Florence to Amalfi

Day 1: Arrive Florence

Your trip starts today with your arrival in Florence, the cultural capital of Italy and the gem in Tuscany's crown. No activities are planned so you may arrive at any time. Please make your own way to the joining hotel that is centrally located (details are in your travel documents).Whilst at your discretion, we recommend arriving/ departing by train where possible within Europe due to this method of transports minimal carbon emissions. There really is so much to see in Florence, so if you are arriving earlier, plan to make a few discoveries of your own. In the evening we meet our tour leader and our fellow travelling companions at a Welcome Meeting (this is usually at 6pm, but you will be advised as to the exact time and place in a notice, located near the reception at our hotel), where our leader will give us a briefing on what lies ahead on our tour. This evening we will enjoy a group dinner together at a local restaurant in Florence. Meals included: 1 breakfast, 1 dinner

Day 2: Florence

After breakfast, we head out to explore the treasures of Florence, one of Italy’s most enchanting cities. From our hotel we walk into the heart of Florence with our tour leader and take some time to explore the outstanding works of art preserved over the centuries in this captivating city. Florence is considered the birthplace of Renaissance, as well as the cradle of the Italian language. We will stroll along its fascinating streets, and enjoy the essence of Italian history and culture. We will pass along the Ponte Vecchio Bridge, visit Piazza della Signoria and gaze up at the landmark of Florence, the Duomo. The rest of the day is free to make your own discoveries. Meals included: 1 breakfast

Day 3: Florence – Perugia – Assisi – Spoleto

We farewell Tuscany today and drive into the neighbouring region of Umbria – known as the ‘Green Heart of Italy’, it is one of the smallest regions in the country and the only one that doesn’t border the sea but what it lacks in coast it makes up for in stunning countryside, marvellous architecture and first class cuisine. The first place we will stop and explore is Umbria’s capital, the lively university town of Perugia, one of the best preserved cities of its kind in all of Italy. Our next stop is Assisi, a tranquil town but one of important religious pilgrimage. It is here that St Francis was born and preached. We visit to the Basilica of San Francesco d'Assisi with its wonderful frescos by Giotto, a World Heritage Site. This afternoon we transfer to the town of Spoleto, our base for the next two nights. Meals included: 1 breakfast

Day 4: Spoleto – Monteluco - Spoleto

This morning we explore the historical town centre of Spoleto and its fortress. We then walk across the impressive ‘Ponte delle Torri’ bridge to the other side of the valley and on to the hill of Monteluco. From here we take a pleasant round walk through the forested hills, with wonderful views on Spoleto and its surroundings. The hill of Monteluco is known to be a ‘holy mountain’ and many of the trails are linked to the spiritual history of the area. Here we discover the ‘holy forest’ with its many grottoes and wander along medieval chapels through a pleasant wooded landscape. We then descend back into the valley of Spoleto and along the medieval chapel of San Pietro before returning to the old town. This evening we can re-visit the impressive Ponte delle Torri, which is most impressive when illuminated at night. Meals included: 1 breakfast

Day 5: Spoleto – Naples

After our exploration of central Italy it’s time to head to the south for a completely different perspective of the country. This morning, we drive to Naples, a chaotic city with a hidden charm. We discover the wonderful historical centre of the city, a major European cultural capital since the time of the Greeks, and also a very colourful and lively city. We then pay a visit to the amazing Royal Palace of Caserta and its gardens. This exquisite building was the largest palace erected in Europe in the 18th century. It was built for the Bourbon King Charles 3rd who envisioned another Versailles and the structure took 22 years to fully complete. Today we also explore the Catacombs of San Gennaro, an interesting underground paleo-Christian burial site. Meals included: 1 breakfast

Day 6: Naples - Pompeii – Mt Vesuvius – Amalfi

Today we head to the stunning Amalfi Coast. En route we drive to Mt Vesuvius, where we climb to the top of the crater to see where the famous eruption that wiped out the town of Pompeii occurred. We them travel to Pompeii– without question some of the world’s most fascinating and preeminent ruins. Due to its fine state of preservation the excavations give us an extraordinarily real image of daily life in a Roman city, with villas, temples, theatres and bustling markets. We walk along chariot-marked streets where a bustling city once nestled complacently under the shadow of Vesuvius until the fatal eruption in 79AD. We then travel to the town of Amalfi, where the drive along the edge of winding cliff face offers spectacular scenes at every turn. Amalfi will be our base for the next three nights. Meals included: 1 breakfast

Day 7: Amalfi – Scala – Ravello - Amalfi

This morning we take a local bus up to the ancient hilltop town of Scala, the oldest town on the Amalfi Coast which sits 400m above sea level. Legend states the town was founded by a group of shipwrecked Romans in 4th century AD who were on their way to Constantinople. Whilst here we visit the beautiful Duomo (church) and take in the beautiful views and the tranquil village atmosphere, quite different to other towns on the coast. We then take a local bus to Ravello - another highlight of the Amalfi Coast. The French novelist, André Gide, once described this dominating town as being ‘closer to the sky than the seashore’. For centuries, its lofty position and sunny, dry climate has made it an appealing place for writers, artists, musicians and travellers. Boccaccio, DH Lawrence and Richard Wagner are among the more notable guests who have succumbed to its charms. Ravello also boasts magnificent villas –we explore the beautiful Villa Cimbrone, a sumptuous 19th Century mansion with fabulous gardens and unequalled views over the Gulf of Salerno. This evening we enjoy a group dinner together. Meals included: 1 breakfast, 1 dinner

Day 8: Amalfi – Capri – Amalfi

Today is dedicated to the rightly famous Isle of Capri - a place where Roman emperors used to come as tourists! Since Roman times it has remained a popular travel destination drawing visitors to its shores with its myriad of scenic attractions top of which is its own natural beauty. We sail from Amalfi to Capri by boat, following the beautiful coastline and passing the islands of the mythical sirens, mentioned in Homer's Iliad and the Odyssey. As we draw nearer it is inspiring to see Capri’s dramatic coastline in all its glory - mighty cliffs and shard-like rock formations cascading down into crashing blue seas. Have your cameras to hand on this short cruise. In Capri we not only see the popular sights, but also enjoy a beautiful circuit walk that takes us past a continuous stream of natural and cultural highlights. On our splendidly scenic walk we pass Villa Jovis (the ruins of the most impressive Roman villa on the island, once home to the Emperor Tiberius), view an historic monastery and explore the snaking and winding alleyways of the charming village of Capri. Part of our walk follows untouched coastline and passes many impressive grottos with time too to dip our feet should we choose. Our walk can be extended or shortened in many ways today based on the tastes of the group. Late in the afternoon we travel by boat back to Amalfi together Meals included: 1 breakfast

Day 9: End Amalfi

Our journey ends this morning after breakfast in Amalfi. From here it is easy to arrange onward connections. You may wish to board one of a number of ferries that sail from Amalfi to Salerno or Naples as an interesting method of departure. Alternatively there are local SITA buses that run to Sorrento, Salerno or Naples from where you can rendez-vous with onward rail connections. There is also a private coach that can be arranged locally (at an additional cost), depending upon the number of participants planning to travel back to any one destination. Your tour leader may be able to assist you with arranging any ongoing travel. Arrivederci! Meals included: 1 breakfast