Compare Sail Italy: Procida to Amalfi by Intrepid Travel vs Naples: Jewel of South Florida’s Gulf Coast by Road Scholar

Day 1 Procida - Ischia

Ciao! Welcome to Procida, Italy, a tiny island off the coast of Naples. Your adventure begins today with a group meeting at 3 pm. The first port of call is the local supermarket to buy supplies for your trip as a group. If you arrive on the island early, maybe explore the Mediterranean city of Procida at your own pace. You can see the walled medieval town of Terra Murata or the charming port of Corricella. This afternoon, you'll sail the short distance to the largest of the Phlegraean Islands, Ischia. In contrast to Procida, it’s the largest island in the Bay of Naples.

Day 2 Ischia - Sorrento

Spend the morning and early afternoon in Ischia. Perhaps visit Spiaggia dei Pescatori, an idyllic beach that sits between Ischia Porto and Ischia Ponte. The beach offers a great view of Castello Aragonese, a 15th-century medieval castle. In the afternoon, you'll set sail for Sorrento, appreciating the panoramic views of the Bay of Naples and Mount Vesuvius along the way. Tonight, you’ll have the opportunity to try one of Sorrento's well-known exports – Limoncello! This a liqueur produced from locally-grown Femminello Santa Teresa lemons.

Day 3 Sorrento - Pompeii

Today, you have the option to visit the abandoned city of Pompeii, a Roman settlement that was frozen in time when Mount Vesuvius erupted. Well-preserved buildings, artwork and pottery offer a glimpse into the lives of the ancient Romans. There’s also an option to hire a private guide for the ruins, as the site could easily be explored over an entire day due to sheer size and content (the additional cost of a private guide will be split between the group). Another possible activity is a visit to the Mount Vesuvius National Park. Reach the volcano by taking a public bus and then a short walk, which requires a moderate level of fitness. Although it's not an overly strenuous walk, if you have any health issues you may want to run this past your doctor before leaving home. At 1200 m, it will be a lot colder than sea level, so you'll need to bring a jumper, rain coat, hat, sunscreen, good walking shoes and lots of water with you. The return trip should take approximately three hours.

Day 4 Amalfi

Set sail for the Amalfi Coast, a collection of rocky coastlines, tiered lemon groves and whitewashed villages clinging to steep cliffs, passing the Sirenusas (Gallos) archipelago to the east of the Sorrentine Peninsula on the way. Your sailing adventure comes to an end when you arrive, at around 10 am this morning. After a final breakfast together, you’re free to depart, although it's recommended that you stay a few additional nights in Amalfi for further exploration. **Got extra time? For a more encompassing sailing experience why not consider our 8 day Amalfi Sailing Adventure? For more information enter trip code ZSRAC**

Day 1
Check-In, Registration, Orientation, Welcome Dinner
Naples, FL D Holiday Inn Express - Naples
Activity note: 3:00 p.m. hotel check-in followed by Program Registration; 5:15 p.m. Orientation followed by Welcome Dinner.

Afternoon: Hotel Check-in: Available from 3:00pm. Program Registration: After you have your room assignment, come to the Road Scholar table in the lobby to register with the program staff and get your welcome packet containing your name-tag, up-to-date schedule that reflects any changes, other important information, and to confirm when and where the Orientation session will take place. If you arrive late, please ask for your packet when you check in. Orientation. The Group Leader will greet everyone and lead introductions. We will review the up-to-date program schedule, discuss roles and responsibilities, logistics, safety guidelines, emergency procedures, and answer questions. Periods in the daily schedule designated as “Free time” and “At leisure” offer opportunities to do what you like and make your experience even more meaningful and memorable according to your personal preferences. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions. Program activities, schedules, personnel, and indicated distances or times may change due to local circumstances/conditions. In the event of changes, we will alert you as quickly as possible. Thank you for your understanding.

Dinner: Welcome dinner at the hotel.

Evening: At leisure.

Day 2
Botanical Gardens, Naples Depot Museum, Expert Lecture
Naples, FL B,L,D Holiday Inn Express - Naples
Activity note: Walking up to 2 miles paved sidewalks.

Breakfast: At the hotel, enjoy a variety of hot and cold items on the buffet, including scrambled eggs, breakfast meats, potatoes, pancakes, yogurt, oatmeal, fruit, coffee and tea, as well as an omelette station.

Morning: Enjoy a morning lecture by a local expert to further your knowledge about the about the Naples area. Next, Head to the Naples Botanical Garden and learn with a local expert, explore the essence of the Florida landscape, and learn about native plants. This world-class “paradise” combines delightful cultivated tropical gardens with beautifully restored natural habitats, connecting people and plants through display, education, conservation, and science. It began in 1993 with the purchase of an extraordinary 170-acre site comprising seven different habitats just south of Old Naples, where an existing strip mall and parking lot were transformed, culminating in six cultivated gardens, 2.5 miles of walking trails, and 90 acres of restored native preserve.

Lunch: Enjoy lunch at the Naples Botanical Garden. .

Afternoon: After lunch, we will head to Naples Depot Museum, located in what used to be the Seaboard Air Line Railway Station. This museum explains the impact that transportation and trade had on the development of Naples. Naples transformed over the years from a 300 person village to a bustling resort city.

Dinner: Plated at a local restaurant.

Evening: At Leisure.

Day 3
The Revs Institute, The Conservancy of Southwest Florida
Naples, FL B,L,D Holiday Inn Express - Naples
Activity note: Walking indoors and outdoors on flat, paved surfaces.

Breakfast: At the hotel.

Morning: Visit the Revs Institute, whose founder Miles Collier was born into an American automotive dynasty. Both his father and uncle, Miles and Sam are credited with introducing sports car racing to the United States during the 1930’s. The rare collection includes over 100 vintage automobiles built between 1896 to 1995. As you explore the museum, notice on some of the earlier documents form the late 1890’s automobiles are referred to as “locomotives!”

Lunch: Boxed lunch, bottled water included, at the Conservancy of Southwest Florida.

Afternoon: Following lunch, we'll begin our visit at the Conservancy of Southwest Florida. Its mission is to protect the area's unique natural environment. A naturalist will lead the group through the exhibits of the Dalton Discovery Center that works to enhance visitors' knowledge of the surrounding ecosystems. In a classroom setting, hear from a naturalist about some of the wildlife they work to protect.

Dinner: At a local restaurant.

Evening: At leisure.

Day 4
Liebig Art Center, Palm Cottage, Historic Downtown Naples.
Naples, FL B,L Holiday Inn Express - Naples
Activity note: Walk up to 1.5 miles.

Breakfast: At the hotel.

Morning: We will explore the von Liebig Art Center for a special behind-the-scenes visit of this community art center operated by the Naples Art Association. The von Liebig Art Center showcases exhibits from artists ranging from local to international fame. Next we will depart for the historic Naples Beach Hotel. Believe it or not, this hotel houses more than 3,000 Orchids. Beginning in 1991 with just six plants, the collection requires the care of a full-time staff and the controlled environment of a large Orchid House. In a private meeting space, a local expert will display and discuss the types of orchids grown onsite, which include Phalaenopsis, Dendrobiums and Cattleyas. Enjoy Q&A time at the end of the presentation to have all your questions like, “Where do I cut the spike?" or "How do I properly water my orchid?" answered by your local expert.

Lunch: Enjoy a plated lunch at the Naples Beach Hotel.

Afternoon: .After lunch, we will depart for a guided tour of the Palm Cottage. The Palm Cottage will allow us to take a step back into Old Naples and experience the rustic and hand crafted charm that makes the home and community a local architectural gem. Now we will see the historic Naples Pier. Originally built in 1888 as a freight and passenger dock, the Naples Pier stands as a community landmark. Narrow gauge train rails spanning the length of the pier transported freight and baggage in the early 1900’s. Rebuilt after damage by hurricanes in 1910, 1926 and 1960, it remains a public symbol of the area’s history. Originally known as a "sportsman's paradise", attracting fishermen and hunters alike, it was Naples pull as a resort town that captivated many famous and important visitors and brought about the nickname, “summerland in wintertime”.

Dinner: This meal has been excluded from the program cost and is on your own to enjoy what you like. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions.

Evening: At leisure.

Day 5
Eco-Cruise, Lecture, Farewell Dinner.
Naples, FL B,L,D Holiday Inn Express - Naples
Activity note: Load and unload boat.

Breakfast: At the hotel.

Morning: We will begin the day on the water aboard the Good Fortune II at Rookery Bay. During our eco-cruise, we'll have on-board instruction by a Conservancy naturalist, getting an up-close look at some of the waterways, bird species, and other wildlife of the area.

Lunch: Disembark the Good Fortune II as a group and enjoy lunch on the Isle of Capri at a local restaurant.

Afternoon: Free time. Take this opportunity for personal independent exploration to see and do what interests you most. Please refer to the list of Free Time Opportunities. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions

Dinner: Farewell dinner at the hotel.

Evening: We will be joined by our guest speaker who will discuss wildlife in Naples and the surrounding area along with showing a short film highlighting some of the key areas from our visit.

Day 6
Morning Lecture, Program Concludes
Naples, FL B
Activity note: 10:00 a.m. after Lecture with the Florida Public Archaeology Network program concludes; 11:00 p.m. hotel check out.

Breakfast: At the hotel.

Morning: Learn about the wonders that lie beneath the soil of Naples with an expert form the Florida Public Archaeology Network. This concludes our program. If you are transferring to another Road Scholar program, detailed instructions are included in your Information Packet for that program. We hope you enjoy Road Scholar learning adventures and look forward to having you on rewarding programs in the future. Don’t forget to join our Facebook page and follow us on Instagram. Best wishes for all your journeys!