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Glorious Sorrento, the Amalfi Coast & Eternal Rome

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You are viewing the 2024 itinerary. Select your departure year
20242025
10 days From £3,095 £2,995 per person
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Explore Rome’s ancient treasures, Pompeii’s relics and relax on the beautiful Amalfi coastline

Save up to £150pp

Save up to £150pp on selected European holidays, when you book by 2nd April 2024.

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Mobility Rating 3

2024 Tour code: ICS24

About the tour

Explore one of Europe's most visually stunning and romantic regions, the captivating Amalfi coast. Starting with two nights in the 'Eternal City' of Rome, we continue to pretty Sorrento - with a colourful harbour overlooking the stunning Bay of Naples, gateway to Capri and the Amalfi Coast - and visit the fascinating lost cities of Pompeii and Herculaneum.

Unforgettable experiences

Soak up the breathtaking natural beauty of the Amalfi coast
Soak up the breathtaking natural beauty of the Amalfi coast
On a relaxing and scenic boat cruise to picturesque Positano and sun-kissed Amalfi.
Relax in the romantic town of Sorrento
Relax in the romantic town of Sorrento
A small but charming resort with a colourful harbour - and enjoy a hands-on pizza-making evening with a master pizzaiolo.
Walk among two of the world’s archaeological wonders, Pompeii and Herculaneum
Walk among two of the world’s archaeological wonders, Pompeii and Herculaneum
Cities captured in time by the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 79AD. On a guided tour we wander its ancient streets, past temples, baths, theatres, shops and markets – all preserved by volcanic ash.
Discover the glorious city of Rome
Discover the glorious city of Rome
On a guided tour of its great monuments, experiencing historic grandeur, unique culture and that wonderful Italian attitude of ‘la dolce vita’.

What’s included

Itinerary

Day 1 – London to charming Basel

We meet our Tour Manager and group of fellow travellers at London St Pancras and board the Eurostar service for a morning journey to Paris, travelling in spacious Standard Premier Class with a light meal served at our seats. From Paris we continue by First Class rail to Basel, a delightful Swiss city near the border of France and Germany. Arriving this evening, we check into our hotel for the night, before our first group dinner together.

Some departures dates will have a different itinerary on this day due to Italian engineering works - click here to see affected dates

Includes
  • Dinner
  • Eurostar Meal
Day 2 – Two nights to explore glorious Rome

Leaving Basel after a relaxed breakfast, we take the short walk to the train station to travel to our first exciting Italian destination, the 'Eternal City' of Rome. Our relaxing rail journey is in First Class and takes us through the Swiss and Italian Alps, with breathtaking scenery all the way. After a brief stop in Milan, we continue south to Rome. Arriving in Italy's dynamic capital this evening, we walk a short distance to our central hotel where we stay for two nights. This evening, we enjoy a three-course dinner.

Includes
  • Breakfast, Dinner
Day 3 – Discovering La Dolce Vita in Rome

This morning we discover some of Rome's spectacular sights on a guided tour. We transfer by coach to the awe-inspiring Colosseum, Italy's most renowned classical site, where our tour begins. We see the vast Roman Forum, once the powerful governing centre of ancient Rome, the elegant Piazza Venezia and the Roman Pantheon, a stunning architectural masterpiece. At the fabulous Trevi Fountain, we stop for a morning coffee. Our tour ends in Piazza Navona - a lively square with a fabulous Baroque fountain and a border of ochre-hued buildings, cafés and restaurants - where you're free to soak up the atmosphere and experience Rome's beauty and unique style at your own pace for the whole of the afternoon and evening. You could visit St Peter's Basilica and the Vatican, stroll through the vibrant streets, or relax with a gelato in one of the city's squares.

If you're keen to visit the Vatican, we recommend booking ahead online - you'll find it just across the historic Ponte Vittorio Emanuele II which spans the River Tiber. Within 15 minutes' walk of Piazza Navona is another world-renowned monument, the Spanish Steps. Walk up them and you'll reach Villa Borghese park, where you can relax in landscaped gardens or see stunning art and sculpture in the Borghese Gallery. Rome offers an unlimited array of lively eating places, many of which offer alfresco seating. Maybe choose a trattoria to enjoy a plate of delicious pasta with a glass of wine, or watch the world go by from an outdoor café.

Includes
  • Breakfast
Day 4 – From Rome to Sorrento

After a leisurely start we travel by First Class rail to Naples, then on by coach to Sorrento where we arrive at lunchtime. This alluring town is set in its own small bay, within the vast Bay of Naples, perched on a natural terrace above dramatic cliffs that overlook the sea. The narrow, cobbled streets feature Renaissance palaces and Romanesque churches, and the town is surrounded by hillsides of fragrant lemon orchards. Our base for six nights is the Hilton Sorrento Palace, which has excellent facilities and delightful views across the town to the Bay of Naples and Mount Vesuvius. After free time to have lunch independently we meet for an hour-long guided tour of the town. With the remainder of the afternoon at leisure to explore, this evening we dine together at our lovely hotel.

Includes
  • Breakfast, Dinner
Day 5 – Free day to explore enchanting Sorrento

Today you're free to get to know charming Sorrento. You could wander through the cobbled streets among beautiful Renaissance buildings, or enjoy people watching in Piazza Tasso, the town's central square. There are plenty of tempting options for lunch in the Centro Storico, whose colourful streets and cool piazzas are teeming with tempting restaurants and cafés. This quarter is also known for its artisan workshops and craft shops, selling locally produced ceramics, lacework and wooden items.

Of course, you may be perfectly happy to spend the day relaxing at our hotel, enjoying great views from the fragrant citrus garden, or from the infinity pool on its roof terrace.

The old town of Sorrento buzzes with life in the evening, while the Marina Grande has the quieter, enchanting ambience of a fishing village. Just above here is the Villa Comunale Park, with small manicured gardens and a terrace with sweeping views of the Gulf of Naples - the park can be reached by an elevator and is the ideal spot to watch the sun slowly setting over the sea. Nearby, the beautiful Chiesa di San Francesco and its peaceful cloister is worth a visit, where classical music concerts are held in summer.

Includes
  • Breakfast
Day 6 – An excursion to Pompeii, a city captured in time

This morning we enjoy a highlight of our tour - we travel back in time to Pompeii, the city buried and preserved by volcanic ash from the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 79AD. We are transferred by coach to the railway station where we take a short train journey to this fascinating archaeological site for a guided tour of the best-preserved Roman city in the world. Our tour takes us through the incredibly intact streets of Pompeii, and we walk among the shops, impressive villas, baths, temples, and restaurants of this UNESCO World Heritage site. We also see its amphitheatre - the oldest in the world - and some of the ancient city's extraordinary frescoes. After retracing our journey by train and coach transfer back to our hotel, your afternoon and evening is free in Sorrento.

Includes
  • Breakfast
Day 7 – Exploring the stunning Amalfi Coast

Today we discover the captivating Amalfi Coast from the glistening Tyrrhenian sea. This scenic coastline is a UNESCO World Heritage Site which stretches along the Gulf of Salerno, south of the Sorrentine Peninsula. We are transferred by coach to Sorrento port where we board our boat cruise. First, we cruise to lovely Amalfi, the 'Jewel of the Amalfi Coast'. With free time this morning you could visit the stunning cathedral, Duomo di Sant'Andrea, which overlooks the town's main piazza. Around the square are cafés, gelateria and shady spots to rest and admire the striking cathedral above.

Our boat cruise continues to Positano, where pastel houses stud the hillsides and, at the beach, fishermen haul their wooden boats, as they have for many decades. Here we are at leisure to soak up the atmosphere and maybe enjoy lunch at a café or restaurant in the colourful harbour. We return to Sorrento in the afternoon with time to relax, or maybe to take a refreshing swim before setting out on an enjoyable excursion this evening. We're driven a short distance by coach to take part in a hands-on pizza-making experience at a local restaurant. Led by a master pizzaiolo, we discover the secrets to this revered Italian dish before sitting down to dine on our delicious creations, along with a glass of wine and a dessert.

Includes
  • Breakfast, Dinner
Day 8 – Free day to relax in Sorrento or explore further

Today is another opportunity to explore lovely Sorrento or to visit a neighbouring place. You might like to soak up the views on a leisurely walk around the town - on a clear day, you can see the city of Naples, Mount Vesuvius and the island of Ischia.

One inspiring way to spend the day is to visit the gorgeous island of Capri by boat. To see Capri at its best, before it fills with a daily throng of visitors, we recommend setting out early and travelling by hydrofoil.

This afternoon or evening, head to one of the many inviting cafés or restaurants in the Centro Storico, or in the more laid-back Marina Grande, and indulge in some delicious cuisine. Sorrento is the perfect place to enjoy a long, lazy lunch made of the freshest local ingredients, ideally while overlooking the glittering sea. You might try the local gnocchi, or Scialatielli ai frutti di mare, a traditional seafood pasta dish.

Includes
  • Breakfast
Day 9 – Ancient Herculaneum and lunch at a traditional agriturismo

After breakfast today we travel by coach to Herculaneum, a lesser-known Roman city that was also buried, and magically preserved, under the volcanic ashes of Mount Vesuvius in 79AD. Due to its close proximity to Mount Vesuvius, the eruption that blasted Pompeii had a similar effect here, fossilising much of the town. We make our way 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.

After exploring this ancient site, we continue by coach to a local agriturismo - the traditional farmhouse of a large agricultural farm, established and run for four generations by the same family - where we're served a delicious lunch of fresh produce from the estate, including homemade limoncello and mozzarella. The terraces of this lovely farmhouse offer an oasis of peace and tranquility, surrounded by ancient olive groves, lemon orchards and vineyards. We return to our hotel in the afternoon and this evening, our last one in Sorrento, is at leisure to enjoy as you wish.

Includes
  • Breakfast, Lunch
Day 10 – Fly home, or rail to Turin

This morning, you say farewell to your Tour Manager at our Sorrento hotel and transfer to Naples airport, from where you fly home. On the journey, you can reflect on the experiences of our Italian tour and the special places we have seen, before our holiday draws to a close.

If you have opted to return by rail, join the Tour Manager as we begin our journey north through Italy. After a coach transfer to Naples we travel by First Class rail to the cultural city of Turin, close to the French border. We check into our overnight hotel in Turin and have dinner.

Includes
  • Breakfast
  • Dinner (return by rail option only)
Day 11 – Homeward bound from Turin (return by rail option only)

Early this morning we start the final journey of our holiday, boarding a comfortable coach through the Alps from Turin to Chambéry. Passing through beautiful river valleys lined by towering, alpine peaks, we stop enroute to admire the gorgeous scenery. In Chambéry, we board to train to Paris in First Class, changing trains in the French capital to join the Eurostar service to London St Pancras. Travelling in spacious Standard Premier Class, we are served a light meal served at our seats. During our journey there's time to reflect on the unforgettable experiences we have enjoyed, share stories with fellow travellers and new friends before our holiday draws to a close as our train pulls into St Pancras.

Please Note - If you opt for the return by rail option there is a supplement of £200pp

Includes
  • Breakfast

Additional information

Departure Information

Some departures dates will have run a different itinerary due to Italian engineering works - click here to see affected dates

Departure times

Provisional departure and return times, where available, can be found together with our dates and prices by clicking on the 'Prices & Availability' button. We write to all booked customers approximately 10 weeks prior to the start of their tour to advise the exact departure and return time for their particular group.

Mobility information

Due to the nature of our tours they are generally unsuitable for those with restricted mobility. If you’d like to discuss any particular holiday with us in this respect, then please don’t hesitate to call us.

Hotels

Bettoja Hotel Massimo D’Azeglio, Rome

Bettoja Hotel Massimo D’Azeglio, Rome

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Bettoja Hotel Mediterraneo, Rome

Bettoja Hotel Mediterraneo, Rome

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Hilton Sorrento Palace

Hilton Sorrento Palace, Sorrento

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Trains

Eurostar
Frecciargento
Frecciarossa
TGV
Trenitalia

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London Hotels
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