Rome, Sorrento and Sicily

After touching down at Fiumicino airport, take a private transfer to your hotel in the heart of Rome. Spend the afternoon visiting some of the city's main attractions, starting with the largest baroque fountain in the city, the Trevi Fountain. Make sure you trade a few euros for a gelato from one of the many quality gelaterias around Rome.

You don't need a map in Rome - the city is so packed with sights, it's best to just wander. Follow the crowds to the Spanish Steps, and test your stamina with a climb up its 135 steps to get a closer look at the Trinita dei Monti church.

For a more authentic taste of Rome, head for dinner in the city’s medieval quarter, Trastavere, where you’ll find lots of little trattorias serving typical pasta dishes like the classic Spaghetti Carbonara.

Your second day can be spent exploring a few more historical hot spots with our Archaeological Wonders of Rome excursion. On this tour, you'll enter the old ruins of the Roman Forum and gain a deeper insight into the site, which was Rome's social and political centre.

The Forum wasn't the city's only hub of activity, though; the ancient Colosseum was famously home to gladiator battles and is thought to have held a capacity of over 60,000 people. You’ll jump the queue and be guided around the battle ground before finishing up and making your way to the Palatine Hill, where you will have the chance to admire the spectacular views across the city skyline. 

Fancy tucking in to a hamper full of delicious Italian treats, in the middle of the Borghese Gardens? With our guided tour of the Borghese Gallery followed by a picnic in the park, there’s no better way to dine al fresco in Rome. Don't stop there - use your afternoon wisely and take our Espresso and Gelato Tour – not only will you be guided by a local food connoisseur, but you will also get the chance to try out some delicious ice cream, coffee and tiramisu. After a day of consuming copious amounts of food and drink, it might be worth resting up for the evening in preparation for the next leg of your journey.  

Wave goodbye to the eternal city and hop aboard a high speed train. Your next destination is Naples station, approximately 2 hours and 10 minutes away, so sit back and relax while you pass through the peaceful and beautiful countryside of Lazio. You will have a private transfer waiting for you upon arrival, which will whisk you away to your Sorrento hotel. It’s worth taking a couple of hours ambling through Sorrento’s bustling town to seek out the lesser populated trattorias, where you can dine in the evening. For a quick tour of the town, you could even hop on the dotto train that’s stationed on the main Piazza Tasso; this 30-minute (approx.) experience provides you with interesting facts on the surrounding area.

The Neapolitan Riviera is known for its fantastic fresh seafood restaurants. For an authentic dining experience, head down to the former fishing district of the Marina Grande. Wander past its brightly-painted fishing boats and the pastel-coloured houses lining the harbour, before ducking into a seafront trattoria to sample the catch of the day. 

Make sure you have your espresso this morning - you'll be spending a lot of the day on your feet. Start with a visit to the well-preserved archaeological site of Pompeii, before making the journey up Europe’s only active mainland volcano on our Pompeii and Vesuvius excursion. Once a highly influential Roman city, Pompeii is now a vast excavated collection of ruins, after the eruption of Mount Vesuvius blanketed the city in a thick layer of ash and pumice.

Arguably Italy’s most beautiful stretch of coastline, the Amalfi Coast is not one to be missed. Pre-book our Amalfi Drive tour for an intimate experience, traveling high and low across the narrow hairpin roads that connect the pretty coastal villages. From the quaint resort town of Ravello, which plays host to the famous summertime Ravello Festival to the steep cliffside village of Positano, known for its busy narrow streets and its Chiesa di Santa Maria Assunta dome, this tour has everything covered.

Try something a little bit different on your last full day in Sorrento and learn the art of pizza-making. Our Pizza-making class will have you trained by your very own Pizzaiolo, teaching you everything from the throwing of the dough to finding the perfect combination of ingredients to put on your pizza. After feeling accomplished with your certificate of participation in hand, head back to the hotel and spend some well-earned time resting with a drink in one hand and a pizza slice in another.

Wake up early ready for the journey to your final holiday destination. A private transfer will drive you to Statione di Napoli Centrale (Naples' main train station) before you hop on board the train and head south. The journey takes approximately 6 hours, so get comfortable and enjoy the scenic views along the way. The coastal route rewards passengers with magnificent scenery, so we recommend considering a daytime train to make the most of the views - and don’t forget to keep your camera at hand!

Villa Communale is located a short walk from the busy centre of Taormina. Its beautiful gardens provide a tranquil spot to relax and unwind before a busy day ahead.

Set aside the rest of your day to see the areas of Sicily less popular with tourists. Pre-book the Forgotten Sicily excursion to explore quaint towns, discover Norman ruins in the Agro Valley and meet the friendly locals. As the sun begins to set, you will be welcomed into the home of a Sicilian family. Here, you will be shown a demonstration of traditional handmade pasta as well as dishes like arancini and panelle. The perfect end to the day is tucking into an authentic meal cooked by Ms. Eleanora with the opportunity to ask questions to learn her culinary secrets.

No stay in Sicily would be complete without a trip to the island's biggest and most magnificent natural landmark, Mount Etna. The views from afar are magnificent, but for those who wish to get up close to Europe’s tallest active volcano there are a choice of excursions to help you do so. The Mount Etna & Alcantara excursion provides the perfect opportunity to swim in the beautiful Alcantara Gorge, as well as the chance to admire spectacular views across Sicily and the Ionian Sea.

For the more adventurous the Enjoy Etna excursion is a must – experience the north side of the volcano by off-road vehicle before a short walk into a hidden lava cave.

In the evening, stroll through Piazza IX Aprile, with its laid-back ambience and pretty side streets lined with cafes and bars. As Taormina’s main piazza, it's the perfect place to dine on specialties served from many street food stalls.

Fans of The Godfather movie will know that many of the scenes are filmed around Sicily. If you have always dreamt of sitting in Marlon Brando’s chair in the famous Bar Vitelli, or visiting the church where Michael Corleone got married, our In the Godfather’s Footsteps excursion is one not to be missed. Even if you’re not a fan of the films, the views from the clifftop villages of Savoca and Forza d’Agro on this half-day excursion are breathtaking. 

Before enjoying a Sicilian evening meal, visit the Greek Amphitheatre in Taormina. Built in the 3rd century BC, this architectural wonder was once home to gladiator fights and dramatic performances. As well as the preserved theatre, the site offers visitors uninterrupted views of Mount Etna and the Ionian coastline - especially on a clear day.

Today is your last day in Sicily. Travel to Catania airport and board your flight back to the UK.