Sorrento | Thursday, May 17, 2018

Picturesque Positano with Lunch

The route to Positano will include two panoramic photo stops, including one at a traditional fruit stand. This is the prettiest village along this stretch of coastline, where white Moorish style houses cling to the slopes around a small, sparkling bay. In
1953 when writer John Steinbeck lived here, the town was a forgotten fishing village, loved by artists. It became a retreat for the wealthy and is now a popular resort area. Spend some time browsing in some of Positano's boutiques that sell the casual, locally made cotton clothing, for which the village is noted. After an enjoyable morning spent in Positano, you will be transported by air-conditioned mini-coach to the luxurious San Pietro Hotel, where you will enjoy a delicious Italian lunch and other spectacular views of the gulf. Situated on a cliff high above the sea with garden terraces, the San Pietro Hotel is considered among the world's most beautiful accommodations. Smart casual attire is suggested, along with comfortable shoes for walking. Lunch will be provided at Il San Pietro de Positano.

Duration: 9:15am - 3:30pm

Cost: $311 per person

Ruins of Pompeii

Experience a unique blend of scenic beauty and tragic history during this memorable visit to the ancient city of Pompeii.
Depart the pier for the transfer via air-conditioned shuttle to the main square of Sorrento. From here, you will board an air-conditioned motor coach for the drive along the Sorrento coast, past the Bay of Naples and on to the remarkable ruins of Pompeii at the foot of Mount Vesuvius. The excavated ruins of Pompeii are considered one the finest representations of an Italian city at the height of the Roman Empire.

Walking through the city, which was buried in ash from the devastating volcanic eruption in 79 AD, you will gain great insight into what ancient life was like here. Now a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Pompeii is filled with aristocratic villas, temples and a forum, which was the heart of the city. This coastal area has thrived for centuries, and much of its lure is the natural beauty of the region, which you will see on your return trip, passing through the seaside resorts of Castellamare and Sorrento. Comfortable attire is suggested, along with flat shoes for walking. Lunch is not included, but will be available in Sorrento or aboard the Seabourn Odyssey.

Duration: 9:15am - 1:45pm

Cost: $103 per person

Ancient Herculaneum

Set in a stunning seaside location, Herculaneum was the
Riviera paradise of ancient Rome's rich and famous. Upper-
class Romans built beautiful villas and luxurious houses in Herculaneum, many of which boasted views of the sparkling Mediterranean Sea. This is your destination today, and you'll transfer by air-conditioned minibus from the ship to the motor coach terminal in Sorrento; then head up the Bay of Naples to Herculaneum, also known as Ercolano.

Walking with your guide, you'll discover that paradise was all but lost in 79 AD, when Mount Vesuvius erupted and buried Herculaneum in tons of boiling mud. Devastated by the loss of life and property, the site languished for almost two millennia. But under its muddy mantle, Herculaneum remained perfectly preserved, sealed from the decay and detritus of time. Entire streets, mansions, marble floors, frescoes and mosaics have now been excavated and are open for exploration. The city offers a remarkable insight into the sophistication of the Roman lifestyle and the excesses enjoyed by the wealthy. After visiting the ruins and returning to Sorrento, you'll visit a woodcraft center before boarding your minibus and returning to the pier. Comfortable attire is suggested, along with flat shoes for walking. Lunch is not included, but will be available in Sorrento or aboard the Seabourn Odyssey.

Duration: 8:15am - 2:00pm

Cost: $103 per person

Private Cooking School at Villa Ida

Not far from the city center lies Villa Ida, where you will learn first-hand the secrets of southern Italian cooking. The local cuisine is well known for its wonderful simplicity and quick preparation, which enhances the vibrant fragrance and flavors
of the fresh ingredients. During your hands-on cooking lesson, you will prepare local specialties under the guidance of a highly experienced chef, and then enjoy your own culinary creations. The chefs are happy to share their recipes and encourage you
to take them home for your family and friends. Comfortable
attire is suggested, along with flat shoes for walking. Lunch will
be provided at Villa Ida.

Duration: 9:30am - 2:30pm

Cost: $233 per person

Sorrento Walking Tour

Experience the glory of this village, located on the Italian Riviera on the Sorrento coast. Meet your professional guide and start this amazing walk through Corso Italia, discovering the little alleys that characterize the town of Sorrento. Once you have walked the length of Corso Italia, visit Via San Cesareo, one of the most charming historic streets in Sorrento, lined with artisan workshops. Along this street, you'll pass Sedil Dominova, easy
to spot with its imposing, frescoed cupola. This was once a social club where the high society of Sorrento would meet, and is now the headquarters of the Società di Mutuo Soccorso.

Take Via Reginaldo Giuliani down to the Villa Comunale to view the beauty of the coastline, experience a demonstration of how they make local limoncello from the skin of the local agrumes, get a boost from an Italian espresso and a demo of the local woodworking masters plying their trade. Comfortable attire is suggested, along with flat shoes for walking. Lunch is not included, but will be available in Sorrento or aboard the Seabourn Odyssey.

Duration: 9:00am - 11:45am

Cost: $79 per person

Isle of Capri

A short, but scenic cruise on a jetfoil across the Bay of Naples, followed by air-conditioned motor coach ride, brings you to the lovely hilltop village of Anacapri on the chic Isle of Capri. Here, you may choose to ride a chairlift up to Monte Solaro for a breathtaking view of the bay. As an alternative, you may join the guide for a tour of the famed Villa San Michele.This wonderful, old house, surrounded by fragrant gardens, belonged to the Swedish doctor and author, Axel Munthe, who wrote a popular book about its history. The existing home was built on the ruins of a Roman emperor's villa. Now a museum, Villa San Michele is filled with collections of paintings, furniture and ancient Roman artifacts. During your free time at Anacapri, you might stroll the piazzetta or do some shopping. Later, you may elect to enjoy lunch on your own in Capri Village before rejoining your mini-bus and traveling to the Marina Grande where you will board the jetfoil for the return to Sorrento. Comfortable attire is suggested, along with flat shoes for walking. Lunch is not included, but will be available in Capri Village.

Duration: 7:45am - 4:00pm

Cost: $210 per person

Positano on Own

Your tour will begin with an amazing boat ride along the breathtaking Sorrentine peninsula, passing by ancient Roman buildings, crossing the Protected Marine Area of Punta Campanella and cruising to the village of Positano. This is the prettiest village along this stretch of the coast, where white Moorish style houses overlook the crystal-clear water below. When writer John Steinbeck lived in Positano in 1953, the town was a forgotten fishing village and loved by artists. Today it is a resort area and a retreat for the wealthy. Spend your time in Positano, browsing the many shops and boutiques, perhaps picking up locally made cotton clothing for which the village is known. Comfortable attire is suggested, along with flat shoes for walking. Lunch is not included, but will be available in Positano.

Duration: 9:15am - 1:45pm

Cost: $189 per person

Private Car or Van

Explore at your own pace with a private vehicle, driver and English-speaking guide at your service. This exclusive tour is designed to allow you the chance to customize your time
ashore and discover the most interesting sights in the comfort and privacy of your own vehicle. With your private vehicle, and the personalized attention of your driver and English-speaking guide, you will have the flexibility and independence to design your itinerary ashore according to your own interests, and take
in the sights at your own pace. See the famous sights, or go beyond to create your own intimate connections and unique cultural encounters.

Duration: 4 or 8 hours

Cost: $862 - $1,560 per vehicle