If your holiday mantra is ‘busy doing nothing' you'll love this lazy day, cruising around the Bay of Naples and Salerno. There are plenty of bronzing spots on board where you can lie back on a sunlounger. We'll drop anchor along the way so you can cool off by Capri's famous Faraglioni rocks. There are two options to go ashore, too, either in Positano or Amalfi. In Positano, you can catch a ride ashore for a small charge and in Amalfi you can go ashore at no extra cost.
Just so you know, some of our excursions may operate from central pick-up points. This means you'll need to make your own way to the pick-up location. We'll let you know if you need to do this on your E-ticket.
You’ll get a real history fix on this trip. We’ll take you to Paestum, an ancient Greco-Roman city, which dates back to the 7th century. The ruins of this civilisation spread out for 120 hectares and are surrounded by defensive walls, but the focal points are three temples that circle the centre of the site. These religious houses were once dedicated to Athena, goddess of wisdom, and Hera, goddess of marriage. In fact, the ancient Greeks and Romans used to make sacrifices to these gods on the altars here. Other must-sees at the site include the painted tombs, which are the graves and headstones of Paestum’s past citizens. The Tomb of the Diver is particularly special – its covering slab is painted with a picture of a lone man diving into a stream.
You'll get a real history fix on this trip. We'll take you to Paestum, an ancient Greco-Roman city, which dates back to the 7th century. The ruins of this civilisation spread out for 120 hectares and are surrounded by defensive walls, but the focal points are three temples that circle the centre of the site. These religious houses were once dedicated to Athena, goddess of wisdom, and Hera, goddess of marriage. In fact, the ancient Greeks and Romans used to make sacrifices to these gods on the altars here. Other must-sees at the site include the painted tombs, which are the graves and headstones of Paestum's past citizens. The Tomb of the Diver is particularly special :its covering slab is painted with a picture of a lone man diving into a stream.
This full day tour gives you a great introduction to the Neapolitan Riviera’s impressive architecture and wartime history. You’ll visit the Monte Cassino Abbey, a hilltop edifice that commands sweeping views over the city of Cassino. Its showpiece is the basilica, which is decorated in elaborate mosaics, and contains the remains of St. Benedict. Thanks to its long and turbulent 1,400-year history, the abbey has been destroyed and rebuilt four times. Most recently, it was bombed during the Second World War, and the second part of your tour will be spent in a nearby museum, learning about the conflict that took place here. You’ll also get to see the Commonwealth Cemetery – a haunting site that sits in the shadow of the abbey. It’s the resting place of the soldiers that fell during the battle.
The best things come in small packages and that is certainly true of this day trip. Using a minibus carrying just nineteen people, this wonderful drive is similar to the Amalfi Drive route but with a more personal touch. Start off with a stop in Positano followed by two hours to explore Amalfi. Then it's time for lunch in the old-world village of Pontone, one of the oldest in the region. In the afternoon, there'll be an hour-and-a-half in Ravello. Here, you can pay a little extra to visit Villa Rufolo, the exquisite house that inspired Richard Wagner. And to finish off, as you'll be travelling by minibus, you'll journey home along the coastal road to Sorrento for postcard-worthy views.
Just so you know, some of our excursions may operate from central pick-up points. This means you'll need to make your own way to the pick-up location. We'll let you know if you need to do this on your E-ticket.
Standing shoulder to shoulder with Mount Etna, Vesuvius is one of Italy's most famous volcanoes. In fact, if volcanoes had their own celebrity circuit, Mount Vesuvius would be a dead cert A-lister. It's the one that famously wiped out the Roman city of Pompeii back in the first century AD. And while it hasn't been active since the 1940's, Mount Vesuvius still rumbles now and again :a hint to its capricious nature. Pull on your hiking boots and make the rewarding zigzag trek to the summit. The leg work is well worth it. You'll peer into its cone to see the single plume of smoke rising from it, reminding you it's just sleeping. As you can imagine, the views from here are staggering, too. On the return journey you'll make one last stop at a museum showcasing minerals that have been found in and around Vesuvius.
Just so you know, some of our excursions may operate from central pick-up points. This means you'll need to make your own way to the pick-up location. We'll let you know if you need to do this on your E-ticket.
Known throughout Italy as ‘the green isle', Ischia's a quiet island and the only spot in the region with sandy beaches. To begin with, you'll have some free time for shopping or a wander around the pretty streets. Then it's time for the coach to do the hard work as you set off on a drive. You'll see beautiful scenery along the way, passing whitewashed houses and the island's castle. The landscape here certainly impressed filmmakers :they gave Ischia a starring role in The Talented Mr Ripley. Pulling up in picturesque Sant Angelo, you'll head for a thermal park with over ten different pools. Nowhere does pampering better than Ischia :it's literally bursting with hot springs and mud baths. There are 70 altogether, with a host of thermal spa complexes and luxury health centres built around them. It's like a parallel universe of steam rooms and saunas, treatments and therapies. Get ready to feel seriously relaxed…
Just so you know, some of our excursions may operate from central pick-up points. This means you'll need to make your own way to the pick-up location. We'll let you know if you need to do this on your E-ticket. If your pick-up is from the port you can see your Holiday Advisor in resort to obtain a free ticket for the lift in the public gardens.
An hour drive south of Naples, Salerno was the world's capital of medicine in Medieval times. And nearby, in fields freckled with flowers, lies one seriously impressive collection of Greek temples. One of the best in the world in fact. The Temple of Neptune, dating from about 450BC, is the most complete, while the Basilica of Hera, built at least a century earlier, has managed to hang on to its double rows of columns. The smallest of the three is the Temple of Ceres, once used as a Christian church. Don't miss the museum, a treasure trove of tomb paintings, architectural finds and sculpture.
Just so you know, some of our excursions may operate from central pick-up points. This means you'll need to make your own way to the pick-up location. We'll let you know if you need to do this on your E-ticket.
Make sure you save a day of your holiday for Pompeii. Here is a city frozen in time, stopped in action when Mount Vesuvius erupted in 79AD. Remains of temples, villas and streets have been uncovered and they more or less look just as they did 2,000 years ago. You'll even get to see the people who were turned to stone trying to flee the city in its final hours. The ancient town of Herculaneum, is another must see. While it's somewhat overshadowed by its big brother Pompeii, the irony is that it's actually better preserved. Rather than being buried in hot ash, it was engulfed by a mudslide, thereby conserving a lot of the wooden beams, roofs and domestic items. No words do it justice :see it for yourself.
Just so you know, some of our excursions may operate from central pick-up points. This means you'll need to make your own way to the pick-up location. We'll let you know if you need to do this on your E-ticket.
Rome may not have been built in a day but you can see most of its star sights in one. Travel back in time to the days of togas and chariots at the Colosseum. Keep an eye out for the Pope in the Vatican. Or sigh over the ceiling frescoes in the Sistine Chapel. And that's just the tip of the iceberg. There's a whole galaxy of must-sees in the Eternal City. There's the Trevi Fountain and the Spanish Steps. Not to mention the Villa Borghese, a huge mansion-museum, and the Caracalla baths, a ruined Roman bathhouse. Oh, and don't forget the Imperial Palace, a monument on Palatine Hill. It's a real sightseeing pick and mix but with a couple of tours and some free time to tick off your must-sees, you might just squeeze them all in. End your day in style with a tasty dinner before we head home.
Just so you know, some of our excursions may operate from central pick-up points. This means you'll need to make your own way to the pick-up location. We'll let you know if you need to do this on your E-ticket.
It's been more than 2,000 years since the eruption that destroyed Pompeii and Herculaneum, but Vesuvius is still known as the bad boy of the Neapolitan Riviera. On this trip, though, you'll discover its passive side. You'll start the day by taking a 4x4 to a lookout point just below the crater. Then you'll have the option of hiking to the top to get grandstand views of the Bay of Naples. Next, you'll take the thirst you've worked up to Cantina del Vesuvio vineyards. It's here that Vesuvius gives life rather than takes it away. The volcanic soil of this vineyard feeds pergolas full of white grapes, trellises stuffed with red ones, and groves of olive trees. But this trip isn't about looking and not touching. Once you've taken a tour of the grounds, you'll get to taste the wine. The Lacryma Christi will be the food pairing to your light lunch. Expect the menu to include tomatoes grown in the garden, garlic bread from the wood-fired oven and locally sourced meats and cheeses.
Immerse yourself in the rich history of Cassino as you journey to the stunning Monte Cassino Abbey and nearby cemetery and WWII Museum. Uncover the secrets of an area that has largely escaped the attention of many of the region´s visitors, with this day trip to Cassino.
HIGHLIGHTS:
*Fall in love with the story of the 1400 year old Monte Casino Abbey
*Feel the history as you experience the immaculate Commonwealth War Cemetry
*Visit the various exhibitions within the World War II museum
Situated at the top of the hill, not only does the Abbey (founded in 529BC) offer spectacular views over the city of Cassino but it is world renowned as a centre for art, culture and holiness. The Abbey is steeped in history having been destroyed and constructed again four times over, most recently in 1944 during the Second World War, all of which you will learn and more during your own tour.
After learning about the role the Abbey played in the war and witnessing the results for yourself, the tour moves on to the beautifully maintained Commonwealth Cemetery where many of the soldiers who died at the battle of Monte Cassino are buried. There is an opportunity for a lunch break before the final stop of the day, a visit to the World War II Museum where those of all nationality are commemorated.
The cosmopolitan island of Capri has been a magnet for the rich and glamorous for decades – everyone from Jay-Z and Beyoncé to Elton John has been spotted on its well-groomed shores. We’ll sail over to the island on an intimate 15-person boat, stopping en route at Marciano and Mitigliano Beaches where you can swim in the Evian-clear waters. Once we reach Capri, you’ll have the chance to swim and snorkel at the White and Green Caves. There’s the option of visiting the famous Blue Grotto, too. After a quick Caprese snack, you’ll be dropped off in Capri Town, where you’ll have a few hours to explore. You could wander through the narrow lanes, window shopping in the designer boutiques and pit-stopping in chic cafés, or head out of town to discover the island’s mountainous scenery. There’ll be sundowners on the cruise back to Sorrento, with samples of limoncello, the region’s famous lemony liqueur.
One of the most scenic coastal drives in Europe. Enjoy the superb scenery as the road twists and turns to Positano, a vertical village cascading into the sea. After some free time in the town of Amalfi itself it's off to the quaint town of Ravello where Wagner was inspired to write one of his operas. You'll also have the opportunity to visit the beautiful Villa Rufolo with its wonderful garden and views.
Just so you know, some of our excursions may operate from central pick-up points. This means you’ll need to make your own way to the pick-up location. We’ll let you know if you need to do this on your E-ticket.
If your holiday mantra is ‘busy doing nothing’ you’ll love this lazy day, cruising around the Bay of Naples and Salerno. There are plenty of bronzing spots on board where you can lie back on a sunlounger. We’ll drop anchor along the way so you can cool off by Capri’s famous Faraglioni rocks. There are two options to go ashore, too, either in Positano or Amalfi. In Positano, you can catch a ride ashore for a small charge and in Amalfi you can go ashore at no extra cost.
Just so you know, some of our excursions may operate from central pick-up points. This means you’ll need to make your own way to the pick-up location. We’ll let you know if you need to do this on your E-ticket.