8-Day Grand Tour of Mediterranean Sea Amalfi Coast & Capri, Portofino, Monte-Carlo A New Travel Concept Three hundred years ago Europe s aristocracy travelled to Italy on a Grand Tour in search of personal inspiration. Today we will take you on a tour that encompasses all that is finest in Italian life. Red Travel Tours are unique journeys, individually created for you to fully experience the Italian Way of Life. Each journey is a blend of art, fashion, architecture, gastronomy and spectacular scenery, enriched by the use of a sublime car such as Maserati Quattroporte, able to combine luxury and elegance, style and performance. Red Travel offer you privileged entry into a most exclusive elite. You join the nobility of travellers who are welcomed to share sights that are achievable only by the most fortunate visitors. For we draw on all our vast experience and knowledge to find the special views the hidden locations the keys to closed doors. In short, the very essence of Italy. That is luxury travel of the highest order Red Travel is glad to present a new luxurious way to discover Italy: Italia in Maserati, you may choose to self explore Italy at the wheel of a brand new Maserati, fully assisted by Red Travel staff with a concierge service at your disposal for 24hours/7 days, a detailed road-book to guide you through countryside roads dotted with villages of incomparable beauty, as well as the most attractive spots in world-renowned cities. Or you may decide to visit Italy in a complete relaxing way while a professional chauffeur drives you wherever you want, whenever you like! Your personal Tour Manager will chauffeur and guide you through every stage of your journey - unobtrusive until called on yet vastly experienced, knowledgeable and wise in the ways of making your days memorable. A level of personal service second to none, a holiday that s as individual and unique as you are.
DAY 1: Discovering the Amalfi Coast You will be met at Naples Capodichino International Airport and transferred by private car to the splendid Hotel Excelsior Vittoria, at Piazza Tasso in the heart of Sorrento. Sorrento Peninsula has a unique landscape in the world, where low and high hills, deep valleys and majestic mountains alternate, where the Man s work - who levelled even the most impervious areas, transforming them in the famous terraces degrading towards the sea, on which he cultivated orange and lemon trees, olive groves and vineyards - has been grandiose. These are the delight s gardens that in springtime exhale a stirring scent of orange - blossom. The mild and dry climate for most part of the year makes Sorrento Peninsula the ideal destination in every season. Meeting with your personal Tour Assistant, who will introduce you to the use of your Maserati, if you have chosen a self-driven tour, or will present the program of the forthcoming days if you prefer a chauffeured services. Departure along the coast with halt at Positano First halt in Positano, one of the most beautiful areas of the Salernitana coast, rises the wonderful city of Positano, in an amazing panoramic location, looking out onto the vast, clear blue sea. Emerging from the sea around three miles from the coast is Li Galli or Sirenuse, a small archipelago, formed by three islands. Despite intense development, Positano has maintained its distinct characteristic of a vertical village and its cheerful architecture with charming nooks and stunning scenery. The whole town is worth seeing with its multitude of houses, domes, arches, alleys and its thousand stairways that climb up along the rocks. Departure along the coast, to reach Amalfi and Ravello Next stop in Amalfi and time at disposal to visit this gracious town. The origins of Amalfi are veiled in legend, founded by the hero Hercules, who on this beach buried his beloved Amalfi, the nymph with eyes the colour of the sea Indeed after the cultural Avant Garde, the disaster of the two wars, the next appointment was at the end of the fifties and the beginning of the sixties: when the Dolce Vita (sweet life) exploded on the scene and summers were spent between Capri, Amalfi and Positano. Actors, film directors, artists and adventurers of every type populated the Amalfi Coast with their great love stories and scenes of jealousy, works of art Dinner in Sorrento - Restaurant suggestion: Caruso. Overnight at Hotel Excelsior Vittoria 5* (Sorrento). Guests can drive for up to 130 km during the day
DAY 2: The Island of Capri Transfer by private boat to Capri. Arrival to Capri and free time to explore the Island of Capri. The craggy, flower covered Island of Capri is home to any number of artistic, historical and natural wonders. Although this paradise of idleness, surrounded by the bluest of seas, has been enchanting visitors for centuries, in recent years more than a touch of cosmopolitan glamour has been added - in the form of designer shops, luxury spas, sumptuous hotels and the holidaying glitterati. Lunch in Anacapri - Restaurant suggestion: Rondinella. Tour by private boat around Capri and transfer back to Sorrento. A tour around the island of Capri by boat is, without doubt, a unique and truly exhilarating experience. The spectacularly dramatic coast of Capri is characterized by numerous creeks, tiny bays and caves. On sunny days, beneath the crystal clear waters, one can see a seabed rich in flora and fauna. During the tour you will visit famous spots such as Grotta Azzurra, Punta Carena, Faraglioni. The itinerary by private boat foresees halts in cosy creeks for a swim in the crystalline waters of the Ionian Sea. Dinner in Sorrento in a splendid Michelin-starred location facing the sea. Overnight at Hotel Excelsior Vittoria 5* (Sorrento). DAY 3: Driving to Argentario Route: Sorrento Cassino Fiuggi Porto Ercole Meeting at the hotel hall with your personal assistant, who will be on hand for the whole length of your Tour of Italy by Maserati. Departure in direction of Porto Ercole
Options halts (Pompeii, Vesuvius, Caserta s Palace) If you love history, you won t miss the Pompeii archaeological site. Pompeii is one the most important archaeological site anywhere. Almost every other ancient urban site is simply the remains of a ghost town, long ago deserted by its citizens who carried away with them everything of value. Prior to the eruption of Vesuvius, Pompeii was a thriving city. Then it was buried with so little warning in 79 A.D. that Pompeii was literally frozen in time. You can also go up Mount Vesuvius to visit its crater. Mount Vesuvius dominates the landscape of Naples and its last eruption in 1944 blasted open the cone and the plume of smoke that had long been a constant reminder of the peril also disappeared. Along the crater border, you can admire the entire Gulf of Naples and if the weather is good and clear you can see the isles of Capri and Procida. Halt at the Abbey of Montecassino for a visit. Rising 1700 feet above sea level is the amazing and beautiful Abbey of Monte Cassino. The Abbey was founded in 529 by St. Benedict and it became home to the Roman Catholic order of Benedictines. To many the Abbey was a beautiful and magnificent monastery. To others it was a giant fortress perfect for a military post. On February 15, 1944 the Abbey was bombarded destroying the Germans stronghold on the area. After the war had ended the Italian government funded the reconstruction of the Abbey. Lunch in Fiuggi - Restaurant suggestion: Il Savoia (Hotel Palazzo della Fonte). Arrival in Porto Ercole and check-in at Relais & Chateaux Hotel Il Pellicano. A magnificent retreat on the Tuscan coast, surrounded by centuries-old olive trees set in an extensive garden. The Argentario Peninsula is plenty of many beautiful spots to see in a short time: only 7 miles separate Cala Galera from the tiny island of Giannutri, home of thousands of seagulls, and only 13 miles away is the lively island of Giglio. For those who like to cruise «off-the-beaten tracks», the waters of the preserved marine area of the island of Montecristo are certainly worth a detour. Not to be missed the gourmet restaurant of the hotel, awarded since 2005 with 1 Michelin star. Dinner in Porto Ercole - Restaurant suggestion: Il Pellicano (1 Michelin star) at the hotel. Overnight at Il Pellicano 5* (Porto Ercole, Grosseto). Guests can drive for up to 450 km during the day
DAY 4: Travelling across Tuscany Route: Porto Ercole Castiglione della Pescaia Bolgheri Pisa Forte dei Marmi Departure for Castiglione della Pescaia Halt at Castiglione della Pescaia. Next stop at Bolgheri and Castagneto Carducci. Visit of estates and cellars world known wine producers San Guido (Sassicaia), Ornellaia, La Tenuta Argentiera (Argentiera) (subject to availability) with wine tasting these top-class red wines. Lunch in Bolgheri - Restaurant suggestion: San Guido. Departure towards Pisa, home of the renowned Leaning Tower and the Piazza dei Miracoli Halt in Pisa and time at disposal to visit the town. After visit of Pisa departure towards Forte dei Marmi Arrival at Forte dei Marmi and accommodation at hotel Il Principe 5*. Dinner in Forte dei Marmi - Restaurant suggestions: Lorenzo (1 Michelin star), Bistro. Overnight at Il Principe 5* (Forte dei Marmi). Guests can drive for up to 260 km during the day DAY 5: Soul of Tuscany Route: Forte dei Marmi Siena San Gimignano Forte dei Marmi Departure for a tour of the Chianti area Discovery of the picturesque and the breathtaking panorama offered by the valley landscape of the Chiantigiana Road, enriched by pure driving pleasure on an amazing succession of rolling hills and never-ending curves! En route: Castellina in Chianti, Radda in Chianti, Greve in Chianti. Arrival in Siena. Siena, an unspoiled mediaeval city, is the location of the famous Palio, a horse race around the city s shell-shaped Piazza del Campo. Siena s other historic gems from the Middle Ages include the Town Hall (Palazzo Pubblico) and the Torre dei Mangia (1340), which are similar in height to the Cathedral. Free time to explore Siena. Lunch in Siena - Restaurant suggestion: Al Mangia.
Departure towards San Gimignano The tour continues in direction of San Gimignano, where you will stop for a visit of the town. Halt in San Gimignano for a coffee at Relais La Collegiata. San Gimignano rises on a hill (334m high) dominating the Elsa Valley with its more than 7 medieval towers. Once the seat of a small Etruscan village of the Hellenistic period (200-300 BC) nowadays it s part of Unesco Heritage. Return towards Forte dei Marmi Dinner in Viareggio - Restaurant suggestions: Piccolo Principe (1 Michelin star), Tito del Molo. Overnight at Il Principe 5* (Forte dei Marmi). Guests can drive for up to 350 km during the day DAY 6: Cinque Terre and Portofino Departure for Portovenere Tour by private boat of Cinque Terre. Visit of five small characteristic villages on the Costa Ligure of Levante. The Cinque Terre is a National Park and territory protected by UNESCO. The villages from south to north are: Riomaggiore, Manarola, Corniglia, Vernazza, and Monterosso al Mare. The chain of mountains that surrounds these villages runs parallel to the Appennino Mountains and creates small creeks, steep valleys where the towns are situated. This makes it a unique landscape, different from the rest of the coast. The result of this geography is the typical Ligurian houses, the narrow bends and the knoll in terrace built on the rocks. Light lunch will be served on board. Arrival at Monterosso and pick up by Maserati. Departure towards Portofino along the coast.
Arrival in Portofino and check-in at Hotel Splendido & Splendido Mare. Welcome to a world of elegance and refinement where hospitality and service are second to none. Standing amid verdant woodlands overlooking a ravishing seascape, the Hotel Splendido is a unique blend of beauty and comfort. Time at guests disposal to explore Portofino and its surroundings. The splendid bay of Portofino, surrounded by the greenery of the promontory, is a typical Ligurian fishing village, with its high, colourful houses huddled in a semicircle around the piazzetta. Now one of the world s most famous and exclusive resorts, this town is a favourite of international celebrities, yet still retains an atmosphere of bygone days rich with traditions of the sea and local craftsmen. Dinner in Portofino on a splendid terrace facing the Ligurian Sea. Overnight at Splendido Hotel 5* (Portofino). Guests can drive for up to 160 km during the day DAY 7: Leading to the French Riviera Departure towards Monte-Carlo along the coast Halts on request at Finalborgo, Alassio or San Remo. On the way to Monte-Carlo, a famous professional Italian photographer will be ready to shoot you and your Maserati in the incredible natural set offered by the Ligurian countryside. Lunch on route in a typical yet very elegant restaurant
Arrival in Monte-Carlo and check-in at the magnificent Hotel Metropole. Nicknamed the Magician of atmospheres the interior designer Jacques Garcia has created here a unique and elegant building, a subtle blend of the prestigious past and the resolutely contemporary. The skilful layout of its volumes and the timeless furniture and fittings create a precious feeling of harmony. Dinner in Monte-Carlo - Restaurant suggestion: Metropole by Joël Robuchon. Overnight at Hotel Metropole 5* (Monte-Carlo). Guests can drive for up to 220 km during the day DAY 8: Chill out on the seaside Time at disposal to enjoy the French coast and to discover the Principality of Monaco. Beautiful, intense, radiant, the Principality of Monaco still fascinates visitors from over the world. A destination that sums up the charms and climate of the Riviera, its boasts of an ideal setting between the sea and the mountains and attracts visitors with its prestigious activities and very special aura. Private transfer to Nice International Airport for your return flight.
Highlights & Included Services 8 days Italy by Italia in Maserati on a self-driven tour or on a chauffeur-driven tour on the most exciting roads of Italy Sorrento Porto Ercole Forte dei Marmi Portofino Monte-Carlo by Maserati Quattroporte Your personal chauffeur or personal assistant on hand for the whole length of the tour 24-hours/7-days concierge service at your disposal 3 meals in exclusive locations (1 lunch and 2 dinners) Transfers and tour of Capri Island and Cinque Terre by private boat 7 nights accommodation in Junior Suite double with breakfast in 5-star luxury hotels: Hotel Excelsior Victoria (Sorrento), Il Pellicano (Porto Ercole), Il Principe (Forte dei Marmi), Splendido Hotel (Portofino), Hotel Metropole (Monte-Carlo) Service of parking, cleaning and refuelling of the car Visits, private transfers and by boat as per programme and from/to International Airports Professional photographic shooting in Liguria Photographic book realized with images shoot during the tour (consigned after the tour) Mobile phone with Italian SIM card for inland conversations during the tour Mobile radio system (guests and Red Travel staff, while driving, are always connected through radio) Full-kasko car insurance (civil liability) For any pre- or post-tour extensions, please contact Red Travel Red Travel s fully personalized service You enjoy the Tour of Italy by Maserati while your professional chauffeur, backed up by Red Travel operating Headquarter, is on hand to organize any last-minute service you choose to add to your tailor-made Tour of Italy. Not included Airfare, fuel, drinks and meals (except those included), everything not shown as included services. Red Travel car portfolio: New Maserati QuattroportE 2013 v8-530cv Deposit for the car (only for self-driven tour): 10,000.00 euro