Rome, Sorrento and the Amalfi Coast

We meet at London St Pancras and take the Eurostar to Paris. We change trains for Lyon, a historic French city on the banks of the Rhône and Saône. We check into a local hotel here where we spend the night.

Please Note: For departures 27/09/2023 you will overnight at the Mercure Chambery hotel in Chambery.

For departures 11/10/2023 you will overnight at the Hotel Le Cinq Chambery in Chambery

• Dinner
• Eurostar Meal

Leaving Lyon behind, we continue to the Italian capital of Rome. The ancient city is a feast for the senses, from its celebrated fountains to its intimate cafés filled with the inviting aroma of coffee. Rome'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 awesome sight of the Colosseum or Trevi Fountain close up.

Please Note: For departure 03/05/2023 you will stay at the NH Collection Roma Centro in Rome

For departure 11/10/2023 you will stay at the Bettoja Hotel Mediterraneo, in Rome

• Breakfast, Dinner

We get to the heart of ancient Rome today on a guided city tour, seeing the best that this enticing city has to offer. Our tour takes in the Roman Forum, once the political and religious centre for the Roman Empire and now a striking ruin. We also see the Trevi Fountain, Rome's best-known fountain, which was built for Pope Clement XII and almost fills the small Piazza di Trevi. Later, you're free to savour the sights and sounds of Rome. You could visit St Peter's Basilica and the Vatican, stroll through the atmospheric streets, ascend the Spanish Steps, or relax with a gelato in one of the city's squares.

• Breakfast

Today we travel to Sorrento, a pretty town 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, surrounded by hillsides of fragrant lemon orchards. Sorrento is famous for its citrus products, such as Limoncello - a liqueur made with lemon rind - which we sample during a stroll through the town's cobbled streets and colourful squares. Our base for seven nights is the 4-Star Hilton Sorrento Palace in the centre of Sorrento.

• Breakfast, Dinner

We uncover the beauty of the Amalfi Coast today from its glistening waters. First, we cruise to Positano, where pastel houses stud the hillsides and, at the beach, fishermen haul their wooden boats as they did decades ago. We continue to Amalfi, the 'Jewel of the Amalfi Coast'. Here, you could visit St Andrew's Cathedral, which overlooks the Piazza del Duomo. Back in Sorrento, we take part in a pizza-making experience, discovering the secrets to this revered Italian dish before sitting down to enjoy our delicious creations.

• Breakfast, Dinner

We catch the Campania Express which takes us to Pompeii, the world-renowned city that was buried by ash after the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 79AD. The ash froze Pompeii and its residents in time, and it lay forgotten about until its rediscovery in 1748. Now, after having spent almost two millennia buried under the ash, Pompeii is the best-preserved Roman city in the world. We take a fascinating guided tour around Pompeii, seeing the shops, villas and restaurants that make up the mesmerising city, as well as the Amphitheatre and Grand Theatre.

• Breakfast, Dinner

Today is free to enjoy the relaxed town of Sorrento. You could explore the narrow streets filled with pretty Renaissance buildings, or relax in the central square, Piazza Tasso - a perfect place to watch the world go by. The beautiful Chiesa di San Francesco is highly recommended. Situated beside the Villa Communale Park, the church features Arabic porticos and bougainvillea blooms across its interlaced arches. There are plenty of tempting options for lunch, and you'll find several craft shops selling locally-produced ceramics, lacework and wooden items.

• Breakfast

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 preserved 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. 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.

• Breakfast, Dinner

Enjoy another day to yourself in lovely Sorrento. 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. Otherwise head to 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.

• Breakfast

We enjoy a cruise to Capri, just off the coast of the Sorrentine Peninsula. Capri is one of the Mediterranean's most idyllic islands, with breathtaking scenery, azure shores and rocky cliffs. The island has attracted writers and artists for centuries, and today is a popular destination for glamorous travellers from around the globe. Our visit to Capri includes a ticket on the funicular railway, which carries visitors to the centre of the town. You have some free time here, and you'll find plenty of chic boutiques and coffee shops to while away your time. This evening, back on the mainland, we enjoy a final Sorrentine dinner together.

• Breakfast, Dinner

We say goodbye to Sorrento today, transferring to the city of Naples. Here, you either travel to the airport for your return flight to the UK or board a train to Turin, where we check into our hotel for an overnight stay.

• Breakfast, Dinner

Leaving Turin, we travel to Paris where we join the Eurostar to London St Pancras.

• Breakfast
• Eurostar Meal