Sunny Sorrento & the Amalfi Coast Amalfi - Capri - Vesuvius - Pompeii

Day 1: Switzerland - Castiglion

Travel via the Gotthard through Lombardy into Tuscany. As you pass through the gentle hill country, you will catch a glimpse of the art city of Florence. Via Montepulciano you reach today's overnight stop, Castiglion.

The last boarding points in German-speaking Switzerland are Lucerne, Inseli coach park, at 09.15 or, by arrangement, at the Gotthard Nord service area, at 10.00.

Day 2: Castiglion - Sorrento

Your journey takes you from southern Tuscany around Rome to the Bay of Naples. For centuries, Sorrento has been the outstanding destination of northern Europe's longing for Italy. Countless writers and painters have immortalised this magical place in words and pictures. The little town is picturesquely surrounded by lemon groves on the edge of steeply falling cliffs and offers a fantastic view of the bay, Vesuvius and the island of Ischia. The old town with its churches and old palaces is well worth seeing. A popular meeting place is the beautiful waterfront promenade. The peninsula is known for its large lemons. The typical products of Sorrento are made with precisely these "limoni": limoncello, a tasty lemon liqueur, and lemon chocolate, as well as countless colourful ceramic items with lemon motifs and lemon soap.

Day 3: Island of Capri

(Optional excursion) "When the red sun sets over Capri...." - follow the sentimental song by Rudi Schuricke and join the day trip to the world-famous island, the pearl of the Bay of Naples. It will enchant you. The boat takes you across, and from Capri's harbour you travel to the Piazzetta, the heart of Capri. A guided tour shows you the island's beauties, including the Gardens of Augustus. From there you have a unique view of the Faraglioni rocks and the impressive Bay of Naples. In the evening, return to the mainland and your hotel.

Day 4: Amalfi Coast

Full-day excursion to the Amalfi Coast, probably the most beautiful stretch of coastline in Italy. Steeply falling cliffs with bizarre shapes and deep gorges characterise this region with the towns of Positano, Amalfi and Ravello. The villages cling like swallows' nests to the slopes, with few roads but many steep stepped lanes. A longer stop is planned in Amalfi for a tour of the town and time to stroll. The old centre is a labyrinth of churches, towers, little streets and squares. The main attraction is Piazza Duomo, a real gem, overlooked by the cathedral.

Day 5: Pompeii - Vesuvius

(Optional excursion) Excursion to Pompeii. Guided visit of the city buried in antiquity by the great eruption of Vesuvius. The size of the ruins and the idyllic landscape give a wonderful impression of how the Roman city must have looked in the days of the Empire. Pompeii is unique because nowhere else in the world can the ruins of a completely preserved ancient city be seen so close up. On the way back you make a detour to Vesuvius, the still active volcano, 1,277 metres high, which shapes the landscape around Naples. The summit area is completely bare, while lower down the lava slopes are densely covered with pines, broom and flowers. A footpath (20 minutes) leads up to the crater, from where you enjoy a graceful view over the Bay of Naples.

Day 6: Sorrento - Marina di Bibbona

You leave the peninsula and the Bay of Naples and travel around Rome along the Tyrrhenian Sea to Marina di Bibbona in Tuscany.

Day 7: Marina di Bibbona - Switzerland

On the way back to Switzerland you pass Parma and Milan and travel via the Gotthard route to your drop-off points.