Cultural family holidays to the Amalfi Coast
Discover the Greek and Roman wonders of Campania as a family.
The Campania region of Italy is best known for its dramatic coastal scenery with jagged cliffs that plunge into a deep blue sea, tempered by the luxuriant vegetation that thrives in this climate: lemons, oranges, olives, almonds, vines, camellias and bougainvillaea. The region is also rich in history, and allows visitors to discover the legacy of the Greeks and the Romans.
This family holiday allows parents and children to experience the magnificence of ancient Greek and Roman cultures with visits to Paestum, Pompeii and Herculaneum. Other optional visits include Villa Jovis on Capri, built by the Emperior Tiberius Giardini di Augustus, Villa Oplontis near Pompeii and the Archaeological museum in Naples.
This holiday is ideal for families with children studying or interested in Ancient history and Classics and is suitable for children of all ages.
Day by day itinerary
Day one
Travel to Italy. There is an afternoon flight with BA from Gatwick to Naples 15.00-18.40 (or a very early one about 6am) as well as flights with Easyjet or other airlines from regional airports on certain days of the week only. You have a private car transfer waiting to take you to the Hotel Poseidon in Positano (about 90 minutes). Check in to your chosen room type for 7 nights, with bed and breakfast included.
Days two to seven inclusive
Time to enjoy the charming seaside town of Positano with its beach, boutiques and restaurants and to admire the stunning scenery of the low-roofed bougainvillaea-clad houses hugging the cliff-sides. The Hotel Poseidon is a family-run 4 star hotel of about 50 rooms with a panoramic sun terrace, swimming pool, cosy lounge and restaurant where service is outside on the terrace in fine weather. Nearby in Positano is a tennis court.
During your stay we will include a full day visiting Pompeii and Herculaneum with a private guide for 2 hours in each place as well as a day trip to Amalfi and Paestum (originally the Greek city of Poseidonia) with its outstanding Doric temples (entrances included but without a private guide). Optional visits can be arranged by us to Naples where you can visit the Archaeological Museum, which has some of the best Greek and Roman artefacts in the world. We can also arrange a visit to Capri where you will need to be fit for the 2 km walk uphill to Villa Jovis, built by Tiberius as a summer residence.
For the rest of the week, there is ample time to soak up the atmosphere of the Amalfi coast, enjoying local cuisine based around tomatoes, dried pasta, seafood, lemons, figs and other fruit. Lemons grow in abundance and the local ceramics are colourful and fascinating. Artists and photographers in the family will find a wealth of material, so make sure pencils, crayons, paints and cameras come with you.
Day eight
British Airways generally has two flights back from Naples: a morning one at about 11 and an evening one either about 19.30 or 21.00 hrs. We include a private car transfer to return you to the airport in good time for your flight back.
Prices
From about £6,950 for a family of 2 adults and 2 children (any age) including:
British Airways flights Gatwick to Naples.
Private car transfer Naples to the hotel and back.
7 nights’ bed and breakfast in two classic double/twin rooms on first floor with terrace and village/garden/side sea view. Other room types are available.
Full day’s excursion by car with driver to Pompeii and Herculaneum, with entrance fees included and a private guide for 2 hours in each place.
Full day’s excursion by car with driver to Amalfi and Paestum with entrance fees included (no guide included but can be provided at extra charge).
Alternative hotels:
Other hotels are possible and if you want to visit Naples by train, then this can be done from Sorrento, so we would recommend the Grand Hotel Cocumella (5 star) or the Antiche Mura (4 star).