Pompeii, Paestum & Herculaneum - 8 days from £969

Accommodation

Hotel Aequa (3-star)
7 nights’ half board. 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 (open 1 May - 1 October) and restaurant where dinner is included each evening.

Itinerary

Day 1: UK/Naples

The pretty town of Vico Equense on the Sorrento Peninsula is the perfect base for our explorations of this historic region. Throughout your holiday, your Tour Lecturer will be on hand to reveal the secrets of this beautiful part of Italy.

Meals: Dinner

Day 2: Pozzuoli, Solfatara & Cumae

Prepare yourself for a day of amazing contrasts as you take in Roman remains in Pozzuoli; the earliest Greek settlement in Western Europe at Cumae; and the strange, unearthly landscape of Solfatara.

For a taste of Roman life, wander around the maze of underground cavern tunnels beneath Pozzuoli’s amphitheatre, following the paths wild animals and gladiators would have taken before entering the arena. Although in ruins today, you can still get a sense of the scale of the amphitheatre, which had a capacity of 20,000 in its heyday.

Once thought to be an entrance to hell, the bubbling and hissing of the Solfatara volcanic crater is eerie, if not a little unnerving – but don’t worry, the volcano is long dormant. And then there’s the magic of Cumae. Stood high above the sea and surrounded by mighty oak trees, little remains of the Greek temples that once stood here but the ruins. The remarkably intact Cave of Sibyl and the temple to Jupiter are incredibly special.

Meals: Breakfast / dinner

Day 3: Pompeii

Pompeii’s sheer scale is immense. Wandering around its maze of streets, you can almost imagine yourself back in Roman times before Vesuvius erupted in 79 AD, smothering many of the 20,000 residents as they went about their daily business. As you jump aboard the Cicumvesuviana Railway in Vico Equense for the short journey to Pompeii, the anticipation of all that will be revealed to you is palpable. You will see many of Pompeii’s best sights, from brightly coloured mosaics and villas with beautifully preserved frescos, to the remarkable Roman baths and a staggering amphitheatre, where gladiatorial combat used to be witnessed by thousands of eager spectators.

Meals: Breakfast / dinner

Day 4: The Island of Capri

Today is free so why not enjoy some independant exploration or relax - either by the pool or on the hotel’s wisteria-covered terrace. Take to the water on our optional excursion to the island of Capri. Many people have been captivated by Capri’s beauty over the millennia, from the Roman Emperor Tiberius, who built the magnificent Villa Jovis, to the rich and famous visitors who frequent the island’s designer boutiques. Take your time exploring the island. Once you’ve had a wander around the village of Capri, jump in one of the iconic open-top taxis for the journey along the narrow winding streets to Anacapri, from where you can visit Villa San Michele. The former home of celebrated doctor and philanthropist Axel Munthe is surrounded by fragrant gardens and filled with curios and antiquities.

Meals: Breakfast / dinner

Day 5: Oplontis & Herculaneum

Gain an insight into the wealth of Rome’s emperors as you explore the spectacular Villa Poppaea at Oplontis, which was so well preserved under the ash of Vesuvus’ 79AD eruption that the profusion of Roman wall paintings could have been completed just a few years ago. This truly is one of the most spectacular archaeological sites ever uncovered. And then there’s Herculaneum. Smothered by the same eruption that destroyed Pompeii, this Roman town is actually better preserved than its more famous counterpart. Painstakingly excavated, your tour will reveal ornately decorated houses and give a fascinating insight into the daily life of the town’s wealthy former inhabitants. And of course, your Tour Lecturer will add their own extra insight into Herculaneum, and all the other sites you visit.

Meals: Breakfast / dinner

Day 6: Amalfi Drive & Paestum

Renowned as one of the most beautiful stretches of coastline in the world, the Amalfi Coast is both dramatic and jaw-dropping. Its twisting roads cling to the cliff-face, you’ll be gasping in amazement as you journey past the equally attractive resorts of Positano and Ravello en route to historic Paestum. The sight of the three magnificent Doric temples in their peaceful setting more than matches the beauty of your journey. It’s incredible to think that 2,500 years after they were first built, the temples of Ceres, Neptune and Hera are still standing relatively intact. A wander around the fascinating museum gives more of an insight, you’ll see sculptures, tomb paintings and more, all of which have been found on site.

Meals: Breakfast / dinner

Day 7: Vesuvius & Naples

Towering almost 1,300 metres above the Bay of Naples, Vesuvius is mainland Europe’s only active volcano and its immense destructive power will have become evident at the archaeological sites you have already experienced. There’s nothing more rewarding than taking the walk to the summit – the views over the Bay of Naples and the city itself are simply magnificent. Then join your Specialist Tour Lecturer to head into Naples to visit the Museum of National Antiquities, where you’ll see many of the relics found at Pompeii on display.

Meals: Breakfast / dinner

Day 8: Naples/UK

Your time on the Neapolitan Riviera has come to an end, sadly it’s time to return home.

Meals: Breakfast