Inspiration for your own tailor-made trip
Italy - The Amalfi Coast, Ischia & Rome
100% customisable for you
Your Italian adventure starts today, so grab your passport and head to the airport. Flights from the UK to Naples range from two to three hours, giving you plenty of time to lose yourself in a good book or tune into our destination-specific playlist.
Your private driver will meet you on arrival and whisk you away on a scenic one-hour drive to Sorrento. Once you’ve checked into your hotel and freshened up, head out for your first taste of authentic Italian cooking.
If you made the most of Sorrento’s local tipples last night, you have a little time to recover this morning. Enjoy a leisurely breakfast before your mid-morning private transfer to the ancient ruins of Pompeii and Herculaneum, about an hour away. A UNESCO World Heritage site, the ruins of Pompeii were completely buried by hot ash (sometimes at a depth of 22ft) after Mount Vesuvius erupted in 79 AD. They were rediscovered in 1748 under now-solidified pumice. The beautiful volcanic backdrop stands as a poignant reminder of the power of nature.
Today, you can walk down still-intact Roman streets, wander into temples and marvel at the ruins of shops and cafes. Your private guide will share expert insights into the layout and the history of Pompeii and Herculaneum. With their insider knowledge of the quieter corners, they can adapt the tour to suit your preferred route.
Once you’ve explored the ruins, you’ll be transferred back to your hotel in Sorrento.
Enjoy breakfast in the sun this morning, but save room for your Sorrento food tour. Drive to the small village of Schiazzano and visit a century-old organic lemon farm. Sample fresh lemonade, orange and lemon marmalade and extra virgin olive oil, all accompanied by homemade bread. Don’t leave the orchard without savouring some citrusy limoncello and learning how it’s produced.
Next, explore the countryside by calessino, a small three-wheeled vehicle commonly used on tiny dirt roads. Upon reaching Il Turuziello, a renowned cheese factory, you’ll learn how mozzarella and caciottine are made and have the chance to taste both, accompanied by salami and a glass of local wine.
Then head to a traditional trattoria and try your hand at pizza-making like a true pizzaiolo. Tuck into your creation for lunch, before a homemade dessert and an espresso.
Return to your Sorrento hotel in the evening to soak up the sea views and relax.
After breakfast this morning you’ll be collected from the hotel and driven to the port in Sorrento, to board an hour-long ferry to Ischia. Back on land, you’ll then be transferred to your hotel in Ischia, where a leisurely lunch awaits.
This evening, indulge in that most Italian of traditions, the passeggiata (or evening stroll). By now, the day-trippers will have departed the island, and it will just be you and the locals wandering Ischia’s lamplit streets. Residents gather along Corso Vittoria Colonna, where cafes and wine bars spill onto the pavement. Settle at an outdoor table with a glass of crisp local Biancolella or a spritz and watch the evening unfold.
Next stop: dinner. We can pre-book a table at one of the island’s best restaurants, recommended by our local Concierge.
Spend the next two days unwinding and uncovering this beautiful volcanic island. Ischia is famous for its thermal waters, so why not head to Maronti Beach and relax your muscles in the healing hot springs?
If you’d prefer a scenic stroll, enjoy a private two-hour tour of Ischia’s botanical gardens. Home to over 1,800 plant species and boasting sweeping sea views, the garden is a Mediterranean paradise. Or perhaps it’s you’d rather dive into Ischia’s rich history? If so, we can arrange for you to embark on a three-hour boat and snorkelling trip to uncover the old city of Aenaria. Your guide will reveal the Roman ruins submerged nine metres below the surface.
During your stay on Ischia, we also suggest hopping over to Capri, just a 45-minute ferry ride away. The island is famous for its natural wonders, including the Blue Grotto and Faraglioni Rocks.
After an earlyish breakfast, you’ll be transferred to the harbour for the hour-long ferry back to the mainland (this time bound for Naples). Upon arrival, you’ll be transferred two-and-a-half-hours north to Rome’s city centre.
This afternoon is yours to spend wandering and immersing yourself in the buzz of city life. As evening settles in, sip an Aperol Spritz or two before exploring bohemian Trastevere, the old Jewish Quarter. The neighbourhood is home to some of the city's best restaurants, so it’s a prime place to search for the perfect Roman dinner.
You have two full days to explore Rome. Despite the wealth of activities, it’s a surprisingly small city, and arguably best explored on foot or by bike.
If it's the latter that takes your fancy, we can arrange an e-bike tour which takes you past some of the city’s most famous ancient sites like the Forum, Palatine Hill and Colosseum. A local expert guide will lead the tour, bringing an already colourful story even more vividly to life. You’ll also cycle to Trajan’s Market (a large complex of ancient ruins), through the eclectic neighbourhood of Monti (where you can stop for lunch) and to Capitoline Hill.
For your last night, we can pre-book a table at a restaurant of your choice, so you can make the most of your final Italian dinner.
It may be your final day, but the trip isn't over yet. A visit to the effortlessly fashionable Italian capital wouldn't be complete without a spot of shopping. Whether you treat yourself to a new leather handbag, a classic Italian scarf, or just a great bottle of wine, make sure you go home with some goodies.
Depending on your flight, there might be time for one last lunch and a gelato in the sun, before a private transfer to the airport for your two-and-a-half to three-hour flight home.
Each of our trips is entirely tailor-made with originality, quality and cultural immersion in mind. Our team of destination specialists will craft itineraries based on your tastes, using their first-hand knowledge and the help of our in-country team of Concierges and guides. All trips are accompanied by a wide range of additional services, including a 24-hour helpline, the Original Travel app, fast-track airport services and much more.
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Our team of destination experts will get to know you and your unique requirements for your holiday
We work with you to build an ultra-personalised holiday itinerary with your choice of accommodation, experiences and activities
All of our holidays include little extras designed to make a big difference to your trip, from fast-tracking you through airport check-in and security to our network of local Concierges