Rome, Sorrento And The Amalfi Coast

The trip starts today in the Italian capital Rome. With a history spanning over two and half a thousand years, the city is packed with iconic ancient sites, exhilarating architecture and artistic treasures. Its picturesque piazzas, neighbourhood cafes and bars make for excellent people watching. With so much to see and do you could easily spend many days here, so if this is your first visit, we strongly recommend arriving early and booking additional hotel nights before the trip starts. Your trip Leader plans to meet everyone at the hotel for a welcome meeting today at 6pm and for those that wish, there is the chance to go out for dinner afterwards for your first taste of Roman cuisine. There are no activities planned before the group meeting at 6pm tonight, so you can arrive any time before then. Should you miss the meeting, your Leader will inform you of any essential information as soon as you catch up. If you would like to receive a complimentary airport transfer today, you'll need to arrive into Rome Fiumicino Airport (FCO) which is around 45 minutes to an hour from the city centre depending on traffic conditions. If your flight arrives earlier in the day, put on a pair of comfortable shoes and head out to explore. Walking is the best way to see Rome. Flicking a coin in the Trevi Fountain and marvelling at the vast domed roof inside the ancient Pantheon are just two things every visitor to the city should experience. If you wish to visit the Vatican, Rome's most popular attraction, you should book tickets to the Museum tickets online in advance. Note the Vatican is closed to visitors on Sunday with the exception of the last Sunday of every month when entry is free although it can get very busy. Check the Vatican website (vatican.va) for updated information on opening times. Tickets for the Vatican Museum can be booked online at: biglietteriamusei.vatican.va. Please note that pre-booked tickets are not required if you just want to visit St Peter's Basilica.

We're up early today to beat the crowds, heading out on a walking tour to immerse ourselves in the life and soul of the city. Our first stop is the iconic Colosseum, the largest amphitheatre in the world and symbol of the Roman Empire. Built by Flavian Emperor Vespasian, the mighty arena could hold between 50,000 and 80,000 spectators, all attracted by gladiatorial contests, mock sea battles and executions. Heading along the Via Sacra (Sacred Way) we arrive at the Roman Forum, the scene of public meetings and law courts, it was lined with shops and open-air markets and was the site of many of the city's most imposing temples and monuments. Forty metres above the Forum, Palatine Hill is the most central of the Seven Hills of Rome and considered the birthplace of the city, having been inhabited since 1000 B.C. The afternoon is left free for you to continue exploring. Make sure to find the time to stop along the way to join the locals for an essential espresso at a street side cafe or perhaps indulge in a delicious gelato. Please note that due to the extremely high demand for Colosseum tickets, the exact timings for our visit can vary.

A fast train this morning takes us to Naples. A city of diverse contrasts it evokes enormous pride among the locals. Its rich history, staunch Catholicism and endless charm make it one of the most engaging cities in Italy. A local guide will take us on a walking tour of old Naples; through the old city streets, open air markets and narrow alleyways that give us a captivating insight into the city's heart, which has gone unchanged in essence for generations. Along the way we will see the round stone turrets of Maschio Angioino Castle, the square seafront Castle Dell'ovo, the main square of Piazza del Plebiscito, the ornate glass covered shopping arcade of Galleria Umberto and the Baroque and Neo-Classical facade of the Royal Palace. For lunch today you might like to try the most famous Neapolitan cuisine, pizza. The traditional pizzas served here aren't as crispy as in most parts of Italy. They tend to be thinner in the centre so that the fresh tomato sauce collects and soaks into the base. It's normally then topped with a drizzling of olive oil, mozzarella and fresh basil. This afternoon our charter bus takes us on a trip to Mount Vesuvius. Vesuvius is the only active volcano on the European mainland and dominates the skyline between Naples and Pompeii, rising up from the flat, fertile landscape. Since the mighty eruption of AD 79, it has had another 18 violent eruptions. The last one, in 1944, surprised the Allied forces and destroyed an entire squadron of 88 B-25 bombers belonging to the American Air Force. From the car park at around 1000 metres the walk up to the volcanic crater rim at 1,120m is along a well-graded cinder track and the round trip takes around an hour. From the top there are remarkable views down to Naples, the coastal plain and the glistening bay. It's a short journey from here on to our hotel in Pompeii.