8 Day Escape: Rome to Amalfi

• Get up to $230 cash back per person when you book with us

• Meals: 5 Breakfasts

• Accommodation: Hotel (7 nights)

• Transport: Train, Private vehicle, Public bus, Boat, Metro

• Naples - Explore the Napoli Sotterranea Underground City

• Pompeii - Visit to the historical archeological site and walking tour with local guide

• Mt Vesuvius - crater rim walk & summit climb

• Sorrento - limoncello tasting and gelato making demonstration

• Amalfi - Walk of the Gods hike (Sentiero degli Dei) and ticket on the Coastal Ferry Cruise from Positano to Amalfi

• Dedicated local leader to guide you throughout the tour

Eight days of history, culture and cuisine - is there any better way to experience Italy?

Perfect for those looking for a short trip packed with diversity, this tour of southern Italy is the adventure for you!

Acquaint yourself with Italy's 'Eternal City' of Rome and learn about the catastrophic fate of Pompeii, soak up the sunshine in the coastal town of Sorrento and explore the beautiful Amalfi Coast.

Feel La Dolce Vita while sipping espresso alongside sharp-dressed locals on the glamorous Sorrentine Peninsula and indulge in authentic, traditional pizza in the place of its birth – Naples.

Buon appetito!

Where we visit

Day 1: Rome

Buongiorno! Welcome to Italy. Crowded with ancient ruins and religious monuments, Rome still pulses to the beat of modern life and is packed with designer shops, restaurants, cafes and exciting nightlife. There are no activities planned before the group meeting at 6pm tonight, so you can arrive any time before then. It’s very important that you attend the welcome meeting as this is where you tour leaders will be collecting insurance details and next of kin information. If you are going to be late, please let your travel agent or hotel reception know. Ask reception or look for a note in the lobby for more information on where the meeting will take place.

There are so many things to do in Rome – 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 and sample the many flavours of gelato that colour the city, best done in the bohemian neighbourhood of Trastevere! For those captivated by the 'Eternal City', throw a coin into the Trevi Fountain to ensure a return visit to Rome.

Day 2: Naples / Pompeii

Today you'll travel by train to Naples (approximately 3 hours), a raucous city that overflows with passion, tradition and gastronomy. Its evocative, historical old centre is a World Heritage-listed area and the famous Spanish Quarter is still one of the most densely populated residential areas in Europe. Naples is the birthplace of the pizza, so why not head to one of the many pizzerias and taste what's truly some of the best that Italy has to offer? Head underground to see ancient Napoli Sotterranea, the famous underground city. Later in the afternoon, board a train to the time capsule of Pompeii, in the shadow of Mt Vesuvius (approximately 1 hour). Your accommodation is perfectly located right near the entrance to the archaeological excavation site making this a truly magical experience.

Day 3: Pompeii

The small picturesque town of 'modern' Pompeii has a wonderful old town square and is the perfect place to mingle with the locals, drinking true Italian coffee and watching the world go by. Most of today though will be spent exploring the ruins of ancient Pompeii on a guided tour. Take an unparalleled look back into the lives of ancient Romans and discover how they lived, worked and interacted 2,000 years ago through the finely preserved ruins of villas, temples, theatres and bustling markets. Walk along the chariot-marked streets, visit the magnificent amphitheatre and the ‘Villa of Mysteries’. You can also visit the Roman Forum and basilica, temples, public baths, and the tiny Odeon created for music recitals. The rest of the day is free, but if the ruins piqued your interest, head to nearby Herculaneum, which also holds a wealth of fossilised archaeological finds.

Day 4: Mt Vesuvius / Sorrento

On Day 4 you will take a bus up the mighty Mt Vesuvius, where you’ll meet a local volcanology guide. Ascend to the summit of Mt Vesuvius for staggering 360 degree views over the Bay of Naples and into the steaming crater. See first-hand the awesome power of the volcano that engulfed the cities of Pompeii and Herculaneum in 79AD. In the afternoon, travel by private vehicle to the picturesque resort town of Sorrento (approximately 1 hour). There are many options in this small seaside town with its fine piazzas, maze of old streets, sidewalk cafes and glamorous shops. The area is also famous for its lemon groves, producing the famous limoncello liqueur. In the evening head out to try some of the best limoncello on offer in Sorrento.

Please note: Although Mt Vesuvius is still considered to be an active volcano, the last eruption was in 1944 and there's no sign of lava. 

Physicality factor: The final ascent of the volcano can only be done on foot, up a steep but well-made trail of volcanic ash and gravel. The ascent takes around 45 minutes, and comfortable closed shoes are essential. Sufferers of vertigo may prefer to opt out.

Day 5: Sorrento

You have a free day to explore this delightful area and the museums, galleries and piazzas of Sorrento. Perhaps stroll along the marina or cool off in the waters of the local small beaches. They’re not big on sandy beaches here, so swimming Sorrento-style is via wooden or stone bathing platforms beneath the cliffs. Taking a trip to Capri is also a great option, with a hydrofoil taking you across to the island that was once home to the magnificent holiday palaces of the Roman emperors. Here you can take a boat trip to the fairy-tale Blue Grotto (La Grotta Azzurra), where the water shines with an extraordinary blue translucence, a result of refraction of the sunlight outside. Your leader will be of assistance and will have plenty of suggestions of what to do and see today. End the day a very Italian way with a demonstration of Gelato making.

Day 6: Amalfi

Arrive on the Amalfi Coast after a short journey by private vehicle (approximately 2 hours). The Amalfi peninsula is a land of rocky coasts, cliff-top vistas, azure seas, tiered lemon groves, whitewashed villages clinging to steep cliffs, and bright blue skies. If you're after a relaxing walk with a few cultural highlights, stroll from one side of Amalfi town to the other and pay a visit to the Cattedrale di Sant'Andrea and the Chiostro del Paradiso. If you’re after something more active, perhaps embark on a walk through the Valley of Mills. Otherwise, just laze around on the beaches and in the piazza, gazing back up at the amazingly picturesque part of the world.

Day 7: Positano / Amalfi

Today, your leader will take you for a half-day hike along the narrow trail of the famous Sentiero Degli Dei (the Walk of the Gods) which, until quite recently, was followed by mules and donkeys as they traversed the dramatic landscape. This path winds its way through unique scenery and boasts unrivalled views along the coast. Walk through forests and fields of wildflowers, olive groves and vineyards, past ancient stone huts and beside sheer walls of granite. The trail ends in picturesque Positano where there will be ample time to explore and maybe take a dip in the sea. Return to Amalfi by ferry which is the perfect way to see the coast from a different perspective. With tonight your last night as a group, it’s a good idea to gather your fellow travellers together and head out for a feast to celebrate the end of this Italian adventure!

Physicality factor: Today's walking time: 4-5 hours / 9-10 km. Please note that the Pathway of the Gods is steep in places and has many stairs (the descent to Positano has more than 1,500 steps), and can be challenging for sufferers of vertigo - but the views are breath-taking and repay you for the effort! A certain level of fitness is required to complete this hike, especially in summer when there may not be much shade along the path. Your leader will be able to suggest alternative activities should you wish to opt out. 

Day 8: Amalfi

There are no activities planned for the final day and you are able to depart the accommodation at any time. As there is so much to do along the Amalfi Coast you may even want to consider to extend your stay here!

• Travellers on this tour are required to produce proof of full vaccination against COVID-19.

• A single supplement is available if you’d prefer not to share a room on this trip. The single supplement excludes Days 4, 5 (Sorrento) and Days 6, 7 (Amalfi) where you will be in shared accommodation and is subject to availability.

• Please also note that due to the small properties in Europe there is only a limited amount of single supplements available per trip departure. If you would like to book a single supplement and enquire about availability please speak to your booking agent.

• Please note that the physical rating for this trip is set at 2. While this is correct for the overall trip, there are some components that are of a higher physical rating. Both the climb to the summit of Mt Vesuvius and the hike on the Path of the Gods (Sentiero degli Dei) require a certain amount of fitness. Please read the day-to-day itinerary carefully or speak to your leader for more details. Activities can be opted out of if you don't want to participate.

• You don't have a lot of time in Rome at the start of the trip, so if you're keen to explore this spectacular city in depth we recommend you arrive a day or two before the start of the trip, especially if you would like to see the Vatican Museum as it is closed most Sundays.

• On Day 7, the ferry from Positano operates on seasonal schedules and may be cancelled in adverse weather conditions. In these cases your group will take the bus back to Amalfi

Please visit the Intrepid Booking Conditions page for more information.