Compare Sail Italy: Procida to Amalfi by Intrepid Travel vs A Week In... Naples, Capri & Amalfi 2022 by Tauck

Day 1 Procida - Ischia

Ciao! Welcome to Procida, Italy, a tiny island off the coast of Naples. Your adventure begins today with a group meeting at 3 pm. The first port of call is the local supermarket to buy supplies for your trip as a group. If you arrive on the island early, maybe explore the Mediterranean city of Procida at your own pace. You can see the walled medieval town of Terra Murata or the charming port of Corricella. This afternoon, you'll sail the short distance to the largest of the Phlegraean Islands, Ischia. In contrast to Procida, it’s the largest island in the Bay of Naples.

Day 2 Ischia - Sorrento

Spend the morning and early afternoon in Ischia. Perhaps visit Spiaggia dei Pescatori, an idyllic beach that sits between Ischia Porto and Ischia Ponte. The beach offers a great view of Castello Aragonese, a 15th-century medieval castle. In the afternoon, you'll set sail for Sorrento, appreciating the panoramic views of the Bay of Naples and Mount Vesuvius along the way. Tonight, you’ll have the opportunity to try one of Sorrento's well-known exports – Limoncello! This a liqueur produced from locally-grown Femminello Santa Teresa lemons.

Day 3 Sorrento - Pompeii

Today, you have the option to visit the abandoned city of Pompeii, a Roman settlement that was frozen in time when Mount Vesuvius erupted. Well-preserved buildings, artwork and pottery offer a glimpse into the lives of the ancient Romans. There’s also an option to hire a private guide for the ruins, as the site could easily be explored over an entire day due to sheer size and content (the additional cost of a private guide will be split between the group). Another possible activity is a visit to the Mount Vesuvius National Park. Reach the volcano by taking a public bus and then a short walk, which requires a moderate level of fitness. Although it's not an overly strenuous walk, if you have any health issues you may want to run this past your doctor before leaving home. At 1200 m, it will be a lot colder than sea level, so you'll need to bring a jumper, rain coat, hat, sunscreen, good walking shoes and lots of water with you. The return trip should take approximately three hours.

Day 4 Amalfi

Set sail for the Amalfi Coast, a collection of rocky coastlines, tiered lemon groves and whitewashed villages clinging to steep cliffs, passing the Sirenusas (Gallos) archipelago to the east of the Sorrentine Peninsula on the way. Your sailing adventure comes to an end when you arrive, at around 10 am this morning. After a final breakfast together, you’re free to depart, although it's recommended that you stay a few additional nights in Amalfi for further exploration. **Got extra time? For a more encompassing sailing experience why not consider our 8 day Amalfi Sailing Adventure? For more information enter trip code ZSRAC**

Day 1 Arrive Naples

Tour Begins: 6:00 PM, Grand Hotel Vesuvio. A transfer is included upon arrival from Naples International Airport or Naples train station to the Grand Hotel Vesuvio, ideally located in Naple's pedestrian area of Santa Lucia, overlooking the enchanting Bay of Naples, the island of Capri and Mount Vesuvius.  Enjoy views of the sea during your three-night stay at this celebrated hotel, boasting a legacy of service and setting that made it a favorite for such famous guests as opera singer Enrico Caruso, who called it his "Neapolitan" home. Join us for a welcome reception and dinner.

MEALS : D

LODGING : Grand Hotel Vesuvio

PORTOFCALL : Naples, Italy

Day 2 Neapolitan Delights

Culturally rich with historic treasures that date back millennia to the days of the Greeks and Romans, Naples invites discovery at every turn. Begin the day with a guided visit to the Naples Archaeological Museum, whose exhibits include ancient mosaics found under the ashes of Mt. Vesuvius. Then a late-morning walking tour leads you through the "Spaccanapoli" – the narrow, "split" backstreets that cut Naples in two – where the character of the Old Town comes alive in alleyways lined with artisan workshops, cafés, squares, ancient churches, merchants' shops and balconied apartments where neighbors greet passersby. Stop for lunch at a local restaurant renowned for its pizza – a dish which is said to have been invented in Naples. The rest of the day is free to explore as you wish, with many restaurants conveniently located steps from your hotel, for dinner as you please.

MEALS : B, L

LODGING : Grand Hotel Vesuvio

PORTOFCALL : Naples, Italy

Day 3 The island of Ischia

Board a high-speed ferry bound for the island of Ischia across the Gulf of Naples today, where a locally guided sightseeing tour includes a visit to the medieval Aragonese Castle. Dating back to 474 BC, the castle sits atop a rocky island peninsula and reigns over the sea in a mix of ancient watchtowers, churches and monasteries steeped in romance and regal lore. Next, enjoy a lovely coastal drive en route to a farmhouse lunch at a local agriturismo near Forio. Continue on to the picturesque fishing village of Sant'Angelo for some free time to explore as you wish. From Forio, head back via high-speed ferry to Naples; spend the remainder of the day and evening just as you please in Napoli.

MEALS : B, L

LODGING : Grand Hotel Vesuvio

PORTOFCALL : Naples, Italy

Day 4 Herculaneum & A Ferry to Capri

Visit the ash-covered city of Herculaneum today, learning firsthand about this ancient Roman town that was frozen in time when nearby Mount Vesuvius erupted in 79 AD. A city of some 4,000+ inhabitants, well-preserved Herculaneum was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site for providing "an authentic picture of society and daily life at a specific moment in the past that is without parallel anywhere in the world." See multi-storied homes, complete with doors, staircases and furnishings, vivid frescoes and mosaics, as you explore the archaeological site with an expert guide. Drive back to Naples, viewing iconic piazzas and historic buildings representing the former Kingdom of Naples. Ride a high-speed ferry to the island of Capri. Private convertible cars will be waiting to chauffeur you to your historic villa hotel, your elegant home for the next two nights.

MEALS : B, L, D

LODGING : Grand Hotel Quisisana

PORTOFCALL : Capri, Italy

Day 5 Charms of Capri and Anacapri

A private convertible car will drive you like a VIP today up to Anacapri for a guided walking tour of the town, highlighting the local specialties of the island, from perfume to colorful ceramics and sandals. Visit Villa San Michele, built by Swedish doctor Axel Munthe at the turn of the 20th century atop the ruins of Roman Emperor Tiberius' ancient villa; the elegant villa itself, its beautiful gardens decorated with ancient artifacts, and its incredible views of Capri and its harbor are stunning – you'll also have an opportunity to enjoy them from the water on a cruise around the island. Spend the remainder of the day experiencing the charms of Capri at your leisure.

MEALS : B

LODGING : Grand Hotel Quisisana

PORTOFCALL : Capri, Italy

Day 6 Via Sorrento to the Amalfi Coast

Ferry back to the mainland today en route to a two-night stay in Amalfi. After lunch at a restaurant in Sorrento, drive along the incomparable Amalfi Coast to the 19th-century cliffside Hotel Santa Caterina, a member of the Leading Hotels of the World, built on a rock overlooking the Mediterranean Sea. Spend the afternoon and evening luxuriating in the setting and views of your hotel; with a private beach club, heated saltwater pool and two seaside restaurants, it is the perfect place to unwind and enjoy a true taste of la dolce vita.

MEALS : B, L

LODGING : Hotel Santa Caterina

PORTOFCALL : Amalfi, Italy, Sorrento, Italy

Day 7 Breathtaking Sights of Amalfi & Ravello

Prepare to be awed today with scenic beauty that takes your breath away as you explore the lemon-scented towns of the Amalfi Coast. Enjoy time to soak in Amalfi, a maritime powerhouse in the 11th century, and the Piazza Duomo, taking the opportunity to ascend the 62-step stairway to the cathedral if you're game. Drive along a narrow winding road, past olive and lemon trees, up to the glamorous 5th-century village of Ravello; founded as a sanctuary for barbarian invaders, today it is a haven of sophistication and style. Enjoy lunch at a local restaurant before strolling through the gardens at 13th-century Villa Rufolo, overlooking the sea, that inspired Richard Wagner's dream garden in his opera, Parsifal. Return to Amalfi for a relaxing late afternoon, followed by a farewell reception and dinner at your hotel.

MEALS : B, L, D

LODGING : Hotel Santa Caterina

PORTOFCALL : Amalfi, Italy

Day 8 Journey Home

Tour ends: Naples. Fly home anytime. A transfer is included from Hotel Santa Caterina in Amalfi to Naples International Airport or the Naples train station. Allow a minimum of three hours for flight check in at the airport.

MEALS : B

PORTOFCALL : Amalfi, Italy