MEDD

Large windows and the spacious terrace of the Relais Blu Boutique Hotel and Restaurant provide the perfect setting to watch the sun dip below the horizon, transforming the sky from cerulean to rose as the shimmering turquoise waters of the Mediterranean deepen to midnight blue. Perched on a cliff above the Gulf of Naples in the charming seaside village of Marciano, the charming hotel welcomes you to experience a sunset like no other with breathtaking views that extend out to the island of Capri.

A private motorboat will whisk you across the shimmering waters of the Gulf of Naples to explore the coastal beauty of the island of Capri. Enjoy gorgeous views of the island’s steep rock cliffs carpeted in forests of cypress and palm trees as you make your way to the renowned Blue Grotto. A rowboat will ferry you into the low entrance to this cave wherein you can marvel at the iridescent blue waters. You may also have time to visit Capri’s other beautiful sea caves, including the Green Grotto, Coral Grotto and White Grotto.

Embarking from Sorrento, you will enjoy stunning views of the Bay of Naples en route to Mount Vesuvius, the active volcano that buried the city of Pompeii in ash during its eruption in 79 AD. Beginning at an altitude of 3,000 feet, you will hike another 1,650 feet to the volcano’s crater, crossing hardened lava with crevices exuding fumes and heat. During free time to explore the crater, you will enjoy spectacular views of Naples. After lunch you will explore the ancient city of Pompeii, frozen in time following the Vesuvius eruption.

Experience the charms of rural Italy at a small hotel-farm just outside the medieval town of Tarquinia. It’s an easy 30-minute drive up the coast from the port. Located in the beautiful valley of the River Marta, Valle del Marta boasts views of the vineyards that have been cultivated since ancient Roman times, the old city walls, vast stretches of Mediterranean scrub and gently rolling farmland that leads down to the sea. You’ll be welcomed by the staff who will escort you to the swimming pool area whose surrounding patio is reserved exclusively for the group.

Travel from Portofino to visit three colorful beachfront villages backed by the coastal mountains of the lovely Italian Riviera. Begin in Camogli, one of the prettiest fishing villages in Italy, with façades in various shades of citrus rising from the beach as the 15th-century fortress of Castello della Dragonara stands guard. Continuing to Recco, you will not only enjoy another typical seaside village but also savor scrumptious Ligurian cuisine.

As you follow a well-marked path along the cliffs of the Ligurian coast, one minute finds you walking through chestnut and olive groves, and the next you are shrouded in a lush pine forest that parts momentarily to reveal the Italian Riviera sparkling in the sun. One amazing vista melts into the next, including a stop at Base 0, a World War II military lookout. Your hike then descends toward the sea to reveal idyllic views of San Fruttuoso, a restored abbey nestled in a gorgeous bay.

Your two-day tour of the magical Italian Riviera begins by checking into the five-star Grand Hotel Portovenere. After lunch, enjoy a guided tour of Portovenere on the Gulf of La Spezia. Brightly colored houses line the harbor, and medieval streets ascend to Doria Castle. An ancient gate leads to the main street filled with quaint shops. Atop the promontory is the Church of San Pietro, once the site of a temple of Venus for which the village is named.

Gliding along the pristine waters of Portofino’s Marine Protected Area in a kayak, you will discover a hidden and otherwise inaccessible natural paradise that is home to the most colorful marine life of the Ligurian coast. Guided by an expert, you will enjoy captivating views of the coastline, including beautiful beaches framed by venerable maritime pine trees; secluded coves, caves and inlets untouched by modern civilization; picturesque lighthouses and quaint villages.

Enjoy a full day exploring Genoa, one of the world's greatest cities – a Middle Ages maritime superpower and the launchpad for Italian migration to America. Begin by exploring two key residential districts, Castelletto in the hills above town and Boccadasse, an ancient fishing village with colorful houses. Then experience a guided walking tour of the narrow lanes and alleys of the historic city center, featuring treasures like San Lorenzo Cathedral and squares like San Matteo with the palaces of the powerful Doria family.

Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton were known to frequent the aptly named Belmond Hotel Splendido, known as the epitome of Italian glamour. Housed in a restored 16th-century monastery, the hotel is perched in the scenic hills overlooking the stunning coast of the Italian Riviera. In this remarkable setting, a licensed mixologist will create a modern twist on two traditional Campari cocktails as well as the famous Bellini. Each will be paired with a unique appetizer created to enhance the flavor of the cocktail.