numerous microclimates and rich volcanic soil that produces prized aglianico wine grapes and the aromatic lemons used for limoncello liqueur. Famous for delicious vine-ripened tomatoes, it also produces more exotic fruits such as bergamot and white figs. The Amalfi and Sorrento Coasts are beautiful beyond words, full of lush vegetation, high cliffs, and blue waters—dramatic landscapes that seem to be made of dreams. Tiny Vico di Equense is famous for its meter-long pizzas and small coastal towns such as Cetara for their fresh seafood. Grand Hotels and ancient Roman villas dot the area. Made famous by the followers of the Grand Tour of the 1800s who spoke of the 'maccherioni eaters', the region of Campania is not to be missed. With your private chauffeur, Pompeii, Naples and the Amalfi Coast are within easy reach of Rome. The following tours give you an idea of what we can arrange, but many other custom options are available. You could tour the volcanic ruins, dine in lovely Positano, and still make your Roman dinner engagement!

Pompeii & Naples with Chauffeur

This tour is designed for those interested in going fully in-depth on both Pompeii and the long-standing Greek colonies and native Samnite cultures that preceded Roman domination.It begins like our other Pompeii-based tours, but the afternoon takes you to Naples, the original home of both pizza and pasta. Neapolitans were once universally known as the 'Macaroni eaters'; famous for cooking and eating pasta with their hands at hundreds of impromptu street stalls. If there's one thing Italians agree on about Napoli it's that the pasta is cooked perfectly and the espresso is beyond compare! Your guide will take you to one of Napoli's authentic trattorie for a fantastic lunch where you can order local specialties such as the perfect Eggplant Parmesan, the creamy and incomparable Mozzarella di Bufala or a classic deep-dish Neapolitan pizza. Afternoon takes you to the Naples archeological museum which houses one of Italy's finest collection of antiquities. Many of the best-preserved Pompeii frescoes have been removed from their original locations and placed here for preservation. Scores of detailed and astonishingly well-preserved scenes provide a fully rounded picture of Pompeiian social life. In addition there is the famed 'Gabinetto Segreto', a room long held under lock and key and only opened to the public in 2005.

Pompeii & Herculaneum with Chauffeur

Prior to its spectacular eruption in the year 79 CE Mount Vesuvius was not even known to be volcanic. It had not erupted since the beginning of the Iron age 800 years earlier. The fertile region around its base was home to several ancient cities, including the lesser known Herculaneum. This city was a small, wealthy town prized for its proximity to the sea. Its location west of Mount Vesuvius meant it was initially spared damage from the early afternoon eruption as the winds were blowing south-east. Its residents fled to the sea awaiting rescue. Many escaped but around midnight the volcano's plume of ash fell back upon itself and sent a 100 mile per hour river of 750 degree ash, stone and mud to cover the town and annihilate those still awaiting transport.

Smaller than its better known cousin Pompeii, Herculaneum is incredibly well-preserved due to the fact that its buildings were in many cases filled with ash before they were covered 65 feet deep in mud. This left many of the roofs intact and provides a unique glimpse into ancient Roman life.

Pompeii & Herculaneum with Chauffeur photo

Food & Wine

Alla Sorrentina Culinary Class with Luciana

Join your host Luciana for a cooking class in her wonderful aristocratic villa in the charming town of Sant Agnello di Sorrento. Learn why 'Alla Sorrentina' is an item that one sees on menus throughout Italy, but the real thing can only be found within this beautiful coastal area. Luciana concentrates on the true 'casareccia' cooking with traditional regional specialties. Famous dishes of the area will be taught including the delicate gnocchi potato dumplings, lasagna alla Sorrentina, simply cooked local fish and desserts such as lemon tart made with local citrus. Luciana also makes her own wines and liqueurs and will share these traditional recipes with you as well. In the gorgeous setting of her home, you will enjoy the delicious meal you've created in the beautiful garden or the evocative dining room complete with Pompeiian-style frescoes. The Sorrento Coast offers up some of the most stunning vistas in the world; bright sun, blue Mediterranean sea, sheer cliffs, deep gorges, lush foliage and citrus plants have sealed its glory. Italians have known this region as a producer of delights of the culinary world since antiquity. The fine produce of the area and the simple, but rich and delicious, recipes makes this cuisine truly outstanding.

Cooking with a Neapolitan Mamma

Come learn traditional Neapolitan cooking from a Napoletana Mamma who learned her secrets from her Napoletana Mamma! Nothing could be more authentic than this. We are not talking about cooking with a famous chef in a splendid palace, but being invited into the home of Mamma, who will coddle you with her generosity and send you away with her home-cooking 'casareccia' secrets to last you a lifetime of great meal preparation. Starting with a visit to a lively local market, she will tell you about the best ingredients and the key to simple recipes that everyone in your family will love. During the Grand Tours of the 1800s, Naples became famous for its'Macaroni Eaters'. Children and adults were seen blissfully eating the street food spaghetti with their hands, inspiring countless postcards in the 19th and 20th centuries. Naples was already famous for its food in ancient Greek and Roman times and the kingdoms of Spain and France influenced it as invaders came and went. Fresh vegetables, hard and soft cheeses and seafood all make great contributions to its cuisine. Handmade gnocchi potato dumplings, fresh pastas and rice are strong components of Neapolitan cuisine, as well as fresh tomato, vegetable or ragu meat sauces.

Naples Food Lover's Tour

Every town has its food secrets and Naples is full of them. In ancient times street food was common, with vendors setting up stands and shop fronts selling food to go, and Naples maintains this tradition today. Let us guide you through its labyrinthian ancient streets where tiny street food stands sell famous fried foods such as golden breaded mozzarella balls, stuffed potato balls rolled in breadcrumbs,'sciurilli';zucchini flowers fried in a batter, and 'scagliozzi';fried slices of delicious polenta. There are also deep-fried rice, tomato and cheese balls and 'pastacresciute';fried bread dough balls. Pizza is sold all over Naples but we'll show you where to find the best, and exactly when to arrive in order to avoid the insane crush to get a piece. The simple Margherita, famed for its delightful marriage of fresh tomato sauce, mozzarella cheese and basil, is the most popular. On the more sophisticated side is the artisan caffe of Naples, said by Italians to be the best in Italy. Try a thick, rich and creamy espresso or cappuccino at the best bar in the city, accompanied by one of the most delicious pastries you will ever taste, the crispy sfogliatelle, filled with perfectly sweetened fresh ricotta cheese and citrus zest.

Chauffeur

Pompeii Guided Tour and the Amalfi Coast

For centuries, Pompeii has held a special place in the collective imagination. The prosperous, pleasure-loving town nestled at the verdant foot of Mount Vesuvius, benefiting from fertile soil and cool winds from the Bay of Naples. It was a popular resort for wealthy Romans, and many of its prominent residents were freed slaves who had become successful merchants.The city was made up of apartments, complex houses, shops, restaurants and bars, thermal baths, sports arenas, gymnasiums and theaters. What more could anyone want? The mind shudders at the thought of the destruction that rained upon it from the violent eruption as Mount Vesuvius exploded, burying the city in a rain of hot ash. But that layer of ash preserved a glimpse in time, a perfect snapshot of the ancient world that no other archeological site can match. An entire city frozen for the ages to witness, undiscovered until the 1700s. Today's visitor is privileged to experience an entire Roman city at a single moment in time. This tour takes you from your Rome hotel down to Pompeii with your private driver and guide. You'll spend the morning touring Pompeii with your private archeological guide, who will reveal the secrets of this evocative city.

Pompeii Guided Tour and the Amalfi Coast photo

Salerno Coast Culinary and Artisan Tour

The Salerno Coastal region on the Bay of Salerno is a wonderful place to visit for its natural beauty, charming towns, and artisan products. For half a year in 1944 it was actually the capital of Italy. With hardly any foreign visitors, and less tourist traffic than the Amalfi area, it remains a place full of strong traditions, great pride and down-to-earth Italian charm. A stop in the city of Salerno is rewarding because of its beautiful seaside promenade, palm trees and lovely gardens, as well as the historic center, a vibrant area with shops, medieval churches, and neighborhood trattorias—and a great place to have an excellent caffe and pastry and do a bit of artisan shopping. From Salerno one can head north towards the Ravello area along the coast. Driving along the beautiful coastal road, the first place to visit is the tiny town of Vietri sul Mare which hangs above the seaside, characterized by its local ceramics producers with tiny shops and the gorgeous views of the bay. Going a bit inland to the Cava de'Tirreni there are many surprises to be found. Stop at a local cheese producer and try the most heavenly fresh ricotta imaginable and watch the production of Mozarella di Bufala and the art of making the braid. Here you can try a sampling of delicious cheeses or make purchases.

Salerno Coast Culinary and Artisan Tour photo