Excursions from Sorrento

No holiday here in Sorrento would be complete without a trip to the evocative island of Capri. Sail across the bay of Naples for the start of an unforgettable day. For so small an island - about 4 miles long and 2 miles wide, Capri has had much said, sung and written about it. First you will visit the fabulous villa of Dr. Alex Munthe, a Swedish doctor whose bestselling book, "Story of San Michele" tells of his time on Capri. His villa, which was built with the remains of Roman ruins, has a beautiful shady garden with terraces affording splendid views of the island. This is optional, and the entrance fee should be paid to the guide directly. You then go down to Capri town which is very chic with shops, hotels and restaurants along winding streets. The main square, Piazza Umberto, I has a pretty white church and several open-air cafes where you can sit and watch the world drift by. Leading off the square are medieval alleyways full of shops selling the handicrafts of the island, clothing, jewellery made from coral and gold, shoes and ceramics. Admire the colourful gardens of Augustus overlooking the famed Faraglioni Rocks and Marina Piccola where Gracie Fields once lived. There is free time for you to go off and admire the elegant boutiques, stroll along the cobbled streets or simply relax on the beach. There is so much to see and do on this tiny island paradise that you will be sorry to leave.

This is a very lazy, relaxing day for vacationers who just want to take it easy - a delightful day spent cruising the Bay of Naples and Salerno on the comfortable yacht Marine Club. There is plenty of room for sunbathing with changing facilities and showers. The ship's crew serves a full lunch or snacks and salads for purchase, or you can bring you own picnic lunch. Several stops will be made for swimming including the Galli Isles and the Faraglioni Rocks at Capri. When the boat reaches Positano you will be offered the chance to go ashore. This is an optional extra to the cruise, and you will be asked to pay a small fee direct to the crew. The Marine Club steams on to Amalfi and will pick you up again from Positano on its way back to Sorrento. Those who do not wish to visit Positano can stay on board, cruise down the rest of the coast to Amalfi and go ashore there for sightseeing at no extra cost. On the return journey there will be more stops for swimming. This cruise is the perfect way to top up your tan! Remember: take your swimming costumes and towels and don't forget your camera!

This is a full-day, escorted tour of Naples. Stop at the heart of the lively quarter of the city popularly known as '´Spaccanapoli'´ to visit some of Europe's most beautiful churches. The Church of Santa Chiara, with its fascinating majoilica cloister in rococo style (the best known of the 18th century churches in Europe) and the Church of the Gesu Nuovo with the astonishing richness of its floral marble decoration. You then proceed to the Royal Palace to visit of the Royal Apartments. You'll be offered time for an optional lunch in the center and in the afternoon a nice walk trough Piazza del Plebiscito, Galleria Umberto I. Processed by coach to the S.Carlo Opera House, the imposing Anjeuin Castle and Posillipo, where you will enjoy the most fascinating view of the whole city of Naples from high above. You'll return after a full day to the relaxing comforts of the Hotel Aminta.

About an hour's drive South of Naples is another impotant Italian provincial capital - Salerno. In medieval times Salerno was the world capital of medicine, as the Monastery of the Benedictine monks who founded its medical school offered the best instruction the available. One of the most famous medical texts of that time was the "Regimen Sanitas Salerno" written here in Latin and translated into almost every Europen language. Beyond Salerno, after the headlands of Pontecagnano, Battipaglia and Eboli, is Paeustum, one of the most important archeological sites in the country. Here you will see some of the best preserved Greek ruins, architecture and monuments, such as the Temple of Poseidon (Neptune) and the Basilica dating from the 6th Century. Look out for the "buffalo" that you will see grazing on the roadside during the drive!

No visit to Sorrento would be complete without a visit to these archeological marvels. We offer a full day guided excursion by coach to the famous excavations of Pompeii and Hercilaneum. Pompeii holds an intense fascination for visitors today. Following the eruption of the Volcano Vesuvius in the year 79 AD, Pompei lay buried and forgotten for hundreds of years. The town is high on the list of Wonders of the World and the excavations begun in the 18th century are still being carried out today. Our guide will take you through some of the ancient streets of Pompeii where you can see Baths, Forums and Villas built the prosperous Romans in the year 80 BC. Marvel at the fabulously preserved frescoes which adorned the walls and floors of the Villas. Even if your interests do not lie in history, this is a vast   archelogical site that you cannot help but be impressed by. When the catastrophe of 79 AD occurred Herculaneum was submerged under a torrent of mud and lava that hardned into a tufa (a coarse rock) that preserved many of the timber features and household objects which can be seen today. Many more treasures lie buried under the rock, to the extent that some modern-day families are being rehoused so work con continue. Return to Sorrento in the afternoon.

This ia a unique opportunity to visit the "Eternal City" - one of the greatest capitals in the world and the centre of Catholicism. Rome is a bustling city with fabulous shops and boutiques but, amidst the hurry of everyday modem life, beautifully preserved buildings and monuments stand out on unexpected corners, a constant reminder of her glorious and sometimes turbulent past. The day has been carefully planned to showcase many key monuments; Villa Borghese, Via Veneto (where famous stars like to meet at night), the River Tiber, the Palace of Justice, St. Angel Castle, St Peter's Basilica, the Colosseum and Forum revealing the splendour of the Roman Empire, and the famous Trevi Fountain. All in a day to remember! Reminder: no shorts and shoulders must be covered when visiting churches. Cameras are a must. Time permitting you may be offered a visit to tha Catacombs (cost for this to be paid directly to the excursion guide)

The "Amalfi Drive" is said to be the most spectacular in Europe. From Sorrento, the winding cliff top road offers breathtaking panoramic views at every turn. Each spot is a world of its own, dazzling the imagination and inspiring unforgettable impressions. You will make a stop just above Positano, yet another splendid jewel of this coastline, which boasts picturesque pink and white villas perched dramatically on the steep hillside. Then on to Amalfi, the jewel that gives its name to the entire coast.  The unmistakeable cluster of houses rising up the hillside is dominated by the beautiful Cathedral which stands superbly on the top of a great flight of steps from the main square. Housed in the magnificent Cathedral are the remains of one of the Twelve Apostles, the Patron Saint of Amalfi as well as Scotland - Saint Andrew. From Amalfi you will proceed to Ravello, nestled eleven hundred feet above the sea in the mountside. We visit the Villa Rufolo which gave the musican Richard Wagner the ispiration to create one of his most famous works. Return to Sorrento and the Aminta in the afternoon.

Our journey takes us along the gorgeous coastal road trough Castellamare di Stabia and out along the motorway to Herculaneum. Herculaneum was destroyed along with Pompeii in 79 A.D., and rediscovered in 1709. It was a residential town without Pompeii's commercial importance, surrounded by the villas of the wealthy Romans. When Vesuvius erupted, Herculaneum was submerged under a torrent of mud and lava that hardened into a tufa (a coarse rock) that preserved many of the timber features and household objects which can be seen today. A large portion of the old Herculaneum is still buried under the modern town and even today excavations are going on to discover new treasures - to the extent that some modern-day families are being rehoused so work can continue. Return to Sorrento and the Aminta in the afternoon.

Sorrento, land of the sirens, of terraces of orange and lemon trees, a place of spectacular beaty... it is also a town of fascinating history and art. We will introduce you to some of the most important and interesting cultural and artistic characteristics of Sorrento. Visit the Correale Museum with its fine art collections and the "Villa Fiorentino" (our new archaeological museum). Discover some of the most important churches and step back into the past exploring the narrow alleys where the Greek and Roman town began. This excursion is a half-day walking tour escorted by a local guide. Included in the price are all entrance fees and sweet surprise... a local cake made with Sorrento lemons and a cappuccino (or a soft drink).