Compare Rome to Amalfi by Intrepid Travel vs Aeolian Island Adventure by Caspin

Day 1 Rome

Buongiorno! Welcome to Italy. Crowded with ancient ruins and religious monuments, Rome still pulses to the beat of modern life and is packed with designer shops, restaurants, cafes and exciting nightlife. There are no activities planned until your welcome meeting at 6 pm tonight, so you can arrive any time before then. There are so many things to do in Rome – the Colosseum, the Forum, Piazza Navona, the Spanish Steps, Via Condotti, Piazza Venezia, the Vatican City and St Peter's Basilica – so arriving early is recommended. Don’t forget to do as the Romans do and sip an espresso at one of the tiny streetside cafes or sample the many flavours of gelato that colour the city (Trastevere is a great spot for dining). For those captivated by the 'Eternal City', throw a coin into the Trevi Fountain to ensure a return visit to Rome.

Day 2 Naples / Pompeii

Travel by train to Naples, a raucous city that overflows with passion, tradition and gastronomy. Naples was carved out by many empires of the past and by merchants and pirates from across the world: Romans, Phoenicians, Carthaginians, Venetians, Spaniards, Normans and Africans. Its evocative, historical old centre is a World Heritage-listed area and the famous Spanish Quarter is still one of the most densely populated residential areas in Europe. Take an orientation walk with your leader through the city center and the Spanish Quarter. Finish your walk with a visit to the statue of the Veiled Christ. This treasured piece of art was carved over 300 years ago. Its sheer beauty and serenity will surely leave you in awe. Naples is the birthplace of pizza, so why not head to one of the many pizzerias and taste what's truly some of the best in Italy. Later in the afternoon, board a train to the time capsule of Pompeii, in the shadow of Mt Vesuvius. Your accommodation is perfectly located right near the entrance to the archaeological excavation site.

Day 3 Pompeii

The small picturesque town of modern Pompeii has a wonderful Old Town square – the perfect place to while away some time with the locals, drinking true Italian coffee and watching the world go by. Most of today will be spent exploring the ruins of ancient Pompeii on a guided tour. Until 26 August, 79 AD, Pompeii was a thriving Roman trading centre, where ordinary people went about their everyday business, but it was frozen in time when Mount Vesuvius erupted, killing 2000 people and their homes under a layer of ash. The city was never rebuilt and largely disappeared from people’s minds until the 18th century when the ruins were re-discovered. Now, you can take an unparalleled look back into the lives of ancient Romans and discover how they lived, worked and interacted 2000 years ago. The finely preserved ruins include villas, temples, theatres and bustling markets. You can also visit the Roman Forum and Basilica, temples, public baths and the tiny Odeon created for music recitals. The rest of the day is free, but if the ruins piqued your interest, head to nearby Herculaneum, which also holds a wealth of fossilised archaeological finds.

Day 4 Mt Vesuvius / Sorrento

This morning a private transfer will take you up the mighty Mt Vesuvius, where you’ll meet a local volcanology guide. Ascend to the summit of Mt Vesuvius for staggering 360 degree views over the Bay of Naples and into the steaming crater. Although Mt Vesuvius is still considered to be an active volcano, the last eruption was in 1944 and there's no sign of lava. See firsthand the awesome power of the volcano that engulfed the cities of Pompeii and Herculaneum in 79AD. In the afternoon, travel by private vehicle to the picturesque resort town of Sorrento. People have been coming to the peninsula and islands of the Sorrento region for at least 2000 years, and set invitingly atop dramatic cliffs over sparkling, blue waters, it's easy to see why. There are many options in this small seaside town with its fine piazzas, maze of old streets, sidewalk cafes and glamorous shops. The area is also famous for its lemon groves, producing the famous limoncello liqueur. In the evening, head out to try some of the best limoncello on offer in Sorrento.

Day 5 Sorrento

You have a free day to explore this delightful area and the museums, galleries and piazzas of Sorrento. Perhaps stroll along the marina or cool off in the waters of the local small beaches. They’re not big on sandy beaches here, so swimming Sorrento-style is via wooden or stone bathing platforms beneath the cliffs. Taking a trip to Capri is also a great option, with a hydrofoil taking you across to the island once home to the magnificent holiday palaces of the Roman emperors. Natural grottoes pierce Capri’s dramatic rocky coastline, while in the interior, narrow roads wind through fragrant citrus groves, past villages of flat-roofed white cubist-looking houses with flower-filled gardens, and manicured towns that offer swanky hotels and chic cafes. Here, you can take a boat trip to the fairy-tale Blue Grotto (La Grotta Azzurra), where the water shines with an extraordinary blue translucence, a result of the refraction of the sunlight outside. Your leader will be of assistance and have plenty of suggestions for what to do and see today. End the day in a very Italian way with a demonstration of Gelato making.

Day 6 Amalfi Coast

Arrive on the Amalfi Coast after a short journey by private vehicle. The Amalfi peninsula is a land of rocky coasts, cliff-top vistas, azure seas, tiered lemon groves, whitewashed villages clinging to steep cliffs and bright blue skies. If you're after a relaxing walk with a few cultural highlights, stroll from one side of Amalfi town to the other and visit the Cattedrale di Sant'Andrea and the Chiostro del Paradiso. If you’re after something more active, maybe embark on a walk through the Valley of Mills where for centuries paper mills were in operation. Alternatively, catch a bus up the Valley of Dragons to reach pretty Ravello. The French novelist Andre Gide once described this town as being ‘closer to the sky than the seashore’. For centuries, its lofty position and sunny, dry climate have made it an appealing place for writers, artists, musicians and travellers. Ravello also boasts two magnificent villas – the superb 11th Century Villa Rufolo, which was once the home of Wagner, and Villa Cimbrone, a sumptuous 19th Century mansion with fabulous gardens and unequalled views over the Gulf of Salerno. Tonight, you'll stay in Minor Town, just a 15-minute bus ride away from Amalfi Town. Just as picturesque as the tourist hotspots, this charming small town boasts more privacy and views just as good.

Day 7 Positano / Amalfi Coast

This morning, take the short bus ride to Amalfi Town. Your leader will take you for a half-day hike along the narrow trail of the famous Sentiero Degli Dei (the Walk of the Gods), which, until quite recently, was followed by mules and donkeys as they traversed the dramatic landscape. This path winds its way through unique scenery and boasts unrivalled views along the coast. Walk through forests and fields of wildflowers, olive groves and vineyards, past ancient stone huts and beside sheer walls of granite. Glimpse local farmers tending their crops by hoe and elbow grease, herds of goats feeding beside the trail beside their shepherds, and teams of workmen commuting by mule. The trail ends in picturesque Positano, where there will be ample time to explore and maybe take a dip in the sea. Return to Minori by ferry and bus. With tonight your last night as a group, it’s a good idea to gather your fellow travellers and head out for a feast to celebrate the end of this Italian adventure.

Day 8 Amalfi Coast

There are no activities planned for the final day and you are able to depart the accommodation at any time. As there is so much to do along the Amalfi Coast, you may want to consider extending your stay here. If you need to organise additional accommodation, just speak to your booking agent ahead of time.

DAY 1 : Catania airport – Panarea

Meet at 11.00 am, drive from the airport to Milazzo and catch a hydrofoil to Panarea, the smallest and arguably most charming of the Aeolian Islands. Settle at the hotel, stroll along the narrow streets and absorb the island’s soothing atmosphere at sunset over a glass of wine.

DAY 2 : Panarea & Stromboli by Night

Enjoy a scenic circular walk around the island and onto the ancient crater to a Bronze Age village. Afternoon take a boat excursion to the active volcano island of Stromboli returning at sunset past the eruptive firework spectacle called the ‘Sciara del Fuoco’. (4hr walk; boat excursion)

DAY 3 : Salina

Salina lies at the heart of the Aeolian archipelago and is notable for its twin volcanic peaks. Walk among Malvasia vineyards, ferns, juniper and heather. ‘Il Postino’ was filmed on this island. Return to Panarea in the afternoon to swim in the sea or relax at the hotel. (3hr walk)

DAY 4 : Lipari & Vulcano

An excursion to Vulcano is an unforgettable experience, go around the rim and looking into the smoldering sulfurous crater (1280ft). In the afternoon enjoy the town of Lipari, stroll round the characteristic fishing harbor or visit the archaeological museum up on the old Greek acropolis where you can also see excavations of prehistoric settlements. (4hrs)

DAY 5 : Departure from Catania Airport

Travel by hydrofoil back to mainland Sicily. Transfer by bus to Catania airport for afternoon flights.