Gardens of the Neapolitan Riviera 9717
Gardens of the Neapolitan Riviera 9717
Gardens of the Neapolitan Riviera 9717
7 Days Starting in London, United Kingdom and ending in Naples, Italy
Visiting: Caserta, Capri, Ischia, Amalfi Coast, Sorrento, Pompeii, Naples
Tour operator:
Tour code:
BNAP
Guide Type:
Fully Guided
Trip Styles:
Interests:
Activities:
Tour Overview
Embark on a captivating journey through the Gardens of the Neapolitan Riviera, where nature and history intertwine in breathtaking harmony. This tour offers a serene exploration of some of Italy's most exquisite gardens, starting with the majestic Caserta Palace Gardens, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Discover the enchanting island of Capri, with visits to the lush Villa San Michele and the panoramic Giardini di Augusto. Experience the botanical wonders of La Mortella on Ischia, and the historic beauty of Villa Rufolo and Villa Cimbrone on the Amalfi Coast. Enjoy comfortable coach travel and the expertise of a professional tour manager, with all site entries included. Optional excursions, such as a delightful Sorrento tasting tour, add a flavorful touch to your adventure. Conclude with a guided exploration of the ancient ruins of Pompeii, before returning to London with memories of Italy's verdant splendor.
Highlights
Itinerary
Day 1
Location: Caserta
Accommodation Name: hotel
Meals Included: Dinner
We depart from London to Naples. En route to our hotel we will visit the Caserta Palace Gardens, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the most beautiful gardens in Europe. Designed by Luigi Vanvitelli in the 18th century, the gardens are a masterpiece of Baroque landscape architecture. The gardens are divided into two parts: the Italian Garden and the English Garden. The Italian Garden is a formal garden with fountains, sculptures and flowerbeds. The English Garden is a more natural garden with trees, lakes and meadows. One of the most iconic features of the gardens is the fountain of Diana and Actaeon and the grand Cascade with its three tiers of fountain cascading down the slope. We have a guided tour here.
Day 2
Location: Capri
Accommodation Name: hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
Following breakfast we will travel by boat to the beautiful island of Capri which is only 6 kms in length and 2km in width, where we will have our first visit to the gardens of Villa San Michele. The Villa San Michele was built on the site of a Roman manor on the mountain face looking across towards Monte Tiberio and the bay. It houses the Swedish author Axel Munthe’s collection of Roman sculpture, antique furniture and prints and is now the property of the Swedish State. The park of great beauty and botanical interest affords a splendid view of the Gulf of Naples with Vesuvius and the Sorrento peninsula dominating the skyline.
Our second visit will be to Giardini di Augusto with its fantastic panoramic view of the island’s south side. The gardens belonged to the villa of Friedrich Alfred Krupp, son of the founder of the great German steelworks. Built on the ruins of the ancient Roman structures, the gardens were donated by Krupp to Capri. In a corner of the garden a statue of Lenin was erected to commemorate his stay on the island.
Day 3
Location: Ischia
Accommodation Name: hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
After breakfast we transfer to the harbour in Naples and take a ferry to Ischia, the largest island in the Bay of Naples, to enjoy a visit to the gardens of La Mortella. The composer, Sir William Walton, came here with his wife Susana in 1956 who then started the garden in the sloping gully before building the house in 1962. Russell Page, the garden designer, drew up a plan for the south-sloping valley, allowing the rocky ground to dictate the seemingly naturalistic planting style but imposing his own geometry – an axial line framing the distant peak of Mount Ipomeo. Here you will be dazzled by the array of rare and tender trees, palms, shrubs, ferns and bulbs. La Mortella is not only a garden of lush exotics, but simultaneously indigenous plants cling precario0usly to the steep terraced hillsides above. Umbrella pines, groves of ilex and arbutus, Italian cypresses and myrtles thrive here in glorious companionship. A guided tour is included.
This afternoon there will be some free time to explore at leisure before we return by boat to Naples and transfer to our hotel, where the evening is at leisure.
Day 4
Location: Amalfi Coast
Accommodation Name: hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
This morning, after breakfast, we visit the gardens of Villa Rufolo, which commands picture perfect views over the Amalfi coast. This is one of the oldest surviving palaces in Italy dating from the 13th century – Wagner visited the villa in 1880 and was inspired to write part of his opera Parisfal here. On the upper terrace umbrella pines and cypresses shade a wellhead while on a lower level classical geometric beds edged with box are filled with modern flowers. Tender plants which thrive in the mild climate are a feature of the lower terrace.
In the afternoon we will visit the gardens of Villa Cimbrone, a 19th century Moorish/English hybrid by William Beckett, Lord Grimthorpe, who owned the property until 1900. The garden was designed on a clifftop promontory with magnificent views of the Amalfi coast jutting out 106 metres above the Mediterranean. Trees, flowers and plants grow in profusion. A wisteria clad pergola stretches almost the full length of the central axis, while on either side there are imaginative themed gardens including a stretch of lawn decorated with statues, a sunken teahouse garden, a rose garden and a shady grove of umbrella pines and cypresses which descends down the steep slopes to the valleys below.
Day 5
Location: Sorrento
Accommodation Name: hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
After breakfast the day is at your leisure, alternatively why not join our optional excursion – Sorrento Lemon, Olive Oil and Wine tasting tour with lunch as we experience some of the wonderfully produced local specialities. We take a walk among ancient olive oils and lemon trees and visit both an ancient and a modern olive oil mill, before we taste a variety of different types of olive oils, jams, vinegar, limoncello and liqueurs – a truly tantalizing treat for the tastebuds. We also enjoy some wine tasting accompanied by a light lunch.
Day 6
Location: Pompeii
Accommodation Name: hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
Today, we are joined by a local expert guide for a day to explore the archaeological wonders of Pompeii, which was of course the town tragically drowned in lava following the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 79 AD. The town was buried under 23 feet of ash, which solidified with rain and time, preserving everything as if it was in a time capsule. Hidden for centuries, excavation work revealed an elegant resort with complete streets, beautiful villas and sculptures. Now almost four-fifths of the original city has been unearthed and many of the treasures are housed in the National Museum in Naples.
Day 7
Location: Naples
Meals Included: Breakfast
After breakfast, we transfer to Naples airport for our return flight to London.
What's Included
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Accommodation
Accommodation is included as part of the tour package.
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Meals as per itinerary
Meals are provided according to the itinerary.
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Entries to all sites as per the itinerary
Entry fees to all sites mentioned in the itinerary are included.
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Services of a professional tour manager
A professional tour manager will be available throughout the tour.
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Comfortable coach travel throughout
Comfortable coach travel is provided for the duration of the tour.
What's Not Included
Any items not specifically mentioned in the inclusions are excluded.
Mode of Transport
Enjoy comfortable coach travel throughout the tour, ensuring a relaxing and convenient journey as you explore the beautiful Neapolitan Riviera.
Accommodation
Accommodation details are not provided in the tour information.
Check out our Q&As
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What type of transportation is used during the tour?
The tour includes comfortable coach travel throughout, ensuring a relaxing and convenient journey as you explore the Neapolitan Riviera.
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Are guided tours included in the itinerary?
Yes, guided tours are included at several locations such as the Caserta Palace Gardens, the gardens of La Mortella, and during the exploration of Pompeii.
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What can I expect to see at the Caserta Palace Gardens?
At the Caserta Palace Gardens, you can expect to see a masterpiece of Baroque landscape architecture, including the Italian Garden with its formal layout of fountains, sculptures, and flowerbeds, and the English Garden with its natural setting of trees, lakes, and meadows. The iconic features include the fountain of Diana and Actaeon and the grand Cascade.
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What is special about the gardens of Villa San Michele?
The gardens of Villa San Michele offer a splendid view of the Gulf of Naples with Vesuvius and the Sorrento peninsula. The villa houses a collection of Roman sculpture, antique furniture, and prints, and is known for its botanical interest.
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What is unique about the gardens of La Mortella?
The gardens of La Mortella are known for their array of rare and tender trees, palms, shrubs, ferns, and bulbs. The garden was designed by Russell Page, incorporating a naturalistic planting style with an axial line framing the distant peak of Mount Ipomeo.
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What can visitors expect at the Villa Rufolo gardens?
Visitors to the Villa Rufolo gardens can expect picture-perfect views over the Amalfi coast, with features such as umbrella pines and cypresses, classical geometric beds filled with modern flowers, and tender plants thriving in the mild climate.
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What activities are available on the optional excursion on Day 5?
The optional excursion on Day 5 includes a Sorrento Lemon, Olive Oil, and Wine tasting tour with lunch. Participants can walk among ancient olive oils and lemon trees, visit olive oil mills, and taste a variety of olive oils, jams, vinegar, limoncello, liqueurs, and wines.
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What historical site is explored on Day 6 of the tour?
On Day 6, the tour explores the archaeological wonders of Pompeii, the town that was buried under ash following the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 79 AD. The site includes preserved streets, villas, and sculptures.
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Will I receive more details of the holiday before I travel?
You will receive detailed joining instructions around 10 days prior to you departure, but you are of course welcome to contact us at any time should you have any queries.
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What facilities do your coaches have?
Generally, our coaches have reclining seats, air-conditioning and toilets, however this cannot always be guaranteed as sometimes we have to use smaller vehicles. Toilets are recommended for emergency use only and regular comfort stops will be made throughout your holiday while travelling around.
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Do I have to go on the included excursions?
Absolutely not. You are more than welcome to spend the day at your hotel or exploring independently should you wish. All we ask is that you inform your Tour Manager, so they are not left waiting for you to join the group.
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Is there time to relax?
Although our itineraries may seem jam-packed, boasting access to some of the most exclusive sites across the UK and beyond, a Brightwater Holiday is just that: a holiday. Each trip will counter in more than enough free-time for you to explore places at your own leisure. And with most nights and the majority of meals being included in our tour prices, you can relax in hand-picked accommodation.
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Do I need to be an expert?
Absolutely not! Although some of our tours are specifically focused on one thing, all you need to enjoy a Brightwater holiday is interest and bags of enthusiasm! Even on our most specialist tours, we take travellers from all skill levels, from experts to beginners.
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How fit or active do I need to be for one of your holidays?
You need to be able to get on and off the coach unassisted, and most – but not all – coaches have a kneel facility that lowers the front step for ease of boarding
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Do you have self-drive holidays?
Yes, we do – tailored to your exact requirements!
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What’s the luggage allowance on your coaches?
There’s no fixed limit, but we generally say one large suitcase to go in the luggage compartment and a smaller bag that you can take onto the coach with you. For flight-inclusive holidays, we include a luggage allowance of at least 20kg.
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Where are your departure points?
UK garden holidays generally depart from London, with additional pick-ups depending on the route of the coach, while holidays to Scotland depart from Glasgow, Edinburgh and Perth, with Dundee, Inverness and Aberdeen sometimes included. All Eurostar holidays depart from London St. Pancras and flight-inclusive holidays depart from one or more of the main London airports, with regional flights .
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What about the company that will be kept?
For single travellers, those with a companion or even those travelling in a larger group, you'll find that the signature of any Brightwater Holiday is the company. You won't ever be travelling with a group of strangers, instead, you'll find yourself surrounded by like-minded people with a strong shared interest who will soon become your firm friends.
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What is a Brightwater Holiday?
Bursting with enthralling, educational and enlightening itineraries, a Brightwater Holiday, by its very nature, is packed with bucket-list-worthy destinations, behind the scenes passes and expert-led experiences. From creating bespoke quality garden and special interest tours for groups and individuals alike, we have made it our business to make our guests' travel dreams come true.
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Why is there a single supplement?
Unfortunately, single room supplements are charges that are often imposed on us as a company when we book rooms for group holidays. However, most hotels do charge less for single occupancy, and we always pass this saving on to our solo travellers in the form of a modest single supplement.
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How much are your optional excursions?
Prices start from as little as £20, but please contact our friendly team for questions about specific itineraries or excursions.
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Can I pre-book my coach seats?
Yes, you can. In the case of front seats, guests with limited mobility are given priority. Please get in touch with our friendly team to discuss any requirements you may have.
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How to get there? Easy!
With a Brightwater Holiday, the journey is just as important as the destination and we make getting you to your tour start point easy. From organising group flights and individual travel plans, to offering accessible local departure and pick-up points, we go out of our way to ensure that your journey is as convenient and hassle-free as it can be.
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Do I need to have travel insurance?
Travel insurance is required for all overseas holidays and is also strongly recommended for UK holidays – primarily to protect yourself against cancellation charges should you be unable to travel.
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Transfer as credit to Future Tours
Brightwater Holidays allows you to transfer existing payments to a future tour to avoid cancellation fees if you can't travel and inform brightwater holidays, 25 days before departure.
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Low Deposit
Brightwater Holidays requires a minimum deposit of 15% or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 70 days before departure.
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Cancellation Policy
We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of brightwater holidays charges.
At 40 days before tour starts: Forfeit 50% of booking price.
At 7 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of booking price.
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