To see what we think please read on.

At Sunliving Paul and I have sailed several times on SeaDream I & II in both the Mediterranean and also the Caribbean. Another colleague, Tony, has chartered one of them in its former role as Sea Goddess for a major international car manufacturer.

This is Sunliving’s view of SeaDream. SeaDream wins coveted awards which would be easy to list here. But there’s no point when they are very well and proudly displayed on SeaDreams own website which you can visit anytime: www.seadreamyachtclub.com

Suffice to say that in our experience of well over 120 ships the awards are wholly justified and the website claims and video sequences are not exaggerated. If anything they are understated.

SeaDreams’ website updates its guest testimonials every few days. If anything they are boringly similar! They all exude the quality of service, value for money and unique experiences which add up to SeaDream. We make no apologies for doing much the same here.

Because, like SeaDream, Sunliving is small and personal we can never have that many guests who sail with SeaDream but do take a look at our previous blog post featuring Lisa and Anthony, a well travelled professional couple who took their first cruise ever, on SeaDream II in June 2009.

So, is SeaDream the best cruise line in the world or not?.

Does ‘best’ mean small, sophisticated and elegant?

The answer depends to some degree on what you want. If you positively want a large ship with 10-15 decks, a dozen bars or more and wall to wall entertainment then SeaDream is probably not for you. But most who thought that’s what they wanted and tried SeaDream were woken up to its unique pleasures and experiences which are just not possible on a large ship.

Small and sophisticated? SeaDream I & SeaDream II are small, yacht like vessels of about 4500 tonnes apiece and just 112 guests when full. And they are most definitely small when compared with the largest, 220,000 tonne, cruise ship to be launched later this year with space for 5400 passengers and a whole lot more when upper berths are taken into account.

SeaDream doesn’t have upper berths! It only has ocean view suites from 195 to 447 square feet with marble lined bathrooms and Bulgari amenities. There’s personalized stationery and a private bar stocked to your own specification prior to boarding.

Sophisticated? Yes, if by that you mean discerning with service levels which win higher awards and accolades than the worlds best hotels. In early 2009 one delighted guest commented that SeaDream was like the Ritz at sea. From early on, the crew know who you are, how you would like to be addressed and what your favourite drink is, all without appearing to ask. Spooky.

Elegant? Totally but only to a degree. For all this quality and perfection you don’t need to dust down your tiaras or raid the piggy bank. Dinner Jackets (indeed, jackets of any description) or evening dresses are not required, but they’re not banned either. You can wear whatever you like. The only guidance is elegant casual, which usually means swimwear and cover-ups during the day and smart casual in the evenings, with the accent on dressing down rather than dressing up.

The on-board atmosphere is akin to the casually elegant private yacht lifestyles we all see displayed in upmarket glossy magazines It’s the nearest most of us will ever get.

It goes without saying that SeaDream provides top class dining with with open seating at tables of two to ten or more depending on what you want each day. Most meals -all breakfasts and lunches-are taken al fresco under shade on the teak decks. Sometimes dinners are served here too.

There are fitness and Thai spa facilities as well as a host of ‘boys’ toys in the ocean off the small marina at the back of the yacht-powerful wave runners, kayaks, snorkelling, water skiing and more.

In addition to comfortable sunbeds around the pool there are several semi-discreet Balinese style double sunbeds where you can relax and unwind. And a quiet word with one of the staff will ensure that one of these is made up for you for a romantic night under the stars….Ahhhh.

One of the best bars at see is at the highest point (not very high) and aptly named the ‘Top of the Yacht Bar’. And your bar tab as well as your tips for the whole duration are both taken care of before you even get on board, although some non house drinks are charged for.

The bad news? Oh yes, there is some. After a weeks yachting with SeaDream you may never want to go on a cruise ship again.

Sensuously styled and serenely set amid manicured gardens with tranquil waterways, this rustic yet indulgent resort hems tranquil Pran Buri beach. A peaceful spot for a pampering stay. Situated on the seafront, the resort is 30 minutes south of Hua Hin centre and 3½ hours by private transfer from Bangkok.

‘Indulging with a Six Senses Spa treatment at one of the Salas sunken among lily ponds is a moment to remember.’

Accommodation offers 185 rooms and 40 luxurious pool villas designed with a focused commitment to the environment. As each spacious villa has its own personal pool in a walled, landscaped garden, guests enjoy the utmost in privacy. In addition, each villa type, with the exception of the Duplex Pool Villas, offers a private spa option. These villas have a shower and steam room plus a treatment area.

Prices £770 per person based on two sharing Evason twin/double room for 7 nights, with flights with Eva Air Heathrow to Bangkok.

All prices are subject to availability and cannot be guaranteed. Prices correct at the time of publishing. Travel based on travel in Oct 2009.

• Award-winning – Green Planet Award 2007-08 (Kuoni Swiss, Switzerland) and Maldives Leading Resort Award (World Travel Awards 2006).
• 98 rooms including Beach and Deluxe Villas nestled in lush vegetation, Lagoon Villas or the Sunset Lagoon Villa which offers a private butler service.
• The Coco Spa offers all-natural treatments including reflexology, massage, facials and aromatherapy.
• Dine on International and Maldivian cuisine, seafood, Thai and Grill in the open air under the stars.
• Activities include scuba diving, snorkelling, windsurfing and deep sea fishing (at a local charge), tennis, volleyball and fitness club.

Prices £1,140 per person based on two sharing a beach villa for 7 nights, with breakfast and flights with Emirates from Heathrow via Dubai for travel in October.

Why not combine this holiday with a stopover in Dubai or combine it with Sri Lanka?

Download the fact sheet.

You’ll enjoy a balance of lectures, discussions, and social get-togethers relating to the beautiful gardens experienced at the ports of call of this cruise.

45% saving .Prices from £1,420 per person based on two sharing an inside cabin category cabin or £1,745 for an outside cabin.

All prices are subject to availability and cannot be guaranteed. Golf packages need to be pre booked at £400pp. Prices correct at the time of publishing.

18 Night Cruise to the Cape Verde Islands

Prices from £2265 per person based on two sharing an inside cabin category cabin or £2790 for an outside cabin.

All prices are subject to availability and cannot be guaranteed. Golf packages need to be pre booked at £400pp. Prices correct at the time of publishing.

15 Night Cruise of Mexico & the Caribbean

Prices £619 per person based on two sharing twin room, regional flights are subject to availability, Birmingham, Blackpool, Cardiff, East Midlands, Manchester, Doncaster ,Coventry, Gatwick Bristol, Liverpool, Luton, Leeds/Bradford, Stansted and Newcastle.

4 Excursions and visits included in the price :

Seville-unique atmosphere ,stunning Gothic Cathedral and many fine buildings and gardens.
Cordoba -home of the Mezquita moorish Mosque
Granada- the World famous Alhambra Palace
Ronda - spectacular cliff side village.

Hotel Guadalupe Granada 2 Nights

The Hotel Guadalupe Granada is located only 50 metres from the most stunning Moorish building in Spain, the Alhambra, which is the finest testament to the Moorish civilisation which was predominant in Spain from the 9th to the 15th century. The centre of Granada is only ten minutes’ walking distance. Enjoy the warm and welcoming atmosphere of the Hotel, built and decorated in the classic Granada style.

Sevillo Congresos 3 Nights

The 4 star Sevilla Congresos is a stylish hotel located in the heart of Seville. Its superb location allows easy access to the cultural centre and business venues in Seville .

The Sevilla Congresos offers accommodation in 218 modern, comfortable guestrooms. The hotel was totally refurbished in 2004 and now offers all its patrons an unsurpassable level of comfort and quality.

7-Day Break

• Day 1 - Fly to Malaga where you will be met and transferred to your hotel in the Malaga area for the night. [D]

• Day 2 - Ronda (included excursion). En route to Seville we call at the spectacularly situated village of Ronda, once the home of Ernest Hemingway and Orson Welles. This small town is perched high on a ridge over the El Tajo canyon and connected by three spectacular bridges above the sleepy Rio Guadalegin. Admire the whitewashed houses and old narrow streets, see the Plaza de Toros, the oldest bullfighting ring in Spain, and the beautiful Mondragon Palace. [B,D]

• Day 3-4 - Seville (included and optional excursions). Two days in the capital of Andalucia with so much to see. When talking of attractions, Seville, more than a thousand years old, has so much to offer, from the Cathedral, one of the largest Gothic cathedrals in the world, to the fantastic Alcazar, dating from the 12th century, with its incomparable gardens. As an introduction to the city, why not join our optional half-day sightseeing tour with local English- speaking guide as we explore the Plaza de España, then the enormous Cathedral and the equally imposing Alcazar Royal Palace. We also walk through the quaint streets of the Jewish quarter, the Barrio Santa Cruz. For the rest of your time, relax and breathe in the unique atmosphere of this lovely city, enjoy the tapas bars, relax in the parks, or perhaps even enjoy a horse and carriage ride around the main sights. [B,D]

• Day 5 - Cordoba (included excursion). On our way to Granada we call at the Roman city of Cordoba, home of the grandest mosque ever built by the Moors in Spain, the Mezquita. Join our included city tour. See, as well, the beautiful gardens of the Alcazar, or perhaps the Plaza del Potro, mentioned in ‘Don Quixote’, and the imposing Plaza de la Corredera, once the site of a Roman amphitheatre and the burnings of the Inquisition. [B,D]

• Day 6 - Granada and the Alhambra (included excursion). The old city of Granada is a delight to explore, but the highlight of our included guided tour is the vast palace which dominates the skyline with the Sierra Nevada mountains in the background. The world-famous Alhambra Palace (entrance included) with its grand red walls, started in the 11th century, is the ‘must see’ in Andalucia. See Nasrid Palace, the Fortress, Charles V Palace and Medina, as well as the Generalife Gardens and Palace. [B,D]

• Day 7 - To Malaga for your return flight. [B]

B=Breakfast D=Dinner

Prices £349 per person based on two sharing twin room, with local coach pick up point.

Your Hotel

Hotel Elma

The 3-star Hotel Elma, near the centre of Fiuggi, has a bar and restaurant which offers typical regional dishes. All bedrooms have T.V. and telephone.

Description of package :

7-Day Holiday

Day 1 - Local departure then onwards overnight to Italy.

Day 2 - Afternoon arrival in Fiuggi, near Rome, for 6-night stay.

Day 3 - Pompeii and Montecassino (optional, included on Silver Service). Join us as we visit the monastery of Montecassino. It was destroyed during WWII then rebuilt. We then continue to Pompeii where, in 79AD, the eruption of Mount Vesuvius buried the town in a suffocating layer of stones and ash (entrance at additional cost). Join our optional guided sightseeing tour of Pompeii, with expert guide, for a fascinating look at the ruins. B

Day 4 - Rome (included). Discover the ‘eternal city’ with some time at leisure and an optional guided sightseeing tour by coach and on foot to introduce the city’s spectacular sites, including the Trevi Fountain, the Piazza Venezia and the grand Colosseum. B

Day 5 - Sorrento (optional) or Capri (optional). We travel to Sorrento, one of the most popular resorts on the Neapolitan Riviera. Pick up some souvenirs from the shops and stalls, or enjoy some Italian cuisine in one of the many trattoria. Alternatively, you can join our optional visit to Capri. Visit the town’s main square, the ‘Piazza Umberto’, and the gardens of Augustus, which overlook the Faraglioni Rocks. Enjoy the views across the Marina Piccola. A guided tour of the island is also included. B

Day 6 - Rome (included). Another visit to Rome, giving you the chance to join our optional Vatican and the Sistine Chapel tour. Escorted by a local guide, you will see the awe-inspiring frescoes in the Sistine Chapel, including Michelangelo’s famous chapel ceiling.

Day 7 - Castel Gandolfo and Frascati (optional). We pay a short visit to the small town of Castel Gandolfo (home of the Pope’s summer residence), overlooking Lake Albano, then travel to Frascati, forever associated with the region’s famous wine. B

Day 8 - Free time before leaving for the overnight journey north. B

Day 9 - Arrive Calais and return home.

B=Breakfast

Prices from £1420 per person departing 06 Jun 2010, 13 nights accommodation based on two sharing by coach with Passion Play tickets.Other dates available

Hotel Mizar

Chianciano Terme is a small peaceful town in the south of Tuscany, surrounded by the green of the Siena hills landscape .The hotel Mizar lies only a few metres from the Piazza Italia, the main square of Chianciano. The hotel was completely renovated recently and reopened to offer more space. Facilities include a bar, living room , and a large dining room with exit to the garden.

Rooms are newly furnished with air conditioning, security safe, telephone, and satellite TV. Many also have a balcony.

Hotel Pace, Lake Garda

The fine position of the hotel allows easy access to the countryside, including walks along the river to the lake. Torri del Benaco and the surrounding area offer many sporting facilities : wind surfing, water skiing, horse riding, fishing, rowing, sailing, golf and tennis.

The Oberammergau Passion Play

The Passion Play is famous throughout the world. It is expected that over 500,000 people will attend the performances in 2010. The play runs from May to Oct, starting at 2.30pm and finishing at 10.00pm with a break at 5.00pm for dinner.

The performers are drawn solely from Oberammergau and the surrounding villages to maintain the tradition of the solemn vow made to villagers in 1633.

14-Day Itinerary

Day 1 - Depart from one of our local joining points or take advantage of our Door to Door service* and connect to your transfer service to Dover. Here you meet your Silver Service luxury coach and fellow travellers then sail to Calais and onwards to our overnight stop hotel in northern France.

Day 2 - We travel south to the Milan area for an overnight stop. [B]

Day 3 (Pisa) - We journey south through Italy making a call into Pisa where you can view the famous Leaning Tower. We then continue to the spa town of Chianciano Terme, located in the wine producing area of Umbria about 80 miles north of Rome where we stay for 5 nights. [B, D]

Day 4 (Local Vineyard) - A relaxing day today with a morning at leisure followed by an afternoon visit to a local vineyard and wine cantina where you can taste and purchase some of the local produce. [B, D]

Day 5 (Rome & The Vatican) - A full day visit to Rome and the Vatican City. We begin in the Vatican where you can discover its treasures on our optional guided tour. Escorted by a local guide, you will take in the awe inspiring frescoes in the Sistine Chapel, and visit St Peter’s Square where some of the most important Papal ceremonies take place. Afterwards you will have free time in Rome, or why not join our guided sightseeing tour by coach and on foot to take in the sights of Rome such as the Trevi Fountain, the Colosseum, the Piazza Venezia and much more. We will stay in Rome until mid evening to allow you to enjoy the atmosphere of this wonderful city. Although a long day, today will be fulfilling. [B]

Day 6 (Siena) - After a leisurely morning join our optional afternoon excursion to Siena. No visit to Italy is complete without seeing this beautiful city. Discover the Piazza del Campo, claimed to be perhaps the most attractive in Europe and wander the maze of narrow medieval streets. [B, D]

Day 7 (Assisi) - Today we visit Assisi, known for the famous Basilica, where St Francis is buried and one of the greatest Christian Shrines in the World. [B, D]

Day 8 (Florence) - We leave Chianciano and visit Florence where you will have some free time to relax and explore this marvellous city with its culture, art and outstanding Renaissance architecture. In the afternoon we continue north to Lake Garda, our base for the next two nights. [B]

Day 9 (Lake Garda) - A day to relax and enjoy the simple pleasures of life around this beautiful lake. Our optional guided tour will visit some of the local villages on the shores of the lake with a backdrop of mountains rising sharply from the shore side. [B]

Day 10 - We leave Lake Garda and travel north over the spectacular Brenner Pass from Italy into Austria, then over the mountain pass into Bavaria arriving late afternoon at our accommodation in the Oberammergau area for a two night stay. Relax tonight ahead of tomorrow’s spectacle. [B]

Day 11 (Oberammergau) - Enjoy a relaxing morning in the environs of Oberammergau. Lunch is taken at noon before the start of the Passion Play at 2.30pm. After a break for dinner between 5 and 8pm the Play ends at 10.30pm. Transfer back to your accommodation. [B, L, D]

Day 12 (The Romantic Road) - We leave Oberammergau after breakfast and travel north through Germany along the Romantic Road calling into Rothenburg ob der Tauber, one of Germany’s best preserved medieval towns. Enjoy some free time to relax before we continue to our hotel in the Mannheim area for an overnight stay. [B, D]

Day 13 (The Rhine Valley) - Our route takes us through the picturesque Rhine Valley. Our first call is Rüdesheim on the banks of the river. The heart of the old town is the Drosselgasse, a narrow cobbled street with restaurants and wine taverns. As we venture north along the valley you will have the chance to go on a relaxing sightseeing cruise to take in the views from the river. Our overnight stay tonight is in a 4-star hotel in Belgium. [B]

Day 14 - We travel onto Calais for our return crossing to the U.K. and then continue on our transfer service to your chosen local drop off point or, if you selected our Door to Door service, to your front door. [B]

B=Breakfast L=Lunch D=Dinner

Price : £615 per person based on two sharing twin room, with scheduled flights

• 3 nights’ dinner, bed and breakfast accommodation at the 3 star Hotel Bazzoni. Upgrades to the 4 star Grand Hotel di Cadenabbia or the Grand Hotel Menaggio available at a supplement.
• Return flights from London Stansted to Milan.
• Comfortable private boat travel on Lake Como.
• Visits to the towns of Como and Bellagio and the gardens at the Villas Balbianello, Melzi, Monastero, Cipressi, Balgetti Valsecchi and Carlotta.
• Return coach transfers from/to Milan Airport.
• Single room supplement from £45
• Upgrade to Grand Hotel di Cadenabbia - £66.00
• Upgrade to Grand Hotel Menaggio - £102.00 (single supplement upgrade prices on request)
• Lake view rooms available at a supplement

Tour Itinerary

Day 1
We depart from London Stansted or Edinburgh to Milan (Other regional flight connections and overnight accommodation before or after the tour available on request). On arrival we continue by comfortable coach to our base for the holiday, the Hotel Bazzoni.
The hotel is situated in the centre of Tremezzo in front of the lake. All rooms are en-suite with TV, telephone and balcony. The hotel has an open air swimming-pool and gardens.
Alternatively, you will be transferred to the 4-star Cadenabbia or Grand Hotel in nearby Menaggio, where all rooms have satellite TV, direct-dial telephone, hairdryer, mini-bar and air-conditioning. The hotel sits on the lakeside overlooking Lake Como and offers heated pool, coffee bar, restaurant and boutiques.

Day 2
Today following breakfast we shall transfer by boat to Bellagio where we will visit the landscaped garden at Villa Melzi in Bellagio on the shore of Lake Como, which is planted with both native trees and shrubs and many exotics which were introduced during the 19th century. The writer Stendhal stayed here in the early 19th Century. Pollarded plane trees and some flower beds for annuals establish a formal rhythm, but the garden is primarily an English-style pleasure park with outstanding tree specimens. Red oaks, giant redwoods, white pines, tulip trees, swamp cypresses from North America and camellias from Asia all thrive in the mild winters and hot summers of the area.
Following our visit we shall have some free time for shopping and lunch (not included).
We then transfer to Varenna to visit the Villa Monastero situated on a promontory, which lies along the eastern side of Lake Como from Varenna. The garden is of great historic and plant interest yet very relaxing. The terraced ground is a sequence of different frames with some recurrent elements such as the lines of cypresses along the path to the villa, along with Lebanon cedars and evergreen bushes. The exotic arboreal species throughout the garden demonstrate the favourable climatic situation of Varenna, the specimens including African and American palms, agaves, yuccas, dragon-trees, citrus trees and oleanders. A variety of features such as balustrades, statues, little temples, vases and fountains, paths and staircases integrate perfectly with the landscape and the background of the lake.
Our final visit of the day is to Villa Cipressi, magnificently poised upon a steep rocky promontory, into which a series of shallow, winding terraces has been carved, sliding gracefully down to the lakeside. The first terrace commands stunning views over the lake, framed by the cypress trees which give the villa its name, and leads to two sets of stairs which descend to a pair of lower terraces, winding round the cliff. The margins are planted with magnolia, eucalyptus, pittosporum and groupings of lavender and agave. At the northern end there is a delightful little enclosed garden, planted with aspidistra, palm and magnolia. We return by boat to Cadenabbia.

Day 3
This morning following breakfast we visit the elegant 18th century Villa Carlotta, in Tremezzo where azaleas and rhododendrons burst into a simply dazzling display. Around the house the layout is formal with lemon arbours on the terraces and tall camellia hedges while further away from the villa you will discover a relaxed English style garden in the woodland. Imaginative planting includes twining climbers, jasmine and roses while in the more natural garden a dell of tree ferns, palms, eucalyptus, Japanese maples and cactus reveal the microclimatic conditions with banana and flowering orchids creating an exotic semi-tropical jungle effect.
We will continue with by boat to visit the Villa Balbianello on the Lavedo point which, combined with the romantic arrival at the water gates landing stage, turns the expedition into an arcadian delight. Remote from lakeside tourism, in a sylvan setting of pine, soaring cypress and oak, with pollarded plane trees, manicured lawns and flowerbeds, the garden is maintained to an exceptionally high standard. With unparalleled views down the three branches of the lake and fronting the promontory of Serbelloni, the first villa was built in 1540, but was later moved to a new site inland to protect it from flooding.
We return to the hotel in time for dinner.

Day 4
Following breakfast, we check out of the hotel and travel by coach to Grandola where we visit Villa Bagatti Valsecchi, perched high above Lake Como. The garden has two distinctive parts and is spread over a series of broad hanging terraces, the largest of which, the ‘old garden’, is adjacent to the villa. From this terrace there is a staggering panorama of hanging woods and distant peaks. In the ‘new garden’, serpentine borders are planted with enameled drifts of annuals and perennials and the walls are clad with a profusion of trailing and prostrate flowering plants.
We later continue to the town of Como where we will have some free time to explore. One of the best vantage points for the breathtaking views over the lake is in Piazza Cavour, while at the heart of the old town, Piazza San Fedele has many fine, historic buildings. The cathedral is often cited as the best example of transitional architectural styles with its impressive 18th century dome.
We then transfer to the airport for our return flight.

Price £735 per person based on two sharing a twin room, with scheduled flights from London to Naples. Visits to the gardens of Villa San Michele, Giardani di Augusto, La Mortella, Villa Rufolo, Villa Cimbrone and to Pompeii.

Day 1
We depart from London on our scheduled flight to Naples (regional flight connections and overnight accommodation before or after the tour available on request). Upon arrival we will transfer to the city centre of Naples where we will have free time to sightsee. Founded in the 7th century BC probably by the Greeks who were already present in the area, the town was named Neapolis, the “New City”. Only a few traces of the ancient wall remain - the city has been repeatedly rebuilt on the same site. In the late afternoon we will travel to our hotel in the Sorrento area.

Day 2
Following breakfast we will travel by boat to the beautiful island of Capri which is only 6 kms in length and 2km in width, where we will have our first visit to the gardens of Villa San Michele. The Villa San Michele was built on the site of a Roman manor on the mountain face looking across towards Monte Tiberio and the bay. It houses the Swedish author Axel Munthe’s collection of Roman sculpture, antique furniture and prints and is now the property of the Swedish State. The park of great beauty and botanical interest affords a splendid view of the Gulf of Naples with Vesuvius and the Sorrento peninsula dominating the skyline.

Our second visit will be to Giardini di Augusto with its fantastic panoramic view of the island’s south side. The gardens belonged to the villa of Friedrich Alfred Krupp, son of the founder of the great German steelworks. Built on the ruins of the ancient Roman structures, the gardens were donated by Krupp to Capri. In a corner of the garden a statue of Lenin was erected to commemorate his stay on the island.

Day 3
This morning, after breakfast, we travel to the medieval cathedral town of Ravello, where we visit the gardens of Villa Rufolo, which commands picture-perfect views over the Amalfi coast. This is one of the oldest surviving palaces in Italy dating from the 13th century - Wagner visited the villa in 1880 and was inspired to write part of his opera Parsifal here. On the upper terrace umbrella pines and cypresses shade a wellhead while on a lower level classical geometric beds edged with box are filled with modern flowers. Tender plants which thrive in the mild climate are a feature of the lower terrace.

In the afternoon we will visit the gardens of Villa Cimbrone, a 19th century Moorish/English hybrid by William Beckett, Lord Grimthorpe, who owned the property until 1900. The garden was designed on a clifftop promontory with magnificent views of the Amalfi coast jutting out 106 m above the Mediterranean. Trees, flowers and plants grow in profusion. A wisteria-clad pergola stretches almost the full length of the central axis, while on either side there are imaginative themed gardens including a stretch of lawn decorated with statues, a sunken teahouse garden, a rose garden and shady grove of umbrella pines and cypresses which descends down the steep slopes to the valleys below.

Day 4
Following breakfast we will travel by boat to Ischia, the largest island in the Bay of Naples to visit the gardens of La Mortella. The composer, Sir William Walton, came here with his wife Susana in 1956 and started the garden in the sloping gully before building the house in 1962. Russell Page, the garden designer, drew up a plan for the south-sloping valley, allowing the rocky ground to dictate the seemingly naturalistic planting style but imposing his own geometry - an axial line framing the distant peak of Mount Ipomeo. Here you will be dazzled by the array of rare and tender trees, palms, shrubs, ferns and bulbs. Part of the charm of La Mortella lies in the fact that it is not only a garden of lush exotics, but simultaneously indigenous plants cling precariously to the steep terraced hillsides above. Umbrella pines, groves of ilex and arbutus, Itailian cypresses and myrtles thrive here in glorious companionship.

Day 5
Following breakfast we will check out of the hotel and make our final visit to one of the most remarkable sites in the world - Pompeii, the town which was tragically drowned in lava following the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 79 AD. The town was buried under 23 feet of ash, which solidified with rain and time, preserving everything as if it was in a time capsule. Hidden for centuries, excavation work revealed an elegant resort with complete streets, beautiful villas and sculptures. Now almost four-fifths of the original city has been unearthed and many of the treasures are housed in the National Museum in Naples.

Afterwards we will return to the airport for our return flight to London where on arrival our group will disperse.