Pompeii, Paestum & Herculaneum with Ischia add on

Day 1: UK/Naples
Depart on your flight to Naples today, transferring to the pretty town of Vico Equense, on the Sorrento Peninsula, on arrival. Your hotel is located in the heart of the town and offers lovely views over the Bay of Naples towards Mount Vesuvius. Your Tour Lecturer will be on hand throughout your holiday to make sure you discover all the archeological treasures this beautiful part of Italy has to offer.

Day 2: Pozzuoli, Solfatara & Cumae
After breakfast join your Tour Lecturer on today’s included excursion, which offers a day of amazing contrasts as you view Roman remains in Pozzuoli, the unique landscape of Solfatara and Western Europe’s earliest Greek settlement at Cumae.

Get a taste of Roman life as you wander around the maze of underground cavern tunnels beneath Pozzuoli’s amphitheatre, following the paths that gladiators and wild animals would have taken en route to the arena, which in its heyday held crowds of up to 20,000.

You’ll move on to the Solfatara volcanic crater – once thought to be the entrance to hell. The bubbling and hissing that you will hear could be a little unnerving but don’t worry, the volcano is long dormant. From here your tour continues to Cumae. Only ruins remain of the Greek temples that once stood here perched high above the sea and surrounded by oak trees, but the Cave of Sibyl and the temple to Jupiter are incredible sights.

Day 3: Pompeii
We have another excellent full-day excursion planned for you today with a tour of the remarkable ruins of Pompeii, just a short journey away via the Cicumvesuviana Railway.

Pompeii’s sheer scale is immense and as you wander its maze of streets you will imagine yourself back in Roman times before Vesuvius erupted in 79 AD, smothering the town and its inhabitants in hot ash. You’ll see many of Pompeii’s best sights including villas decorated with perfectly preserved frescos and brightly coloured mosaics, the remarkable Roman baths and an impressive amphitheatre where gladiators would battle in front of thousands of cheering spectators.

When you return to your hotel you’ll be able to look towards Vesuvius in the distance and understand more about its devastating power.

Day 4: Amalfi Drive & Paestum
Today we include a tour of historic Paestum, which is reached via one of the world’s most beautiful stretches of coastline, the Amalfi Coast. You’ll travel along twisting roads which cling to the cliff face as you pass the equally lovely resorts of Positano and Ravello. The dramatic beauty of your journey is more than matched by the three magnificent Doric temples you’ll discover at your journey’s end. It’s incredible to think that 2,500 years after they were built, the temples of Ceres, Neptune and Hera are still standing relatively intact. You’ll find even more of interest inside the fascinating museum here which houses sculptures, tomb paintings and other treasures found during excavations of the site.

Day 5: Oplontis & Herculaneum
Enjoy breakfast before once again joining your Tour Lecturer on a full-day included excursion. Your day begins with an exploration of the spectacular Villa Poppaea at Oplontis. So well preserved under the ash of Vesuvius’ eruption was it that its Roman wall paintings give the impression of being freshly painted – a truly remarkable archaeological discovery.

You’ll continue on to Herculaneum, which was also buried by the same eruption that destroyed Pompeii, and is actually better preserved than its more famous counterpart. As you view ornately decorated houses your Tour Lecturer will give you a fascinating insight into the daily life of the town’s wealthy former residents.

Day 6: Capri
Today is free for you to spend at leisure. Perhaps you’ll explore Vico Equense further, or you may choose to relax by the pool or on the hotel’s wisteria-covered terrace soaking up the sunshine. Alternatively, join our full-day optional excursion to the captivating island of Capri.

After taking a short boat trip, explore the island at your own pace. You’ll soon see why so many have been charmed by its beauty over time, from the Roman Emperor Tiberius, who built the magnificent Villa Jovis here, to the rich and famous who frequent its shores to this day. After a stroll around the village of Capri, hop into one of the iconic open-top taxis and journey in style along the narrow, winding streets to Anacapri. Here you can visit Villa San Michele, the former home of celebrated doctor and philanthropist Axel Munthe, which is surrounded by fragrant gardens and filled with curios.

Day 7: Vesuvius & Naples
You have seen Vesuvius from a distance and learned all about its immense power during your visits to archaeological sites but today you will have the chance to walk to its summit. Towering almost 1,300 metres above the Bay of Naples, this is mainland Europe’s only active volcano and the views you will experience will take your breath away.

Your Tour Lecturer will then introduce you to the Museum of National Antiquities in Naples, where you will find many of the relics discovered at Pompeii on display.

After today’s tour enjoy a relaxing evening at your hotel before you transfer to the Island of Ischia tomorrow.

Days 8 – 11: The Island of Ischia
Transfer to the island of Ischia for a four night stay. Absorb the beautiful surroundings, the culture and take the time to explore at your own pace. This extension will only add more experiences to your fabulous holiday.

Day 12: UK
Your time on the Neapolitan Riviera and on the island of Ischia has come to an end. Sadly it’s time to return home.

Please note
This holiday includes walking in areas of rough ground, gradients and steps.

Accommodation throughout is in hotels of a comfortable standard, typical of the hotels you will stay in are:

3-star Hotel Aequa
This delightful hotel is in the heart of the little cliff-top town of Vico Equense and enjoys wonderful views over the Bay of Naples towards Vesuvius. Facilities include a bar, solarium, swimming pool and restaurant where dinner is included each evening. Guest rooms feature air-conditioning, satellite TV and en suite facilities. Please note: Outdoors pools are typically open between May and September dependent on weather conditions.

4-star Hermitage Hotel in Ischia
You will stay here for four nights on a half-board basis as part of the Ischia add-on
Hotels will be confirmed in your final documentation.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION

Included excursions and visits

Pozzuoli, Solfatara & Cumae (full day)
Pompeii (full day)
Oplontis & Herculaneum (full day)
Amalfi Coast drive & Paestum (full day)
Mount Vesuvius & the Museum of National Antiquities (full day)

Optional excursions

Capri (full day, moderate walking) £72
For full details of this excursion please see page 4 of our Italy Optional Excursions booklet

Your holiday includes

Scheduled flights
The services of a Tour Lecturer and Local Guides (main tour)
Overseas transfers and other transportation
11 nights’ accommodation
Half-board basis
Hotel porterage (one bag per person)
All airport taxes and security charges
UK Airline Passenger Duty
All state and local taxes

With 50 years’ experience in arranging escorted tours to exciting destinations across the globe, Travelsphere have built an excellent reputation founded on quality and value.

By choosing a Travelsphere escorted holiday you can travel with confidence, knowing that every aspect of your holiday has been carefully planned and arranged from start to finish. Further to this they are ATOL bonded and members of ABTA.

Travelsphere’s thorough planning of travel arrangements, itineraries and accommodation combined with the unique insight of their knowledgeable Tour Managers and Local Guides will enable you to experience the culture, traditions and hidden away places less accessible to other travellers.

Our Opinion
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