Rome, Sorrento & the Amalfi Coast

First Class from London to Chambéry

Our journey begins at London St Pancras International, where you meet your group and Tour Manager at Great Rail Journeys' dedicated Departure Office. From here, we board the Eurostar, travelling in Standard Premier Class to Paris. Here we change trains and continue by highspeed TGV to Chambéry, where we overnight. We enjoy dinner at a local restaurant this evening.

To Rome

We board the high-speed TGV this morning travelling past the mighty Alps and across the border into Italy. We change trains, boarding the Eurostar Italia service in First Class to Rome, Italy's bustling capital. We stay at the 4-Star Hotel Universo, located in the heart of this beautiful city, for two nights.

Exploring Rome

Our full day in Rome begins with a guided tour, 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 savouring the sights and sounds of Rome's seductive beauty. 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 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.

To Sorrento

We continue today by high-speed train to Naples, where a coach meets us to take us to Sorrento. This beautiful coastal town sits perched on a towering cliff in its own mini bay within the larger Bay of Naples, and we spend seven nights here at the 4-Star Superior Hotel Parco dei Principi, which enjoys panoramic views over Mount Vesuvius and the Gulf of Naples, and amongst other facilities boasts a private beach.

Exploring Positano and the Amalfi Coast

Today we set out along the Amalfi Coast road, which gives incredible views over the shimmering bay and the rugged island of Capri. The serpentine road twists and turns, threading through exquisite villages perched on the lush hillsides. We descend to Positano, an unspoilt traditional village perched on the mountainside, where the pretty pastel houses seemingly tumble into the turquoise sea.

After lunch together we visit the beautiful town of Amalfi, where we have time at leisure to explore. Lively Amalfi is a true reflection of this natural coastal charm, and is dominated by its impressive cathedral and its picturesque harbour - filled with expensive yachts and colourful fishing boats.

Pompeii

This morning we catch the Campania Express train (Standard Class) 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 bestpreserved 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 Theatre.

At leisure in Sorrento

Today is free to enjoy the charming, relaxed town of Sorrento. This incredibly picturesque coastal resort sits in its own 'minibay' within the Bay of Naples, you may choose to explore the 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.

A tour of the Doric temples at Paestum

We travel by coach today on a journey back to ancient times to Paestum, which was founded by the Greeks in 600BC. The three Doric temples of Paestum are said to be the best preserved Greek temples in the world, and although the city fell into disrepair around the 9th century, it was rediscovered nine centuries later. We enjoy a guided tour of the gleaming temples set against a backdrop of green hills.

Capri Cruise

This morning we cruise to Capri, the beautiful island famed for its stunning views, rocky seashores and scenic charm. Located in the south end of the Gulf of Naples, just off the coast of the Sorrentine Peninsula, the island has attracted artists and writers for centuries.

We include a ticket on the funicular railway which carries visitors to the centre of Capri, and a local guide is on hand to explain the fascinating history of the island and its people. This afternoon, you may wish to stroll to the dramatic coastal viewpoint or ascend by bus to the pretty village of Anacapri, isolated from the world atop Capri's huge cliffs.

At leisure

Today is free to spend as you wish. Ferries run to the vibrant city of Naples, a city filled with palaces, churches, convents and monasteries.

To Turin and London

Today we transfer to by coach to Naples joining the high-speed rail service to Turin, where we overnight. On Day 12, we continue home to London via Paris. On arrival in the UK, your tour concludes.

Please note

Please note that while every departure of this tour will feature the same excursions, the order may differ from that shown above.