The full traverse, built on five bases with three or four nights each rather than a new hotel every evening. Venice, Florence, Rome, Naples and the Amalfi Coast, with rail between the cities and a private palazzo opened by the family that owns it.
Arrival at Marco Polo and water transfer to the hotel. The afternoon is free. Welcome dinner in Cannaregio and an introduction to the traverse ahead, from the northern trading republics to the Greek south.
San Marco outside public hours and the Doge’s Palace on the first morning, then the quieter sestieri on foot. On the second day, a squero, a Murano furnace outside demonstration hours, and Torcello by boat. One afternoon and one dinner left independent.
Morning train to Florence, just over two hours, with luggage handled separately. Afternoon orientation walk through the centre and across the Ponte Vecchio. Dinner in Oltrarno.
The cathedral complex, the Baptistery doors and the David with fixed entry slots on the first day; the Uffizi with an art historian and the Brancacci chapel on the second. Afternoons free for workshops, the Oltrarno and San Miniato al Monte.
Late morning train to Rome, ninety minutes, and transfer to the hotel in the historic centre. Afternoon walk from the Pantheon to Piazza Navona and the Campo de’ Fiori. Dinner in Trastevere.
The Forum and the Palatine with an archaeologist on the first morning, then San Clemente and its three levels. On the second day, the Vatican Museums before public opening, and in the afternoon a private palazzo with its collection, opened by the family who live there.
Morning train to Naples, just over an hour, and transfer to the hotel. Afternoon through the Pignasecca market with a local host and along Spaccanapoli. Dinner in the Spanish Quarter.
Full day at Pompeii with an archaeologist, entering early with timed tickets, followed by the Naples Archaeological Museum in the late afternoon, so the finds are seen after the place they came from.
Transfer to the Amalfi Coast in the morning, outside the heaviest traffic, with a stop at the Greek temples of Paestum en route. Arrival at the base for three nights and an afternoon free on the terrace.
Morning at Ravello, with the gardens of Villa Rufolo and Villa Cimbrone. In the afternoon, a private boat along the coast, with swimming stops for those who want them. Farewell dinner above the water.
Morning transfer to Naples airport or Salerno station for onward connections, taking the coastal road early.
Splendido private tours
