Pompeii, Sorrento & the Amalfi Coast

Ferry to Calais and overnight stay in France on a bed and breakfast basis.

Travel onwards to our overnight hotel in Grenoble, stopping en route in Lyon – the perfect place to enjoy lunch at your leisure thanks to its reputation as the gourmet capital of France! Situated where the Rhône and Saône rivers meet, this impressive city takes us on a journey through time. Its Old Town – now a UNESCO World Heritage Site – offers a maze of narrow streets, vaulted passageways and historic buildings, while another highlight is the Notre Dame de Fourvière, a late 19^th-century basilica built in shimmering white stone.

Continue onwards to our overnight hotel in northern Italy, with dinner included.

We continue on to our hotel in the Sorrento area, where we stay for the next seven nights, with dinner included.

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 limonoro before exploring the sun-trapped squares, cobbled streets, unique shops and historic sites such as the 14^th-century Sedile Dominova and the beautiful Cathedral of Sorrento.

A fascinating day awaits amidst 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 1^st century with shops, schools, houses, theatres, baths and more. There are many fascinating artefacts to discover, along with wall paintings, mosaics and street graffiti, which all survive in remarkably good state. Walking these ancient streets in the footsteps of gladiators, slaves, senators and citizens is a truly memorable experience and is a must-do while in this region.

Choose to relax at the hotel today or head back into Sorrento to discover more of this stunning city.

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.

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!

We head to Rome where we have the afternoon to explore at leisure and time to choose a restaurant for an early dinner in the golden light of the Eternal City. Highlights include the iconic Colosseum, the largest amphitheatre ever built in the Roman Empire, the Spanish Steps, the Roman Forum and the Trevi Fountain.

Enjoy time to explore more of Italy's capital city before staying overnight in the Rome area, with dinner included.

We begin our journey home, stopping overnight in northern Italy, with dinner included.

We travel onwards to our overnight hotel in France, with a light evening meal included.

Continue to Calais for our return ferry home.