Join this immersive 8-day solo travel historical group tour through Campania, Italy, designed for history and archaeology enthusiasts. Explore the ancient ruins of Pompeii, Herculaneum, and the Roman villas of Oplontis, alongside guided visits to Pozzuoli, Baia, and the Temple of Jupiter in Cuma. With guided tours, you’ll walk through millennia-old streets, uncover the secrets of Roman cities, and marvel at the stunning Amalfi Coast. Enjoy a mix of organised excursions and leisure time, perfect for explorers seeking cultural immersion.
What’s Extra
After landing at Naples Airport, we will be transferred to our hotel, located in the charming town of Ercolano. Once settled, we can take some time to relax or explore the surroundings. In the evening, we come together for a delightful dinner in the hotel’s restaurant, where we can savour local flavours. This is just the beginning of our week of discovery. Get ready for a journey through history and culture!
Today, we dive deeper into the ancient world, with a guided visit to Herculaneum – a well-preserved site buried by the same eruption that destroyed Pompeii. As we walk through its ancient streets, we’ll see stunning frescoes and mosaics that tell stories of daily Roman life. We also visit luxurious houses like the House of the Deer and explore public baths and shops that make this site so fascinating.
The rest of the day is free to enjoy at our leisure.
Today, we venture into the hidden gems of Pozzuoli, Baia & Cuma. Our first stop is Pozzuoli, where we’ll explore the underground tunnels of Rione Terra, a Roman colony. Next, we visit the Roman Baths of Baia, once a luxurious resort for the elite, followed by a journey to Cuma to see the Grotta della Sibilla and the Temple of Jupiter. Each location offers a unique glimpse into Roman life, with stunning archaeological ruins and picturesque views.
After several days of exploration, we’ve set aside a day for leisure. You can take this time to relax and enjoy Ercolano or venture out on your own to explore the nearby sights.
We start our archaeological adventure with a full-day guided excursion to Pompeii. Together, we’ll explore this ancient city, frozen in time by the eruption of Mount Vesuvius. We marvel at the preserved streets, houses, and amphitheatre, learning about the daily lives of the Romans. Our guide will take us through the iconic sites, including the ancient Forum. Next, we visit the nearby Villa of Poppea in Oplontis, a stunning example of Roman luxury. Walking through its opulent frescoed halls, we learn about the tragic eruption that buried these towns. Returning to Ercolano in the evening, we have a leisurely night after a day immersed in ancient history.
We spend today on a scenic journey along the stunning Amalfi Coast, where we’ll have free time to explore the picturesque town of Amalfi. Afterwards, we’ll take a ferry to Salerno and continue to Paestum, home to some of the best-preserved Greek temples in Italy. Our guide will lead us through the ruins and the Archaeological Park, revealing the history and significance of these ancient structures. It’s a day of breathtaking views and rich history.
Today is another day at leisure, with the freedom to explore Ercolano or revisit your favourite spots. We can choose to relax in the peaceful gardens of the hotel or take a short trip to nearby attractions.
In the evening, we gather for a farewell dinner at the hotel’s restaurant, reflecting on our shared experiences and the wonderful discoveries of the week. It’s the perfect way to conclude this journey through time and history.
After breakfast, we’ll say our goodbyes and transfer back to Naples Airport. The memories of Pompeii, Herculaneum, the Amalfi Coast, and Paestum will stay with us long after this immersive archaeological journey, leaving us with a deeper appreciation for the history and beauty of Campania.
The four-star Villa Signorini Hotel is a charming establishment nestled amidst the bustle and splendour of Naples. Just a five-minute walk from the Portici-Ercolano Harbour and 1.5 km away from the area’s archaeological site, this hotel is an excellent choice for history enthusiasts and those looking to explore the Amalfi Coast.
The restaurant with outdoor patio serves à la carte dishes. The cuisine is specialised in regional and local food. Breakfast is a buffet of local pastries. During summer, a relaxing area with an outdoor pool and a solarium is available.
Standard Attic rooms include a double bed or two single beds, air conditioning, a private bathroom with shower, a courtesy kit, a minibar, LCD TV, and free Wi-Fi.
Standard Garden rooms include a double bed or two single beds, a private bathroom with shower, a courtesy kit, direct access to the garden, air conditioning, LCD TV, minibar, and safe and free Wi-Fi.
Frequently Asked Questions
The transfer time from Naples Airport to your hotel in Ercolano is approximately 20 minutes, depending on the traffic.
Italy is one hour ahead of the UK.
Passport validity requirements
If you are travelling to an EU country (except Ireland), or Switzerland, Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Andorra, Monaco, San Marino or Vatican City, you must follow the Schengen area passport requirements.Your passport must be:
You must check if your passport meets these requirements before you travel. If your passport was issued before 1 October 2018, extra months may have been added to its expiry date.Contact the embassy of the country you are visiting if you think that your passport does not meet both these requirements. Renew your passport if you need to.Check with your transport provider or travel company that your passport and other travel documents meet their requirements.Passport stampingAt Italian border control, you may need to:
Check your passport is stamped if you enter or exit the Schengen area through Italy as a visitor. Border guards will use passport stamps to check you’re complying with the 90-day visa-free limit for short stays in the Schengen area. If relevant entry or exit stamps are not in your passport, border guards will presume that you have overstayed your visa-free limit.You can show evidence of when and where you entered or exited the Schengen area and ask the border guards to add this date and location in your passport. Examples of acceptable evidence include boarding passes and tickets.
You can travel to countries in the Schengen area for up to 90 days in any 180-day period without a visa. This applies if you travel:
If you are travelling to Italy and other Schengen countries without a visa, make sure your whole visit is within the 90-day limit. Visits to Schengen countries within the previous 180 days before you travel count towards your 90 days.
Euro
The summer months can be hot so comfortable wear with layers are recommended for during the day. Smart casual wear is recommended for the evenings. Comfortable shoes are a “must” for sightseeing.
Visiting ancient sights: Visitors are required to observe decorous behaviour. Appropriate clothing is required for the importance and official nature of the places, so ceremonial clothing, masks, costumes and any other disguise that may undermine the dignity and protection of the site are not permitted. We recommend wearing closed and comfortable shoes (high heels and flip-flops are not recommended).
There is often confusion on the question of gratuities, since it frequently depends on the type of holiday, location and, of course, your attitude towards tipping, as to what is normally expected. To give you a rough idea, we have given appropriate guidance below.
Your Tour Leader will be on hand to offer advice or suggestions if required but gratuities are offered entirely at the sole discretion of the individual. We suggest a group collection at the beginning of your holiday to cover drivers, guides, porters, and hotel staff of approximately EUR 25.00 per person. Your Tour Leader will collect this on your behalf and distribute it accordingly, thus relieving you of the burden of who, when and how much to tip.
When planning a tour of ancient sites in Italy, it’s important to be aware of the uneven surfaces throughout these historical locations. Many of these sites are made up of cobblestone streets, uneven stone walkways, and ruins, which can make walking challenging, especially for those with mobility issues or who are not used to hiking.
Here are a few tips to keep in mind:
Despite these challenges, exploring ancient sites in Italy is a rewarding experience that offers a fascinating glimpse into history.
A reasonable level of fitness/mobility is required.
The order of the itinerary and events may be subject to change.
Average Temperatures
| Month(s) | Highest temperature | Lowest temperature |
|---|---|---|
| September | 26 °C | 20 °C |
“I’m sure you will enjoy it, I have been on three solos holidays to date and the people I’ve met have been great.”
“I’ve been travelling with Solos for nearly 20 years, on and off. The reason is for exactly what you want – you meet like minded people… and have loads of fun!”
“I’ve been on loads of trips with Solos over the years and can honestly say you will not regret booking your 1st one!”
“The feeling you have once you go away on your own is worth all the nerves before! I was so very anxious the first time but now having done it 4 times, I love it!”
