Rome to Southern Italy: Amalfi & Puglia

Buongiorno! Welcome to Italy. There are no activities planned until your welcome meeting at 6 pm, but there are plenty of things to do in Italy’s capital if you arrive early – the Colosseum, the Forum, Piazza Navona, the Spanish Steps, Via Condotti, Piazza Venezia, the Vatican City and St Peter's Basilica – so arriving early is recommended. Don’t forget to do as the Romans do and sip an espresso at one of the tiny streetside cafes or sample the many flavours of gelato that colour the city (Trastevere is a great spot for dining). For those captivated by the Eternal City, throw a coin into the Trevi Fountain to ensure a return visit. For dinner, why not head out with your group and get to know each other?

Travel by train to Naples, a city brimming with passion and gastronomy. Naples has been shaped by many empires and civilisations throughout history, including the Romans, Phoenicians, Carthaginians, Venetians, Spaniards, Normans and Africans. Its historic centre is a UNESCO World Heritage site, and the famous Spanish Quarter remains one of Europe’s most densely populated residential areas. Join your leader for an orientation walk around the city centre and the Spanish Quarter, finishing with a pizza tasting – Naples is the birthplace of pizza, after all! You'll also partake in the Neapolitan custom of caffe sospeso, a gesture of anonymous charity while paying for coffee. Later this afternoon, board a train to the time capsule of Pompeii. Your accommodation tonight is conveniently located near the entrance to the archaeological excavation site.

The small town of modern Pompeii has a wonderful square in Old Town – the perfect place to spend some time with the locals, drink an authentic Italian coffee and watch the world go by. Today’s highlight is a guided tour of the ruins of ancient Pompeii. Until 79 AD, Pompeii was a thriving Roman trading centre, but it was frozen in time when Mount Vesuvius erupted, burying 2000 people and their homes under a layer of ash. The city was never rebuilt and largely disappeared from people’s minds until the ruins were rediscovered in the late 16th century. The immaculately preserved ruins include villas, temples, theatres and markets, and provide insights into how Romans lived and worked 2000 years ago. The rest of the day is yours to relax, or if you like, you can visit the nearby Herculaneum, renowned for its fossilised archaeological treasures.

A private transfer will take you to the mighty Mt Vesuvius this morning, where you’ll meet a local volcanology guide. Hike to the summit for 360-degree views over the Bay of Naples and peek inside the crater. Although Mt Vesuvius is still considered an active volcano, the last eruption was in 1944 and there's no sign of lava. See firsthand the awesome power of the volcano that engulfed the cities of Pompeii and Herculaneum in 79 AD. In the afternoon, travel by private vehicle to the resort town of Sorrento. People have been coming to the peninsula and islands of the Sorrento region for at least 2000 years. There are many options in this small seaside town with its piazzas, maze of old streets, cafes and shops. Sorrento is also famous for its lemon groves, which produce the famous limoncello, and you’ll enjoy a tasting of the liqueur this evening.

You have a free day to explore the cliffside town of Sorrento. Maybe stroll along the marina or cool off in the waters of the small beaches. Visiting Capri is another option, accessible by a hydrofoil. Natural grottoes dot Capri’s rugged coastline, but go inland and you’ll find narrow roads that wind through fragrant citrus groves and villages of flat-roofed white houses. In Capri, you could also take a boat trip to the Blue Grotto (La Grotta Azzurra), where the water shines with an extraordinary blue translucence thanks to the refraction of sunlight outside. End the day the Italian way with a gelato making demonstration with your group.

Arrive at the Amalfi Coast after a short journey by private vehicle. The Amalfi peninsula is a land of rocky coastlines, clifftop towns, bright blue seas and tiered olive groves. If you're after a relaxing walk with a few cultural highlights, stroll from one side of Amalfi town to the other and visit the Cattedrale di Sant'Andrea and the Chiostro del Paradiso. If you want something more active, maybe head to the Valley of Mills. Alternatively, catch a bus up to the Valley of Dragons to reach the town of Ravello – its lofty position and dry climate have attracted writers, artists, musicians and travellers for centuries. Tonight, you'll stay in Minori, just a 15-minute bus ride from Amalfi (the bus fare is included). Minori is quieter than the tourist hotspots while still being just a short walk from the beach.

This morning, take a short bus ride to Bomerano. Here, your leader will take you for a half-day hike along the narrow trail of the famous Sentiero Degli Dei (Path of the Gods) which was historically used by farmers, mules and donkeys. The path winds through diverse scenery with unrivalled views of the coast. Walk through forests and fields of wildflowers, olive groves and vineyards, past ancient stone huts and beside sheer granite cliffs. See local farmers tending their crops by hoe and herds of goats grazing along the trail. You’ll finish up in Positano, where you'll have time to explore and maybe take a dip in the sea before returning to Minori by ferry and bus. As tonight marks your final evening together, maybe gather your group for a celebratory feast to cap off your Italian adventure.

Today is a free day for you to explore the region surrounding Amalfi. A great way to see the coastline is on a boat – there are regular seasonal services between Amalfi, Positano and Capri. It is also highly recommended to walk to the shaded Valle dei Mulini (Valley of the Watermills). Here, you’ll find remnants of Europe’s earliest paper mills among the thick foliage, fed by the valley's streams. Pass locals collecting wild mushrooms and carrying half their body weight in lemons as the path takes you deep into the valley to the entrance of the nature reserve Valle delle Ferriere (Valley of Iron). This is one of the most interesting nature reserves of the area and an ideal place for lunch.