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Italy

Beyond the View: The Amalfi Coast and Sorrento

Program No. 18213RJ
Explore the ruins of Pompeii, enjoy a cooking class in Sorrento, see the gardens that inspired Wagner’s "Parsifal" and revel in the sites as you take a deeper look at the Amalfi Coast.
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  • A scenic overlook in Ravello, Italy, with pink flowers and a pine tree framing the picturesque view of the stunning Amalfi Coast and sea.
  • A visitor views ancient painted tomb frescoes, including the Tomb of the Diver, on display in a museum in Paestum, Italy.
  • A tour group walks along a stone path through the ancient ruins of Pompeii, Italy, under a bright blue sky.
Small GroupMost Popular
Length
13 days
Rating (5)
Activity Level
Starts at
5,699
Flights start at
950
Itinerary
While we make every effort to ensure the accuracy of our published materials, programs are typically advertised more than a year prior to their start date. Read More.
While we make every effort to ensure the accuracy of our published materials, programs are typically advertised more than a year prior to their start date. As a result, some program activities, schedules, accommodations, personnel, and other logistics occasionally change due to local conditions or circumstances. Should a major change occur, we will make every effort to alert you. For less significant changes, we will update you during orientation. Thank you for your understanding.
Duration
13 days
12 nights
What's Included
26 meals ( 11B, 7L, 8D )
4 expert-led lectures
15 expert-led field trips
1 hands-on experience
1 performance
An experienced Group Leader
11 nights of accommodations
Taxes and customary gratuity
Road Scholar Assurance Plan
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Activity Note
Hotel check in from 2:00 p.m. Walking about 1 mile throughout the day; stone steps, inclined path, steps with and without handrails.
Afternoon:
After checking in to the hotel and getting your room, refresh and relax before our first group activity. We will meet in the hotel lobby at 4:30 p.m. to embark on a short introductory walk of Sorrento with a local expert. This walk will familiarize us with our program hotel's surrounding area, including key locations such as banks, pharmacies, and grocery stores. As we explore, we will also delve into the rich art and traditions of Sorrento, learning about the town's vibrant history and its influence on local art and culture. We'll then return to the hotel for a "Welcome to Sorrento" reception, where you will meet our Group Leader and fellow Road Scholars.
Dinner:
At the hotel restaurant.
Evening:
At leisure. Continue getting to know your fellow Road Scholars, settle in, and get a good night’s rest for the full day ahead.
Activity Note
Walking about 1 mile throughout the day; stone steps, inclined path, steps with and without handrails.
Breakfast:
At the hotel. Breakfasts will be buffets. Other included meals will be plated and served from a set menu unless indicated otherwise; water is included, other beverages will be available for purchase.
Morning:
Following breakfast, we gather in the meeting room for an Orientation session. The Group Leader will greet everyone and lead introductions. We will review the up-to-date program schedule, discuss roles and responsibilities, logistics, safety guidelines, emergency procedures, and answer questions. Periods in the schedule designated as "Free time" and "At leisure" offer opportunities to do what you like and make your experience even more meaningful and memorable according to your personal preferences. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions. Program activities, schedules, personnel, and indicated distances or times might change due to local circumstances/conditions. We will alert you as quickly as possible in the event of changes. Thank you for being so understanding. After Orientation, we set out with a local expert to explore Sorrento's history and culture on foot. The walk highlights the town's architecture, landscapes, and role as a historic port. We begin at the Vallone dei Mulini, viewing the ravine and the ruins of the old mills from above. We continue to the Crypt of the Basilica di Sant'Antonino, home to the relics of Sorrento's patron saint and an example of early Christian architecture. Next, we visit the Chiostro di San Francesco, a 14th-century cloister with calm gardens and notable details. We finish at the Marina Grande overlook, taking in expansive views of the harbor as fishing boats move below.
Lunch:
At the hotel restaurant.
Afternoon:
Before we head to Pompeii, Herculaneum, and Paestum, we'll meet in the hotel's meeting room for a session with a local expert who will walk us through the basics of Classical Greek and Roman art and architecture—what to look for, how sites were built, and why they mattered.
Dinner:
At a local restaurant.
Evening:
At leisure. Evenings at leisure offer opportunities to make the program more meaningful and memorable through personal independent exploration, attending performances or other events, or simply relaxing and making new friends among fellow participants. The Group Leader will always be happy to offer suggestions.
Activity Note
Getting on/off a bus; driving about 16 miles, approximately 1.5 hours total riding time. Walking up to 4 miles, approximately 4 hours; uneven cobblestone and dirt paths, steps, inclines, slippery when wet. Except at the entrance/exit, there are no benches or other places to sit in the archaeological park. The extent of walking and other activities during free time is according to personal preference.
Breakfast:
At the hotel.
Morning:
We board our bus outside the hotel and travel to Pompeii for an expert-led visit of the ancient city buried by the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 79 CE. Once a thriving port, Pompeii lay hidden for centuries until its rediscovery and ongoing excavations revealed an extensive site—over 170 acres, with much already uncovered. On site, we walk the stone streets to see daily life preserved in homes, shops, baths, and public spaces. Highlights include the amphitheater and Via dell'Abbondanza, the main thoroughfare lined with bars and workshops, where we can spot 1st century CE political graffiti. The field trip lasts about four hours. Please be aware that due to the large number of visitors, it may be challenging to have an unobstructed view of the most renowned works.
Lunch:
At a local restaurant.
Afternoon:
After the field trip, we'll reboard our bus and return to the hotel. Free time. Take this opportunity for independent personal exploration to see and do what interests you most. You can also consult your suggested Free Time activities list in your program materials. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions.
Dinner:
This meal has been excluded from the program cost. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions and give directions. You can also consult your list of suggested restaurants in your program materials.
Evening:
At leisure.
Activity Note
The extent of walking and other activities during free time is according to personal preference.
Breakfast:
At the hotel.
Morning:
Free time. Take this opportunity for independent personal exploration to see and do what interests you most. You can also consult your suggested Free Time activities list in your program materials. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions.
Lunch:
On your own to enjoy what you like.
Afternoon:
We meet in the hotel meeting room for a session on Italy today with a local expert. We look at regional differences, the role of national institutions, and how recent economic and social changes affect daily life. After a coffee break, our Instructor leads a clear overview of Italian politics and history—from unification in the 1860s through fascism and World War II to postwar governments and recent coalitions. We trace major turning points, key figures, and the structures that shape politics now.
Dinner:
On your own to enjoy what you like.
Evening:
We will meet at the appointed time in the hotel and walk to the Cathedral for a classical music concert by local musicians. Once the concert concludes, we will leisurely return to the hotel on foot.
Activity Note
Getting on/off a bus; driving about 55 miles, approximately 2.5 hours total riding time. Walking about 2 miles; generally even terrain, flat stone, and cobblestone; extended standing at the museum; several flights of marble stairs; few benches in gallery rooms.
Breakfast:
At the hotel.
Morning:
We travel by bus to Naples for an expert-led visit to the National Archaeological Museum. The collection centers on finds from Pompeii and Herculaneum, including mosaics, frescoes, sculpture, and everyday objects. Highlights include the Alexander Mosaic and the monumental Farnese Bull, along with galleries that illustrate domestic life and the natural world of the Bay of Naples in antiquity. After the guided portion, we set time for independent exploration so we can focus on the sections that interest us most. At the designated time, we regroup and take a short walk to our restaurant. Please be aware that due to the large number of visitors, it may be challenging to have an unobstructed view of the most renowned works.
Lunch:
At a local restaurant.
Afternoon:
We explore Naples' historic center on foot, moving through lively streets and significant landmarks. We pass the Royal Palace, residence of the Bourbon kings from 1734 to 1860, then continue to the Teatro di San Carlo, the city's famed opera house. Next, we visit the Galleria Umberto I, a 19th-century glass-roofed arcade known for its soaring dome and cross-shaped passageways. We return to the hotel by bus with time to freshen up and relax before dinner.
Dinner:
At a local restaurant.
Evening:
At leisure.
Activity Note
Getting on/off a bus; driving about 1 mile from hotel to marina. Getting on/off the ferry to the island of Capri, boat ride 1 hour total. Funicular to the town of Capri, taxis to the town of Anacapri. Driving 8 miles, 20 minutes riding time. Walking up to 3 miles; uneven terrain, cobblestones, inclines.
Breakfast:
At the hotel.
Morning:
We take a short bus ride to Marina Piccola and board a public boat to Capri. On arrival, we ride the funicular up to Capri town. With our Instructor, we walk to the Giardini di Cesare Augusto for expansive views over the coast. From there, we allow time to explore independently—stroll the Via Tragara, visit the Belvedere for a panorama of the Faraglioni, or stop for a gelato or coffee at a café. At the designated time, we meet in Capri's main piazza and, weather permitting, continue by convertible taxis to Anacapri for a scenic open-air ride along the hillside roads. Note: Please be aware that encountering crowded conditions while walking through town and aboard the boat is possible.
Lunch:
At a local restaurant.
Afternoon:
Perched above Capri in Anacapri, the Villa San Michele welcomes us for an expert-led visit. Built by Swedish physician–author Axel Munthe after his first trip in 1885, the house blends classical and Mediterranean elements and reflects his vision of a home "open to the sun, wind, and sea." We walk through terraced gardens, quiet pathways, and panoramic viewpoints, and see a curated collection of antiquities and artworks that speak to Capri's long history. After the visit, we take convertible taxis down to the marina, reboard the public boat to Sorrento, and return to the hotel by bus in the late afternoon. After a short break, we gather in the hotel meeting room for a lecture on Neapolitan cuisine and traditions. We explore essentials like pizza napoletana, San Marzano tomatoes, and buffalo mozzarella from Campania. We touch on classic dishes, discuss coffee culture, Sunday lunch rituals, and how local products shape everyday cooking.
Dinner:
On your own to sample the local fare.
Evening:
At leisure.
Activity Note
Getting on/off a bus; driving about 16 miles, approximately 1 hour total riding time. An elevator is available in the Tarsia Museum. NOTE: The ride out is approximately 50 minutes via a scenic winding road; the ride back is direct, about 10 minutes. Walking about 50 feet, uneven terrain, steps, and inclines from the bus drop-off point to the farm restaurant.
Breakfast:
At the hotel.
Morning:
We walk to the Tarsia Museum for an expert-led visit focused on marquetry (inlaid wood). The collection shows the materials, hand tools, and classic motifs used by master artisans, with examples that trace the craft's history in the region. The museum also operates as a working atelier and training space for local youth. We'll see artisans at the bench, learn how they select veneers and cut patterns, and watch how they assemble and finish an inlay. The program preserves skills and passes them to the next generation.
Lunch:
On your own to enjoy what you like.
Afternoon:
We board the bus for a scenic drive through the Sorrento countryside, with wide views over orchards and hills. Our destination is an agriturismo—a working farm with a restaurant—set among lemon and olive groves. On site, we watch a mozzarella demonstration from milk and rennet to soft curds and stretching. Our host explains the basics of olive oil and wine production and answers questions about harvest, pressing, and storage. Then we tie on aprons and help prepare a few regional dishes, learning practical techniques we can use at home. We finish by tasting what we've made alongside the farm's products.
Dinner:
At the agriturismo.
Evening:
Returning to the hotel, prepare for check-out and transfer in the morning.
Activity Note
Getting on/off a bus, driving about 10 miles, riding approximately 3/4 hour. Getting on/off a boat, riding approximately 3/4 hour. In the event of bad weather that prevents the boat from leaving, we will walk up the hill along town sidewalks to the bus parking lot and board our motorcoach to Amalfi. Walking up to 3 miles; uneven terrain, steps, inclines. Baggage will be loaded onto the bus and delivered to our rooms at the hotel in Minori.
Breakfast:
At the hotel.
Morning:
We check out and drive by bus along the Amalfi Coast to Minori, following a scenic, narrow road cut into the cliffs above the sea. En route, we stop in Positano, known for white and pastel houses stacked on the rock face. Founded in the Roman era, Positano later served as a maritime trading hub, declined in the 19th century, and revived in the mid-20th century as a premier seaside destination. You'll have time to explore independently. We then board a private boat to Amalfi for coastal views of terraced houses and gardens. The bus continues to Amalfi and meets us after the boat ride. Note: Please be aware that encountering crowded conditions while walking through town is possible. Also, please note that the boat operates only when the weather suits safe navigation.
Lunch:
At a local restaurant.
Afternoon:
With a local expert, we take a walking field trip through Amalfi, starting in Piazza del Duomo, the town's main piazza. We visit a small paper museum to learn how Amalfi's mills powered a major paper industry from the 12th century onward. We then allow time for personal exploration. Those interested can visit the interior of the Duomo di Sant'Andrea; please note the approach includes 62 steps without a handrail. Afterward, we continue to Minori by private boat along the coast. On arrival, we check in and have time to freshen up and unwind. Note: Please be aware that the boat operates only when the weather suits safe navigation.
Dinner:
In the hotel restaurant.
Evening:
At leisure.
Activity Note
Getting on/off a bus; driving about 40 miles each way, approximately 3 hours total riding time. Walking up to 4 miles; uneven dirt paths; few places to rest at archaeological site.
Breakfast:
At the hotel.
Morning:
We ride south by bus along the Amalfi Coast to Paestum, a significant city of Magna Graecia founded in the 6th century BCE (then called Poseidonia). With a local expert, we explore the walled archaeological park—city gates, street grid, and domestic areas—before focusing on its famously preserved Greek temples. On site, we examine the three great temples: the so-called Basilica (Hera I), the monumental "Temple of Neptune" (now thought to be Hera II), and the Temple of Athena (once called "Ceres"). Their powerful Doric (and early Ionic) features illustrate how Greek architecture took root in southern Italy.
Lunch:
At a local restaurant.
Afternoon:
After lunch, we continue at Paestum with our local expert, focusing on the on-site Archaeological Museum. The galleries trace the city's Greek and Lucanian history through ceramics, bronzes, sculpture, and everyday objects. A highlight is the Tomb of the Diver (1968 discovery), with rare painted panels that illuminate ancient funerary practices and mythic themes. We also view fine Greek and Lucanian pottery and carved marble pieces that connect directly to the temples and sanctuaries outside. We then regroup and board our bus for the return ride to Minori.
Dinner:
In the hotel restaurant.
Evening:
At leisure.
Activity Note
Getting on/off a bus; driving about 10 miles, approximately 3/4 hour total riding time. Walking up to 2 miles (not including elective return walk to hotel). Villa Rufolo gardens terraced with paved steps. Elective walk from Ravello to Minori about 1.5 miles, approximately 1 hour; dirt paths, hundreds of irregular stone steps through olive groves.
Breakfast:
At the hotel.
Morning:
We ride by bus up the winding road to Ravello, a medieval hill town high above Amalfi with views over the coast. With a local expert, we begin at Villa Rufolo: a short introduction, then time for a self-directed visit through its 13th-century terraces and gardens. Neglected for centuries, the estate was restored after 1851 by the Scottish botanist Francis Neville Reid; its setting later inspired Richard Wagner during his 1880 visit. Ravello's annual festival has since earned it the title "la città della musica." The bus will return to the hotel in Minori with time for an independent visit to the ruins of a Roman villa near the hotel. Those who wish to walk back are welcome to do so and enjoy spectacular views along the way.
Lunch:
On your own to sample the local fare.
Afternoon:
Free time. Take this opportunity for independent personal exploration to see and do what interests you most. You can also consult your suggested Free Time activities list in your program materials. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions, including details on how to return to Minori independently via public transportation or the footpath connecting Minori and Ravello.
Dinner:
In the hotel restaurant.
Evening:
At leisure. Prepare for check-out and transfer in the morning.
Activity Note
Getting on/off a bus; driving about 36 miles, approximately 1.5 hours riding time. Walking about 2 miles; uneven terrain, dirt and gravel paths with slight inclines and some unavoidable steps.
Breakfast:
At the hotel.
Morning:
We check out in Minori and ride by bus to Herculaneum. Legend links the town to Hercules, but historically it was a prosperous seaside resort until Mount Vesuvius erupted in 79 CE. Rediscovered in 1707 and excavated from 1738, Herculaneum preserves upper stories, wood, and everyday objects with exceptional clarity—quite different from Pompeii's ash fall. Highlights include elite houses, baths, shops, and the Villa of the Papyri, where about 1,800 carbonized scrolls were found (the villa inspired the Getty Villa in California). After the visit, we continue by bus to Naples, check in to the hotel, and meet in the lobby for lunch.
Lunch:
In the hotel restaurant.
Afternoon:
Free time. Take this opportunity for independent personal exploration to see and do what interests you most. You can also consult your suggested Free Time activities list in your program materials. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions.
Dinner:
At a local restaurant. Recap your adventures and share your favorite memories.
Evening:
At leisure. Prepare for check-out and departure in the morning.
Activity Note
Hotel check out 11:00 a.m. See your program’s “Travel Information” regarding transfers.
Breakfast:
At the hotel depending on departure time. This concludes the program.
Morning:
If you are returning home, safe travels. If you are staying on independently, have a wonderful time. If you are transferring to another Road Scholar program, detailed instructions are included in your Information Packet for that program. We hope you enjoy Road Scholar learning adventures and look forward to having you on rewarding programs in the future. Don’t forget to join our Facebook page and follow us on Instagram. Best wishes for all your journeys!
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