Amalfi Coast, Pompeii & Capri

This seven-night escorted tour with Travelsphere sets off from Naples and settles you into Minori, a small village surrounded by lemon groves and a seafront promenade. The itinerary offers a gentle mix of activity and free time, starting with a boat trip to Amalfi where the Romanesque cathedral and narrow streets invite a leisurely wander.

One highlight is Capri, where the Gardens of Caesar Augustus are lined with brightly coloured flowers and huge sea stacks called the Faraglioni rise from the water. A local guide also takes you to Pompeii; wandering its remarkably preserved streets, you encounter bakeries with ovens still intact and mosaics bright enough to remind you this was once a thriving Roman town prior to Vesuvius’s eruption. Later days in Minori leave space to laze by the pool or join optional trips to Sorrento or Positano, the latter accessible by boat with views of houses clinging to cliffs.

The final included excursion climbs the hills to Ravello, where Villa Cimbrone’s terraces look down on the coastline and a winery visit rounds off the day with tastings of local wines. The pace here is unhurried, with time to appreciate the scenery and a few details that linger after you’ve left — the yellow façade of Minori’s church, or the soft scent of lemon trees along a quiet path.