Italian Elegance: Sorrento, Naples & the Amalfi Coast with Luxury Cunard Cruise

Your holiday begins as you fly overnight from New Zealand to your destination.

Arrive in Naples and transfer to the elegant Starhotels Terminus, your home for the next two nights. Settle in and begin soaking up the warm Neapolitan atmosphere before your Southern Italian adventure truly begins.

Sail by jetfoil to glamorous Capri, playground of the Mediterranean. Discover Anacapri’s enchanting Villa San Michele, linger over lunch and free time in chic Capri town, then wander the romantic Gardens of Augustus, gazing out over the iconic Faraglioni rocks.

Step back in time amid the hauntingly preserved ruins of ancient Pompeii, then ascend the legendary slopes of Mount Vesuvius. Here, a memorable winery experience awaits, with a cellar tour and indulgent tasting of local wines, olive oil, and regional delicacies.

Surrender to the spellbinding beauty of the Amalfi Coast. Explore the pastel-hued cliffs of glamorous Positano at leisure, then glide by scenic ferry to enchanting Amalfi. Drink in the dazzling coastal views before returning to your hotel as the sun sets.

Unwind with a delightful half-day limoncello experience. Wander a fragrant lemon garden, uncover time-honoured family techniques, and indulge in tastings of lemons, limoncello, babà, jam, liqueurs, and refreshing lemon ice cream. Best of all, take home your very own bottle.

Embark the regal Queen Elizabeth, one of the finest cruise liners at sea. Enjoy Cunard’s spectacular heritage, sense of occasion and huge array of activities, including ballroom-dancing, lawn bowls and Afternoon Tea in the Garden Lounge.

Sail into Grand Harbour, where Malta’s capital rises in a cascade of baroque churches and stately auberges built by the Knights of St John. Step inside St John’s Co-Cathedral, home to a masterpiece by Caravaggio, then take in the views from the Upper Barrakka Gardens.

Split’s historic heart lies within the vast walls of Diocletian’s Palace, a Roman emperor’s retirement home where cafés and boutiques now spill out of ancient stone. Stroll the palm-lined Riva promenade as yachts bob in the harbour.

Zadar blends Roman ruins and medieval churches with playful modern touches. On the waterfront, the Sea Organ plays haunting notes with every wave, while the Greeting to the Sun, a giant solar-powered circle, lies set into the promenade alongside.

Trieste charms with Habsburg-era grandeur and a much-loved café culture. Piazza Unità d’Italia, one of the largest seafront squares on the continent, opens onto the water, while the fairy-tale Miramare Castle sits on a promontory overlooking the Gulf of Trieste.

Known as the Pearl of the Adriatic, Dubrovnik captivates with gleaming limestone streets and terracotta rooftops. Walk the mighty defences that encircle the city, or perhaps ride the cable car up Mount Srđ for a bird’s-eye perspective over the coastline.

Layered with Greek, Italian, French and British influence, Corfu Town is a joy to explore on foot. Pause beneath the elegant arcades of the Liston, then climb to the Old Fortress for views out to sea.

Cephalonia is a place of soaring mountains, turquoise coves and pine-scented air. Visit the otherworldly Melissani Cave, where sunlight turns the underground lake a brilliant blue, or simply unwind at the dazzling white crescent of Myrtos Beach.

Queen Elizabeth threads the Strait of Messina today, the slender channel between Sicily and the toe of Italy’s boot. Find a spot on deck and watch the coastlines slip by on either side, close enough to pick out the villages.

This time, Sorrento greets you from the water. Revisit a favourite piazza, browse for inlaid woodwork and lemon-scented souvenirs, or join a tour to Capri or Pompeii if they left you wanting more.

Your holiday complete, today you’ll disembark your ship and head to the airport for your flight home.