Day 1 Flight
Flight from city of origin to Fiumicino Airport, Rome.
Day 2 Paestum
After landing in Rome, the group will travel by luxury motorcoach to Paestum.
In the evening we will have dinner and our historian will provide an introduction
and briefing on what to expect during the tour.
Day 3 Sorrento
The ancient Greeks stumbled
upon Paestum around 650 BCE and settled there after viewing the wide-open
beaches, the scenic beauty and the potential of the fertile land. We will
visit the well-preserved Greek ruins and temples before we proceed on to
the beach and the 36th Division Monument. The Monument and its surrounding
park have been restored over the past several years. Later, we will cross
the Sele Bridge on our drive to Maiori (on the left flank of the invasion).
By the end of the day, we will cross the Chiunzi Pass where the Rangers crossed
and then return to the Sorrento hotel.
Day 4 Sorrento
Participants have a free day to tour this beautiful Italian
city of Sorrento, or can take an optional tour provided by
Stephen Ambrose Historical Tours to the ruins of Pompeii.
One of the leading tourist attractions in Italy, Pompei is an ancient town that was buried by the eruption of Mt. Vesuvias in 79AD and thus preserved for the archeologists and experts who later excavated the site. We will enjoy a guided-tour of the ruins of the historic town as we study this exquisite evidence of life in antiquity. Afterwards, we will return to Sorrento for the night.
Day 5 Cassino
We will leave Sorrento after breakfast, heading to Cassino
on the Appian Way and travel through the Mignano Pass to
the Mount Lungo Museum. Monte Cassino, San Pietro, and Monte
Lungo formed the defensive line dominating the approach to
the Liri Valley. We will visit the ruins of the old San Pietro
above the modern village, and review the tremendous armored
infantry battle that took place.
Day 6 Anzio
After breakfast, we will visit the
Abbey of Monte Cassino. The Abbey has been destroyed several
times since its foundation, and was most severely damaged at
the Battle of Cassino (May 1944). After the Allies had taken
Naples, the Germans made Cassino the key stronghold in the
system of defenses guarding the approaches to Rome. On May
17, the Allies launched their final assault, with the Polish
corps as the spearhead. After a raging battle, the Germans
abandoned Cassino on the following day, allowing the Allies
to join forces, and opening the road to Rome. The abbey has
been rebuilt to the original plans.
After this visit we will head to the
Polish and German cemeteries. We’ll continue with a
scenic tour along the Rapido and Liri Rivers on the old highway.
The end of the day will find us enjoying a wonderful dinner
and overnight stay in Anzio.
Day 7 Anzio
This morning we head to Nettuno, where, along with Anzio, the American troops
landed in January 1944. We will visit the Museo dello Sbarco Alleato (Museum
of the Allied Landing). This visit is followed by a pilgrimage to the invasion
beaches and the U.S. Cemetery, where 7862 Americans are buried. We will overnight
in Anzio.
Day 8 Rome
Our group will head for Rome in the morning, visiting Cisterna along the way.
Upon arrival, we will visit the Crypt and War Memorial, which will be followed
by a dinner in Rome before retiring to the hotel.
Day
9 Rome
We will begin the day with a 4-hour city tour with a local guide. Participants
will have free time in the afternoon and may elect to visit the Coliseum, Vatican
City or the many other cultural sites Rome has to offer. Our final dinner together
will be this evening, where we can review the Italian Campaign and say Ciao
to all our new friends.
Day 10 Home
Transfer to Fiumicino Airport.
POST-TOUR OPTION
Day 1 Florence
For those of you who select the post tour option, we have a
wonderful exploration of two beautiful cities in Tuscany: Siena
and Florence.
After breakfast, we depart the hotel
to head for Siena. Approximately a two-hour drive away, we
will travel down scenic roads to one of the most beautiful
cities of Tuscany. Surrounded by olive groves and the vineyards
of Chianti and set on three hills, Siena is drawn together
by winding alleyways and steep steps. The Piazza del Campo
stands at its heart, and the Duomo and St. Maria della Scala
serve as additional cultural landmarks. We will take a city-tour
of Siena and then be treated to a wonderful lunch in one
of the area’s premier hotels.
We’ll sit and sip our wine and take in the bustling daily
life of the streets and squares of the city.
After lunch, we will continue on to Florence. Along the way,
we will drive through the scenic hills of Tuscany and visit
the American Cemetery. Afterwards, we will arrive in Firenze
in time for dinner before retiring for the night.
Day 2 Florence
In the morning, our group will take a walking tour through
the city that is known all over the world as the Capital of
the Arts. Florence is the capital of the region of Tuscany
and spreads on the banks of the Arno, between the Adriatic
and the Tyrrhenian seas, almost in the middle of the Italian
peninsula. It is a city that bustles with industry and craft,
commerce and culture, art and science. We will visit the Academia,
which features paintings by Michelangelo, as well as the Medici
Chapels. The afternoon is free for personal sightseeing or
shopping prior to our evening meal. Once again, we will spend
the evening in Florence.
Day 3 Florence
Your last day in Florence is free,
with participants able to do as they please – whether you would prefer to relax
in the hotel, explore the city further, sample the local cuisine,
or shop to your heart’s delight!
Day 4 Home
Transfer to Florence Airport.
Recommended Reading:
Supreme Commander – Stephen E. Ambrose |
