- Take part in a traditional Campania cooking lesson on a working country estate, using fresh farm produce
- Tour the age-old marble temples in UNESCO World Heritage-listed Paestum
- Limoncello tasting in a lemon grove near sleepy Minori, a hidden treasure of the Amalfi Coast
Tour Inclusions
- 6 nights in boutique accommodation
- Premium mini-coach transportation
- Ferry to the Island of Capri
- Experienced Back-Roads Driver & Tour Leader
- Local guides in Naples, Pompeii, Ravello and Paestum
- European breakfast daily (B), 2 lunches (L), 3 evening meals (D)
- Italian cooking class
- Ceramic class and demonstration
- Mozzarella & olive oil tasting
- Limoncello tasting
- Wine tasting
- Entrance included to: Cappella Sansevero, Pompeii, Paestum, Villa Rufolo, Villa Cimbrone, Capri Funicular and Royal Palace of Caserta
DAY 1 NAPLES – POMPEII – PAESTUM
Bright, buzzing and echoing with tales from millennia of history, Naples is your springboard for exploring Southern Italy. We start with our local guide leading us into the labyrinthine streets of the historic centre in search of the Cappella Sansevero, home to the Veiled Christ – one of the finest sculptures in the world. The afternoon transports us back in time with a visit to the archaeological wonder, Pompeii. We then travel to Paestum where we dine tonight. (D)
Accommodation: Granaio dei Casanbella
DAY 2 PAESTUM – MINORI
This morning we have an appointment at Tenuta Seliano – an authentic farm-inn (or agriturismo) – where we visit the buffaloes and watch owner Cecilia Bellelli Baratta make light, fresh mozzarella. Our trip off the tourist trail continues with a visit to UNESCO World heritage-listed Paestum. With crumbling marble temples against a mountain backdrop, this village is a little-known treasure waiting to be discovered. We return to Tenuta Seliano to a kitchen piled high with local produce, such as mozzarella and ricotta, fruits and vegetables, buffalo meat and fresh pasta. It’s time to learn the art of traditional Campania cooking – our hard work rewarded when we get to eat what we’ve prepared at lunch with the family. Our hunger well satisfied, we continue on to Minori. (B,L)
Accommodation: Minori Palace
DAY 3 MINORI – RAVELLO – MINORI
Enjoy the morning to explore Minori on a guided walking tour, before we continue on to Ravello for a guided tour. To refresh our palates, our next stop involves a citrus twist with a visit to a lemon farmhouse. After learning of the cultivation process, dive into a tasting spread of limoncello, lemon salad and of course, lemon gelato. (B,D)
Accommodation: Minori Palace
DAY 4 MINORI – AMALFI – POSITANO – MINORI
After a hearty breakfast, our first stop to the Amalfi will be nothing short of wow-inducing. After a short walking tour with ample time to take in the surrounding beauty, we venture onwards to the oh-so blissful town of Positano. To continue the artisan theme of the tour, we meet with a ceramic specialist, where we are invited to join a ceramic colouring session. After a delightful and insightful day, it’s time to rest in Minori for the night. (B)
Accommodation: Minori Palace
DAY 5 MINORI – CAPRI – MINORI
The high life beckons today as we sail to the island of Capri, off the Sorrento Peninsula. Lapped by the inky blue waters of the Tyrrhenian Sea, Capri has been a popular resort since the days of Ancient Rome. Enjoy a ride on the charming funicular railway from the port, which whisks us through bright, fragrant lemon groves. Then there’s time to see and be seen among the exclusive boutiques, cafés and restaurants of Capri town, before returning to Minori in late afternoon. (B)
Accommodation: Minori Palace
DAY 6 MINORI – MAIORI – VIETRI – CETARA – MINORI
Today we add more pearls to our collection with visits to Maiori and Cetara. After a morning of exploring, we drive to Vietri sul Mare. Here, craftspeople create hand-painted, vividly coloured ceramics. Back in Minori, enjoy free time before we meet for our final dinner. (B,D)
Accommodation: Minori Palace
DAY 7 MINORI – PALACE OF CASERTA – SANT’AGATA DEI GOTI – NAPLES
We bid the Amalfi Coast a fond farewell and drive to the Royal Palace of Caserta, built in the 18th century and the last great creation of the Italian Baroque. From the royal to the rustic – our next stop is a farmhouse in Sant’Agata dei Goti where we taste Falanghina wines produced from black grapes grown in the Campania regions. Then there’s time for a last, leisurely Italian lunch before we return to Naples, where our adventure ends. (B,L)
