Sun-Soaked Sorrento & the Italian Riviera

Fly from the UK to Naples.

On arrival, take your private transfer to your five-star hotel in Sorrento for a four-night stay.

Private tour of Pompeii Ruins with wine tasting and lunch at Mt. Vesuvius.

Train to Rome, Two-night stay at the five-star Navona Palace Luxury Inn.

Take your transfer to the port and embark Silver Whisper. Depart Rome.

A summer escape for Rome’s historic elite, the stacked waterfront of Porto Santo Stefano is a secluded taste of idyllic southern Tuscany. Physically closer to Rome than Florence, the city is strung to Italy’s western coast by two sandy harnesses, and sits on the unqiue peninsula of Monte Argentario – which was once an island. Flamboyant pink flamingos and herons stroll through the encased lagoon, while Porto Santo Stefano’s waterfront hums with clinking cafes and strolling visitors. View less

The luxury yachts in the harbour show that Porto Santo Stefano has lost none of its luxury appeals, and with beaches, wild hikes and waterfront beauty, it continues to lure visitors to this secluded escape. Known for its fishing and cuisine – which is based around heavy use of the Tyrrhenian Sea’s juicy bounty. Stroll to Piazza dei Rioni for a dripping lemon gelato, or wander the streets noticing the lingering World War II damage – the city was heavily bombed during the conflict. Fortunately, the historic, star-shaped, Spanish fort was spared, and it still watches out resolutely over the waters. Built during the Napoleonic Wars, it fortified the exposed town against pirate raids, and offers beautiful views over the old town’s terracotta roofs. Rugged coastline falls to secluded beaches, with a wilder, unkempt charm. Sail the coves – seeing cascading olive groves – or island-hop to Giglio and Giannuti, which lie 12 miles from shore, and can be seen from the monastery topped Argentario mountain. On the other side of the promontory, you’ll find Porto Ercole – where the lifeless body of the Old Master, Caravaggio, was discovered.

The Island of Elba is probably best known as one of the places where Napoleon spent time in exile. Located in the Tyrrhenian Sea, Elba is the largest island of the Tuscan archipelago. Its considerable deposits of high-quality iron ore were already mined by the Etruscans, which enabled them to assert their dominance in Italy. Later, the mines were worked by the Romans. In fact, the name of Elba’s capital means “iron port,” testifying to the island’s important resource.

An energetic little town, where authentic Sardinian life plays out, Olbia welcomes you to the island’s heart-meltingly attractive northeastern coastline. Explore a land where glorious turquoise oceans and white sands meet, and cork and olive trees grow wild. Swish golf clubs on courses hugging the electric-blue waters, ride the terrain on mountain bike trails, or recline on powder-soft sands – the choice is yours in Olbia’s exclusive, sun-soaked outdoor playground. View less

Corso Umberto is the paved, flower-decorated spine of Olbia – a buzzing pedestrianised street that runs from the waterfront and hums with restaurants and shops. The town’s atmospheric narrow streets eventually lead to the small squares of Piazza Regina Margherita and Piazza Matteotti – perfect for a shaded drink and a sit down in their clusters of animated cafes. Wander to find Basilica di San Simplicio, a simple granite structure that dates back to the 11th century, and is decorated with glowing 12th-century frescoes. The zigzagging rainbow coloured tiles of the Chiesa di San Paolo’s dome beam in the sunshine, and add a splash of colour to the town’s humble skyline. The coastline around Olbia is some of Sardinia’s finest. Head to the Costa Smeralda, where some of the most beautiful beaches in the world sparkle. An area of immense beauty, white sand crescents like Capriccioli stand protected by junipers, pine trees and olive trees growing wild. Wander the secluded sands where turtles lay their eggs or relax in the opulence of luxury resorts. There are beautiful beaches closer to Olbia too – Porto Istana sandy beach offers crystal clear, shallow water that is ideal for swimming and sun worshipping.

Calvi’s illustrious citadel dominates the city’s harbour, watching over a port bustling with luxury yachts dropping anchor, and well-heeled visitors wandering the Quai Landry’s elegant seafront promenade. Cafes and restaurants clink and clatter, while the interplaying voices of trios of Corsica’s polychronic singers provide a wonderfully evocative soundtrack. Calvi’s grand, moon-shaped bay, completes the postcard-perfect appeal, and you can wander the fringe of soft sandy beach which stretches for five miles.

Or, dip into the tempting turquoise waves that lap softly against the shore, while admiring the crowning glory of Calvi’s majestic citadel. The stacked 13th-century Genoese fortress is Calvi’s heart and has played a central role in fending off invaders from across the waves throughout the city’s history. Positioned high above the port, and overlooking the sea below, there’s a labyrinth of cobbled streets tucked in behind its steep, protective walls. The clanging bells of the domed Cathedral St. Jean Baptiste echo evocatively down its stone-clad streets, and the church has a rustic beauty to its faded, sandpapered façade. Reach the ruins of a humble house – destroyed by Lord Nelson’s besiegement of Calvi – and you may raise an eyebrow at the signs proclaiming your arrival at Christopher Columbus’s birthplace. Raise your suspicions with the locals, however, to be met with pityingly smiles at your naïvety – they firmly believe the common theory that he was born in Genoa was a deliberate piece of misinformation spread by Columbus himself. Twist up through the fragrant pine trees of Chapelle de Notre Dame de la Serra for a spectacular view of Calvi’s majesty unfolding before you. Best appreciated at sunset, you can absorb the view with the last rays of the day bouncing off the tips of the waves below, as you’re embraced by the island’s ragged mountains and Calvi’s timeless beauty.

Le Lavandou is a commune in the Var department in the Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur region in southeastern France. It derives its name either from the flower lavender that is prevalent in the area, or more prosaically from the local form of the Occitan name for lavoir, lavandor

There are few more elegant places to salute the sunset than Terrazza Mascagni, Livorno’s refined chessboard piazza. A historic port, and a beachy gateway to Tuscany, Livorno welcomes you ashore to explore this enchanted Italian region’s sun-soaked beauty, rich flavours and world-renowned fine art. Stay in Livorno to explore ‘Piccolo Venezia’, or ‘Little Venice’ – a quarter of the town that’s laced with canals, little marble bridges and plenty of tempting eateries. View less

With its bustling market, fortresses and iconic waterfront, there’s plenty to keep you busy here, but most will be tempted to venture inland to explore more of Tuscany’s many charms and artistic wonders. Test your nose, as you breathe in the subtleties of Tuscany’s vineyard-draped scenery, and visit wineries showcasing the best of the renowned flavours of the Bolgheri wine-growing area. Or head out to Prato, where you’ll find tightly-woven textile history. Pisa’s showpiece tower is within reach, as is Florence’s city of immense and imaginative renaissance beauty. Admire the delicate carving of Michelangelo’s masterpiece, the David statue, and note the provocative stance as he casts a dismissive glance towards Rome. Stand before the city’s majestic black and white cathedral – the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore – with its colossal brick dome. The view down over Florence’s river and grand dome from Piazzale Michelangelo, meanwhile, is one of Italy’s finest. However you choose to spend your time in Tuscany, you’ll discover an artistic region, filled with beauty designed to appeal to every sense.

This tiny town on the Italian Riviera was strategically planned at the tip of a rocky peninsula overlooking the Gulf of La Spezia. Its 12th-century tall and narrow houses climb precipitously up the hillside from the sea. Many of them were at one time connected to the walls of an old citadel, which made it easy for the population to seek shelter during times of attack. Portovenere is built on different levels; visitors enjoy strolling through the narrow streets, delighting in the town’s unique ambiance.

Surrounded by the Côte d’Azur and the Ligurian Alps, this charming town full of mystery first appeared in the 12th century. At this time Menton belonged to the Vento family of Genoa.

In 1346, Menton was under ownership of Charles Grimaldi, Lord of Monaco. From hence, Menton’s history became intertwined with that of the principality of Monaco. In 1848, Menton broke away from the principality and proclaimed itself a free city under the protection of Sarde. Menton chose to become part of France in 1860 and Charles III of Monaco released all rights of the city to Emperor Napoléon III. Menton became part of the Alps-Maritimes department.

Disembark in Nice and take your private transfer to the airport for your return flight to the UK.