- Escape to sumptuous southern Italy for a few days with the family, linking two seaside cities steeped in history and la dolce vita
- Stay in two fantastic family-friendly accommodations
- Enjoy memorable experiences everywhere you go: a tour of ancient Naples and its catacombs, a visit to mysterious Pompeii and a wander through the streets of Sorrento with a local
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Route
ALL ABOARD THE FLIGHT TO ITALY
Your family adventure to Italy starts today. After a bit of chaos at home making sure everyone is packed, head to the airport, whizz through security and relax in the airport lounge. This is a great opportunity to fuel up on snacks and nibbles and line up activities for the journey ahead. Flight time to Naples is around three hours, enough time to plug your youngsters into a movie and make a start on your holiday read. On arrival you’ll be met by a private driver and whisked into the heart of the city. Your hotel for the next three nights is a beautifully restored palatial residence. Spend the rest of today settling into your new Italian environment before tucking into some tasty family-friendly food at the hotel’s restaurant this evening.
DISCOVER NAPLES
Situated at the foot of the infamous Vesuvius volcano, overlooking one of the most beautiful bays in the world, Naples is a real jewel. Today you’ll be heading out with a friendly local guide to discover the ancient historic centre of the city. The streets of Naples can be a little chaotic, but don’t be overwhelmed; instead, soak up the spectacle of the streets and the musical language of its inhabitants. During the guided tour, you'll discover palaces, Baroque churches and lively squares. Spend the rest of today exploring the city independently, seeking out some foodie spots to introduce your youngsters (if you dare) to authentic Italian pizza and gelato. We can also arrange for you to head out on electric bikes to discover the seaside and Posillipo Hill.
VISIT ANCIENT CATACOMBS
Today you’ll be diving even further back in history, visiting two beautiful catacombs with a knowledgeable private guide. These ancient underground burial sites have been visited, worshiped and celebrated for thousands of years. You’ll first visit Catacombs of San Gennaro, which date back to the second century and are considered the most important in the city. Here you can admire a basilica carved out of tuff (volcanic rock) and the remains of the city’s patron saint. The tour continues in the Catacombs of San Gaudisio, a tomb used by Christians since the fourth century. This afternoon you also have the option to head out on a second historic tour, this time to delve into the world of the gladiators with a visit to the Amphitheatre of Capua (the second largest in Italy after the Colosseum in Rome).
JOURNEY ALONG THE GULF OF NAPLES
Enjoy one last hearty breakfast at your hotel in Naples before collecting your hire car and heading to Sorrento. Your next destination is just an hour away, giving you plenty of time to stop along the way to visit the ancient ruins of Pompeii in the company of a passionate private guide who knows every detail of this fateful city’s history. In 79 AD, Vesuvius erupted violently and covered Pompeii in ash. Ruins of the entire city are miraculously still here, 2,000 years later. As well as the theatres, thermal baths, basilica and forum, there are some admirable properties: the House of Meleager, the Villa of Mysteries and the House of the Faun. Continue on along the beautiful Gulf of Naples to Massa Lubrense, a small village nestled on the tip of the Sorrento peninsula. Settle in for two nights in a beautiful seaside hotel that’s been well-designed to accommodate families. Spend the rest of today relaxing in your new environment and enjoy a delicious meal at the hotel’s restaurant this evening.
DISCOVER SORRENTO
It’s your final day in Italy and there’s not a minute to waste. Head off this morning with a knowledgeable local guide to discover the town and bay of Sorrento. Your guide is relaxed, friendly and happy to adapt the tour to your family’s wishes. The rest of the afternoon is yours to play with. You can continue exploring the city independently, soaking in every last moment of la dolce vita. We can also arrange for you to take a family cookery class to learn the tips and tricks of authentic Neapolitan cooking.
CIAO ITALY
Sadly, the time has come to bid farewell to Italy. Drive one hour back to Naples, drop off your hire car at the airport and relax in the lounge as you await departure. It’s a three-hour flight back to the UK, enough time to reflect and organise your photos for the photo album.
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LEARN ABOUT THE CULT OF GLADIATORS
It was in the Capua Amphitheatre in 73 BC that the gladiator Spartacus sparked the revolt that held Rome in check for more than two years, turning the capital’s political life upside down and ending with the installation of the first triumvirate. Many of its stones were used in Norman times to build the Castello delle Pietre in the new town of Capua. The guided tour is rounded off with a visit to the Gladiator Museum and the Mithraeum, a temple dedicated to the Cult of Mithras, a mysterious Roman religion centred on the god Mithras.
FROM NAPLES TO POSILLIPO, BY ELECTRIC BIKE
The view of the Gulf of Naples and Mount Vesuvius from Posillipo Hill has captivated generations of travellers. Once you've explored the various districts of the city and cycled along the gulf, you'll reach Posillipo by electric bike. A guide will accompany you throughout the ride and tell you a few anecdotes along the way.
A COOKING CLASS IN SORRENTO
In southern Italy, cooking is a true family affair. Step into the home of a friendly local who delights in sharing their family recipes with travellers. You’ll wander the vegetable garden, picking all the fruits and vegetables the upcoming feast requires, before heading into the kitchen. You'll learn how to prepare pasta in all its forms: ravioli, lasagne, cannelloni, fettuccine and scialatielli, as well as the famous Neapolitan pizza, goat's cheese and lemon tart, ricotta and garden pear tart and other local pastries. Finish up with a tasting of all the delicious dishes you’ve just made.
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