In the Shadow of Vesuvius: the UNESCO World Heritage sites of Campania

SMALL GROUP NAPLES

In the Shadow of Vesuvius: the UNESCO World Heritage sites of Campania

Tour Code TUR-01421

Duration 9 days

Group Type Small Group

Departs From Naples

Meeting Point Naples airport

Customize This Journey View Full Itinerary

Overview

Campania is home to some of the world's most amazing UNESCO World Heritage sites from the unique archeological park of Pompeii, to the breath-taking natural beauty of the Amalfi Coast.

Over 9 days we will visit 7 of these incredible sites and learn about the history of Campania from the arrival of the Greek settlers in the 8th century BC in Paestum and Naples, the Roman Empire that governed every day life in Pompeii and Herculaneum and the royal palaces and monumental churches built by the Kings of Naples, to the natural beauty of the Amalfi Coast.

These sites, and more, will be explored with local guides, bringing to life the peoples who have inhabited the area over the last 3 millennia, as well as introducing you to the food, wine and culture of Campania today.

Itinerary

Where We Visit: Naples | Meeting Location: Naples airport

When you arrive at Naples airport, a driver will be waiting to meet you and to take you to your hotel on the sea front. You will have the rest of the day to relax and recharge after your journey.

Overnight in Naples.

Where We Visit: Pompeii

Breakfast at the farm.

Life in this coastal trading town came to an abrupt end on August 24, AD79 with the eruption of Vesuvius that still dominates the skyline, leaving the people of Pompeii and the surrounding areas forever frozen in time.

For centuries Pompeii, one of the world’s most famous archeological sites, lay under 6m of the volcanic ash and pumice stone that covered it that night until excavations began in the…century. Today you will experience a snapshot of a single moment in time, unlike any other archeological site on earth. Your guide will take you through the streets of shops and houses, to the bath houses and theaters, explaining what historians have learnt about what daily life here was like.

Following the tour you will be free to explore the site by yourselves and enjoy a picnic lunch.
In the afternoon, visit the wonderful, but frequently over-looked, Villa Pompea. Lying between Pompeii and Herculaneum, this grandiose villa once belonged to members of the imperial family and gives us a unique opportunity to study the Pompeian painting styles in-situ. The brightly-colored frescoes include examples of the I, II, III and IV styles of painting and despite the damage they have suffered, they remain extraordinary examples of Roman painting.

Dinner this evening will be a selection of local produce and wine tasting on a vineyard at the foot of Mount Vesuvius.

Where We Visit: Heraculaneum

Today's tour will take us to the other open-air monument to the AD79 eruption. Herculaneum isn't nearly as famous as it's larger neighbour, though there is much for us to learn here.

On that August night, two millennia ago, Pompeii was hit by volcanic rock, destroying much of the upper levels of the buildings while Herculaneum on the other side of Vesuvius, was covered by volcanic mud which didn’t cause the same damage. Although the site is smaller (much of it remains buried far below the modern town) and the town did not have the same prominence as Pompeii, it is an interesting opportunity to see two-storey houses, carbonised-wooden beams, columns painted in the famous Pompeian red, as well as the emotional sight of skeletons huddled together down at the port, where citizens fled in the hope of escaping.

In the afternoon, venture up the volcano that even today dominates the landscape and life around the Bay of Naples. Our driver will take us almost to the top, with just a 25 minute walk at the end to reach the crater. Here you can stop and enjoy the view or take the optional tour into the crater with a specially-trained guide.

In the evening....

Where We Visit: Naples

Today we will be going back to Naples to look at how the city developed from 1282 to 1816, in the period unofficially known as the 'Kingdom of Naples'.

Our journey will take us to a number of residences used by successive royals, from the fortified castles of Sant'Elmo and Castel Nuovo to the palaces of Capodimonte and Palazzo Reale, in the monumental Piazza dei Plebiscito. We will visit the Theater of San Carlo, the city's opera house which is connected to the Royal Palace. Opened in 1737, it is the oldest opera houses in the world and a model for those built later in cities around Europe.

Through the ages, royal patronage built many of the city's churches. Mary of Hungary, wife of Charles II of Anjou, began a tradition of royal female patronage in the city when she sponsored the construction of Santa Maria Donna Regina Vecchia for the nuns of the Poor Clares. Robert of Anjou and his wife Sancha of Majorca, built the monumental Santa Chiara with a double cloister to house both the Poor Clares and the Franciscan friaras. The church was to be the largest in the kingdom and a symbol of royal power. Today, despite having been heavily damaged by Allied bombs during WWII, the complex is a favour with visitors to the city for its unique cloister which is decorated with brightly-painted tiles in the Rococò style.

Caserta, Vanvitelli Aqueduct and Complex of S.Leucio

Where We Visit: Caserta

The royal residence at Caserta is the world’s largest royal residence, designed to house not just the royal family, but their entire court. At the request of Charles VII of Naples, the palace was designed by architect Luigi Vanvitelli who took his inspiration from Versailles, as did his son, Carlo, in his design for the stunning gardens that extend from the palace as far as the eye can see to the distant waterfall. The enormous palace includes 1200 rooms over 5 floors, a library and even its own theater. In more recent times, the palace was the Headquarters of the Allied Forces at the end of WWII, here the unconditional surrender of German troops was signed and the first war crimes trials took place.

Charles VII was said to be an enlightened leader, concerned with the needs of the people and the most popular of Naples' rulers. In the grounds of the palace is the San Leucio complex, silk works employing the most advanced technology in Europe at the time, disguised as a pavilion. A village was built for the workers who enjoyed privileged status and a social security system unheard of elsewhere at the time.

After touring the palace, you can decide whether to walk through the gardens to visit the so-called ‘English Garden’ and waterfall, or lie back and relax in the shade of a tree.

Inclusions & Exclusions

What's Included

All entrance fees to sites and museums
All hotel taxes and service charges
All transfers
Daily Buffet Breakfast
Detailed explanation of sites
English speaking professional tour guide
Excellent Photo Opportunities
Free Time For Lunch
Friendly and Professional Service
Fuel
Full day excursion to Pompeii
Lunch at famous Pizzeria in Naples
Meals as indicated in the itinerary
Private tour of the Amalfi Coast
Road Tolls
Service charges and taxes included
VIP tickets to Pompeii
Wine Estate Visit
Wine Tastings

What's Not Included

Pricing & Availability

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