Day 1
Ferry to Calais and overnight stay in France on a bed and breakfast basis.
Day 2
Travel onwards to our overnight hotel in northern Italy, with dinner included.
Day 3 – Sorrento area
We continue on to our hotel in the Sorrento area where we stay for the next six nights, with dinner included.
Day 4 – Sorrento
We include return transfer to the centre of Sorrento, where we enjoy some time at leisure. Overlooking the Bay of Naples, there are some lovely views on offer from the waterside restaurants, or head to the bustling Old Town for a gelato or liminoro before exploring the sun-trapped piazzas, cobbled streets and unique shops.
Day 5 – Optional excursion to Pompeii (£29pp)
Join our optional excursion to the ruins of ancient Pompeii, one of Europe’s most compelling archaeological sites. The town was buried under a layer of lava and ash by Mount Vesuvius in AD79; the result is a well-preserved slice of Roman life in the 1st century where visitors can walk through streets and into shops, schools and houses still containing many fascinating artefacts.
Day 6 – Day at leisure
Day 7 – Amalfi Coast
We take a scenic drive along the Amalfi Coast, a beautiful and renowned stretch of mountainous coastline dotted with picturesque towns and villages perched on the rugged cliffs. Listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1997, the area is also renowned for the cultivation of lemons, grown in terraced gardens along the coast, and the production of limoncello liqueur. We have some time in the picture-perfect town of Amalfi before catching the ferry to Maiori, popular for its stunning beach.
Day 8 – Naples
Our destination today is the largest city of southern Italy, Naples, often referred to as an open-air museum due to its abundance of historic statues and monuments. Stroll through the ancient piazzas, head to the seafront to explore the harbour and the Castel dell'Ovo or visit the National Archaeological Museum of Naples. The range of mosaics, sculptures and silver, uncovered during excavations at Pompeii and other archaeological sites, make up one of the world's best collections of Greek and Roman antiques here. Or simply enjoy the authentic Italian cuisine; as the home of pizza, the food in Naples won’t disappoint!
Day 9 – Rome
We head to Rome where we have the afternoon to explore at leisure and time to choose a restaurant for an early dinner. Highlights of Italy’s capital city include the iconic Colosseum, the largest amphitheatre ever built in the Roman Empire, the Spanish Steps and the Trevi Fountain. Later, we check in to our hotel on the outskirts of the city where we stay overnight.
Day 10
We begin our journey home, stopping overnight in northern Italy, with dinner included.
Day 11
We travel onwards to our overnight hotel in France, with a light evening meal included.
Day 12
Continue to Calais for our return ferry home.