Private Pompeii & Naples

Take a full day journey through the streets of Naples and Pompeii on a chauffeured private tour. Let a driver pick you up at the cruise ship marina in Sorrento and bring you to two of Italy's most popular destinations, taking in more of the area's history along the way.

From the character-soaked, exclusive neighborhood at Posillipo Hill, which has its own host of beautiful villas, you'll delight in the best views of the colorful buildings of Naples and its port and marinas in the gulf below. Off in the distance is the mighty profile of Mount Vesuvius.

From there you will descend to Mergelina, once a fishing village, now one of the lovely ports of Naples. Further down the coastal road you will find yourself in Santa Lucia, another ancient fishing village where the Castel dell'Ovo, a seaside fortress castle and the oldest castle in Naples sits on an islet, waiting for you to take a memorable photo. It is said that the Roman poet Virgil buried an egg on the site, and when the egg breaks the castle will fall, thus giving it its name, which translates to Castle of the Egg.

In the historical center of the city of Naples, you'll find many more gorgeous architectural wonders, from the stately Royal Palace, home to the Bourbon Kings of the 18th and 19th centuries, to the oldest opera house in Europe, the glorious Teatro San Carlo, both found in the Piazza del Plebiscito.

West of Naples you'll see the restless Campi Flegrei, an 8-mile wide volcanic caldera cluster terrifyingly known as the "Fiery Fields." In the shadow of Mount Vesuvius, you will drive through the valley to the ancient city of Pompeii, passing the archaeological sites in Torre Annunziata and Torre del Greek, along with the ancient Roman town of Herculaneum.

It is in famous Pompeii that you will get an intimate look at ancient city life, with glimpses into the well preserved villas, temples, bath houses, and brothels. Bright frescoes still hang on walls, and remnants of sculptures remain in temples to gods like Jupiter and Apollo. Look for a "Beware of the Dog" mosaic at The House of the Tragic Poet, and keep an eye out for the Temple of Isis, which inspired Mozart's opera, The Magic Flute.

Lightweight summer clothing and light layers are recommended, with sweaters and jackets advised for evenings and cooler months. Some terrain in Italy is uneven, and archaeological sites can be challenging for those who are not surefooted, so keep that in mind when booking your tour. Vehicles are accessible for a collapsible wheelchair or walker.

Bookings for this full day tour are available from March through November. This private tour of Naples and Pompeii includes an English-speaking driver, fuel, highway toll fees, and parking fees, but does not include entrance fees or tickets to local attractions, or private guides. Though your English-speaking driver can provide commentary while driving you around, they cannot act as a guide outside of the car. A bottle of water is provided, but food and beverages are not included in this tour, though there are times set aside for snack breaks and meals included in the day's schedule. Don't be afraid to ask your driver for suggestions on local restaurants and cafes that you may enjoy. At the end of this adventure, your driver will return you to the cruise ship marina in Sorrento.