Best of Rome and Sorrento Itinerary

There is perhaps no better blend of Italy's urban and rural charms than the coastal stretch of the Campania region. In particular, the Bay of Naples and the Sorrentine Peninsula will provide an outstanding environment to begin  your Italian adventure. After arriving at the main Neapolitan airport, a comfortable transfer will ensure your speedy arrival to your hotel in Sorrento, where you will have the remainder of the day to explore the narrow streets and sunny plazas of this seaside paradise.

With fantastic views of the Bay of Naples, Mt. Vesuvius, and the coastline, your first morning in Sorrento will deliver many ways to enjoy the panoramic scenes. After enjoying a fortifying breakfast from your hotel staff, you will be able to make your way to the marina to board your cruise. Your voyage will lead you off the mainland to the rugged beauty of Capri, where a stunning collection of natural beauty and historical sites have been attracting visitors for centuries. After catching your return transfer from Capri, you will have the remainder of the day at your leisure.

Perched atop the rugged hills and cliffs of the peninsula, Sorrento is well situated as an ambassador of the present and the town's illustrious past. With ruins that date back to pre-Roman times, Sorrento has long been an essential stop for trade vessels that ply the water of Italy's Western Coast. Today, ships provide much of the transportation to nearby communities, and Sorrento enjoys a thriving artisanal scene that is displayed in its many boutique shops that line the streets. The day will be yours to spend at your leisure, and you can bask in the radiance of this city's cultural and historical heritage.

The Bay of Naples was the site of one of the region's most notorious stories from the ancient world. In 79 AD, the conspicuous  shape of Mt. Vesuvius erupted, covering the landscapes and local towns with tons of volcanic ash and rock. Although initially destructive, this blanketing also left the communities and inhabitants it covered incredibly well-preserved. Today, as you make your way to Rome, you will be able to enjoy a stop at Pompeii to examine the damage caused by the volcano as well as the well-preserved artifacts of ancient Roman life.

As the bustling capital city, Rome remains an excellent environment to encounter the charm and hospitality that can be found across Italy. After enjoying a leisurely morning and breakfast, you can enjoy a brief stroll around your neighborhood before exploring the secrets of Italian cuisine with a cooking course. Following in the footsteps of many of the locals, this activity will begin with a visit to a traditional neighborhood market so that you can help select the finest ingredients. Your course will end in the thrilling confines of an Italian kitchen, where expert chefs will walk you through all the steps required to prepare a three-course lunch.

One of the most beautiful characteristics of the Italian capital is the abundance of history and cultural artifacts that lie around every corner. You will explore this open-air archaeological site during a visit to the iconic Colosseum and the nearby Forum, where the mysteries of ancient Rome will come to life. Whether you wish to visit the spot where Julius Caesar was  famously assassinated or to survey the site where gladiators battled for the amusement of Ancient Rome, this guided tour will ensure that no question goes unanswered.

Today, you can chart your own course on a day of leisure after you wake up in your comfortable accommodation. Luckily for you, Rome is one of the European capitals that requires months to truly explore. Here, the numerous piazzas, gelaterias, and art galleries provide a virtually inexhaustible supply of fun and adventure for visitors of all types. Perhaps, you will want to visit the famous Villa Borghese to see one of the many  sculpted versions of David that emerged from the Renaissance. You can also cross the Tiber River to see the artistic legacy that is on display in Vatican City and its famous museums.

As dawn breaks on your final morning in Rome, it would not be unwise to stretch your legs on one final walk through the city center. This will allow you to take in all of the sights, sounds, and smells that you have learned to love during your time here. After bidding the hotel staff a fond arrivederci,  you will be transferred from downtown Rome to the city's main international airport for your flight home. Despite having a slight reluctance to leave such a beautiful setting, you will be able to rest assured in the knowledge that there is still much to be seen in Italy.