Rome and Amalfi Coast

Once you’ve arrived and unpacked your bags, spend the afternoon finding your bearings in Italy’s venerable capital. Central Rome is quite compact, and we recommend taking a walk as the best way to get to grips with the city. This way you’ll constantly discover little streets and hidden architectural gems as you stroll between the major attractions. And if you’re feeling a bit weary, just jump on the easy to navigate metro system.

The remnants of classical Rome are an integral part of the modern city, so you’ll often turn a street corner and find yourself staring at the Colosseum or the Pantheon. The Palatine Hill offers fantastic views over the Forum and the Circus Maximus, where the ancient Romans came to meet, work and play. It’s easy to drift back in time as you let your imagination take over.

Across the River Tiber from Rome’s ancient heart stands the Vatican City. Even if you’re not particularly religious, the historic home of the Pope is worth seeing for its magnificent architecture and some spellbinding Renaissance artworks. The Vatican Museum houses the world’s largest private art collection, and a tour also includes the Sistine Chapel with its famous painted ceiling by Michelangelo. Make sure to stop at St Peter’s Basilica, the world’s biggest church, where those with a head for heights can climb up into the vast dome and enjoy panoramic views across Rome from the roof.

A high-speed train will whisk you from Rome to Naples in little more than an hour, before your private transfer by road to the Amalfi Coast. This takes approximately 90 minutes – depending on which resort you’re heading for – and the famous coastal road is an attraction in itself, carved out of steep cliffs with hundreds of winding bends and dozens of little tunnels. Once you’ve settled into your hotel, you can venture out and enjoy the sunset from the terrace of a little local bar or a Michelin-starred restaurant.

Whether you plan to explore the various towns and villages or just relax near your hotel, the views of pastel coloured houses cascading down towards the sea are everywhere along the Amalfi Coast. Positano and Amalfi are the most famous and glamorous spots, packed with chic designer boutiques and classy restaurants overlooking idyllic beaches. Meanwhile, the town of Ravello seems to have taken a step back from all this, perched on a hilltop 350 metres above the sea and offering some of the finest views on the whole coast.

One of the best ways to see some of these picturesque places is from the sea. Citalia offers boat excursions including a cruise along the coast from Maiori to Positano, and a day trip to the well heeled island of Capri.

The town of Amalfi is at the heart of the region, offering a spectacular sandy beachfront and a magnificent duomo for you to explore. If you're looking for a touch of class, head to the incomparable town of Positano, where chic boutiques and exclusive restaurants flow down the hillside to the sea in a chaotic but pretty jumble. Alternatively, head to hilltop Ravello – an enchanting place where every street has a view, and iconic sights like the Villa Cimbrone have wowed countless famous names over the decades, including Gretta Garbo and Tennessee Williams.

There’s plenty more to see besides, including the old fishing town of Minori – a peaceful place often overlooking in favour of Amalfi, Maiori, where the coast’s longest beach can be found, and Conca dei Marini – home to the Emerald Grotto sea cave and undersea 'Presepe', the scene of the birth of Christ.

For those wanting to see more of this fabulous country, the pre-bookable Capri excursion is ideal, providing easy ferry access to this enchanting island, where you can enjoy a guided private minibus tour which includes a visit to Villa San Michele museum and later the Garden of Augustus. There will also be time to browse the elegant island boutiques and take in the atmosphere of Piazza Umberto I.

Anyone staying in this part of Italy should visit the unique Roman towns of Pompeii and Herculaneum, which were buried nearly 2,000 years ago when nearby Mount Vesuvius erupted. Excavations began in the 18th Century, unearthing the two remarkably preserved towns and the remains of their terrified inhabitants. This excursion takes you first to famous Pompeii, where you can explore the once-busy streets and forum, then on to lesser-known Herculaneum with its immaculate mosaics and frescoes. A knowledgeable guide will help to bring their traumatic history to life.

Wave goodbye to your Amalfi Coast hotel as you travel to Naples International Airport and fly back to the UK.