Pompeii, Paestum & Herculaneum

Tour Itinerary

• Day 1 • UK - Naples

  Your holiday begins with a flight to Naples. On arrival, transfer to the pretty town of Vico Equense. Your hotel is in the heart of the town and offers lovely views over the Bay of Naples towards Mount Vesuvius.

• Day 2 • Pozzuoli, Baia & Cumae

  A day of contrasts awaits you on an included tour, which begins in Pozzuoli, an important city in the days of the Roman Empire. Here you can follow in the footsteps of gladiators as you wander the maze of underground tunnels beneath its well-preserved Roman amphitheatre, said to be the third largest in Italy. Next, visit the Archaeological Park of Terme Romane in Baia. In Roman times this was the site of a seaside retreat with extravagant thermal baths. Your final stop today is Cumae, where only ruins remain of the Greek temples that once stood here.

• Day 3 • Pompeii

  Today is the day that you will explore the remarkable ruins of Pompeii. As you wander its streets, you’ll understand what life was like here before Mount Vesuvius erupted in 79 AD, smothering it and its inhabitants in hot ash. You’ll travel to Pompeii by train and meet a local guide who will help you uncover the secrets of many of the city’s best sights. These include villas decorated with frescoes, colourful mosaics, Roman baths, an impressive amphitheatre and more.

• Day 4 • Amalfi & Paestum

  Before you reach historic Paestum today, enjoy the beautiful views of the Amalfi Coast. As you travel along twisting cliff-top roads, admire breathtaking views of steep cliffs plunging into the brilliant blue sea and picture-perfect villages clinging to the hillside. Then, at your journey’s end in the UNESCO-listed archaeological site of Paestum, you’ll discover three magnificent Doric temples, part of what was once an ancient Greek city.

• Day 5 • Oplontis & Herculaneum

  You have another fascinating day of exploration ahead. Head to the Roman fishing town of Herculaneum, which was also buried by the eruption of Mount Vesuvius. Hidden for centuries under 16 metres of volcanic debris, it is better preserved than Pompeii and some quite unbelievable items such as wooden structures and furniture, have been found almost completely intact. Next, head to the nearby Villa Poppaea at Oplontis. Once a grand, residential villa, it was so well preserved by the volcano’s ash that the Roman art inside almost looks freshly painted.

• Day 6 • Vico Equense

  Enjoy a day at leisure. You could relax with a book by the hotel’s pool, explore Vico Equense at your own pace or perhaps venture out to a nearby beach.

• Day 7 • Vico Equense

  End your holiday with some time to yourself. You could relax in the sun or explore the area surrounding your hotel. The elegant town of Sorrento, with its enticing cafés and restaurants, is easy to reach by train.

• Day 8 • Naples - UK

  Transfer to the airport for your return flight to the UK.