Glorious Sorrento, the Amalfi Coast & Eternal Rome

 With centuries of history surrounding you and some of Italy's most colorful and romantic scenery ahead, your Italian vacation begins today in the ancient capital, Rome. As you arrive, make your own way to our four-star hotel, located a short distance from the railway station, and check in for the first two nights.

You can take some time to get to know this city once you have settled in, perhaps absorbing the city's timeless atmosphere while sitting in a local piazza. You could also dive right into the excitement and history on offer while sightseeing locally; after all, when in Rome, there is something to see at every turn.

Return to the hotel this evening to meet the Tour Manager and your travel group, and then together, sit down to dinner in the hotel's restaurant. Overnight Rome.

Please Note - For departures September 3rd and October 14th we will stay at The Hive Hotel in Rome

• Dinner

 Today begins with a guided tour of Rome's most iconic sights, visiting the outside of the Colosseum, Italy's most renowned classical site, and the vast Roman Forum, once the bustling heart of ancient Rome. We also take in Piazza Venezia and the magnificent Pantheon, a masterpiece of ancient architecture. The tour concludes at lunchtime in Piazza Navona, a square known for its grand Baroque fountain and lively atmosphere. From this point, the afternoon is yours to explore Rome at your leisure.

If you would like to visit the Vatican, we recommend booking tickets online in advance. The Pope's residence is just across the historic Ponte Vittorio Emanuele II, which spans the River Tiber. The world-renowned Spanish Steps are also a short walk from Piazza Navona. At the top, enjoy panoramic views and the peaceful gardens of Villa Borghese, where you can relax or view art and sculptures in the Borghese Gallery. 

  This evening, dine at one of Rome's many alfresco restaurants, the perfect setting to enjoy fresh pasta and local wine. Overnight Rome. 

• Breakfast

 After a leisurely breakfast, we walk to the train station to start our First Class rail journey to Naples. Arriving late this morning, we transfer by coach to Sorrento, reaching the town around lunchtime. This beautiful town is set in its own small bay within the wider Bay of Naples, perched on a natural terrace above dramatic cliffs that overlook the sea. Its narrow, cobbled streets are lined with Renaissance palaces and Romanesque churches, and the surrounding hillsides are rich with fragrant lemon orchards.   

Our base for the next six nights is the Hilton Sorrento Palace, offering excellent facilities and delightful views across the picturesque town and bay. After checking in and finding lunch independently, we enjoy an hour-long guided walking tour with a local expert, who introduces us to Sorrento's charm, character and history.    

The rest of the afternoon can be enjoyed at your own pace, perhaps browsing local shops or enjoying a drink in the main square, before we reconvene for dinner at the hotel this evening. Overnight Sorrento.

• Breakfast, Dinner

 A free day stretches out ahead of you, allowing you to get to know Sorrento at your own pace. Wander through the cobbled streets among beautiful Renaissance buildings, discover charming boutiques that sell hand-made clothing, or enjoy people-watching in Piazza Tasso, the town's central square.

The lanes and piazzas of the Centro Storico are filled with tempting cafés and restaurants for lunch. This historic quarter is also known for its artisan craft shops, selling locally made ceramics, lacework and hand-crafted wooden goods.    

If you prefer to take things slowly, you may choose to unwind at the hotel, soaking up views from the citrus garden or the rooftop infinity pool.   

In the evening, Sorrento's Old Town comes alive, while the Marina Grande has the enchanting ambiance of a fishing village. Just above the marina lies the Villa Comunale Park, a tranquil spot with gardens and a terrace overlooking the Gulf of Naples, perfect for watching the sunset. The Chiesa di San Francesco nearby is also worth a visit and is a venue for classical music concerts during the summer. Overnight Sorrento.

• Breakfast

 A highlight of our tour lies ahead this morning as we travel back in time to Pompeii, the city buried and preserved by volcanic ash from the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 79AD. After a transfer by coach to the railway station, we take a short train journey to this fascinating archaeological site for a guided tour of this incredibly well-preserved Roman city.  

  Our guide takes us through the incredibly intact streets of Pompeii, where we can walk among the shops, impressive villas, baths, temples, and restaurants of this UNESCO World Heritage site. We will also see the amphitheater - the oldest in the world - and some of the ancient city's extraordinary frescoes.    

After retracing the journey back to our hotel by train and coach transfer, your afternoon and evening are free in Sorrento. Overnight Sorrento.

• Breakfast

Today, discover the captivating Amalfi Coast from the glistening Tyrrhenian Sea. This stunning coastline stretches along the Gulf of Salerno, south of the Sorrentine Peninsula. Starting with a short transfer to Sorrento harbor, we board a boat for a scenic cruise.

The first stop is Amalfi, often called the "Jewel of the Amalfi Coast". Enjoy free time to explore the town, perhaps visiting the stunning Duomo di Sant'Andrea, or relax at a nearby café or gelateria and take in the surroundings. Our cruise continues to Positano, where pastel houses cling to the cliffs and fishermen haul their wooden boats ashore, as they have for many decades. With time at leisure here, you could try the local seafood at a café in the colourful harbor or simply soak up the scenery.

This evening, we visit a local agriturismo, run for four generations by the same family. Here, we enjoy a dinner of fresh produce from the estate, including homemade limoncello and mozzarella, on the farmhouse's terraces surrounded by ancient olive groves, lemon orchards and vineyards. Overnight Sorrento.

• Breakfast, Dinner

 Enjoy another opportunity to explore beautiful Sorrento or venture further afield with a free day. You might start by soaking up the views; when conditions allow, you can see the city of Naples, Mount Vesuvius and the island of Ischia across the bay from Sorrento. 

Visiting the island of Capri by boat is a wonderful way to spend the day. To experience the island at its most peaceful, we recommend setting off early and traveling before the midday crowds.  

  Later, you could unwind with a leisurely meal at one of Sorrento's many cafés, restaurants or boutiques, whether in the charming Centro Storico or along the laid-back Marina Grande, and indulge in delicious Italian cuisine. Sorrento is the perfect place to enjoy a long lunch made of the freshest local ingredients, ideally at an eatery overlooking the sea. Among many tempting local specialties is the Sorrento gnocchi, or Scialatielli ai frutti di mare, a traditional seafood pasta dish. 

With no planned dinner, your culinary adventures can continue into the evening, when the setting sun provides a romantic backdrop. Overnight Sorrento.

• Breakfast

After breakfast today, we travel by coach to Herculaneum, a lesser-known Roman city that was also buried and preserved under the volcanic ashes of Mount Vesuvius in 79 A.D. Due to its proximity to Mount Vesuvius, the eruption that blasted Pompeii had a similar effect here, fossilizing much of the town. We are guided through the ruins, taking in the fascinating sights of ancient life. Herculaneum was wealthier than Pompeii and is known for its magnificent palaces and mansions, some featuring beautiful frescoes still visible today. Returning to Sorrento later this afternoon, there's time to relax before a fun evening experience. After a short drive, we join a local master pizzaiolo for a hands-on pizza making class, followed by a relaxed dinner, accompanied by a glass of wine and dessert - the perfect way to conclude our time in Sorrento. Overnight Sorrento.

• Breakfast, Dinner

 From the timeless landmarks of Rome and the incredible sights of Pompeii to the gorgeous coastal scenery of Sorrento and the Amalfi Coast, this tour has revealed many iconic sites of Italy. We savored the country's iconic flavors as we learned how to make pizza from a master pizzaiolo and tasted local produce and limoncello at a family farm, and reveled in the culture as we wandered through beautiful oceanside towns at our own pace.

With a final breakfast this morning, your vacation comes to a close. You can join a coach transfer from our Sorrento hotel to Naples station, where you are free to begin your onward travels home or continue exploring Italy independently.

Please note: the group transfer is scheduled to arrive in Naples at around 11am.

• Breakfast