Tour Campania - Sorrento and the Amalfi coast

The Golf of Neaple and the Amalfi/Sorrento coast is an unbroken chain of tourist spots famous the world over, for the enchanting rocky panoramas overlooking the sea and a wealth of art and history.
From time immemomorial Sorrento has exercited a particular charme which has attracted poets and literaly men as Goethe, Stendhal, Byron and musicians like Liszt, Mendelsson, Wagner. But its breathtaking views and landscapes has fascinated millions of tourists.
Positano, synonymous of romance and glamour, is the exclusive haunt of many VIPs, with its houses clinging to the mountainside.
Pompei, the most visited archaeological site in Europe is located in a stupendous setting at the foot of Vesuvius. Pompei is one of the most significant proofs of Roman civilization and, like an open book, provides outstanding information on the art, customs, trades and everyday life of the past. As you walk through the streets of ancient Pompeii you are catapulted back in time to before the 24th of August 79 AD when the fury of Vesuvius buried the flourishing city. The thick layer of volcanic material which submerged it, made up to a large extent of ash and lapilli - non-hard material, unlike that which covered Herculaneum and which solidified into extremely hard stone -has meant that the city has remained intact until the present day, not only as far as its buildings are concerned, but also as regards the contents inside the houses and shops, providing an absolutely fascinating picture of "daily" life. The island of Capri: this marvellous island offers lovely walks through its maze streets with fashionable boutiques and smart resturants. The strenght of the sea formed a rocky coastline around the island and created remarcable caves. It is a sea of emotions, a dream, a million charming secrets to discover: maybe Capri it really is an Enchanted Island.

ITINERARY

1 Day:
This tour begins with the visit of the Royal Palace of Caserta. It is one of Italy's most visited historical sites. Works started in 1752 when the Bourbon King Charles III, ruler of Naples, decided to built a palace that would emulate Versailles. The building contains 1200 rooms elaborately decorated with tapestries, furnitures and crystal. Behind the palace there are the big gardens. They stretch out for some 3 km to a waterfall and fountain of Diana and, most famously, to the English Garden with its intricate pathways, exotic plants, little lakes and roman ruins. To cut down on walking you can cover the same ground by a horse cart. Dinner and overnight in Sorrento area.

2 Day:
Full day excursion along the Amalfi coast, the prettiest and most romantic coast of Italy, with a stop in Positano, Ravello and Amalfi. Ravello visit at the Villa Rufolo, where Richard Wagner found the inspiration for the Parsifal. Then on to Amalfi, one of the four sea faring Republics in Italy. Visit Piazza del Duomo, from where there is a splendid view of the 9th century cathedral.

3 Day:
Full day excursion to Naple for the visit with a local guide. You will see ornate baroque churches, a world-class Royal Palace, two massive fortresses, but the first tourist attractions in Neaple is its streets, its shops and its people. Naples is also the true home of the pizza and there is no better place in Italy to eat it.

4 Day:
The entire is dedicated to the visit of the island of Capri. This magical island offer spectacular views and dramatic scenary. In Anacapri visit of the Villa S. Michele and from this little village a chairlift lead to the top of Mount solare from where a magnificent view of the sea can be enjoyed. Continue the trip to the village of Capri to relax in its famous "Piazzetta", the pulsing heart of the island.

5 Day:
Full day excursion to Pompei, and Vesuvius. Pompeii is the most visited archaeological site in Europe, located in a stupendous setting at the foot of Vesuvius. As you walk through the streets of ancient Pompeii you are catapulted back in time to before the 24th of August 79 AD when the fury of Vesuvius buried the flourishing city.Visit to the Vesuvio, the most famous volcano in the world. Once you reach the top of volcano you can admire the marvellous panorama of the Gulf of Naples and Sorrento.

6 Day:
At disposal for optional excursions and departure.

OPTIONAL VISITS / EXCURSIONS

Paestum
One of the enduring images of southern Italy is that of three Greek temples standing in fields of wild red poppies. The trio are among the best-preserved monuments of Magna Graecia, as the Greeks called their colonies in southern Italy and Sicily. It is a Unesco World Heritage Site. The largest and the best preserved of the three temples is the Temple of Neptune dating from about 450 BC. All around the temples there is a wide, flat plain grazed by the buffalo that produce a good quantity of southern Italy's mozzarella cheese.

Ischia island
Although nowadays Ischia is especially loved by Germans, it was the Greeks who first colonised the island in the 8th century BC, calling it Pithecusa. Largely volcanic, it has long been noted for its thermal springs, which pull in the punters as much as the beaches.