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Arrive
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Day 1 Arrival in Sicily
Arrive in the Sicilian capital of Palermo where your base for the next few days is the ornate Grand Hotel et des Palmes. This Palermo icon was originally constructed as a palazzo for the Ingham-Whitaker family - English merchants who made their fortune selling Marsala to the British navy. The hotel maintains a feel of palatial opulence with its hall of mirrors, Art Nouveau stained glass and refined Winter Garden.
Overnight: Grand Hotel et des Palmes
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Day 2 Highlights of Palermo
This morning, begin your introduction to exquisite Palermo with a private guide, taking in some of the city's most enchanting sights - as well as the backdrops to Tom Ripley's brooding strolls in episode seven of the Netflix adaptation. Marvel at the majestic cathedral and follow Tom's gaze to the four corners of Quattro Canti, the city's iconic Baroque piazza where Palermo's patron saints overlook proceedings from a great height.
Overnight: Grand Hotel et des Palmes
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Day 3 Caravaggio, Ripley and Montepellegrino
Follow in the footsteps of both Tom Ripley and Michelangelo Caravaggio today as you visit the Oratory of San Lorenzo to see a depiction of The Nativity of St Francis & St Lawrence. The original of Caravaggio's stolen masterpiece was never recovered, but the high-quality replica on display at the church showcases the mastery of the troubled Italian painter - who himself spent time evading the law in Palermo. You will then venture north to the verdant hill of Montepellegrino, home to the 17th-century Santuario di Santa Rosalia which is wedged into the cliffside and opens into a dripping cave. Round off your explorations with a walk to the belvedere to absorb the fabulous views of the city, the Bay of Palermo and the beaches of Mondello in the distance.
Overnight: Grand Hotel et des Palmes
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Day 4 Naples and on to the Amalfi Coast
Bidding farewell to Sicily, you will fly to Naples today, the south's bustling capital with its rich and mysterious history. A private guide will showcase attractions such as the Pio Monte della Misericordia (where Dickie and Tom view Caravaggio's Seven Works of Mercy) as well the city's historic centre, the UNESCO World Heritage Spaccanapoli and the enigmatic sculpture of the Veiled Christ. From Naples you will be driven south to Ravello and your magnificent hotel looking out to the Tyrrhenian Sea.
Overnight: Palazzo Avino
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Day 5 Ravello and Atrani
Picturesque Ravello is a delight to explore on foot, and today you will be able to do just that. Absorb the fabulous coastal views, stroll the narrow streets of the historic centre and stop for a coffee or gelato in a pavement café. Resuming Tom Ripley's trail, descend the 1700 steps to Atrani, Italy's smallest town and the setting for the Greenleaf home of Mongibello (the villa itself is in fact located on nearby Capri). Lose yourself for a while in Atrani's labyrinthine streets, alleyways and scalinatelle stairways - but be sure to travel back to your hotel by taxi as you don't want to walk su, su, su….
Overnight: Palazzo Avino
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Day 6 The Amalfi Coast and Capri by private yacht
Today you will take to the sparkling waters of the Amalfi Coast by private motor yacht, sailing to the exquisite island of Capri. Here you will be able to track down Villa Torricella - Dickie Greenleaf's villa in the Netflix Ripley series - as well as discovering Anacapri. The highest point on the island, Anacapri offers a laidback contrast to the bustle of central Capri, its pretty streets and squares dotted with artisan shops and majolica benches. On your return to the mainland, you may wish to stop for a swim at the Blue Grotto and enjoy the spectacle of the azure waters and towering rock formations above you.
Overnight: Palazzo Avino
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Day 7 Pompeii and to Rome
Retrace your steps back to Naples with a stop en route to visit the lost city of Pompeii. From Naples you will travel to by train to Rome, where echoes of Tom Ripley (as well as the life of Michelangelo Caravaggio) once again reverberate across the Eternal City. Hop into a Fiat 500 for a guided tour of the centro storico, passing the Monument Victor Emmanuel II which features in the Ripley series, and perhaps pausing for 'some of the best coffee in Italy' on Piazza di Pietra. Round off your tour in the Park of the Aqueducts, an incredible feat of Roman engineering - and temporary resting place of Freddie Miles following his demise at the hands of Tom. Your base in Rome is Hotel Hassler Roma atop the Spanish Steps, the exterior of which may look familiar as 'Hotel Excelsior' in the series.
Overnight: Hotel Hassler Roma
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Day 8 Rome and Caravaggio masterpieces
Today can be spent delving into Rome against a backdrop of Caravaggio masterpieces. Caravaggio's works - not to mention his drama-filled life - captivate Tom Ripley in the television series, and you can experience the impact his paintings make in various locations across the city. The Church of Santa Maria del Popolo houses two Caravaggio works - The Conversion of St Paul and The Crucifixion of St Peter, commissioned by the owner of the 16th century Cerasi Chapel. This afternoon, venture to the leafy Villa Borghese Gardens, home to the Galleria Borghese and several Caravaggio works including David with the Head of Goliath, and Madonna with Child & St Anne.
Overnight: Hotel Hassler Roma
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Day 9 Further explorations of Rome
Hidden between Rome's buzzing Piazza Navona and the Pantheon is the Contarelli Chapel, in the Church of San Luigi di Francesci. Here you can marvel at Caravaggio's magnificent triptych, The Cycle of St Matthew. The balance of the day is at leisure for you to further explore Rome at your own pace, or accompanied by one of our expert guides. In addition to visits to classic sights such as the Colosseum or the Vatican City, we can arrange a wealth of other activities such as pizza making, walks along the Appian Way or an ice cream making workshop.
Option: This evening we can arrange a private visit to the Galleria Doria Pamphilj, which features two other works by Caravaggio - the Rest on the Flight into Egypt and John the Baptist.
Overnight: Hotel Hassler Roma
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Day 10 By train to Venice
Departing Rome you will take the train north to Venice, where Ripley hides out and plays his final hand. As you arrive by private boat along the Grand Canal, keep a look out for the stunning Palazzo Contarini Polignac (Tom's magnificent Venetian residence) and the Rialto Bridge. Your base in Rome is the iconic Gritti Palace, from which the Palazzo Contarini Polignac is visible. Alternatively, do as Tom did and rent a palazzo - Palazzo Garzoni is located on the Grand Canal itself and enjoys spectacular views.
This evening, you may wish to head out and tap into the city's delicious cicchetti scene.
Overnight: The Gritti Palace
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Day 11 Highlights of Venice
We recommend beginning your explorations of Venice in the San Marco district, with its famous piazza of the same name. Pause for a coffee at Caffe Florian where Tom meets fellow fraudster, Reeves Minot, and then continue to discover this most romantic of cities at your own pace. Venice lends itself to unstructured meandering through the many atmospheric backstreets, intersected by endless canals. Should you wish to organise more structured sightseeing, we can arrange explorations of the Venetian islands, a visit to a gondola workshop or even a Venetian mask making workshop.
Overnight: The Gritti Palace
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Day 12 Ripley's Venice
Spend your final day in Venice absorbing life in opulent style, perhaps echoing the extravagance of Tom Ripley as he assumes Dickie's persona and wealth. You could buy your own pair of Ferragamos, a Montblanc fountain pen or even a Murano glass ashtray….
End your stay in Italy in style with a rooftop dinner or drinks at the Bar Terrazza Danieli, at the Hotel Danieli where the Greenleafs stay.
Overnight: The Gritti Palace
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Day 13 Depart
After a final breakfast at your hotel, glide across the lagoon and back to the airport in plenty of time for your onward flight.
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Depart
