Rome, Sorrento and Amalfi Coast

We meet at our London St Pancras Departure Office and board the
Eurostar to Paris. From here, we change trains and head to
Chambéry, where we spend the night, enjoying dinner in a local
restaurant. We travel by rail to Rome on Day 2.
The city is a feast for the senses, from its fountains and public
gardens to its intimate cafés filled with the scent of Italian
coffee. The most famous sights here are a wonder to behold.

On Day 3, our day in Rome begins with a guided
tour, during which we take in sights including the Roman Forum and
theatrical Trevi Fountain. Later, you're free to spend your
afternoon savouring the sights and sounds of Rome. Visit St Peter's
Basilica and the Vatican museum, stroll through the atmospheric
streets, ascend the monumental Spanish Steps or relax in one of
Rome's many squares with a coffee or ice-cream. With its abundance
of history and culture, Rome offers something to suit every
taste.

We travel to Sorrento, a coastal town steeped in history, and
perched on a cliff in its own mini bay with spectacular views
across the Bay of Naples to Mount Vesuvius. An orientation walk
around Sorrento introduces us to its cobbled streets and colourful
squares. Sorrento is famous for its citrus products, and we pause
for a tasting of limoncello, a refreshing local lemon liquor. We
continue to our hotel, the 4-Star Majestic Palace, just outside the
centre, surrounded by gardens and citrus trees.

On Day 5, we uncover the Amalfi Coast from its
waters. We cruise to Positano, a pristine village where pastel
houses seemingly tumble into a turquoise sea. The town retains a
distinctly oldfashioned appeal, untouched by time in its secluded
spot on the coastline, and at the beach, fishermen haul their
wooden boats as they did decades ago. Continue to Amalfi, the
'jewel of the Amalfi Coast' for some free time. Perhaps visit the
9th-century St Andrew's Cathedral, which overlooks the Piazza del
Duomo at the top of a beautiful stone staircase. Back in Sorrento
this evening, we enjoy a special pizza-making experience,
discovering the secrets to this revered Italian dish.

This morning we catch the Campania Express to Pompeii, the
famous town buried by ash following the eruption of Mount Vesuvius
in 79AD. While it was abandoned and forgotten until its rediscovery
in 1748, the ash worked to 'freeze' Pompeii and its people in time;
having spent the best part of two millennia buried by ash, Pompeii
is considered the best-preserved Roman city in the world. We have a
guided tour of the shops, restaurants and villas that made up this
fascinating city, as well as the Amphitheatre and the Grand
Theatre.

Day 7 is free to enjoy the relaxed town of
Sorrento. Explore the narrow streets filled with beautiful
Renaissance buildings, or relax in the central square - a great
place to watch the world go by.

We travel by coach today to Herculaneum, a city of Roman ruins
that was destroyed by an earthquake in 62 AD. Thanks to its close
proximity to Mt Vesuvius, the eruption that blasted Pompeii had a
similar effect here, fossilising much of the town. We make our way
through the preserved ruins, taking in the fascinating sights of
ancient life.

On Day 9 you have another day to spend as you
wish. Sorrento's Chiesa di San Francesco, a peaceful church with
Renaissance, Gothic, and Arabic influences, is worth a visit.

We cruise to Capri, a beautiful island famed for its stunning
views. Located just off the coast of the Sorrentine Peninsula, the
island has attracted artists and writers for centuries. Our visit
includes a ticket on the funicular railway, which carries visitors
to the centre of Capri, where you have some free time to discover
the historic island. This evening, we enjoy a farewell dinner
together.

On Day 11 we transfer by coach to Naples
joining the rail service to Turin, where we overnight. On
Day 12, we continue to Paris for the Eurostar back
to London St Pancras.