The Wonders of Pompeii, Herculaneum & the Amalfi Coast

Itinerary

• Day 1
  Arrive in Sorrento
• Day 2
  Sorrento - Facing the Bay of Naples on the Sorrentine Peninsula, clinging to the edge of the cliff, Sorrento is a charming hillside town with a lot of character. From its maze of cobblestone streets, filled with lively cafes, to its busy marinas with sweeping views of the water, there's so much to explore on our guided walking tour, weaving through the heart of the town with a knowledgeable local guide. It's a leisurely start to our exciting tour of Italy. This afternoon, you are free to explore the elegant shops selling luxury leather goods and shoes and cosy restaurants, nestling in tall buildings with faded facades in typically Mediterranean shades of ochre, yellow and magenta. The region is famous for its lemon cultivation - Sorrento lemons have been given their own protected IGP (Indicazione Geografica Protetta) status in the same way as Parma ham or balsamic vinegar from Modena. 60% of lemon production goes into making limoncello liqueur, it can also be found in soaps, cosmetics and, of course, ice cream. So, if you're looking for the taste of Sorrento, look no further than a cool and refreshing scoop of lemon gelato.
• Day 3
  Pompeii - The story of Pompeii is legendary, but today is much more than a collection of ruins. It's a window into life in this Roman town nearly 2,000 years ago. Much of our knowledge about their habits, social structures, class system and domestic arrangements was discovered within the walls of Pompeii's well-preserved structures. Covering over 440,000 square meters, the buried city had public squares, temples, bathhouses, buildings and private villas. Many buildings still have murals and mosaics, while others are inscribed with graffiti describing political events, romantic entanglements and even gossip of the time - and they're still making new discoveries! While fascinating, Pompeii is also slightly eerie; the of Vesuvius's victims preserved for eternity still lie where they died immortalising their pained expressions. After a poignant visit to Pompeii, we will visit Vesuvius National Park, where we can enjoy fantastic views of the iconic volcano. Here, we’ll take a tour of the vineyard, followed by a delightful lunch expertly paired with the vineyard's wines.
• Day 4
  Capri - The most famous island in the Bay of Naples, Capri, has been popular since Roman times, even attracting emperors like Tiberius, who made it his home and ruled an entire empire from its shores. In slightly more modern times, writers such as DH Lawrence and George Bernard Shaw, and celebrities - from Leonardo DiCaprio, Lindsay Lohan, and Jackie Kennedy Onassis - are said to have spent time here, cementing its status as a playground for celebrities. Of course, its popularity is definitely not unfounded and, as we approach by boat, you'll begin to see why. The main town is perched on a hill looking down on the quaint harbour where small fishing boats and luxurious yachts bob in the water and restaurants line the busy quayside. You'll have free time to explore the island as you please before a spectacular cruise in a private boat. Enjoy Capri from a different perspective and take in the most magical of views of this glamorous island.
• Day 5
  Free day - Today is a free day to spend at leisure in Sorrento, perhaps to browse the numerous boutiques or enjoy a leisurely lunch in one of the many restaurants that Sorrento has to offer. Tonight, we’re treated to the enchanting sound of the Three Tenors concert in Sorrento. Inspired by the original trio, it features three mesmerizing Italian tenors accompanied by strings and a grand piano.
• Day 6
  Amalfi Coast and Rufolo Gardens - Towns cascading down coastal cliffs, secluded beaches and fragrant citrus groves - the sublimely beautiful Amalfi coast is famous for all this and more! Our scenic drive takes us above the exclusive resort of Positano - a haunt of celebrities. We'll continue our drive inland along winding mountain roads to a hidden treasure of the Amalfi Coast: Ravello. Perched like a bird's nest above the town of Amalfi, this picture-perfect village offers breathtaking panoramic views. It has an ambience all its own, with an enchanting main square, a 13th-century cathedral and the Villa Rufolo, which was once the centre of a city-state and is now an interesting collection of medieval buildings, statues and terraced gardens (it was also the inspiration for elements of Wagner’s opera Parsifal). In the centre of the village is Rufolo Gardens, one of the most popular destinations on the Amalfi Coast.  Dating back to the 13th century, the villa and gardens were built for wealthy merchants, the Rufolo family. After falling into disrepair, it was lovingly restored, keeping much of its medieval charm. We think you'll agree its moniker - the "Garden of the Soul" - is well-deserved as you follow pretty pathways and uncover beautiful, original structures dotted around the gardens, as you draw closer to the famous Belvedere overlooking the coast towards the seaside towns of Minori and Maiori.
• Day 7
  Authentic farm lunch - Pompeii's lesser-known cousin is also full of discovery. Like Pompeii, Herculaneum was also destroyed by Vesuvius in 79AD. Though much smaller than Pompeii, it was covered by almost 5 times more ash, creating a completely different level of preservation. It was first discovered by architect Domenico Fontana, who upon discovering the erotic frescoes from the ancient brothels, covered it back up. It was rediscovered almost 40 years before Pompeii, but excavations only began 100 years after those in Pompeii because it was much more difficult. We'll follow a guide around this spectacular UNESCO World Heritage Site they'll bring the history of Herculaneum to life. As a small resort town, it has a more intimate feel and the buildings here are even more well-preserved. The frescoes and mosaics still display their vibrant colours as the volcanic ash that fell vacuum-sealed the city, ensuring spectacular preservation. From Herculaneum, we'll wind our way back through the hills and lemon groves to Sorrento, where we'll enjoy an authentic farm lunch of delicious, locally produced ingredients at a rustic, family-owned working farm. Set in the tranquil countryside, there's time to soak in the views before sitting down to eat.  While we're here, we will also learn how mozzarella is made using traditional techniques, you will also be able to enjoy a tasting of locally produced olive oil, plus of course the local limoncello.
• Day 8
  Return home