Full-Day Tour of Herculaneum and Sorrento from Amalfi Coast

Amalfi, Italy

Depart in the morning and head toward Herculaneum, a residential town buried in ashes by the eruption of Vesuvius in 79 AD. Enjoy a guided visit to the archaeological excavations, where you will learn about this town that was rediscovered in 1709. When the catastrophe of 79 AD occurred, Herculaneum was buried by a torrent of mud that hardened into a course form of rock that preserved many of the wooden parts of houses and household objects which can be seen today. A large portion of old Herculaneum is still buried under the modern town and even today excavations are going on to discover what treasures lie buried under the rock.

After wandering through Herculaneum, depart for Sorrento, and arrive with time to head out and enjoy an optional lunch.

Next, you will visit the city center. Churches and ancient monasteries exists in Sorrento, as well as centuries-old palaces and Durazzo portals, evidence the splendor of the noble families of Sorrento. Via S. Cesareo, the lively "decumanus," is the beating heart of the town, with its many-colored shops. But the real architectonic jewel of the town is the 14th-century Cloister of San Francesco, with crossed tuff arches of Arabian derivation, where the traditional concerts of the "Estate Musicale Sorrentina" take place. Stop-off at an inlaid woodwork shop, a typical Sorrentine production.

Then return to the Amalfi Coast, driving along the famous Amalfi Drive Road, through the picturesque villages of Conca dei Marini, Furore, and Praiano. Enjoy a photo stop at the famous Belvedere in Positano, then return to your hotel in the afternoon.