Sorrento, Capri, the Amalfi Coast and Naples 24 - 31 March 2019 from £1795.00 A tempting Spring break to Italy, relaxing in the mild climate of the Amalfi coast and the Bay of Naples. We will be based in Sorrento on the Amalfi coast for the first three nights, where we will visit the Villa Rufolo and Villa Cimbrone. These are the classic Amalfi gardens laid out in terraces where umbrella pines and cypresses shade classical geometric beds edged with box and filled with modern flowers. The site of Villa Cimbrone on a cliff top promontory overlooking the sea is beyond compare. We will also take the ferry to the enchanting island of Capri and explore some of its captivating sights. We travel round the Bay of Naples, breaking our journey with visits to the unique archaeological wonders of Pompeii and Herculaneum, to the pulsating port of Naples itself. We travel out to the north of the city to spend a day at the impressive palace and gardens of La Caserta. This huge palace, with equally grand and impressive gardens, was constructed for the Bourbon Kings of Naples and on completion in the 18th century it was the largest royal residence in the world. Finally a day of art and archaeological treasures as we tour the hot-blooded city of Naples, rich with the aroma of Neapolitan cuisine. Itinerary Day 1 We depart by coach from York for Manchester Airport in time for our scheduled flight to Naples (provisional times 08.00/12.00). Upon arrival we will transfer to our hotel in Sorrento, where we will stay for the next three nights. A welcome drink followed by dinner will be served in the evening. Day 2 This morning, after breakfast, we visit the gardens of Villa Rufolo, which commands picture perfect views over the Amalfi coast. This is one of the oldest surviving palaces in Italy dating from the 13th century – Wagner visited the villa in 1880 and was inspired to write part of his opera Parisfal here. On the upper terrace umbrella pines and cypresses shade a wellhead while on a lower level classical geometric beds edged with box are filled with modern flowers. Tender plants which thrive in the mild climate are a feature of the lower terrace. After lunch (included) in a local restaurant, in the afternoon we will visit the gardens of Villa Cimbrone, a 19th century Moorish/English hybrid by William Beckett, Lord Grimthorpe, who owned the property until 1900. The garden was designed on a clifftop promontory with magnificent views of the Amalfi coast jutting out 106 metres above the Mediterranean. Trees, flowers and plants grow in profusion. A wisteria clad pergola stretches almost the full length of the central axis, while on either side there are imaginative themed gardens including a stretch of lawn decorated with statues, a sunken teahouse garden, a rose garden and a shady grove of umbrella pines and cypresses which descends down the steep slopes to the valleys below. We return our hotel in Sorrento where dinner is served in the evening. Day 3 After breakfast we depart on a day trip to the island of Capri, crossing by ferry from Sorrento. On our tour of the island we will see the Grotta Azzura sea caves, the Roman ruins of the Villa Jovis, the Villa San Michele di Axel Munthe, also built on the site of a Roman villa with lovely gardens, and the Monastery and museum at Certosa di San Giacomo. Capri was also famous as the home of English actress and singer Gracie Fields and there will be a prize for anyone who can sing one of her songs. We return by ferry to Sorrento and our hotel, where dinner is served in the evening. Day 4 After breakfast the day is free to relax in the hotel or explore the surrounding area. An optional half- day walking tour of Sorrento will be available. Dinner is served in the evening. Day 5 Following breakfast, we check out of the hotel and travel to Naples, breaking our journey round the Bay of Naples with visits to the archaeological wonders of Pompeii and Herculaneum. Pompeii was, of course, the town which was tragically drowned in lava following the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 79 AD. The town was buried under 23 feet of ash, which solidified with rain and time, preserving everything as if it was in a time capsule. Hidden for centuries, excavation work revealed an elegant resort with complete streets, beautiful villas and sculptures. Now almost four-fifths of the original city has been unearthed and many of the treasures are housed in the National Museum in Naples. Herculaneum was destroyed in the same eruption, but unlike Pompeii, it was mainly affected by pyroclastic flows, thus preserving the wooden objects such as roof tops, building beams, beds, doors, and even food. Moreover, Herculaneum was a wealthier town than Pompeii, possessing an extraordinary density of fine houses, and far more lavish use of coloured marble cladding. We continue to our hotel in Naples, with dinner in the evening. Day 6 Following breakfast we travel north to the colossal Palace of La Caserta. The monumental complex at Caserta, created by the Bourbon king Charles III in the mid-18th century, was to rival Versailles and the Royal Palace in Madrid. It is exceptional for the way in which it brings together a magnificent palace with its park and gardens, as well as natural woodland, hunting lodges and a silk factory. It is an eloquent expression of the Enlightenment but it is big! We cannot possibly visit all of the parkland and all of the Palace – so it is our intention to include one of the guided tours of the palace where we will see a selection of the rooms and art collection then have time for lunch (not included) before we explore some of the parkland including the beautiful ‘English Garden’. Dinner is served on return to our hotel in Naples. Day 7 Enjoy your breakfast. A full day in Naples beckons today as we visit the Archaeological Museum, noted for its works from Greek, Roman and Renaissance times, including artefacts from Pompeii and Herculaneum; the Catacombs of San Gennaro, dating back to the 3rd and 4th centuries; the Museo Nazionale di Capodimonte, southern Italy's largest and richest art gallery; and the Cappella Sansevera, inc Giuseppe Sanmartino's incredible sculpture, Cristo Velato (Veiled Christ). Dinner is served in our hotel this evening. Day 8 Today after breakfast we check out of our hotel and head back to Naples airport for our return flight to Manchester (provisional times: 1320/1535) where on arrival we will be met by our coach for our transfer back to York. Included in the price Seven nights’ accommodation on a dinner, bed and breakfast: four nights at a four-star hotel in Sorrento and three nights at a four-star hotel in Naples Welcome drink on first evening plus one lunch Flights from Manchester to Naples Return coach transfers from York to Manchester airport; comfortable coaching in Italy Return ferry crossing Sorrento to Capri Visits to the gardens of Villa Rufolo and Villa Cimbrone (Amalfi); Grotta Azzura sea caves; Villa Jovis Roman ruins; Villa San Michele di Axel Munthe and Certosa di San Giacomo (Capri); Pompeii and Herculaneum; La Caserta; Archaeological museum, Catacombs of San Gennaro, Museo Nazionale di Capodimonte and Cappella Sansevera (Naples) Services of Clive Warsop as tour manager Porterage and tips Not included (per person) Single room supplement £300.00 Insurance TBA .