Beyond the View: The Amalfi Coast and Sorrento

This was my 6th Road Scholar trip and I was delighted with the itinerary, expert guides, the free time to explore on our own, and getting to know fellow trip members. The special experiences planned for us in Sorrento, Naples, and the Amalfi coast left me with a new, much enhanced understanding of the history, culture and people. And though I will never be able to speak as rapidly or with such drama, I did love the spirit of Italians from these regions. When our initial group leader, Domenico, had to leave us after the first week due to a family crisis, we were introduced to Irina who stepped into leading our group with enthusiasm and warmth. And, of course, the beauty of the Amalfi coast, seeing Mt. Vesuvius, touring Pompeii and Herculaneum, speaks for itself, making this trip a “must do” for me.

The lectures were interesting, perhaps with the exception of the music presentation. The presenters, as well as the guides, were clearly experts in their fields, but good presenters.  They made appropriate use of visuals, spoke clearly and audibly (which the music presenter did not), had a sense of humor, and approached their subject matter so that it became relatable to our lives here and now. Our first guide's fall was quite unfortunate and hopefully people understood that the change of guides was a necessity.  As happens often, change is difficult for some people, particularly when one has enjoyed the initial experience.  Clearly, our second guide's personality and approach to our trips was different, but he was knowledgeable and professional, often injected a bit of humor, and tried his best to accommodate to an emergency situation.   In terms of the meals, they were adequate.  Breakfasts at the Michelangelo, given the abundance of fresh fruit, failed to provide enough choices in that respect.  Eggs were served cold, which was not tasty at all.  However, breakfasts at Villa Romana were wonderful and meals tasty.  The hotel itself was lovely, the staff very friendly. Our visits to the archeological sites were fun;  our guide was quite funny, without losing her focus to the subject at hand.  She made history relatable to us, our daily lives.    What I'd like to be included:  a trip to a beach, or time to enjoy the water:  the weather was great, the water chilly (for me, having grown up enjoying Mexican warm water beaches) but bearable.   The boat trip would have been so wonderful had we been able to jump off in the clear Mediterranean waters!  Several people had to "sneak" away from the lecture or an activity in order to enjoy the ocean.   Unfortunately, the Paestum visit happened under a severe downpour and thunderstorm. Lightening was close and often: I felt we should have aborted the visit, what with umbrellas were the perfect lightening rod.

I have just returned from my first Road Scholar program (Beyond the View: Sorrento and the Amalfi Coast) and I couldn't have been more pleased with the trip and the Road Scholar organization. I will definitely be booking a second Road Scholar trip! C. Donnelly

The trip was long anticipated as I have wanted to see Pompeii and Herculaneum for decades. The bonus was that we toured the Naples Archaeological Museum. The guides were fabulous primarily bec they had extensive knowledge about what it was that we were touring. The guides were worth the cost of the trip! The buses and drivers were another A+ feature as were the choice of sites we visited especially the Marquetry Museum, the Villa of San Michele on the Isle of Capri and cooking at the Countryside farm. The one down side was the lecture room in the Hotel Michelangelo that we had a number of lectures in. It lacked any ventilation so that people fell asleep. I mentioned it to Jan the Coordinator as well as the Concierge but they seemed powerless to remedy the situation. Other than that, I would highly recommend this RS trip to anyone.

The trip was amazing and far exceeded my expectations--it was my first Road Scholar trip. It definitely lived up to its name. The sights were breathtaking and the information about history, archeology, and art was extremely well-presented and very interesting. The guides were excellent. Sabina deserves special mention for her knowledge, enthusiasm, and ability to provide clear explanations. Michelle Bassett--the tour leader--also deserves special mention. She made everything run smoothly and her tireless efforts contributed substantially to the success of the trip. She is an ideal trip leader, and she deserves to be recognized for her contribution to Road Scholar. On a more personal note, I have an onion allergy, and Michelle made sure that I received an onion-free meal for every group meal. I am so pleased with my first Road Scholar trip that I have already booked a second: a ship-board tour of Greek Islands.

A world of knowledge, a fantastic experience!

This program is both spectacular (for sights and vistas) but highly educational (in terms of Italian history). A wonderful itinerary that is well-organized and a delight to experience.

This was one of our favorite Road Scholar trips and we've been on seven others. We loved every minute of it and learned so much. Seeing Pompeii (the actual site), and the findings on display at the archaeological museum in Naples, Herculaneum, and Paestum were true highlights. The guides were phenomenal.

We greatly enjoyed this trip and learned so much about Italy -- past, present, and even future! Michelle B. was an EXCELLENT trip leader and took care of all of our needs. Her calm and positive demeanor were greatly appreciated. All of the guides and lecturers were so knowledgeable and provided us with so much to think about in terms of Italian history, art, music, culture, politics, and of course, food and Limoncello! The accommodations and restaurants were excellent. My only suggestion for improvement would be to structure the lectures so that there is more time for group discussion and reflection. So much valuable information is shared by the experts, but I would have loved to spend time discussing what we learned via some open-ended prompts. For example, regarding Pompeii and the fact that the city was buried 2,000 years ago -- what if that happened to us today -- what if our society was buried/disappeared for 2,000 years -- what would people 2,000 years from now find and what would they think of our culture? Or regarding current Italian political/economic situation, what are similarities to the US? Thank you for a trip that was educational, enjoyable, and inspiring!

The Amalfi Coast trip was the best one we have been on. I encourage everyone to take that trip. Sabina was the best guide ever.

I think Road Scholar did everything to make this trip a success. Domenico, our Leader, was a superb organizer as well as a voice for cultural enlightenment. The individual guides probably led us to everything they could in the time they had (and avoiding conflicting groups of tourists), though I see from Web photos that we probably missed some striking art in villas in Pompeii and Herculaneum. They were able to answer all questions, and showed their expertise. I loved seeing Paestum! It's too bad the weather was so much cooler and damper than anticipated, but RS staff did their best. Excellent hotel choices in Sorrento and Minori. High points for me, other than the archeological: Ravello, Capri, Sorento, Minori. The mountainous slopes all around us down to the sea were stunning! I marvel at the thousands of years of adaptive archictecture and agriculture. I could easily have foregone the walk in overcrowded, dirty Naples. However, I will long remember the superb contents of the Naples Archeological Museum.

This was a very rewarding trip. My interests in history, archaeology, art, different cultures and, oh yes, good food all were well covered. It is an active trip. Participants should prepare to be on the move! Micelle’s leadership was top notch. She kept us on time, was unflappable with any issues, and responsive to any concerns. The assortment of learning opportunities was varied. The expected, Pompeii, Capri and the unexpected Tarsia and Paper Mill museum, Agriturismo visit and dinner. Many “golden moments” from this trip to remember.

Trip of a lifetime. Excellent group leader and guides. Very well organized.

Fantastic! Informative! Fun!

Do not hesitate: click Register. Every single facet of this program was outstanding. So grateful to Domenico and all our guides. Culture and history huge highlights. To walk in the steps of ancient Greeks and Romans. No words. Minimal hotel moves really enhanced our gaining comfort with both Sorrento and Minori. Sorrento at the Easter Processions was a once in a lifetime. Air scented with orange blossoms. Wow. Everywhere! Strongly recommend viewing free YouTube videos for ProWalk Tours: Sorrento and Positano really enhanced our experience. There is a gorgeous cliff walk gained by walking up a ramp while facing the harbor - ramp to your right in Positano! Seek sea glass and majolica shards on all beaches! Consider bringing hiking poles and using them for the San Antonio shrine in Sorrento and the walk down from Ravello to Minori. Highly recommended! The best gelato was in Ravello - ask for guides’ fave shop you can’t go wrong!! So grateful to our 18 compadres - David annd I miss you all! Enjoy! Enjoy! Enjoy!

Excellent program. I would highly recommend! No doubt about it, I would love to go again and again. I can't say enough. I was wonderful.

My first Road Scholar trip was superb in every respect! The guides and lecturers were all knowledgeable and very helpful. Kudos to Enrica and Sylvia for describing ancient civilizations and making those ruins come alive -- special thanks to Enrica for her lively discussion of daily life in Pompeii and Herculaneum, most particularly for the women. Enzo guided our rambles along narrow mountain paths, so we didn't get too lost, and Domenico was an engaging, knowledgeable, and always available leader, whether for a 3:00 a.m. Good Friday procession in Sorrento or a calming presence in the hotel lobby in Naples for those of us who walked downstairs from the 21st floor during a midnight fire alarm. I appreciated the good balance between organized activities and free time. The food was delicious (especially at the agro-turismo), the hotels were charming and the assorted drivers and boat captains all got us safely to where we needed to be so we could enjoy the view.

A superb trip. Pompeii and Herculaneum have been on our "bucket list" for years, and now we have had the opportunity to visit those famous classical sites. But not to be missed is Paestum with its three temples in remarkably good condition despite the ongoing ages and the visiting guests. Sorrento was the perfect central location for much of this trip; interesting in its own right and central to so much on the Amallfi Coast. Needless to say, the scenery is spectacular; the food is varied and always filling; and everyday provided sites which amazed us.

When I chose this adventure on line I wanted to experience a new connection in my life that was educational, enjoyable, meeting new people and fun. Road Scholar did not disappoint me. I loss my husband 7 years ago. I would put all my time into my job. In 2023 I d retire from job of 25 years. I decided to take risk and try a new avenues. The trip was enriching, educational and fun. The people on the tour were easy going, friendly and adaptable to the day to day active experiences on the tour. Everyday was a new day full with amazing adventure. We viewed such beauty mystic scenery in each of the small towns. We Experience the past and present history, people culture and delicious organic foods each day in these small towns . Our hotels were clean , comfortably and quiet. Transportations each day of our tours were safe, clean, drivers courteous and tour guides were very knowledgeable which made the rides interesting and fun. Our Group Leader Domenico Nucci was charming, knowledgeable of the history and culture of areas we were visiting. Domenico was professional , high energy, interesting , true historian and helpful. Domenico took the time help us getting to the San Carlo Opera house to buy tickets for our last night stay in Napoli The opening of the Opera season started that last night of our tour which was a dream come true for me to experience such a grand place . It was a fanatic way to end a truly amazing trip. I can back a fuller enrich person with all the new experiences I learned. Thank you Road Scholar & Domenico

Longing for ancient history? Looking for expansive & thrilling vistas? Sorrento and the Amalfi coat delivers all! Gaze across the Bay of Naples to Mt. Vesuvius at sunset from high above the cliffs of Sorrento. Mingle with the locals, enjoy lectures at Pompeii, Paestum & Herculaneum by guides proud of their heritage. Trip leader Domenico was both enthusiastic and skilled at coordinating our trip along the Amalfi coast!! Plenty of free time for exploration around Sorrento, Capri and Ravello for those who like to walk. "Bucket List" item? Check!

I thought Dominico and Jan did a great job..and all of the related guides for different sites as well.They were well informed, easy to talk to and very enthusiastic about Italy and all the information they shared with us. It was highly educational and the mix of events, outings terrific. We also enjoyed the other participants. Scenery, political, social and cultural history, food and music all a treat. It is challenging and rewarding to absorb so much. One recommendation ..in Sorrento during Greek and Roman Art presentation it would have been great to note a little more information about Greek and Roman architectural and historical impact on the development of Sorrento. Thanks for a great trip.

Sure beats driving the Almafi coast individually. Great program.

I've traveled a lot over the years, both independently and with groups, and this third Road Scholar trip holds to their high standards. I've been to Italy several times and thought I knew it pretty well, buh this trip taught me a lot and I'm pleased. Pleased too with the warmth and camaraderie of fellow scholars.

This was my first Road Scholar trip and I enjoyed it more than I’d expected to. Everything was fantastic from our guide, Michelle Bassett, who was so sweet to us all, very well-organized, kept us informed and would respond to any questions or concerns I had whenever I messaged her, to the entire itinerary and local experts! I especially adored Enrica Guida who was our guide for Pompeii and Herculaneum. What a treasure she is. Enrica has a way of making the experience come alive! She is absolutely fantastic. Jan in Sorrento has vast knowledge of Sorrento and Vincenzo who took us to Capri and Positano were fantastic also. The hotels were super also. The Michelangelo in Sorrento and the hotel in Minori were my favorites. Our group was a lot of fun. However there was one obviously very sick couple (lots of open coughing and sneezing during the entire tour) who didn’t wear a mask for most of the time on our entire tour and I know that at least one of my tour friends caught their illness. It would be nice if Road Scholar could require mask wearing from people who are obviously very ill with Covid or another cold virus so as to limit the chance of spreading the illness to others and just out of courtesy. I know that may be difficult though to require mask wearing. My advice is bring your own masks should you need them. I wore my mask when I was around them on our activities and fortunately I didn’t catch anything from them. Aside from that, I thoroughly enjoyed my first Road Scholar trip and will be back for more adventures! 5 stars all the way. Wow moments include our visits to Herculaneum, Pompeii and the day trip to Capri. Another highlight during free time was my visit to the Mastellone Giuseppe’s inlaid wood shop in Sorrento where I bought a beautiful matching lamp and clock which he shipped to me (thank you Suzy for taking me in there!). Also, the warmth of the Italian people was so wonderful. It made it hard to come home to the States! Five star rating!

My husband and I were able to check off one of our “bucket list” items with this program by visiting Pompeii and the stunning Amalfi coast. Our group leader was enthusiastic and able to share so much about the area. All of our tours were impressive and the information shared by the tour leaders added so much to the content. Not only is the area full of beauty, the history and cultural aspects were the cherry on top of the trip!

Many of the places we visited offered a walk through time and events of the past. If you love hearing about archeology and history, this is a good fit for you. The food is healthy, fresh, and tasty. The views are postcard worthy.

Wonderful journey through an historic as well as beautiful part of the world. Great educational tours through Pompeii and Herculaneum, as well lots of local insight, good food and great tour instructors.

I would not hesitate to sign up again for Beyond the View! What a wonderful, educational and fun tour! The program leader Michelle was so accommodating to all our group . The guides were beyond educational and informative. I plan to go again in 2025. So much history and they work very hard to preserve it and share it with the participants! Excellent tour and worth the cost!

Excellent program and trip. well guided and lectured. amazing to to see our historic culture and how it has impacted who we are and how we live

An excellent experience I would recommend for anyone interested in visiting southern Italy!

Don't miss this chance to visit and learn about the archaeological sites.

This was an excellent trip in every way! We enjoyed varied and comprehensive travel experiences; well planned, organized, and executed. Michelle was an outstanding guide and went out of her way (numerous times)for us. Jan was great and all of the local guides were interesting. I have two suggestions; first that all Road Scholar guides should be provided with better quality microphones; and secondly that participants be allowed more time in some of the day trip towns as opposed to having to be back on the bus by 3:00 to return to the hotel. Thank You for everything, Jane Saber

This was my third trip to Italy, but my first trip south of Rome. The pace of life and the people were welcoming and helped cement a relaxing vacation. Unfortunately, the weather was mostly blustery and extremely rainy in May. I was grateful for an umbrella and raincoat, as well as layers. We all expected some sunny days, but there were not many. Nonetheless, the trips to Pompei and Herculaneum fell on mostly pleasant days--coolish, but mostly dry. Our guide to these sites was the amazing Claudius Major. I could not have been more pleased--he was extremely knowledgeable and a great story teller. The pace of this trip was much less rigorous than other trips I have taken with similar ratings (this was my 15th RS program). If you're looking for a slower paced program, this is your cup of tea. There was more free time and more time eating on your own than is usual on a RS trip in my experience. Tips were also suggested, which is unusual in a RS program. We spent the first week in a hotel in Sorrento with quite small rooms (at least they were small for couples), no view, and a lot of free time on rainy days. I understand that the cost of living is very high in Sorrento and I suspect the size of the rooms reflected that. I felt a bit cramped staying for a week. The single members of our group found the rooms more than adequate. The lectures, activities, and guides were all very good. But, overall, the pace was a bit slow for me. I felt that I could have done everything in about half the time on my own (though the expert presentations and guides were much appreciated and would have been hard to arrange on my own). Perhaps the slow pace was a fluke due to the rampant COVID in our group (one in three) and the unseasonably stormy weather. Overall a good experience, but I probably would only recommend it to people expecting a more leisurely program.

Great trip. I am a survivor of the Amalfi Coast roads!

This was our second trip with RS. As expected, it was very educational and very well organized. Mimmo, our leader was wonderful. The hotel in Sorrento and all the included meals for the first week were great with the exception of the welcome dinner, which was not up to RS standards. Great staff at the hotel Michelangelo. Fabulous guide in Pompeii. Unfortunately, we were plagued by serious rain, especially in Capri. We were terribly rushed in Capri by the guide, and it was hard to keep up with him and hear him with the rain, the slippery cobblestones, and the umbrellas. He should have slowed down. We had to run from the boat to the funicular and crush into the funicular and none of us knew where we were going. Then my husband got COVID. Mimmo helped me get my own room and I stayed with the group. Then I got it, and RS did not really help us figure things out other than to tell us to go to a lab for official test results. We opted to leave the program because the group was moving on the next day to Minori, and we weren't offered any transportation or help. We left the next day. RS emergency services did get us on a plane home and we are working with insurance under trip interruption. If the weather had cooperated and we vaccinated people had not gotten COVID, it would have been a better trip. Given all that, a couple days were too jam packed for comfort: specifically a day in Capri followed immediately(1/2 hour later) by a lecture followed by a short concert in town . Many opted out of the lecture and concert. It was not a good plan. I can keep up, but this was over the top. Mimmo and Jan were good; the art lecturer was lovely, the Pompeii guide was brilliant. The highlight was the dinner overlooking Capri in Massa Lubrense. Fabulous food and venue. So lovely. And lunch in Anacapri was excellent. All good food. Thank you for the good times.

An outstanding trip! The trip has wonderful leaders, hotels, program, and excellent food. This is definitely an active trip, with many opportunities to learn about Greek and Roman history while enjoying modern day Italy. I would highly recommend the trip.

It was a trip of a lifetime to a fascinating and beautiful region of Italy.

I can't think of a better way to get traveling again!

Beyond the View-The Amalfi Coast and Sorrento was a fabulous well-planned 11 night adventure which maximized our time while combining visits to 3 archeological sites (Pompeii, Herculaneum, and Paestum- a Greek site) by knowledgeable guides, an archeological museum in Naples, and visits to exceptionally scenic Capri and spectacular Ravello. I enjoyed the bus rides on the scenic Amalfi drive and the scenic boat ride from Amalfi to Minori. During free time we were able to explore additional worthwhile options.

This program was delightful with lots of education provided about Greek, Roman, and current cultures of the Amalfi Coast. We loved all of the activities including the hands on experience of making gnocchi and a lemon tart at the agriturismo. It was also wonderful to see the Tarsia Museum's collection and learn from Alessandro Fiorentino about the detailed work that goes into making each piece. Enrica Guida is a delightful expert to learn from with so much knowledge and a clear love for sharing with others. Domenico Nucci was wonderful as our trip coordinator and guide. I would highly recommend this program to anyone who wants to learn about Greek, Roman and Italian cultures while visiting Pompeii, Herculaneum, Pasteum, the Archaeological Museum in Naples and the beautiful Amalfi Coast.

This trip was amazing! All the planning and transportation was arranged and I could totally immerse myself in learning about the area with the knowledge of the instructors.

Sorry for delay. It was a totally wonderful trip from beginning to end. Our director and guides from Sorrento to back to naples were knowledgeable , helpful and professional. Can’t wait to travel with RS again in the near future. Thank you Mary-Beth

The trip of a lifetime led by a knowledgeable and friendly group leader. Guides were great! We got a great diversity of the communities and food. Lots of good knowledge learned at all sites we visited. Hotels and restaurants were great choices. Good balance of organized time and free time. We made new friends, learned a lot of the areas we visited. We will definitely recommend this trip to others.

My trip was truly magical...a dream come true. The tour leaders were all exceptional and loved every lecture. Only negative was Caesar Augusta Hotel in Sorrento. Altho the location was ideal the hotel itself was not, hope it has been changed. Also note that in Sorrento Friday Sat and Sunday nights were all on our own and they could have been spread out a little more evenly. Restaurant suggestions were great. I LOVE Road Scholar! Thank you! Best, Holly Curry

A wonderful trip with road scholar.I would recommend to all.

My daughter and I had a wonderful time on this trip. We were able to visit places we had read and heard about for years, and were lucky to have been able to do so with such a compatible group of people. Michelle was a wizard at organizing everything and keeping it running smoothly. She went well above and beyond on occasion, as when she was able to arrange a restaurant reservation for us on very short notice at a popular and extremely busy establishment. We were very fortunate to have her as our trip leader.

It was a wonderful trip. Thanks to our guide Dominico - out of 4 starts I would give him 5! He was always there keeping us informed of the schedule and so much information on the places we were visiting! The other historians were so informed and interesting, we didn't lack for any historical data. The locations of the hotels were perfect, but the rooms were lacking.... beds were terrible, and plugs were insufficient. Other than that, Amalfi Coast and trips included were great!

If you are interested in the ancient Roman and Greek life, this trip that includes Pompeii, Herculaneum, Paestum, and the incredible archeological museum in Naples is just for you. Bring hiking poles with rubber tips for the ups and downs at the archaeological sites. A fascinating adventure!

Beyond the view was even better than I could have ever imagined. The beauty of the area can not be described in words. This was my first trip with Road Scholar with the expertise of Michelle Bessett and her crew it was extraordinary. She met our every need and their were many at times. Michelle led our trip with ease and kindness at every escapade. All of the adventures were crafted perfectly and the guides that led us were experts in their field and shared so much of their own knowledge. From the drivers to the hotels , every moment was perfectly orchestrated. There was just enough time to explore on our own too. This will be a hard trip to replicate when I travel next year with Road scholar to Iceland. Michelle 's love of her new adopted country and her accommodating and sweet personality are a perfect mix for a travel leader. I wish she could to travel on another trip-I would be the first one to sign up. Loved having someone to turn to if any problems arise when you are so far away from home. Michelle and her crew are outstanding. Thanks for the memorable experience-it was divine. Warmest regards, Denise Pierson---Cheers to you Lovely Michelle.

The Amalfi Coast is beautiful and filled with much historical interest. While visiting Pompeii fulfilled a lifelong dream, Herculaneum was much more spectacular. Staying for 7 nights in one hotel in Sorrento enhanced my ability to be immersed in the program without having to think about packing up for the next stop. In times of Covid I can’t stress enough the need to be vigilant in protecting yourself and your fellow travelers.

Sorrento is the perfect base to take day trips to the Almafi Coast towns. The hotel is conveniently located for an easy walk into town to enjoy individual sightseeing and meals. The program is designed to allow participants to take advantage of the many small family-owned restaurants and delis that can't seat an entire group. It's a beautiful town for sidewalk dining at tables for 2 or 4. There is a 20 Euro minimum charge everywhere in town. ATM machines are conveniently located, but there is a fee for each transaction. Pat pointed out many places of interest during an introductory walking tour of Sorrento. Free time is appreciated because there is so much to see and do. Some participants went to museums, some to cathedrals, some to photo exhibits, some to craft shops, some to the marina, etc. The Introductory materials you receive at home describes very well the entire program. At orientation, you will receive a daily itinerary with details including the specific times of each activity. The program is well designed and the complicated logistics were well executed. A private boat tour along the shore of Capri to the Blue Grotto is not included because it depends on the weather. If it is offered during your program, don't miss it. The bus ride along the narrow Amalfi coast road and the boat rides along the coast offered spectacular photo opportunities. Vincenzo is a personable, knowledgeable guide for Amalfi, Capri, Paestum, and Napoli. Claudio, our guide for Pompeii, the museum, and Herculaneum is a walking encyclopedia for those two sites. If you are interested in the Greek and Roman history of Southern Italy, and want to spend a day on the island of Capri, this is the program for you.

Overall, we were very pleased with the excellent guides and opportunities to explore on our own. TWO suggestions: 1. Prior to the start of our trip, Leader Michelle sent out a very nice letter introducing herself, the instructors and offered some extra tips and wisdom. It would have been extremely helpful if she had mentioned that any restaurant charges under 20 Euros HAD to be paid with cash. I had asked prior to the trip how many Euros to bring and was never informed of this local policy. Knowing this, would have reduced a lot of inconvenient running around for many participants in Sorrento and other cities just to obtain Euros. 2. PLEASE give participants a heads up on how laundry can be done. Not knowing that Italy's hotels do not offer coin operated laundry systems would have been very helpful. Given their limited hours of operation, dropping off and picking up services were not conducive to the pace of the program. Unfortunately, many of us ended up doing laundry in our bathroom sinks. Please help with more instruction on this topic! Thank you for the trip of a life time!

The trip was good but not the best Road Scholar trip I have been on in the past few years. There are few areas where there could be improvements, as compared to previous Road Scholar trips I have taken. The lectures were not of the quality which I have had with other Road Scholar trips. Also certainly two lectures in one day was not at all well received by the group. This day that we had these two lectures was not an interesting/ quality day which a tour group like RS advertises. In addition, the room where the lectures were held had noise from the kitchen, combined with the fact that Jan and Mimo were talking in the back of the room throughout the entire lecture. The hotels were fine, however the dinners are the hotel in Sorrento were the worst food I have ever had at Roads Scholar. In fact ma y of us learned to skip them and go elsewhere for dinner. When Massimo was our bus driver, he smoked in the bus while we were out touring and when we returned to the bus we could barely breathe. It was awful air in an enclosed bus full of smoke. Mimo was a good program supervisor, and attentive to the group.

This was a lovely trip and I was excited to see Pompeii, the Greek temples, Herculaneum, and Amalfi Road, all things I had always wanted to view in person. Michelle Bassett was helpful, friendly and organized. Couldn't have asked for a better team leader. Bravo to Road Scholar trips.

What a fantastic trip! The Italian history and lifestyle, the gorgeous Amalfi Coast, delicious food and wine, and compatible travel companions. I wasn't ready to come home!

This was a wonderful trip. The tour was carefully planned to allow participants to see the most remarkable sites in this area. Excellent lectures provided introductory and background information for the excursions. Michelle Bassett, our tour guide, was outstanding, kind, helpful, competent, interesting, lively, and even hard-working to ensure that all arrangements were just as described in the itinerary. Vincenzo and Enrica were superb tour guides for archaeology, history, geography, art...two polymaths with boundless enthusiasm, love for their work, and care for all of us. The hotels were convenient and comfortable; dinners there, and other planned dinners were delicious. The Amalfi Coast, Sorrento, and the Sorrentine Peninsula have to be among the world's most beautiful places to see. The sights were awesome; words are inadequate.

The adventure "Beyond the View: The Amalfi Coast and Sorrento" was the experience of a lifetime! Every aspect of it was perfect from the guides to the food to the hotels and the cities. Italy is wonderful; this trip is spectacular!

This program provided a great combination of the beauty of Italy and the history of the country from the ancient world (Pompeii, Herculaneum, museums) to the present (from lectures and observations of daily living). Guides are knowledgeable and enthusiastic. Bus drivers are skilled on the hills and narrow roads of the Amalfi coast.

This is a great trip, giving you a nice combination of tourist sights and educational learning. The way the program is structured connects the information together as you travel up and down the Amalfi Coast. Sorrento is a great place to be based for the first part, lots of attractions and activity. Our tour leader, Mimmo, and all the local experts were remarkable, especially Enrica, who brought the ruins of Pompeii and Herculaneum to life for us. She has so much energy and enthusiasm that we could not help but understand what we were observing. The visit to the agroturismo (farm restaurant) was unquestionably the most entertaining part of the trip. Seeing the amazing ruins of ancient Greek temples at Paestum and the handmade paper mill in Amalfi were also highlights. (Plus the glorious concert in the Cathedral!) All in all, great knowledge + great sights + great leadership = awesome trip!

Our group leader, Mimo, took great care of us, and the experts and guides did a wonderful job of bringing the past to life. We learned something new everyday! I was amazed at how large Pompei was and how many artifacts had survived over the centuries. And I had never heard of the cities of Herculean and Paestum (sp?). Wow!! How do such places exist, and yet so many people have never heard of them?? This trip was incredible. I absolutely LOVED it! I am definitely going to do this one again!

It was so good to be traveling again. The Campania area of Italy felt very safe with good attention to Covid regulations. Domenico, our guide for the trip, was an absolute gem, charming, gracious, funny and very informative. Also, we had wonderful guides to the archeological sites and lectures about Italy. It was a nice blend of enjoying the beautiful scenery of the coast (boat trip to Capri and boat trip along the coast from Positano to Amalfi) and the opportunity to learn about the amazing Roman and Greek sites and the way of life in these ancient cities (Pompeii, Herculaneum, Paestum). I was so glad that Paestum was included in this program, because it offers some of the best preserved Greek temples anywhere (except perhaps Sicily which is another great Road Scholar trip).

What a way to renter the world of travel after an almost two year hiatus! From the historical sites of Pompeii and Herculaneum to the stunning vistas of the Amalfi Coast we had a great way to spend almost 2 weeks. Great instructors, great food, as a good group of fellow travelers completed the trip.

The Amalfi Coast/Sorrento trip is amazing. I met some great people, learned new things, and was able to take photographs that will help me remember this part of Italy for years to come.

The Amalfi Coast tour is one of the highlights of our European guided tours. It was well-planned, interesting, and delightful. The tour leaders and guides are exceptionally well-informed, courteous, friendly and made the tour as interesting as it was. While the weather didn't always cooperate, we all had a great time.

This was our first Road Scholar. Jan Gilbert and the other tour guides made this trip very enjoyable and educational. We would definitely take another trip with Road Scholar.

This is a fabulous program and I recommend it to all. Such a beautiful, welcoming area, with wonderful Road Scholar people helping us get the most out of it as possible! I wouldn’t have missed it!

Road Scholar, with an emphasis on educational programming and deep cultural understanding, is definitely a cut above the multitude of show-and-tell group tours.

An in-depth tour of the Amalfi coast region of Italy. So many sights, sounds and tastes to savor and enjoy!

A great time, with nicely varied programming; wonderful group leaders; unmatched scenery and archaeological sites. If you're up for more hiking in your free time, there are wonderful opportunities, such as climbing Vesuvius; roaming to vistas in Ravello, Capri, and Positano; and further exploring Sorrento and Minori.

I loved the mix of activities in this program. Most days were spent outside exploring beautiful sites with stories to tell. We visited not only well known sites like Pompeii, but sites I wasn’t familiar with like Herculaneum and Paestum. The Amalfi Coast was beyond beautiful but also amazing for its land use. It was great being based in Sorrento—we got to know the town and it’s great restaurants. Being there during Easter Week was a special bonus as we were able to observe and participate in activities that have been going on since the Middle Ages. Do climb Mt Vesuvius—the views are worth the effort. Don’t walk down from Ravello—it took my knees days to recover. Jan was the perfect site coordinator and Claudio was an inspiring teacher.

This is a high-energy, high-value program. We were busy and moving most of the time, but it was just terrific. The location has so much to offer, and the staff that put this on are really amazing! Note that it is not a good program for those who have mobility issues as there is a lot of climbing and extensive walking.

While the Amalfi Coast is beautiful, the history of The Roman Empire and Greek influences are everywhere. If you want to increase your knowledge of the “Classical Era” of European history, this a trip for you.

First class accommodations, exploration, food and staff . The participants for social and interesting. Shared their experiences if asked