Amalfi Coast: Pompeii & Pizza Family Holiday

This trip starts in the village of Bomerano, on the Agerola plains above the Amalfi Coast. Enjoy a warm welcome from our local hosts, the Acampora family, before settling in. Please note: It is possible the order of the itinerary will be changed to ensure the best possible conditions for each activity during the trip.

All listed activities and services will be included. Your leader will inform you of any changes locally after assessing conditions. If you wish to tailor your journey by adding extra nights, speak with your sales representative for detailed information on available pre-tour, post-tour and extension packages (D).

After a 30-minute private transfer to Amalfi, we take the boat along the coast to Positano, a near vertical town of colourful buildings reached by a network of ancient paths and tracks. On the journey, we enjoy beautiful, classic views of the Amalfi Coast and once in Positano we start exploring this picturesque town, strolling among the winding streets.

There is time to visit the beautiful cathedral, enjoy a swim in the blue sea or visit the boutiques for great shopping opportunities. We also enjoy an optional lunch in a pizzeria and a refreshing Italian gelato before returning in the late afternoon to Bomerano by boat and minibus (B/D).

Today we descend from the Agerola hills and take a transfer (approximately 45 minutes) to Pompeii, once a thriving port town until the catastrophic eruption of Vesuvius spanning two days in 79 CE, during which the city was buried in ash and pumice. Lost for 1,700 years, Pompeii is now a Unesco World Heritage site as the perfectly preserved remains give us an amazing insight into life in a Roman city, complete with bathhouses, bakeries and homes – some of which still have walls adorned with detailed frescoes.

You may take time to explore the site independently but we recommend opting for a detailed tour accompanied by a local guide, which can be hired locally for approximately €10 per person depending on the group size.

In the afternoon, we head to the famous volcano that looms over Naples, Mount Vesuvius. The vehicle will take you to an altitude of approximately 3,280ft (1,000m) and from there to the crater you will need to ascend on a path which is approximately 490ft (150m) long and quite steep in places. A local guide will then take you on a short walk along the crater rim, while explaining the fascinating history of Vesuvius and its volcanic activity. We return to the hotel by bus in the late afternoon.

Please note, during adverse weather conditions, such as fog, storms or heavy rain, the local authorities may deicide to restrict or prevent access to Vesuvius. In the event this inclusion cannot be offered on your departure, we will take you to Herculaneum to visit its perfectly preserved remains and virtual museum, which give an amazing insight into the life of an ancient Roman city (B/L/D).

This morning, we take a short transfer to visit a cheese producer in Agerola, where we can sample delicious freshly made mozzarella, prepared in front of us by hand following a centuries-old recipe. We may also have time to visit a small farm owned by the same family of cheesemakers. We then depart for a visit to Amalfi, which was popular with the British upper classes in Edwardian times. The large duomo (cathedral) dominates the town with its brightly coloured tiles so typical of the region.

We have a few hours to explore the wonderful historic centre and alleys before taking an interesting tour of the Paper Museum, which celebrates the long-established paper-making tradition in Amalfi. The guide will explain how the Amalfi paper was once made and you can experiment yourself, using ancient paper-making machines. We then make our way back to the hotel for a pizza-making class before dinner (B/L/D).

Today is free to relax by the hotel pool or at one of the local beaches. Alternatively, you could opt to take a day trip to Capri and explore the island on foot, by boat and chairlift to visit the network of small pedestrian streets, the remains of the Roman Villa Jovis, and the Faraglioni (rock stacks) and Blue Grotto. Another option is to spend the day in Ravello, a peaceful town high on the cliffs above Amalfi, famous for its gardens and impressive cathedral. Your tour leader will not always join these optional activities but will help you to arrange transport locally (B).

The Amalfi Coast is also renowned for its colourful ceramics and this morning we visit a local artisan's bottega, where the kids can paint a pottery souvenir.

Later, we set off along a short section of one of the finest walks in the world: the Path of the Gods. The route follows the contours of the land with amazing views of the Amalfi coastline far below. In season, the meadows are carpeted with flowers and the coastal waters teem with cruisers and pleasure boats. Please note, the terrain can be rocky or uneven at times and there are parts that are a little exposed and therefore not suitable for severe vertigo sufferers.

After a barbecue lunch (included, weather permitting) we return to the hotel on foot (B/L).

After a scenic 30-minute ride down to Amalfi, we enjoy a half-day kayak along the Amalfi Coast. This is the perfect finale for the trip as it allows us to explore the coastline from the most spectacular angle: in the midst of the sparkling blue sea.

After a short introductory lesson on how to kayak and safety at sea, we set off, led by an experienced local guide, to the west towards Runghetiello Grotto. The route will take us along the finest Amalfi beaches, under natural rock arches and into sea caves, giving us the opportunity to admire the old watch towers that dot the entire length of this coast. Those not wishing to participate can wait for the rest of the group at the lovely beach where the activity starts.

Please note that kayaking is normally possible only between the months of May and September. At other times of the year or in the event of bad weather and rough sea conditions, your leader will organise an alternative activity such as a memorable day trip to Sorrento or Capri. We return to the hotel in the evening and enjoy a delicious farewell group dinner (B/L/D).

The adventure ends after breakfast. We say a fond farewell to the hotel, which may feel a bit like a second home by now, and begin our return journey home (B).