Sorrento, Capri, Pompeii and the Amalfi Coast

Accommodation

4-Star Hotel Aequa in Vico Equense

For a perfect hotel in a superb location, look no further than the Hotel Aequa in the little cliff-top town of Vico Equense. Set in its own Mediterranean style gardens and with stunning views over the Bay of Naples towards Mount Vesuvius, you’ll know you’ve arrived somewhere special. The Hotel Aequa blends traditional Italian style with the latest modern facilities, including flat-screen TV’s and free wi-fi in the comfortably furnished bedrooms.

You can enjoy delicious local and Mediterranean dishes in the dining room and afterwards perhaps have a drink in the bar or on the terrace with new found friends.

The hotel’s swimming pool also has fantastic views of the sea and is ideal for a refreshing dip after a day’s sightseeing, or for a spot of sunbathing on one of the leisure days.There are also shaded areas in the garden where you can sit and relax with a book.

Accommodation is on a half board basis with continental buffet breakfasts and 3 course evening dinners.

Those that want to explore Vico Equense will find a selection of shops, restaurants and pavement cafes just a few minutes walk from the hotel, with buses and a light railway running regularly to and from Sorrento.

Excursions & Itinerary

Day 1 - Fly to Naples

On arrival you’ll be met and transferred to our hotel for a 7 night stay.

Days 2 - 7

During our stay we have arranged a superb programme of four included excursions and sightseeing trips to enable you to discover this beautiful region of Italy. There are also two days at leisure to do your own thing, when you can relax in the comfortable surroundings of our hotel with a day by the swimming pool, or explore our resort and nearby attractions.

Sorrento

After breakfast, in the company of our Tour Manager we go to the nearby Circumvesuviana light railway station for the 10 minute train journey to Sorrento. Our Tour Manager will give you an individual return train ticket. On arrival we begin with a walking tour of some of Sorrento’s oldest quarters. You'll also get the chance to learn how the area's famous liqueur, limoncello, is made - with a tasting included of course. After the walk the time is your own. Perhaps shop for souvenirs – the resort is filled with small shops specialising in ceramics and hand-made leather sandals and, after your earlier tasting, a bottle of limoncello might also be top of your list. There are also countless pavement cafes and ice cream parlours when you are ready for some refreshments. Later this afternoon meet up again with our Tour Manager who will accompany you on the short train journey back to Vico Equense. Alternatively, as you have a return train ticket, stay on longer in Sorrento and make your way back whenever you like.

Amalfi Coast Cruise

The Amalfi Coast is one of the most stunning coastlines in Europe and stretches along the entire southern side of the Sorrento Peninsula, with scenery that is absolutely breathtaking. We sail from Sorrento's main harbour and past the Galli Islands as we make our way to our first port of call, Positano, with its pastel-coloured houses which seemingly cascade down the hillside to the sea. The Church of Santa Maria Assunta, which is just above the sea front, features a majolica-tiled dome and a 13th-century Byzantine Virgin Mary and Child painting. We stay in Positano for around 2 ½ hours, giving ample time for exploring and shopping in the winding streets and alleyways. Positano also has one of the coast’s longest beaches, the Spiaggia Grande, where you will find beachside cafes, bars and restaurants. Following our visit we continue our cruise, passing picture perfect fishing villages with their fishermen’s cottages and on to Amalfi itself. Amalfi, which used to be an important Maritime Republic, is characterised by tightly packed whitewashed villas. Overlooking it all is the beautiful 13th century Cathedral, with its mosaic façade and reached by a magnificent flight of stairs. The resort has a splendid promenade and the maze of narrow streets leading through to the Cathedral offer a good selection of craft shops, boutiques and pavement cafes. Again, we stay here for around 2 ½ hours before our return sailing back along the coast, with views over to the Isle of Capri, to Sorrento.

Pompeii

Pompeii was frozen in time when it was buried by a layer of ash and lava during the eruption of the Volcano Vesuvius in 79AD. Today, most of the city has been excavated and is probably the largest archaeological site in the world and offers the most complete record of everyday life 2,000 years ago. Its just a 20 minute journey on the Circumvesuviana railway, in the company of our Tour Manager, to Pompeii. The railway station is right outside the excavations, where we meet a local guide. During our guided tour of the excavations this morning we will discover everything about Pompeii’s history, its people and their way of life. You will be amazed when you walk along streets worn away by the wheels of chariots and lined with villas, houses, wine shops and even bakeries with loaves of bread still in the ovens. We then visit the centre of the excavated town with the forum, the public baths and the theatre, all of which are perfectly preserved. The entrance ticket to Pompeii is included in the holiday price.

Isle of Capri

Taking the fast ferry from Sorrento’s pretty little harbour, it takes just 20 minutes to sail over to one of the most beautiful islands in the world. This magical island has been home to Emperors, artists and poets over the centuries and is today, perhaps, Italy’s most exclusive holiday destination and needs little introduction. Capri’s harbour, the Marina Grande, is filled with the yachts of the rich and famous and the island’s pedestrian only streets are lined with stylish restaurants and chic designer boutiques. On arrival in Marina Grande a minibus will take us to the picturesque village of Anacapri on the slopes of Monte Solaro. You will have time to take a chair-lift ride to the summit of Solaro or visit the delightful Villa San Michele with its views back to the Sorrento peninsula (payable locally). Another highlight of our guided tour is Capri village itself. Here we will have a short walk through the meandering streets to the wonderful Augustus Gardens which overlook Gracie Fields villa ‘Song of the Sea’ and the Faraglioni rocks. The rest of the afternoon is free to explore at your own leisure - why not enjoy a cappuccino in one of the stylish pavement cafes in the ‘Piazza’, or there are some fabulous shops and boutiques to browse in?

Day 8

Today, at the appropriate time, we transfer to Naples airport to take the return flight to the UK.

The transfer time from Naples airport to your hotel is approximately one hour.