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Time stopped for the occupants of Pompeii one day in 79 AD, when the city was buried under volcanic ash and pumice from the eruption of nearby Mount Vesuvius. Thousands of people perished in Pompeii and neighbouring Herculaneum at the hands of the volcano, and some 1,500 of the victims remain in place on the two sites, preserved by the deadly volcanic material.
You will visit both locations on this exclusive eight-day break to the Amalfi Coast. The 50km stretch of coastline, running between Salerno and Sorrento, is certainly one of the most beautiful in Italy, if not the world. Flying into Naples, you'll transfer to your hotel, which is set in the hills a few miles from the coast, near Salerno.
You'll visit Amalfi itself, with its cluster of tightly packed houses rising up the hillside, and wander around Positano's steep, narrow streets, which are draped in wisteria. During your stay in Italy, you'll also visit the enchanting town of Ravello and island of Capri. In Naples, you'll discover what made it the place to be in Roman times, and sample the local pizza, which is said to be the best in the world.
We fly to Naples and on arrival transfer to our comfortable base in the hills above Salerno, the Hotel Scapolatiello. Dinner is included every night at the hotel.
Driving to Positano, we visit the church of Santa Maria Assunta. After an included lunch, we travel down the Amalfi Coast to Amalfi to explore the Cathedral of St Andrew and the Cloister of Paradise with its 13th century frescoes.
We venture by minibus down the Amalfi Coast to Ravello, where the Cathedral and the Villa Rufolo, with its lovely gardens, await. After an included lunch, there is free time in the afternoon to explore the city.
Taking the ferry from Naples to Capri, we explore the palatial Roman Villa Jovis and the Certosa di San Giacomo, a 14th century Carthusian Monastery. After an included lunch, there will be more free time to explore this lovely island. Afterwards, we return to Naples by ferry and return to our hotel.
This poignant, iconic site richly rewards a full day of exploration, walking the streets of a once-bustling Roman town, its houses, institutions, shops, bars and brothels inundated by volcanic material. Pompeii has recently opened many more sites to the public, including the House of the Menander and the Fruit Orchard. We end the day at the Villa of the Mysteries, an undoubted highlight.
We start the day with a visit to the Museum of Archaeology in Naples, which exhibits the precious frescoes and mosaics discovered in the Vesuvian towns. After an included lunch, we continue on to explore the amphitheatre in Pozzuoli, one of the largest amphitheatres in the ancient world.
We venture to Herculaneum, sealed by 23 metres of pyroclastic flow from the same eruption which buried Pompeii. We spend the morning at this evocative site, which is even better preserved than its more famous neighbour. Two new museums have recently opened on site. After an included lunch in Herculaneum, we visit the museum of everyday life in Boscoreale.
After breakfast, transfer to the airport for your flight home.
This boutique hotel on the Amalfi Coast boasts fabulous views, tasty traditional Napoli cuisine, and a wellness centre with Turkish baths and sauna
While the city of Naples and the region's ancient sights are within easy reach, Hotel Scapolatiello is a blissfully secluded spot - tucked away in the rolling green hills of Cava dei Tirreni, looking out towards the coast.
The outdoor pool is set in pristine manicured gardens, while the wellness centre also offers plenty of opportunities to relax - complete with sauna, Turkish baths and beauty treatments available on request.
Rooms are comfortable, clean, and traditional in style. Breakfasts are delicious and plentiful, and the restaurant also serves traditional Napoli cuisine at lunch time and dinner time - using ingredients grown in its very own grounds.
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