Intrigued by the sights of Italy’s south? Take a day trip from Rome to Naples and Pompeii, and discover their sights as you listen to tales of Bourbon kings and ancient volcanic eruptions. Travel around Naples by coach to see Castel dell’Ovo, Piazza del Plebiscito and Naples Royal Palace. Then, enjoy lunch and finish with a tour of Pompeii’s UNESCO-listed archaeological ruins to see the monuments that lay buried for centuries.
HOTEL, B&B, OTHER
7:30 AM
Begin your Rome to Naples day trip with a pickup from your hotel. Or, simply meet your guide near Rome Termini station. Once aboard your coach, relax on the journey south to the Campania region and look out for sights such as the Abbey of Montecassino. The Benedictine monastery is a dramatic sight, perched on top of a hill in the rocky Castelli Romani area.
After three hours on the road, arrive in the Campania capital of Naples, and see its sights from the comfort of your coach. Take in views of the coast as you pass along the road from Mergellina Port to the fishing district of Santa Lucia. Then, stretch your legs with a photo stop by the medieval seaside fort of Castel dell’Ovo. Work your way into Naples’ historic center for a look at Piazza del Plebiscito and its fine collection of monuments.
Hear snippets of history about Naples Royal Palace (aka Palacio Real), the three Bourbon palaces and the Basilica of San Francesco di Paola — a church with attention-grabbing colonnades. Other Naples attractions seen include Castel Nuovo, Galleria Umberto I and Teatro di San Carlo.
Leave the city by luxury minivan and travel further south toward Mt Vesuvius. Pass towns such as Ercolano — home to the ancient site of Herculaneum — as well as Torre del Greco and Torre Annunziata. Stop in Pompeii for lunch at a local restaurant, and then visit Pompeii’s UNESCO-listed ruins on a 2-hour tour.
Hear how the city lay buried under a sea of volcanic ash from Mt Vesuvius as you admire the excavations of monuments such as the 5,000-seater Teatro Grande.
Finally, return to your coach and relax on your journey back to Rome. Your tour finishes with a drop-off in Rome.
