Rome and Naples

This is an example of a Mystery Tour, where the travellers opened an envelope each day to discover what adventures awaited them. If you would like to see the full itinerary, to understand exactly how the Mystery Tour works, please contact the Travel Tailor.

So what does the area have to offer you?

Roman architecture
Vibrant and cosmopolitan culture
Pizza
Beautiful coastal scenery
Mount Vesuvias
Capri

Sample Itinerary – A week in Rome, Naples and Capri

From the extravagance and history of Rome, to the bustle and activity of Naples, from the sweltering heights of Mount Vesuvius to the tranquil reaches of the island of Capri.

Day 1

Fly to Rome Ciampino airport and transfer by train to the city centre where you will be picked up by your hotel staff.

Overnight at Sleeping Beauty Guesthouse

Day 2

Visit the Ponte Sant Angelo and embark on a morning cruise on the River Tiber. A good starting point to introduce yourself to the city.

Cruise on River Tiber

Next stop is Palatine Hill, where the city of Rome was founded in 753AD. The area today is part ruin, part good picnic spot, with great views over the city.

Continue to the Roman Forum – these ruins of ancient Rome include temples, basilicas and residences, and the Colosseum, without which a trip to Rome is not complete. The Colosseum is the world's most famous amphitheatre, used for 450 years for gladiatorial contests and wild beast hunts.


Walk around the Colosseum

Spend the evening at the Villa Celimontana for a jazz concert.

Overnight at Sleeping Beauty Guesthouse

Day 3

Today is a walking tour through some of the best known sights in the historic centre of Rome, including the Catacombs, famous piazzas, fountains and the Pantheon.

Catacombs – St Callisto and San Sebastian

The catacombs are ancient underground cemeteries, used by the Christian and Jewish communities from the 2nd Century, and also later used during the Christian persecutions as a refuge.

Trevi Fountain

A famous and extravagant creation with palm trees, seahorses, tritons and Neptune. It is said that if you throw a coin into the water over your shoulder, you will return to Rome. Throw in three coins if you want to marry an Italian.

Trevi fountain

Piazza Navona

An ideal place for lunch in one of the many cafes lining the square. Chariot races once took place here in Rome's most famous piazza. There is also the Fontana dei Quattro Fiumi, the fountain representing the four great rivers of the world.

Pantheon

This second century AD pagan temple is not to be missed, and is the most complete and impressive ancient Roman structure in the city.

The Pantheon

Overnight at Sleeping Beauty Guest House

Day 4

Depart Rome by train and visit Naples, birthplace of the pizza.

Free afternoon in Naples for sightseeing and relaxing. Some suggestions include:

The Duomo – a 13th Century Gothic Cathedral with a Renaissance Crypt
Palazzo Reale – former residence of the various dynasties that ruled Naples
Museo Nazionale di Capodimonte – superb collection of Renaissance paintings
Castel dell Ovo – oldest castle in Naples, sited in a prominent position on the harbour. Many believe the name (‘ovo’ meaning ‘egg’) is linked to medieval legend – a poet hid an egg in a cage and left it to hang from a rafter in a secret place within the castle. It is said that if the egg is broken, the castle and the city are doomed. Open 09.00 – 17.00 hours
Castel Nuovo – a huge castle erected in 1282, which houses the Civic Museum
Underground City walking tour – 5,000 year old caves and more recent Roman water systems, underground cemetery.
Naples Zoological Park/Aquarium – the oldest in Europe
Santa Chiara Church
Spaccanapoli – one of the main streets crossing Naples, it is the heart of the historic centre and a fun place to wander around, with piazzas, churches, shops and other buildings.

The Santa Chiara Church

Overnight in the Hostel Pensione Mancini

Day 5

Day spent on a visit to Mount Vesuvius, and at the ruins of Herculaneum, which was destroyed by the volcano centuries ago.

Vesuvius

Vesuvius is the volcano famous for the catastrophic eruption in 70AD which buried the towns of Herculaneum and Pompeii. After travelling most of the way on a bus, ascend to the summit area and crater rim by foot.

Mount Vesuvias

Herculaneum

Visit the excavations of this buried town with a guide.

The local bar, Herculaneum

Overnight in Hostel Pensione Mancini

Day 6

Travel by hydrofoil to the island of Capri, a legendary idyll of Roman Emperors and today frequented by the rich and famous. Take a boat to explore the mysterious Blue Grotto, and a cable car to the highest point of the island, before returning to Naples.

In and around Capri

Blue Grotto

Capri's coast has several sea caves, or grottoes, the most spectacular of which is the Blue Grotto, with its mysterious iridescent blue light. Take a rowing boat to explore inside the cave.

Mount Solaro

This is the highest point of the island, and can be reached by chairlift. Return by foot to experience some of the beautiful nature of the landscape of Capri.

View from Mount Solaro

Punta Carena

Visit one of Italy's tallest lighthouses, and go for a swim in the clear azure waters. This section of coast boasts luxuriant Mediterranean vegetation, a very beautiful spot indeed.

Overnight in Hostel Pensione Mancini

Day 7

Depart Naples and head back to Rome by train, before returning to the airport and flying home.