DAY 1 - ARRIVE IN SORRENTO You should arrive at the airport to take your flight to Naples. On arrival, a coach will take us to Sorrento. You have a choice of carefully selected hotels where you will stay on a half-board basis. (2017 stays at the Mediterraneo will be on a bed and breakfast basis). Choose from the Villa Maria, a fine modern three- star hotel, tastefully decorated and in an excellent central location. Fully air-conditioned, it has a restaurant, pool and sun terrace. Alternatively,
opt for the three-star rated La Badia, situated on the coast road approximately one kilometre from Sorrento. This charming hotel offers wonderful views of the Bay of Naples and is professionally managed by its family owners. The three-star superior rated Hotel Vue D’Or,
‘view of gold’, is an apt name for this lovely property. The lounge, bar and public rooms are extremely comfortable and the restaurant is very good quality. The four-star rated Aminta is situated on a hilltop
three kilometres from the centre. Its wonderful position gives a breathtaking panorama of the coastline. Spacious public areas create an aura of relaxation and the hotel boasts a swimming pool, terrace and lounge. The four-star Michelangelo is a relaxing haven
away from the hustle and bustle of the town centre, just a few minutes walk away. The hotel boasts a restaurant, comfortable lounge, small swimming pool and sun terrace. The centrally-located four-star superior Grand
Europa Palace enjoys one of Sorrento's most breathtaking situations, directly on the cliff-top with uninterrupted sea views to Vesuvius. The Hotel Mediterraneo, following an extremely
comprehensive and far-sighted restoration programme, this superbly located former private villa, built in 1912 with a frontage overlooking the stunning Bay of Naples. A lovely selection of traditional Italian restaurants and trattorias are within easy reach of the hotel. Spectacularly and peacefully located on the cliff-
top overlooking the Bay of Naples is the 5-star Parco Dei Principi. The light, airy dining room with its floor to ceiling windows offers truly spectacular views overlooking the Bay of Sorrento. Finally, the four-star Grand Hotel Cesare Augusto
is located in Sorrento’s centre providing a superb base for exploration. Only steps away from Piazza Tasso and Corso Italia, Sorrento’s main square and shopping street, the Cesare Augusto could not be in a better position.
DAY 2 - WALKING TOUR OF SORRENTO Sorrento has been a resort for centuries and over the years has developed with great style, so today we have a rather lazy day commencing with a short walking tour. The Romans were aware of Sorrento’s attributes and the area is dotted with the remains of their opulent villas. During the 18th century it became part of the Grand Tour for Europe’s aristocracy with classic hotels being built around the old cliff-top town.
DAY 3 - NAPLES & POMPEII Today, we take the drive north around the bay to the cosmopolitan city of Naples where we will have a guided tour of the Archaeological Museum which is one of the finest of its kind. When the excavations commenced in nearby Pompeii and Herculaneum, the best of the finds were brought here and displayed to an eager public.
We all know the story of Pompeii, however, it is
more than a series of ruins: the state of preservation is astonishing and even if you are not interested in history you cannot fail to be moved by the scale of the city. Much of our knowledge about the way of life
of the ordinary Romans, their habits and domestic arrangements has come from here. Some of the baths are virtually complete as are various murals and mosaics. The atmosphere is eerie, as preserved for all time
are the pained facial expressions of the victims of Vesuvius. We will have a guided tour of this fascinating city before returning to our hotel.
DAY 4 - FREE DAY Today you have a free day in Sorrento to spend as you wish. You could take a boat trip, have a lazy lunch or simply catch up on some reading – the choice is yours.
DAY 5 - CAPRI Capri is renowned the world over for its outstanding natural beauty and today we take the short boat ride to the island. It is easy to see why it is so adored: as we approach the island you can see small fishing boats rising and falling with the gentle waves, with pretty shops and restaurants lining the busy quayside. The picturesque main town is perched on the
hill looking down on the quaint harbour below. You may wish to visit the famous Blue Grotto – the large cavern which by a freak of nature is bathed in incandescent blue light. Yes, Capri really does deserve its reputation as a Garden of Eden. We then take the boat to the mainland and return to our hotel.
DAY 6 - MOUNT VESUVIUS This morning, you have the chance to explore the slopes of Mount Vesuvius. Bizarrely enough, the bottom of the volcano is populated again, with the lower slopes producing some of the finest wine in the area! The coach will take us most of the way up, giving panoramic views of the whole bay. You will then have the opportunity to climb the volcano and peer into the crater. We return to the hotel early afternoon, providing you with free time for the rest of the day.
DAY 7 - AMALFI COAST After breakfast we take you on a breathtaking day out. When you see it, we think you will agree the Amalfi coastline is, as it claims to be, Europe’s most beautiful. We explore the coast as it winds around towering cliffs, dipping almost directly to the beautiful blue sea below. We arrive above the resort of Positano clinging
pyramid-like to the cliff-face, giving a view, which has inspired countless artists and today is the haunt of even more numerous celebrities. Next it’s Amalfi, a picturesque village in a gorgeous
setting, possessing charm in abundance and perhaps the highlight of the coast. Just inland is the stunning village of Ravello, perched like an eagle’s nest on a shelf above Amalfi. See the wonderful main square and the Villa Rufolo – the setting for Wagner’s opera, Parsifal.
DAY 8 - RETURN FLIGHT Today, at the appropriate time, we take our return flight.
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