DESTINATIONS ESCORTED TOURS | ITALY
CLOCKWISE FROM LEFT: Sorrento’s seafront; Yolanda Zappaterra in Naples; life-sized cut-out of Italian football champions Napoli PICTURE: Shutterstock/Serenity-H
expertexper ASK THE Margaret Moulton
manager, Miles Morgan Travel, Wells, Somerset
“This tour is brilliant to sell, as there is something to suit everyone. The Amalfi coast and Capri are stunning, with
fantastic resorts and scenery, while the Roman ruins of
Pompeii and Herculaneum are fascinating and a
dream for history buffs.”
Praiano, and tiny villages squished into the clefts of mountains and gorges are the acme of la dolce vita, even if the Alfa Romeo Spiders of the Sixties have given way to Fiat Pandas. From our comfy air-conditioned coach, these towns and villages – along with the near-vertical terraces of lemon groves, olive trees and grape vines – presented a vista that felt little-changed in the 50-plus years since I’d last seen them. Admittedly, the Oscar Niemeyer Auditorium built in the hilltop town of Ravello in 2011 came as something of a shock, its modernity and curves distinctly at odds with the intensely Italian piazzas and palazzos that make this music-steeped destination as delightful as it is. More familiar in my memory was the gorgeous view back over the coast from the boat to Capri on our next excursion.
Richard Slater
owner, Henbury Travel, Macclesfield
“We recommend this itinerary as it offers the opportunity to see the most important sites in the area, while being escorted by a knowledgeable guide. It represents immense value, and Riviera’s hotel selections are always high quality.”
44 16 NOVEMBER 2023
OLD AND NEW The following day, the tranquillity of Herculaneum was welcome, and being able to wander its two- storey houses a highlight of the week. Unlike Pompeii, the small seaside town was buried under mud rather than ash when Vesuvius erupted, meaning that many of its buildings have retained wood and marble features, frescoes and mosaics – and even organic remains like food – providing a unique view into the daily lives of the town’s ancient population. Wandering the teeming alleyways of Naples immediately afterwards felt as though we were in a
Wandering the teeming
alleyways of Naples felt like a live-action recreation of the days of Pompeii and Herculaneum
live-action recreation of those daily lives, but peeking into courtyards filled with balconied apartments – the blue and white banners of SSC Napoli’s ciucciarelli (little donkeys) draped everywhere – brought us firmly back into the 21st century. We stopped at souvenir shops for footie-related fridge magnets, T-shirts, bumper stickers, socks and even statues of team members responsible for the famous win, before making our way wearily but happily back to the hotel for a late-afternoon swim and early aperitivo. I reflected how this amazing tour, at the perfect time, had left me filled with wonderful memories – both old and new.
TW BOOK IT
Riviera Travel offers the escorted seven-night Pompeii, Capri and the Bay of Naples tour from £1,499, departing on May 3, 2024. The price includes return flights (regional airports included), breakfast and select dinners, daily visits and tours, plus an expert tour manager throughout.
rivieratravel.co.uk
travelweekly.co.uk
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