8 Day Amalfi Coast Fly & Drive 2013

DAY 2, Thursday - Arrive in Naples and Drive to Amalfi Coast
Arrive in Naples and pick up your vehicle at the airport. Drive to your hotel in the Amalfi region and enjoy the balance of the day at leisure.

Drive Time: 1.5 hours
Distance: 50 miles*
Overnight: Amalfi Coast

DAY 3, Friday - Drive to Pompeii and Herculaneum
Spend a full day at leisure in Amalfi or drive to Pompeii to visit the ruins of this extraordinarily well preserved Roman city. The excavated town offers a glimpse of everyday Roman life in the 1st century before an eruption of Mount Vesuvius buried Pompeii in 79 AD. Stroll the ancient streets and see Roman baths, the Temples of Apollo and Jupiter, and the Forum. Compliment the tour by visiting Herculaneum (Ercolano), a town destroyed along with Pompeii during Mt. Vesuvius' eruption. Primarily a residential town, Herculaneum was filled with villas of wealthy Romans, which can be seen in their preserved state. (B)

Drive Time: 2 hours
Distance: 55 miles*
Overnight: Amalfi Coast

DAY 4, Saturday - Drive to Ravello and Positano
Spend a full day at leisure in Amalfi or drive to Positano and Ravello. Drive along the Amalfi coast to view the dramatic coastline, long described as the most stunning in the world. Travel to Ravello, a scenic mountainside town with superior views of the seascape. While here, visit the Duomo, with its ornate 13th-century pulpit, and the Villa Rufulo, where composer Richard Wagner gained inspiration for his opera Parsifal. Continue to Positano and admire the distinctive pink and white Moorish villas dotting the hillside. This charming port town was made famous by John Steinbeck, as well as Hollywood films including "Only You" and "Under the Tuscan Sun." This picturesque coastal town is also home to a beautiful church, the Santa Maria Assunta, featuring a dome made of majolica tiles. This evening, return to your hotel. (B)

Drive Time: 2 hours
Distance: 50 miles*
Overnight: Amalfi Coast

DAY 5, Sunday - Drive to Caserta
Spend a full day at leisure on the Amalfi coast or drive to the village of Caserta. This town is most famous for the Palace of Caserta, built for the 18th-century King Charles of Bourbon. Modeled after the Palace of Versailles in France, it is an extravagant and elegant example of Italian Baroque style. Stroll through the extensive grounds and gardens to admire the fountains and waterworks, such as the Fountain of Diana and Actaeon, with sculptures by Brunelli. (B)

Drive Time: 2.5 hours
Distance: 95 miles*
Overnight: Amalfi Coast

DAY 6, Monday - Visit Capri via Sorrento
Spend a full day at leisure or travel to Capri on your own. Take a ferry from either Sorrento or Naples and sail across the Bay of Naples to reach Capri, known as "the Blue Island." Explore Marina Grande, where a variety of colorful houses overlook a harbor full of fishing vessels. Also not to be missed during your visit to Capri is the Blue Grotto, a cave illuminated by blue light, accessible only by boat (weather permitting). It is also possible to take a boat ride around the island to view the delightful landscape and peaceful grottos. Visit the famous gardens of Caesar Augustus and the sharply winding Via Krupp. If you have time on the return from Capri to Sorrento, visit an inlaid wood shop for an example of the typical finely-crafted products of the city. Wander the streets of the old city center, viewing the ancient churches and monasteries, most notably the 14th-century Cloister of San Francesco with Moorish architectural influences. (B)

Drive Time: 2 hours from Minori
Distance: 85 miles*
Overnight: Amalfi Coast

DAY 7, Tuesday - Drive to Naples en route to Ischia
Spend a full day at leisure on the Amalfi coast or travel to Ischia. First, drive to Naples, then board the ferry to Ischia, the largest island in the Bay of Naples. This breathtaking volcanic island is renowned throughout Europe for its thermal baths and volcanic mud. The formidable Castello Aragonese, a former fortress situated on a rock near the island, is accessible from the town of Ischia Ponte. Visit the town of Casamicciola and hike to the top of Monte Epomeo, an ancient volcano. The town of Forio is also worth a visit to see "La Mortella" Gardens, home to over 500 rare plant species. (B)

Drive Time: 3 hours
Distance: 110 miles*
Overnight: Amalfi Coast

DAY 8, Wednesday - Depart for the USA
Drive to Naples airport and return your vehicle prior to your departure flight. (B)

Drive Time: 1.5 hours
Distance: 50 miles*

*Please note that this is a suggested itinerary. Driving times and distances are estimated and can vary due to many circumstances, such as, specific route taken, hotel location, traffic, weather, road conditions, etc. GPS devices are recommended and can be rented locally.