Pompeii, Sorrento & the Amalfi Coast

LeShuttle to Calais and overnight stay in France on a bed and breakfast basis.

Pompeii, Sorrento & the Amalfi Coast

We continue our scenic journey through France, stopping along the way in Beaune, a charming town located in the heart of the Burgundy region. Explore its cobblestone streets and vibrant markets, indulge in the region’s world-class cuisine and exceptional wines or see the famous Hôtel-Dieu, a medieval hospital with striking colourful tiled roofs, which now houses a museum. 

Pompeii, Sorrento & the Amalfi Coast

Cross the border into Italy and enjoy free time in the elegant town of Asti, famous for its its historic streets, bustling squares and sparkling wine, before we continue onwards to Hotel President in Reggio Emilia, with dinner included.

Pompeii, Sorrento & the Amalfi Coast

We continue on to our hotel in the Sorrento area, where we stay for the next seven nights, with dinner included.

Pompeii, Sorrento & the Amalfi Coast

We include return transfers to the centre of Sorrento, where we enjoy some time at leisure. Overlooking the Bay of Naples, there are some lovely views on offer from the waterside restaurants, or head to the bustling Old Town for a gelato or liminoro before exploring the sun-trapped squares, cobbled streets, unique shops and historic sites such as the 14th-century Sedile Dominova and the beautiful Cathedral of Sorrento.

Pompeii, Sorrento & the Amalfi Coast

Choose to relax at the hotel today or head back into Sorrento to discover more of this stunning city.

Pompeii, Sorrento & the Amalfi Coast

A fascinating day awaits amidst the UNESCO-listed ruins of ancient Pompeii, one of Europe’s most compelling archaeological sites. The town was buried under a layer of lava and ash by Mount Vesuvius in AD79; the result is a well-preserved slice of Roman life in the 1st century with shops, schools, houses, theatres, baths and more. There are many fascinating artefacts to discover, along with wall paintings, mosaics and street graffiti, which all survive in remarkably good state. Walking these ancient streets in the footsteps of gladiators, slaves, senators and citizens is a truly memorable experience, brought vividly to life on our locally-guided walking tour.

Pompeii, Sorrento & the Amalfi Coast

Choose to spend the day as you please or join our optional excursion, where our destination is the largest city of southern Italy, Naples, often referred to as an open-air museum due to its abundance of historic statues and monuments. It’s the perfect chance to stroll through the ancient piazzas, head to the seafront to explore the harbour and the Castel dell’Ovo or visit the National Archaeological Museum of Naples. The range of mosaics, sculptures and silver, uncovered during excavations at Pompeii and other archaeological sites, make up one of the world’s best collections of Greek and Roman antiques here. Or simply enjoy the authentic Italian cuisine; as the home of pizza, the food in Naples won’t disappoint!

Pompeii, Sorrento & the Amalfi Coast

We take a scenic drive along the Amalfi Coast, a beautiful and renowned stretch of mountainous coastline dotted with picturesque towns and villages perched on the rugged cliffs. Listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1997, the area is also famous for the cultivation of lemons, grown in terraced gardens along the coast, and the production of limoncello liqueur. We have some time in the picture-perfect town of Amalfi before catching the ferry to Maiori, popular for its stunning beach.

Pompeii, Sorrento & the Amalfi Coast

Our last day in Sorrento is spent at leisure – the perfect chance to soak up la dolce vita amidst beautiful surroundings.

Pompeii, Sorrento & the Amalfi Coast

We head to Rome, where we have the afternoon to explore at leisure and soak up the golden light of the Eternal City. Highlights include the iconic Colosseum, the largest amphitheatre ever built in the Roman Empire, the Spanish Steps, the Roman Forum and the Trevi Fountain. Our overnight stay is in the Rome area, with dinner included.

Pompeii, Sorrento & the Amalfi Coast

We continue our journey home, stopping in the beautiful medieval hilltop town of Montepulciano. This rare gem in southern Tuscany is full of elegant Renaissance buildings and a lovely main square. Be sure to have a look at look up at the clock tower and explore the charming streets of the Old Town, while taking in the stunning views of the surrounding countryside. Later, we check back into the Hotel President in Reggio Emilia, where we stay overnight with dinner included.

Pompeii, Sorrento & the Amalfi Coast

We travel onwards through the lovely scenery of Switzerland to our overnight hotel in France, with a light evening meal included.

Pompeii, Sorrento & the Amalfi Coast

 After breakfast, we check out of the hotel and head to Calais for our journey home on LeShuttle.

Stroll the historic centre of Asti, where medieval towers punctuate elegant streets and cafés spill into graceful piazzas. Cross Piazza Alfieri, stride along arcades lined with patisseries, and admire the brick-and-stone grandeur of the Cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta.

Learn how guilds and bankers shaped Asti’s skyline and how the famed Palio di Asti still charges through town each September. From sparkling-wine heritage to Roman traces, this Piedmont gem blends pageantry and everyday Italian life.

Take in cliff-hugging bends and sea-sprayed horizons on a scenic drive along the Amalfi Coast, where pastel villages cling to limestone ridges above the Tyrrhenian. This UNESCO World Heritage coastline reveals terraced lemon groves, hidden coves, and viewpoints ideal for photos.

Pause in Amalfi to wander lanes and, time permitting, admire the striped facade of the Duomo di Sant’Andrea. Afterwards, board the ferry across the Bay of Salerno to Maiori, watching bell towers and cliff gardens slip by as the shoreline opens into one of the coast’s broadest beaches.

Experience an unguided introduction to the Eternal City, where imperial ruins and lively piazzas share the same skyline. Seek out the Colosseum and Roman Forum, thread through elegant streets to the Trevi Fountain, and climb the Spanish Steps for a classic city panorama.

From gelaterie-lined corners to sun-warmed travertine facades, Rome rewards every turn with texture and story. Use maps or wayfinding apps to chart your own path between monuments, palaces, and café terraces bathed in late-afternoon light.

Walk the stone lanes of Montepulciano, a Tuscan stronghold famed for Renaissance palazzi and noble reds. Drift upward to Piazza Grande, where the cathedral and civic palaces frame a stage-like square with sweeping views over vineyards and olive groves.

Explore craft boutiques and historic cantine carved into tufa beneath the streets, heartland of Vino Nobile di Montepulciano. The town’s mellow sandstone, graceful wells, and quiet courtyards evoke centuries of craftsmanship and agricultural tradition.

Explore the Burgundian charm of Beaune, wandering cobbled lanes, arcaded squares, and wine merchants’ courtyards. See the famed Hôtel-Dieu (Hospices de Beaune) with its dazzling glazed-tile roof, a Gothic jewel that anchors the town’s historic heart.

As the unofficial Burgundy wine capital, Beaune breathes centuries of trade and terroir. Peek into cellars, browse delicatessens, or visit the market when in season; medieval ramparts and quiet cloisters offer atmospheric corners for a reflective pause.

Arrive in the Sorrento area to meet your Tour Manager over a convivial welcome drink at the hotel, a relaxed moment to settle in and connect with fellow travellers. Hear practical tips for exploring clifftop Sorrento and the nearby sights of the Bay of Naples.

Set against citrus-scented gardens and sea views, this friendly introduction outlines local customs, transport options, and neighbourhood highlights, helping you shape your ideal balance of coastal ambiance and cultural discovery.

Venture into southern Italy’s powerhouse city to trace history from Greek foundations to Bourbon grandeur. Visit the world-class National Archaeological Museum of Naples, stroll seafront promenades by Castel dell’Ovo, and follow the narrow spine of Spaccanapoli past artisan workshops and baroque churches.

Pause in grand piazzas, consider a slice in the home of pizza, and feel the city’s quicksilver energy at every corner. This optional excursion is available at an additional cost (£25pp) and is bookable on tour.

Explore the UNESCO-listed city of Pompeii on a locally-guided walking tour that brings an ancient Roman community to life. Walk basalt-paved streets to the Forum and amphitheatre, step past intact shopfronts and bathhouses, and admire preserved frescoes and mosaics that still glow with colour after two millennia.

Hear how the AD 79 eruption of Mount Vesuvius sealed daily life in ash, from bakeries to temples. Your guide’s insight, alongside poignant plaster casts, frames a vivid portrait of citizens frozen in time and a city halted mid-moment.