6-Day Pompeii, the Amalfi Coast & Irresistible Italy Small-Group Tour from Rome

Show all photos
6 days (approximately)
Offered in: English

Some are enamoured with elevated scenic views, whilst others say nothing compares to an Aperol Spritz served by an ocean of azure blues.

It’s the age-old travel question: Do you prefer mountains or beaches?

Well, on this trip, you don’t have to answer, because you get the best of both.

You listen to folk tales within the wooded slopes of the Majella National Park, visit villages that cuddle the rocky sides of the Lucanian Dolomites, and walk atop the ridges of the volcano of Vesuvius.

At the same time, you see the gentle, lapping waves of Torre Lapillo’s lesser-known beaches; experience the glitz and glamour of the famous Amalfi Coast; and taste every type of seafood you can in the fishing villages of the Adriatic Sea.

What’s more is that we’ve even managed to mix in Pompeii, Montecassino Abbey, and a few historical wonders into this irresistible itinerary.

Take this tour through the best of South Italy and let both their mountains and beaches take your breath away.

What's Included

Entrance to Pompeii Archaeological Site
Entrance to Vesuvio Volcano Crater
5-nights in a 3/4 star hotel with continental breakfast (tourist tax included)
Ferry ticket for Positano to Amalfi and Amalfi to Salerno
Small-group tour (maximum 16 passengers)
Transport in a luxury mini-coach with a local driver
Entrance to Montecassino Abbey
Admission fees to attractions, unless specified
Meals and refreshments
Gratuities

Meeting and pickup

Meeting point

Check-in closes at 08:15 (tour departs at 08:30) - Rome Pick Up Building 2, Sheraton Rome Parco de' Medici, Viale Salvatore Rebecchini, Rome, 00148

End point
This activity ends back at the meeting point.

Itinerary

Duration: 6 days (approximately)
    Day 1

    Rome - Montecassino - San Pietro Infine - Ariano Irpino

    2 stops
  • 1
    Abbazia Di Montecassino

    You leave the hustle and bustle of Rome and head south towards peaceful Cassino. Sitting atop of the mountain, the Montecassino Abbey is a sight to behold. A working monastery and a pilgrimage site, this place was a centre of art, culture, and learning. It was also the scene for a decisive battle near the end of World War II. You have your entrance ticket included and get time to stroll through the cloisters of the monastery and contemplate the turbulent history of war.

    1 hour 30 minutes • Admission ticket included
  • 2

    Then, you visit the overgrown ruins of San Pietro Infine, before you travel past hilltop villages and mountains to Benevento. Built on a hill with a stunning background of mountains, this timeworn city has a special aura. It’s filled with memories of the ancient Samnites, Romans, and Longobards. Legends also say witches gather from all over the world by an ancient walnut tree by the local river.

    1 hour • Admission ticket free
    • Day 2

    Ariano Irpino - Trani - Polignano a Mare - Alberobello - Lecce

    3 stops
  • 3

    You wake up in the stunning region of Campania and head south to Trani. Known as the ‘Pearl of Apulia’, this historic stone-built port and fishing village exudes sophistication. Walk along the promenade in the marina or stroll through the historic centre and admire the medieval churches, cathedral, and historic Jewish quarter.

    1 hour • Admission ticket free
  • 4
    Polignano a Mare

    You travel to Polignano a Mare, a small, idyllic seaside town perched on the edge of cliffs. Enjoy your lunch surrounded by sun-bleached stone buildings and enjoy the Adriatic breeze. You should also try to catch sight of the brave cliff divers disappearing into a small inlet of water.

    1 hour • Admission ticket free
  • 5

    Just when you thought your day couldn’t get any better, your adventure takes you to Alberobello. With over 1,500 small and rounded white houses, this town looks like it was inhabited by gnomes. These beehive-shaped buildings are called trulli and are so unique to Apulia that they were awarded UNESCO World Heritage status. Take your time to meander around the narrow streets and marvel at the impossibly photogenic nooks.

    1 hour • Admission ticket free
    • Day 3

    Lecce - Otranto - Santa Maria di Leuca

    3 stops
  • 6

    Buongiorno! Wake up and start the day with some pasticciotto, the gorgeous breakfast pastry. Enjoy your free time in the morning by strolling through Lecce’s old town and admiring its unique architecture. The city’s Baroque style is so unique it got the name of its own, ‘Lecce Baroque’.

    3 hours • Admission ticket free
  • 7

    Next, contrast the splendour of Lecce with the laid-back seaside towns of the Salento Peninsula. You leave at noon and travel through the ochre-coloured fields and olive groves to Otranto. Enjoy your time here strolling around the fortifications or harbourside promenade and try some local dishes.

    2 hours 30 minutes • Admission ticket free
  • 8

    You continue your adventure to the “beautiful city” – that’s what Gallipoli means. And you won’t be disappointed by this gorgeous beachside town. Take a stroll around the old town, with crystal blue water surrounding you on all sides. Cast your eyes for the last time at the magnificent vistas of the coast before journeying inland to Lecce for the evening.

    1 hour • Admission ticket free
    • Day 4

    Lecce - Matera - Castelmezzano

    2 stops
  • 9
    Matera

    You leave Lecce and head to the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Matera. This city is so perfectly adapted to the terrain that it blends in with its rocky surroundings on a cliff edge. It’s a higgledy-piggledy jumble of sassi, the ancient cave dwellings, houses and churches. Spend your time uncovering the rich history of this place and visit ancient churches with paintings on stone cave walls. You can also check out what the 18th-century dwellings were like and stumble upon locations used in Mel Gibson’s Passion of the Christ.

    2 hours 30 minutes • Admission ticket free
  • 10

    Your adventure takes you off the beaten track again as you journey into the heart of the Lucanian Dolomites and the village of Castelmezzano. One of the highest villages in the Basilicata region, it’s located on a narrow ledge that drops away into a dramatic gorge. But Castelmezzano wasn’t built here just for the stunning vistas. Find out about its rich history as you explore the village or go for a hike to see the ruins of the castle which gave the village its name.

    2 hours • Admission ticket free
    • Day 5

    Salerno - Sorrento - Positano

    2 stops
  • 11
    Sorrento

    Today is all about the glamourous Amalfi Coast. Pastel-coloured houses and villas, chic boutiques, gourmet restaurants; this is La Dolce Vita at its finest. You start the day by exploring the gateway to the Amalfi Coast, Sorrento. This town of lemons and plunging cliffs allured literary geniuses from Byron and Goethe to Dickens and Tolstoy. Wander through the sun-drenched piazzas and savour a glass of cold limoncello before you continue your day.

    2 hours • Admission ticket free
  • 12
    Positano

    The next stop is Positano which looks like a colourful multi-tiered cake clinging to a sea-cliff. Find a restaurant to enjoy your lunch and drink in the magnificent views of the Tyrrhenian Sea. Then, peruse the local boutiques and take photos as you meander through the streets. Alternatively, walk down the steps to the beach for a swim and some sun.

    2 hours • Admission ticket free
    • Day 6

    Salerno - Vesuvius - Pompeii - Rome

    2 stops
  • 13
    Vesuvius National Park

    In the morning, you travel north to face Mount Vesuvius. In ancient times, this mountain was considered to be divine and had connections to Jupiter – god of sky and lightning. Legends say that the giants used to inhabit the volcano, which explained the loud noises and rumbling.

    2 hours • Admission ticket included
  • 14
    Pompeii Archaeological Park

    After the exciting start of the day, you go to Pompeii, which fell victim to the eruption of Vesuvius. There was no time to flee, so people and buildings were buried and preserved in volcanic ash. Get a glimpse of the world of the Ancient Romans as you take your time to explore this archaeological site. Then you leave the past behind and take a road that leads to Rome. Enjoy your leisurely ramble north through Campania and Lazio before you arrive in the Eternal City early in the evening.

    3 hours • Admission ticket included

Additional info

  • Public transportation options are available nearby
  • Suitable for all physical fitness levels
  • Please note that this tour starts in Rome and finishes in Rome
  • Please specify your room preference (e.g double or twin room) at the time of booking, under Special Requirements.
  • You stay one night in Ariano Irpino, two nights in Lecce, and two nights in Salerno.
  • Tour timings are for reference only and may change for operational reasons.
Supplied by Rabbie's Small Group Tours Ireland

Show 2 more

Tags

Multi-day Tours
Bus Tours
Cultural Tours
Historical Tours
Likely to Sell Out
Zombie

Cancellation Policy

All sales are final. No refund is available for cancellations.

Show more

Likely to sell out
from per person
Was {{currencySymbol}}{{ summaryFromPriceBeforeDiscount }}
Check availability