Pompeii, Capri & the Bay of Naples

Arrive at the airport for your flight to Naples. On arrival we transfer by coach to Sorrento, where you have a choice of carefully selected hotels to stay for seven nights.

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3* Grand Hotel Cesare Augusto - Sorrento

Chosen for it's location in Sorrento's centre.

• Rooftop pool and bar
• Private landscaped gardens
• Central location

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4* Grand Europa Palace - Sorrento

Chosen for it's cliff-top location with breathtaking sea views.

• Converted 19th-century villas
• Elegant, opulent & charming design
• Close to the centre of Sorrento

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3* Villa Maria - Sorrento

Chosen for it's wonderfully warm and friendly atmosphere.

• Central location
• Rooftop pool & sun terrace
• Comfortable and convenient

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4* Hotel Michelangelo - Sorrento

Chosen for it's central location near to Piazza Tasso.

• Unique heritage and history
• Relaxing outdoor pool
• Rooftop sun terrace

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4* superior Grand Hotel Aminta - Sorrento

Chosen for its panoramic views of the Sorrentine Peninsula.

• Welcoming and friendly staff
• Elegant and relaxing atmosphere
• Panoramic restaurant with stunning views

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4* Hotel La Vue D’Or - Sorrento

Chosen for it's amazing views of the Bay of Naples, Vesuvius and Sorrento.

• Surrounded by beautiful countryside
• Family-run, friendly hotel
• Panoramic restaurant & bar

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3* La Badia - Sorrento

Chosen for it's welcoming atmosphere and delicious home-cooking.

• Converted 16th-century monastery
• Full of character and charm
• Surrounded by fragrant lemon and orange groves

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4* Hotel Mediterraneo - Sorrento

Chosen for its seaside cliff location overlooking the ocean.

• Private beach
• Spectacular sea views
• Rooftop bar

Morning

Our first day in this centuries-old resort is at a suitably relaxed pace, beginning with a short walking tour. The Romans appreciated Sorrento’s many qualities and the area is dotted with the remains of 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 has a long history of lemon cultivation, with highly prized Sorrento lemons given their own protected IGP (Indicazione Geografica Protetta) status in the same way as Parma ham or balsamic vinegar from Modena. Sixty percent of lemon production goes into making limoncello liqueur, but in Sorrento it seems that anything can be made from the local citrus fruit, including soaps, cosmetics and, of course, ice-cream.

Afternoon

The rest of the afternoon is free to explore at your own leisure.

Morning

We drive north around the bay to the cosmopolitan city of Naples. We have a guided tour of the Archaeological Museum, one of the finest of its kind in the world. When the excavations started in nearby Pompeii and Herculaneum, the most significant finds were brought here and unveiled to an eager public. An extensive display of remarkably preserved mosaics provides a fascinating insight into the way of life – and even the sense of humour – of ordinary Romans. Other areas of the museum include murals, fine pottery and preserved food, while a central presentation features some of the largest classical sculptures ever uncovered. It’s an absorbing visit, and one that perfectly complements your visit to Pompeii.

Afternoon

Most people know the story of Pompeii and its fate, but today this site is so much more than a collection of ruins. Our guided tour of the Roman town this afternoon highlights its astonishing state of preservation – even if you aren’t especially interested in history, you can’t fail to be impressed by its scale – streets, temples, baths and even the amphitheatre remain largely intact. Much of our knowledge about the Roman way of life- their habits, social structure, class system and domestic arrangements- has come from Pompeii. Many buildings still have murals and mosaics, while others are inscribed with graffiti describing political events, romantic entanglements and even gossip of the time. You can even see traffic-calming measures and a one-way system! Although endlessly fascinating, Pompeii is also slightly eerie, particularly when you see the pained facial expressions of Vesuvius’ victims preserved for eternity.

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.

The island of Capri is renowned the world over, and today we take a short boat ride to discover its charms. It has long been the most desirable part of the Bay of Naples, attracting Roman emperors – Tiberius made it his home and ruled the empire from here – writers such as DH Lawrence and George Bernard Shaw, Hollywood stars and numerous other luminaries who have sought inspiration here. It’s easy to see why Capri is so adored; as we approach you’ll see small fishing boats bobbing on the water, with whitewashed shops and restaurants lining the busy quayside against a backdrop of towering cliffs.

The main town is perched on a hill looking down on the quaint harbour below and you’ll have some time to explore the island. One option is to visit the famous Blue Grotto – the large sea cave that takes its name from the incandescent blue light that bathes the cavern. A short walk from the harbour and the bustling main square you’ll find yourself in near-deserted lanes that pass terraced vineyards, lemon groves and fragrant pines, with spectacular views of the rugged coastline and cobalt-blue sea below… and then you’ll understand just why the island is regarded as a true Mediterranean paradise.

Morning

This morning we visit Herculaneum – known locally as Ercolano – located in the shadow of mighty Mount Vesuvius. Like Pompeii, it was buried under scalding mud and ash when the volcano erupted in AD79, smothering everything from complete streets and houses to small metal objects and textiles, and sealing them in an airtight tomb. It wasn’t until the first major excavation commenced in the 18th century that the hidden secrets of this ancient settlement were revealed. Our local guide will bring the history of Herculaneum to life. As you walk around this wonderfully preserved UNESCO World Heritage site you’ll appreciate just how much volcanic waste had to be excavated to uncover what we can see today. It may be less well-known than Pompeii, but the state of preservation of the buildings at Herculaneum is generally far superior, so it’s certainly worth the visit.

Afternoon

The rest of the afternoon is free- maybe explore more of Sorrento or simply relax in your hotel.

Morning

Today you’ll have a chance to experience the sublimely beautiful Amalfi coast at first hand as we wind around spectacular pine-clad cliffs that tumble down into the turquoise Mediterranean. Our coastal drive takes us above the exclusive resort of Positano … haunt of celebrities. We arrive in Amalfi, a picturesque village in a gorgeous setting, and perhaps the highlight of the coast, possessing charm in abundance and perhaps the highlight of the coast. Just inland is the stunning village of Ravello, with its awe-inspiring location perched like an eagle’s nest on a shelf above Amalfi affording amazing 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).

Afternoon

We arrive back in Sorrento mid-afternoon, with the rest of the day free.

Today we return to Naples airport, at the appropriate time for your flight home, after a really memorable and unique tour.