An Epic Exploration of Southern Italy

You’ll visit the Villa San Michele with its panoramic views of Capri and the harbour, as well as La Scala Fenicia – the Phoenician Steps – a long and steep stone stairway that winds its way through pretty gardens. You’ll also take in the Casa Rossa museum and the Anacapri Centre. In Capri, visit the Certosa di San Giacomo, a Carthusian monastery, and the beautiful Gardens of Augustus before walking to the Punta Tragara lookout point to take in the views.

Head out into the Gulf of Naples by boat and admire the clusters of colourful houses draped along the rocks, and make your way across to the beautiful island of Capri, once the favourite home of Emperor Tiberious. Tide permitting, you will approach the famous Blue Grotto where it will be possible to get inside using a small local boat.

The symbol of Sorrento is the lemon and wall paintings and mosaics uncovered in Pompeii and Herculaneum suggest that citrus fruit trees have been cultivated in this region for millennia. Limoncello, the popular liqueur, is also a speciality of the Gulf of Naples. Today, visit a local factory producing limoncello before tasting some of the traditional digestivo.

Discover the spectacular Amalfi Coast, situated like an amphitheatre among the mountains and the sea. Visit Ravello and the Villas Rufolo and Cimbrone, two sites not to be missed for their splendour and decorations. Both villas have amazingly beautiful gardens. You’ll also take in the wonderful Positano, considered to be one of the most picturesque of all Italy’s coastal resorts.

Pick up some kitchen secrets with a cooking class at the beautiful Villa Maria restaurant. The lesson begins in the organic vegetable garden where, together with the chef, you’ll pick your ingredients before getting stuck in making a starter, pasta dish and main course. You’ll get to enjoy the fruits of your labour and enjoy a delicious dessert, made by the expert team.

Visit the beautiful Paestum, home to some of the world’s most well-preserved Greek temples. A collection of artefacts found during excavations can be viewed in the museum, including some amazing tomb paintings. You’ll also visit a buffalo farm and see the famous buffalo mozzarella being made, and of course get to taste some of this delicious fresh cheese.

In August of 79 AD, Vesuvius had been rumbling for some days and it is estimated that a large part of the population of 20,000 had been evacuated; those that were left were as if suspended in time, as the plaster casts made of the bodies that were found shows. Excavation started in the 18th century and continues to this day. You will get to walk Roman streets, look into bars, stroll into Patrician villas, complete with frescoes and mosaics, there is even a mosaic doormat, saying ‘beware of the dog’.