Glorious Sorrento, the Amalfi Coast & Eternal Rome

Your holiday starts at London St Pancras, where you meet the Tour Manager and group before boarding the Eurostar for a morning journey to Paris. Travelling in spacious Plus class, enjoy a light meal served at your seats.  

On arrival in the French capital, we change trains and continue our journey by First Class rail to the attractive medieval town of Chambéry, nestled at the foothills of the Alps. Once the seat of the Dukes of Savoy, the town is still watched over by their grand château, which dominates the picturesque centre. Officially recognised as a Town of Art and History, Chambéry's Old Town offers a perfect blend of culture and alpine charm.    

  Arriving this evening, we walk across the street from the station to our hotel, where we check in for the night and enjoy our first group dinner together.  

• Eurostar Light Meal
• Dinner

Leaving Chambéry after breakfast, we walk the short distance to the train station to travel to our first Italian destination, the 'Eternal City' of Rome.  

  Enjoy the rail journey as views of the scenic French and Italian Alps unfold outside your window. With a brief stop in stylish Turin before continuing south, we pass the grand Renaissance city of Florence and the Montepulciano wine region enroute to timeless Rome.  

  Arriving in Italy's capital this evening, we check in to our central hotel, a short distance from the station. This evening, we enjoy dinner at the hotel - afterwards, you may like to step into the vibrant city streets to soak up Rome's atmosphere.

• Breakfast, Dinner

Today begins with a guided tour of Rome's most iconic sights, visiting the awe-inspiring 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. 

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. A short walk from Piazza Navona is another world-renowned monument, the Spanish Steps. 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 and watch the world go by.  

• Breakfast

After a leisurely breakfast, we walk to the train station to start our First Class rail journey to Naples. Arriving late 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 free time to have lunch independently, we enjoy an hour-long guided walking tour with a local expert, introducing us to Sorrento's charm, character and history.      

The rest of the afternoon is at leisure to explore independently, perhaps browsing local shops or enjoying a drink in the main square. This evening, we gather for dinner at our hotel. 

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

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

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

• Breakfast

This morning, we enjoy a highlight of the tour, travelling back in time to Pompeii, the city buried and preserved by volcanic ash from the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 79 AD. After a coach transfer to Sorrento's railway station, we take a short train journey to this fascinating archaeological site for a guided tour of the incredibly well-preserved Roman city.    

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

After retracing the journey by train and coach transfer back to our hotel, your afternoon and evening are free in 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 harbour, 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 relaxing at a nearby café or gelateria to 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 centuries. With time at leisure here, you could try the local seafood at a café in the colourful harbour or simply enjoy the coastal scenery. 

  This evening, we visit a local agriturismo, run by the same family for four generations. 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.

• Breakfast, Dinner

Today brings another opportunity to explore beautiful Sorrento or venture further afield. You might start the day by soaking up the views - on a clear day, you can see the city of Naples, Mount Vesuvius and the island of Ischia across the bay.   

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

  Later, indulge in the delicious local cuisine at one of Sorrento's many inviting cafés or restaurants, whether in the charming Centro Storico or along the laid-back Marina Grande. Sorrento is the perfect place to enjoy a long lunch or dinner made with the freshest local ingredients while overlooking the glistening sea. Among many tempting local specialities are the Gnocchi alla Sorrentina and the Scialatielli ai frutti di mare, a traditional seafood pasta dish. 

• Breakfast

After breakfast today, we travel by coach to Herculaneum, a lesser-known Roman city that was also buried and amazingly preserved under the volcanic ash of Mount Vesuvius in 79 AD.    

Due to its close proximity to Mount Vesuvius, the eruption that blasted Pompeii had a similar effect here, fossilising 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.    

  After our tour, we transfer back to Sorrento for a fun lunch experience. At a local restaurant, we join a local master pizzaiolo for an interactive pizza-making class, followed by a relaxed lunch accompanied by a glass of wine and dessert - the perfect way to conclude our time in Sorrento. 

• Breakfast, Lunch

From the timeless landmarks of Rome and incredible sights of Pompeii to the gorgeous coastal scenery of Amalfi, this tour has provided insight into the breathtaking landscapes, rich culture and fascinating history of Italy.    

After breakfast this morning, we say farewell to Sorrento and transfer to Naples Airport for our flight back home. Landing in London, your Italian holiday comes to an end.    

  If you have upgraded to the return by rail option, join the Tour Manager to begin a journey north through Italy. After a coach transfer to Naples, travel by First Class rail to Turin for an overnight stay.  

• Breakfast
• Dinner (return by rail option only)

Boarding a train in Turin after breakfast at our hotel, we travel into France and onwards to Paris.   

In the French capital, we change trains and join the Eurostar service to London St Pancras, travelling in Plus class with a light meal served at our seats. On arrival, your Italian holiday comes to an end. 

• Breakfast
• Eurostar Light Meal