Anyone who flies through time zones has to grapple with the biorhythmic confusion known as jet lag. When you switch your wristwatch six to nine hours forward, your body says, "Hey, what's going on?" Body clocks don't reset so easily. All your life you've done things on a 24-hour cycle. Now, after crossing the Atlantic, your body wants to eat when you tell it to sleep and sleep when you tell it to enjoy a museum.
Too many people assume their first day will be made worthless by jet lag. Don't prematurely condemn yourself to zombiedom. Most people I've traveled with, of all ages, have enjoyed productive - even hyper - first days. You can't avoid jet lag, but with a few tips you can minimize the symptoms.
Leave home well-rested
On the flight, drink plenty of liquids, eat lightly, and rest. Reset your mind to local time. On arrival, stay awake until an early local bedtime.
If you doze off at 4 p.m. and wake up at midnight, you've accomplished nothing. Plan a good walk until early evening. Jet lag hates fresh air, daylight, and exercise. Your body may beg for sleep, but stand firm: Refuse. Force your body's transition to the local time. You'll probably awaken very early on your first morning. Trying to sleep later is normally futile. Get out and enjoy a "pinch me, I'm in Europe" walk, as merchants set up in the marketplace and the town slowly comes to life. This will probably be the only sunrise you'll see in Europe.
Amalfi lacks to the dramatic first-look that the houses stacked slong the coast in Positano give you--but Amalfi was a world class sea power between the 7th and 11th centuries, and this military and trading power is reflected in its architecture, especially in the Duomo di Sant' Andrea, which is a dramatic, 62 step climb out of Amalfi's main piazza. Chiostro del Paradiso, the Cloister of Paradise, was built in 1266 and is an architectural treasure. Amalfi's beauty is internal, like the cloister. From the narrow stairways off the main street, to the architectual styles that imcorporate details brought from around the world, Amalfi is a place to wander--and perhaps to stay in for a few days. Ravello and Positano are close by, and can be done as day trips from Amalfi.
Cathedral of Amalfi
Is situated at the top of this large, staircase. I was feeling a bit wonky, being not good at heights anyway and having just completed the trip along the coast by bus.
The handrail was not what you would call user friendly being heaps wider than a handhold so this added somewhat to my insecurity. I did make it to the top though and stood looking away from the steps for some time trying to make a decision to pop in next door.....another part of the church that was supposed to have some really interesting stuff in it too. When my heart finally settled down I decided that it might take me some time to get down and I didn't want to miss my bus mates so.............I hugged the right hand bannister and took it one step at a time.
I have a number of deposits on this trip! I only have room for 16 people so if you are even thinking about going
Please let me know! It will be a SELL-OUT!
Finally! The Italy trip is ready! Please make sure you click the links to all the beautiful hotels we will be staying at! This is going to be a fantastic trip of a life time! There is a payment plan so start saving your money for next year!
Dianne Tuttle, CTC
Academy Cruises & Tours
Amalfi Coast --- Italy !!!!
Join us for a trip of a lifetime!
Hazel is going to visit us from Bulgaria!
10 Nights / 11 days
June 14 - 25th 2010
The Amalfi Coast is a place of romance. Its coast towns are Positano Trani, Amalfi, Conca dei Marini, Furore, Cetara, Maiori, Minori, Praiano, Ravello, Scala and Vietri sul Mare. As an official World Heritage Site, the Amalfi Coast is loaded with picturesque towns, from bars and clubs to pottery stores to hiking to sightseeing to just relaxing and enjoying yourself. You will fascinated by the intriguing terrain and enjoyable residents.
The Amalfi Coast is one of the most scenic coastal areas of Italy. Because it is in the south it has a fairly moderate climate making it a good travel destination year round. There are several beautiful towns along the coast. From Sorrento it is easy to travel using public transportation to the island of Capri, the archaeological sites of Pompeii and Herculanium, the nearby volcano Vesuvious, the resort town of Amalfi, and even Naples. You could easily spend a week on the Amalfi Coast interesting places to visit.
Pictures of The Blue Grotto - in Capri!
I hope it is open when we are there!
For those of you who went on the Costa Rica trip Hazel was with us on that trip and she is now in the Peace Corps and is
in Bulgaria for 27 months. She is planning to join us for a couple of days while we are in Italy!
Trip includes: Round trip transfers to and from Naples airport to hotel, 4 nights @Hotel Flora in Sorrento, 2 nights Hotel San Felice in Capri, 4 nights Hotel Pasitea in Positano all with daily breakfast, sight seeing on most days and Marcello will be giving us a tour on day 9 of our trip.
Priced Per person: $2153.00 land only
Single supplement add $732.00
Marcello will be additional and will be paid after the day tour with him in Euros.. It will depend on how many will be going and how many vans we will need. Fee to be split among everyone on the tour.
air additional (I am working on air from SLO)
Payment Plan
$500 due at time of booking
Payments of $413.00 due Sep, Nov, Jan,
final due mar 2010
3% additional for credit cards
Travel Insurance recommended is additional
Day to Day itinerary
Day 1 - Naples/Sorrento
Arrival at Naples airport, where you will be met by the tour escort and transferred by private bus to Sorrento. In the lanes of the old city centre, still untouched in spite of the progress and mass tourism, have survived churches and ancient monasteries, keepers of valuable memories. Centuries old palaces and Durazzo portals evidence the splendor of the noble families of Sorrento. Via S. Cesareo, the lively "decumanus", is the beating heart of the town, with its many-colored shops, where tourists from every part of the world crowd. But the real architectonic jewel of the town is the fourteenth century Cloister of San Francesco, with crossed tuff arches of Arabian derivation, where the traditional concerts of the "Estate Musicale Sorrentina" take place. Welcome dinner and overnight at hotel.
Day 2 - Sorrento
After breakfast you will be met by the tour escort for tour in Sorrento's center. You can visit the Church and Cloister of S. Francesco, continue to Palazzo Veniero (thirteenth century), Palazzo Correale (fourteenth century) and Fifteenth century house. Afternoon at your leisure.
Day 3- Sorrento
Today we will enjoy a guided tour of Sorrento. The Cathedral, in Romanesque style, it dates back to the fifteenth century. From the same period dates the side portal (1474), in Renaissance style; The Cathedral's Bell Tower, this Bell Tower has a remarkable base dating back to the Romanesque age, probably built around the eleventh century, with shafts of columns of different kinds with classical and Byzantine capitals, statue bases and every sort of marble fragments; Church of Rosario, this church, called after the Most Holy Felice and Baccolo, is commonly known by the name of the Most Holy Rosario; Basilica of S. Antonino, its origin dates back to the eleventh century, even if as early as in the ninth century approximately, in that place existed an oratory dedicated to S. Antonino. Sedile di Porta (sixteenth century); Church of Carmine, the origin of this temple probably dates back to the years 230 - 240 A.D., when in Sorrento was implemented a persecution against Christians. It was rebuilt at the end of the sixteenth century. Continue to visit the Museo Correale di Terranova, the Museum Correale, this valuable bulwark of Sorrento art and culture, has often been defined "the most beautiful province museum of Italy". It is situated in an ancient patrician villa, surrounded by a citrus grove that looks onto the tuff ridge just in front of the Gulf of Naples. Overnight at hotel.
Day 4 - Pompeii/Naples
After breakfast departure for Pompeii. Visit one the most important and interesting archaeological museums in the world. This famous ancient city was buried by the ashes of Mt Vesuvius in AD 79. It is a remarkable site. Lunch at a local restaurant. After lunch departure for Naples. Meet your local guide and start the tour with a visit of the National Space Archaeological Museum. This is one of the most important archaeological museums in Europe and contains the collection of objects that belonged to the Bourbon family and also a series of bronzes, sculptures and other objects found in the digs at Pompeii and Herculaneum. Visit of the Cathedral-Duomo of San Gennaro. This was built around the end of the 12th century. The relics of San Gennaro, the patron saint of Naples, are kept in the cathedral. Return to Sorrento. Overnight at hotel.
Day 5 - Capri
After breakfast transfer to the pier and departure by hydrofoil to Capri. Perhaps Capri really is an Enchanted Island. The isle of Capri is described in many ways: the Blue Island, the sleeping beauty, or better the island of love. Due to its beauty, the Emperor Tiberius lived on this island for 10 years, ruling the all Roman Empire. Bus tour of the island with a local guide, includes a visit to the wonderful Marina Piccola, Piazza Umberto I, a small, closed off square resembling a courtyard, the gardens of Augusto built on the ruins of ancient Roman structures. Overnight in Capri.
Day 6 - Capri
After breakfast visit to Blue grotto, that is an image of Capri pas excellence. Under the administration of the Italian government, it is a monument and a museum. It is a natural phenomenon, not man made. Afternoon at your leisure. Overnight in Capri.
Day 7 - Positano
Today transfer to Positano. Positano was a prosperous port of the Amalfi Republic in the 16th and 17th centuries. But by the mid-19th century, the town had fallen on hard times. More than half the population emigrated, mostly to the United States of America. Positano was a relatively poor fishing village during the first half of the 20th century. It began to attract large numbers of tourists in the 1950s, especially after John Steinbeck published his essay about Positano in Harper's Bazaar in May, 1953: "Positano bites deep", Steinbeck wrote. "It is a dream place that isn't quite real when you are there and becomes beckoningly real after you have gone". Lunch at a local restaurant. Visited to Positano Church, the church of Santa Maria Assunta features a dome made of majolica tiles as well as a 13th Byzantine century icon of a black Madonna. According to local legend, the icon had been stolen from Byzantium and was being transported by pirates across the Mediterranean. A terrible storm had blown up in the waters opposite Positano and the frightened sailors heard a voice on board saying "Posa, posa!" ("Put down! Put down!"). The precious icon was unloaded and carried to the fishing village and the storm abated. Overnight in Positano.
Day 8 - Ravello
After breakfast transfer to Ravello, which is nestled 1110 feet above the sea! Here, we will visit Villa Rufolo, which gave the musician Richard Wagner the inspiration to create one of his most famous works. Return to Positano. Afternoon at your leisure.
Day 09 - Positano
Today is the day to spend with Marcello. I will let you know how much money the day with Marcello will be and it will be determined on how many sign up and if we need to one or tw vans. You will pay Marcello directly in Eurosat the end of the tour. Overnight in Positano.
Day 10 - Positano
Today enjoy a free day. Farewell Dinner and overnight in Positano.
Day 11 - Positano/Usa
Today we will say goodbye to Italy. Transfer to Naples airport for our flight home.
Make checks payable to:
Academy Travel
570 Higuera St. Suite 225
San Luis Obispo, CA 93401
Call Dianne @ 805-781-2630 for more information or if you have any questions about the trip.
Need a roommate? Call and get on the list!
I will help you find a roommate!
Call (805) 781-2630 for more information or to book today! Mention code 8661634
Dates/Pricing
Active/Adventure
Beach
Bicycle Touring
Bird Watching
Boating
Canoeing
Climbing
Fitness Center
Hiking
Kayaking
Mountain Biking
Music Festivals
Nature Observance
Sailing
Scuba Diving
Sea Kayaking
Snorkeling/Swimming
Surfing
Urban Adventure
Whale Watching
Windsurfing
Cultural/Educational
Anthropology
Antiques
Archaeology
Architecture
Art
Botany
Culinary
Dance
Festival
History
Music
Photography
Religion and Spirituality
Shopping
Classes/Instruction
Art
Bridge
Climbing
Cooking
Dancing
Fitness/Wellness
Mixology
Needlepoint
Outdoor
Paddling
Photography
Sailing
Wine Tasting
Disclaimer
prices are per person double occupancy
land only air prices additional
call if you need a room mate
travel insurance additional
I strongly recommend travel insurance
Tours
Reno Fun Train! From $598.00 (USD) Feb 25th – Mar 1st 2010
2 nights in Emeryville / 2 nights Reno
Let it snow, let it snow! What better way to enjoy it than aboard the Reno Fun Train! Party and dance your way through the snowy mountains for a weekend of fun and games.
Amalfi Coast.....Italy! From $2,153.00 (USD) Join us for a trip of a lifetime!
10 Nights / 11 days
June 14 - 25th 2010
Special Promotion 
