essential Rome & Sorrento

Day 1 London - Rome Fly from London Gatwick Airport on a direct, scheduled British Airways flight to Rome. Upon arrival, we transfer to our hotel for the next four nights, the Hotel Abitart (4T). Day 2 Rome Discover the sights of Rome on our optional tour today, which includes entry to the city’s most famous landmark, the Colosseum, built to host gladiatorial contests almost 2,000 years ago. This excursion also visits the Vatican City, including the magnificent St Peter’s Basilica, one of the biggest churches in the world and the beautiful Sistine Chapel. Day 3 Rome You are free to explore the Eternal City at your own pace today. Perhaps take a walk through the Roman Forum, the heart of ancient Rome, with its ruined temples, arches and basilicas, visit the Pantheon, built in the second century as a temple and topped with what is still the world’s largest unreinforced concrete dome and enjoy an espresso at one of Rome’s atmospheric coffee bars. Day 4 Rome Another full day for you to relax or make your own discoveries in Rome. Spend time poring over the ancient sculptures and Renaissance paintings on show in the Capitoline Museums or even make your own way to Tivoli, where the Emperor Hadrian built a vast country villa. Day 5 Rome - Cassino - Sorrento We leave Rome this morning, travelling southwards to Sorrento. On the way we will stop at Cassino, best known as the site of the Battle of Monte Cassino in 1944, which destroyed much of the town including the hilltop Benedictine abbey, which has since been rebuilt. After our visit we continue to Sorrento and check in at our hotel for the next four nights, the Grand Hotel Hermitage (4T). Day 6 Sorrento You have free time to explore Sorrento independently today. Discover the treasures on show at the Museo Correale; visit the Romanesque cathedral; or simply enjoy a glass of local wine amid the lemon terraces. Alternatively, you might like to join an optional excursion to the glamorous island of Capri, once home to the Roman Emperor Tiberius and the location of 12 grand Roman villas, now ruined; and a favoured destination of Hollywood stars. The tour includes entry to the 19th century Villa San Michele, built on the ruins of an ancient chapel and surrounded by beautiful gardens which offer panoramic views over the island. Day 7 Amalfi Coast Today’s full-day included excursion takes us on a tour of the spectacular Amalfi Coast, a UNESCO World Heritage Site stretching from Sorrento to Salerno. We will stop at Ravello to visit the historic Villa Rufolo, celebrated for its lovely cascading gardens and panoramic views over the coast. Day 8 Sorrento Enjoy leisure time in Sorrento this morning or join an optional excursion to Pompeii, one of the world’s most remarkable archaeological sites. The ancient Roman town was buried under ash and pumice when Vesuvius erupted in AD 79, effectively preserving the streets, houses, shops, theatres and temples as they were on that fateful day. Day 9 Sorrento - Naples - London We transfer back to Naples Airport for a direct, scheduled British Airways flight to London Gatwick.