Just returned from a wedding and a working second honeymoon in wonderful Italy – in fact a very busy time, hopping from one beautiful hotel to the next, to inspect rooms and get a flavor of Italian lifestyle. And what is more, travelling with my enthusiastic Åke, I also did some hard and rewarding work sightseeing...
In Rome, amidst its ancient history and famous monuments, we went without lunch, as Åke got deeper and deeper into the mystical treasures of the Vatican, the wicked history of the Colosseum and much much more.
But I will start the picture story with our wonderful hotels, a visit to the family of Prince Lorenzo de Medici, and his wedding to his American bride Rosemary, before sharing some of the stirring culture Åke and I experienced in Rome.
On to Calabria to get together with the family of the groom - de Medici.
Then by train to the Amalfi Coast...where I was met and transferred to...
After a fabulous dinner, a night drive took us to Hotel Santa Caterina, a very authentic Italian property high above Amalfi. It was dark and we had to leave early in the morning as the sea had come up rough and our hyrdofoil in the afternoon was cancelled.
Finally back by hydrofoil to Naples, train to Rome.
And then the big day, starting with a hair appointment organized by the hotel, and climaxing with the fairytale wedding of Lorenzo and Rosemary
Now for sightseeing with Åke, who simply adores art and history...and drinks it all in. Fortunately we had private guides who could answer all his questions. What is more, if we had not booked private guides we would have stood in queues for hours. Luckily for us and our customers we have a concierge service at Select....
Here is our itinerary as planned beforehand, with important details worked out for us by my staff in collaboration with our hotels. Everything done to ensure a smooth and enjoyable journey...
DAY 1
1505 Arrival Rome Fiumicino Terminal 3
Private transfer to La Posta Vecchia
Stay La Posta Vecchia
Double room inclusive of buffet breakfast, soft drinks and snacks from minibar, internet Wi-Fi connection, heated indoor pool, Calidarium (roman steam bath), parking, use of our bicycles and tennis court, visit to the Archaeological Museum on site, service and VAT.
Dinner at The Cesar restaurant
DAY 2
1200 Pickup for private transfer to FCO
1445 Alitalia flight departs from FCO Terminal 1 to Lamezia Terme
1555 Arrive Lamezia
Stay Calabria private overnight and family dinner
Am Italian look
DAY 3
1302 Depart Lamezia by train
1533 Pick up from Salerno train station by Belmond Caruso
Site inspection
1930 Dinner at Belvedere Restaurant at 19:30 hrs
Transfer after dinner to Santa Caterina by Belmond Caruso
Stay Santa Caterina
DAY 4
Breakfast at Santa Caterina enjoying fabulous views
Pickup for transfer to the ferry for the hydrofoil to Capri – due to rough conditions our 1430 hydrofoil was cancelled.
Met at Capri port and transferred by car to Caesar Augustus
Stay Caesar Augustus
Enjoy a beautiful Vesuvio suite with wonderful views
DAY 5
Breakfast with a stunning view
Transfer to Marina Grande
1450 Hydrofoil Capri to Naples (direct service, 50 mins)
1540 Hydrofoil arrives at the port.
Private transfer from Molo Beverello port to Napoli Centrale.
Eurostar Direct train from Naples to Rome (FIRST CLASS)
1740 Arrives Rome (direct service, 1hr 10 min)
Hotel Chaffeur to meet you at the front of the train for a private transfer to the hotel.
You will be met at the hotel by Luca and Laura.
Stay Hotel Eden
Including full buffet breakfast
DAY 6
At leisure in Rome - a very very very busy day sightseeing including the Vatican and the Colosseum.
Dinner at de Russie
Stay Hotel Eden
Including full buffet breakfast
In Rome, amidst its ancient history and famous monuments, we went without lunch, as Åke got deeper and deeper into the mystical treasures of the Vatican, the wicked history of the Colosseum and much much more.
But I will start the picture story with our wonderful hotels, a visit to the family of Prince Lorenzo de Medici, and his wedding to his American bride Rosemary, before sharing some of the stirring culture Åke and I experienced in Rome.
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| Formal gardens around the historic hotel La Posta Vecchia |
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| Warmly met by Resident Manager Marco Filippi at La Posta Vecchia on the seawall near Rome - a lovely hotel propped full of art treasures |
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| Lunch by the beach |
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| Portraits of the De Medici family |
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| Lots of lively Italian spirit and glamour |
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| Magical gardens at Belmond Caruso, running down the steep slopes high above the village of Ravello on the Amalfi Coast |
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| Stunning views from our dinner table at Belmond Caruso |
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| PR and Guest Relations Manager Iolanda Mansi who showed us around Belmond Caruso |
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| Infinity pool at Santa Caterina |
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| Bedroom at Santa Caterina |
And then to the romantic isle of Capri, amazingly my first visit...
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| View from Caesar Augustus, Capri. It is not not for those with vertigo... |
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| Dazzling water |
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| A collage of images taken at Caesar Augustus. Top right shows Åke on the balcony of our Vesuvio suite, which literally hangs over the cliff |
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| An old favourite, Capri Palace - where we did a hotel inspection, closer to the port |
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| Hotel Eden - we stayed in this Dorchester Collection property. Beautifully situated below the Spanish Steps |
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| Dinner in the gardens at de Russie - one of my old favourites |
And then the big day, starting with a hair appointment organized by the hotel, and climaxing with the fairytale wedding of Lorenzo and Rosemary
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| At the glamorous society wedding of Lorenzo and Rosemary |
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| At the Vatican - 3 full hours |
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| The God of Wine Bacchus, one of Rome's secrets |
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| The impressive and evocative ruins of the Colosseum - here Christians were thrown to lions and other dramas |
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| A very contented Åke after a day of ancient treasures. Here by the monument to Vittorio Emanuela II, one of the "neoclassical" additions to the eternal city |
Here is our itinerary as planned beforehand, with important details worked out for us by my staff in collaboration with our hotels. Everything done to ensure a smooth and enjoyable journey...
DAY 1
1505 Arrival Rome Fiumicino Terminal 3
Private transfer to La Posta Vecchia
Stay La Posta Vecchia
Double room inclusive of buffet breakfast, soft drinks and snacks from minibar, internet Wi-Fi connection, heated indoor pool, Calidarium (roman steam bath), parking, use of our bicycles and tennis court, visit to the Archaeological Museum on site, service and VAT.
Dinner at The Cesar restaurant
DAY 2
1200 Pickup for private transfer to FCO
1445 Alitalia flight departs from FCO Terminal 1 to Lamezia Terme
1555 Arrive Lamezia
Stay Calabria private overnight and family dinner
Am Italian look
DAY 3
1302 Depart Lamezia by train
1533 Pick up from Salerno train station by Belmond Caruso
Site inspection
1930 Dinner at Belvedere Restaurant at 19:30 hrs
Transfer after dinner to Santa Caterina by Belmond Caruso
Stay Santa Caterina
DAY 4
Breakfast at Santa Caterina enjoying fabulous views
Pickup for transfer to the ferry for the hydrofoil to Capri – due to rough conditions our 1430 hydrofoil was cancelled.
Met at Capri port and transferred by car to Caesar Augustus
Stay Caesar Augustus
Enjoy a beautiful Vesuvio suite with wonderful views
DAY 5
Breakfast with a stunning view
Transfer to Marina Grande
1450 Hydrofoil Capri to Naples (direct service, 50 mins)
1540 Hydrofoil arrives at the port.
Private transfer from Molo Beverello port to Napoli Centrale.
Eurostar Direct train from Naples to Rome (FIRST CLASS)
1740 Arrives Rome (direct service, 1hr 10 min)
Hotel Chaffeur to meet you at the front of the train for a private transfer to the hotel.
You will be met at the hotel by Luca and Laura.
Stay Hotel Eden
Including full buffet breakfast
DAY 6
At leisure in Rome - a very very very busy day sightseeing including the Vatican and the Colosseum.
Dinner at de Russie
Stay Hotel Eden
Including full buffet breakfast
