Rome, Sorrento & the Amalfi Coast

Arrive in Rome and transfer to your hotel independently. The Italian capital city is a feast for the senses, from its celebrated fountains to its intimate cafés filled with the inviting aroma of coffee. This evening, meet your group and fellow travelers over dinner. Overnight Rome. 

• Dinner

The day begins with a guided tour of Rome, during which we take in the city's most iconic sights, including the incredibly well-preserved Roman Forum, and the theatrical Trevi Fountain. Following the tour, you are free to spend your afternoon savoring Rome's seductive beauty. The city's architecture charts the passage of time as clearly as anywhere in Europe, with wonderfully preserved monuments from the early Romans and buildings with distinctive medieval, Renaissance and Baroque features. The most famous sights are a real wonder to behold - no photo can prepare you for the sight of the Colosseum up close. Visit the superb St Peter's Basilica and the Vatican Museum, stroll through Rome's atmospheric streets, ascend the monumental Spanish Steps or relax in one of Rome's many squares with a coffee or ice-cream; with its abundance of history and culture, Rome is a city with something to suit every taste. Overnight Rome. 

• Breakfast

Today, we travel to Sorrento, a beautiful coastal town that sits perched on a towering cliff in its own mini bay within the larger Bay of Naples. We continue to our hotel, the 4-Star Hilton Sorrento Palace and after some free time for lunch, an orientation walk around Sorrento introduces us to its narrow, cobbled streets and colorful squares. The rest of the afternoon is at lesiure before we dine together at our hotel. Overnight Sorrento. 

• Breakfast, Dinner

Today is free to enjoy the charming town of Sorrento. You may choose to explore the town's narrow-cobbled streets filled with beautiful Renaissance buildings, or perhaps relax in the central square, a great place to watch the world go by. A trip to Sorrento's Chiesa di San Francesco is certainly well worth a visit. Situated beside the Villa Communale Park, the Chiesa di San Francesco is one of Sorrento's most beautiful churches, featuring Arabic porticos and stunning bougainvillea blooms draped majestically across the interlaced arches. Overnight Sorrento. 

• Breakfast

This morning we catch the Campania Express train to Pompeii, the world-renowned town tragically buried by ash following the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 79AD. The volcanic ash that fell over the city covered everything except some of the roofs of the taller buildings. While it was abandoned and forgotten until its rediscovery in 1748, the ash worked to 'freeze' Pompeii and its people in time; having spent the best part of two millennia buried by ash, Pompeii is considered the best-preserved Roman city in the world. We have a guided tour of the shops, restaurants and villas that made up this fascinating city, as well as the Amphitheatre and the Grand Theater. Overnight Sorrento. 

• Breakfast

Today we uncover the breathtaking natural beauty of the Amalfi Coast from its waters as we enjoy a cruise along the shimmering coastline, taking in the exquisite villages which sit perched on the rugged hillsides. We cruise to Positano, an unspoiled village where pretty pastel houses seemingly tumble into the turquoise sea. The town retains a distinctly old-fashioned appeal, untouched by time in its secluded gorge on the coastline, and at the beach fishermen still haul their wooden boats as they did decades ago. Continue to beautiful Amalfi for some time at leisure. The jewel of the Amalfi Coast, this is the largest resort along this expanse of beautiful shoreline, and there are a wealth of treasures here just waiting to be discovered. Back in Sorrento this evening, enjoy a special pizza making experience, discovering the secrets to this revered Italian dish. Overnight Sorrento. 

• Breakfast, Dinner

Today is free to spend as you wish. You could soak up the views on a walk around the town - on a clear day, the views from Sorrento include the city of Naples, renowned Mount Vesuvius and the island of Ischia. Or, you may wish to visit one of the many inviting cafés or restaurants the town has to offer and indulge in some delicious cuisine. Sorrento is a perfect place to enjoy a long, lazy lunch made using the best of local ingredients, ideally while looking out over the glittering ocean. Maybe try the local gnocchi, or Scialatielli ai frutti di mare - a traditional seafood pasta dish. Overnight Sorrento. 

• Breakfast

We travel by coach today to Herculaneum, a city of Roman ruins that was destroyed by an earthquake in 62 AD. Thanks to its proximity to Mt. Vesuvius, the eruption that blasted Pompeii had a similar effect here, fossilizing much of the town. We make our way through the preserved ruins, taking in the fascinating sights of ancient life. We continue to a local agriturismo - a type of Italian farmhouse - where we're served a traditional lunch of local produce, including homemade limoncello and mozzarella. Overnight Sorrento. 

• Breakfast, Lunch

Today we transfer by coach to Naples train station from which you can make your way to the airport for your return flight home. Please note: this group transfer is scheduled to arrive in Naples around 11:00 a.m.

• Breakfast