Itinerary
Vesuvius and the Bay of Naples
A 7 day intriguing and exciting tour of Vesuvius and the historic Bay of Naples designed to entertain and delight.
Wonder at the beauty of the Bay of Naples and the Amalfi coastline and experience first hand the well preserved cities of Pompeii and Herculaneum dramatically buried during the eruption of Vesuvius in AD79.
Day 1
Arrive in Naples where you will be met and transferred to a friendly hotel. As you settle in, the rest of the day can be spent relaxing or exploring the surrounding area. In the evening we will meet to enjoy a welcome cocktail and have an opportunity to learn and discuss the tour schedule and forthcoming activities before heading off to a local trattoria (small restaurant) for some excellent food.
Accommodation and evening meal included.
Day 2
This morning we will visit Campi Flegrei (the Phlegrean Fields) a lesser well known volcanic region close to Naples. The Campi Flegrei caldera is an area well known for a geological phenomenon named 'bradyseism' which is the alternating uplift and sinking of the ground within the caldera. Our tour will lead us first to Pozzuoli, located near the centre of the caldera, where excellent recent examples of volcanic uplift can be seen.
We will then make our way to nearby Solfatara crater where there is a unique opportunity to experience and examine its bubbling mud pools and steam vents.
Further stops depending on time available could include Monte Nuovo and the Roman ruins near Capo Miseno.
Dinner will be taken at a local trattoria.
Accommodation, breakfast and evening meal included.
Day 3
This morning we will begin our journey to Vesuvius, last active in 1944. A short easy walk from the car park takes us to the summit of the volcano to view the crater. From the rim of Vesuvius we can see deep into its crater on one side and views into and across the Bay of Naples and out towards the islands of Capri and Ischia on the other. On our way back down the volcano we will visit the Vesuvius Observatory where old instruments are on display and where an exhibition takes the visitor on a fascinating tour through the world of volcanoes.
After lunch we will visit the Roman town of Herculaneum which was destroyed by pyroclastic flows during the eruption of Vesuvius in AD79.
Tonight will be a free evening for you to explore Naples and find your own special tratorria for dinner.
Accommodation, breakfast and lunch included.
Day 4
Today we will head off on a short hydrofoil trip to the beautiful island of Capri. We will visit the Garden of Augusto where magnificent views down to Marina Piccolo and Faraglioni can be enjoyed. We will then make our way to Anacapri where a chairlift ride will transport you to the highest point on Capri, Monte Solaro, giving you spectacular views down into Capri Town and Anacapri. There will then be further time to explore the island, soak up the views and atmosphere and take an optional boat trip past limestone cliff scenery to the must-see magnificent Blue Grotto. In the late afternoon we will head back to Naples for an evening meal.
Accommodation, breakfast and evening meal included.
Day 5
Today we will visit the well known and well documented Roman town of Pompeii which has been exceptionally well preserved having been covered by volcanic ash for nearly two thousand years. The afternoon will then be spent savouring the delights of Italian wine with wine tasting and a vineyard tour, giving you the opportunity to purchase that specially selected wine.
Accommodation, breakfast and lunch included.
Day 6
This morning will begin with a scenic drive along the stunningly spectacular Amalfi Coast with its sheer white cliffs which fall away to the beautiful sea below. We will then continue to Paestum, a site of ancient Greek temples, the best preserved in Mainland Italy and the oldest of which dates back to the 6th century.
Accommodation, breakfast and lunch included.
Day 7
This morning we will head into Naples centre to visit the National Archaeological museum which houses some of the best artefacts that have been collected from both Pompeii and Herculaneum.
The tour will conclude after lunch at which point you will be offered (if required) transfers either back to the airport or to the train station.
Breakfast and lunch included.
Copyright 2008 Dynamic Earth Adventures. All rights reserved. Web design A Binfield.
