SIT Package Highlights include:• Private English speaking tour leader for 8 days
•Accommodation: 4 nights Amalfi, 1 nights Naples, 2 nights Bomerano in a beautiful agriturismo
• Meals: 7 breakfasts, 4 dinners (good restaurants!), 1 warm lunches, 1 picnic
lunch
• All private & public transfers as indicated throughout the entire itinerary
• Entrance fees of all sites along the itinerary
• Special activities as outlined in the day by day itinerary
• Guest experts for special places; 24/24 h local assistance
• Luggage transport; All gratuities for baggage, porters & hotel service
The price does not include:Departure taxes; Visas; Travel Insurance; Drink & meals not mentioned in
the itinerary; Boat to Capri (approx. 30 euro); Optional additional tours or activities; Tips; Items of a personal
nature.
Level of Difficulty:Mostly easy walks, but with some walking uphill, sometimes on paths with
rough surfaces. On the Amalfi Coast there are many steps! On most days
shortcuts are possible (as well as occasional extensions). A high standard of
fitness is not necessary but you should be able to walk for up to 5 hours a
day in hot sun on dusty or stony tracks.
Departure dates and price per person from15 April to 22 April 2012, 14 October to 21 October
- Double $1580 Single $1890
06 May to 13 May, 20 May to27 May, 03 June to 10 June, 17 June to 24 June
- Double $1730 Single $2040
02 September to 09 September, 16 September to 23 September, 30 September to 07 October
- Double $1890 Single $2200
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An enchanting walking adventure that allows you to discover one of Italy
most famous coastline. Experience hidden treasures and the authentic
culture of Naples. See the hidden tracks of Vesuvius. Hike along the stunning
Sentiero Degli Dei visiting the towns of Amalfi and Positano, and of
course the ruins of Pompeii.
Day 1: NaplesToday you arrive in the bustling city of Naples. After settling in our centrally located hotel, in the heart of the historical centre of Naples you can already go for a short stroll through the colourful streets, soaking up its atmosphere, or visit a museum. Towards the end of the afternoon we meet our leader and the rest of the group. After a brief introduction of the tour, we will go for a rewarding round walk through the heart of Naples, of course touching the most interesting ‘highlights’, such as the Royal Palace, the royal theatre, the beautiful ‘Galleria’ and the medieval castles, but also through unknown lively (but safe!) neighbourhoods, with their unbelievable history, where you can find in a few square metres Greek, Roman and medieval buildings. The walk brings you as well through quiet parks and along the seashore, to relax from the hectic street life in Naples with a rewarding view on the Bay of Naples. In the evening we dine in a very nice restaurant close to our hotel.
Accommodation: Naples – Meals included: 1 dinner
Day 2: Vesuvius & PompeiiThis morning we travel south under the shadow of Mount Vesuvius, the volcano that with the fatal eruption of 79 AD completely destroyed the bustling city of Pompeii, creating the world’s most fascinating ruins. We drive up the Vesuvius as far as we can, and then start an amazing roundwalk, completely different from the standard visit to the Vesuvius (and normally closed to the public), which makes you feel in a completely different world! The walk takes us along the impressive volcanic phenomena to be seen around the crater: lava flows, pumice fields and grotto’s and the amazing ‘Valley of the Giant’, culminating in a walk to the top. The literal highlight is a spectacular detour, led by a specialist volcano guide, which will take us right around the crater rim and up to the highest point at 1281 metres (4000 feet), from where we have the very best view of the Bay of Naples, one of the panoramic wonders of the world. We then descend to have a relaxed lunch on the slopes of Mt. Vesuvius, before travelling on to Pompeii. The perfectly preserved remains give us an amazing insight into the life of a Roman city, especially when walking along its chariot-marked back streets. You will be captivated by the exceptional frescoes to be found throughout the city or by the opulence of the villas, with their atriums and charming peristyles, owned by the rich and influential of the day. Visit the amphitheatre as well as the Villa of Mysteries with its masterpiece frescoes depicting the secret Dionysus rites, the Roman Forum and basilica, temples, public baths, and the tiny Odeon created for music recitals. What is less known to many is that also the city of Pompeii is definitely worth the detour, if alone for its amazing sanctuary. We will go for a stroll here and then have an ‘aperitivo’ to look back on a great day. Then we drive on by private coach to the Amalfi Coast. The bus drops us off in a great place in Agerola, high above the Amalfi Coast.
Accommodation: Agerola (Bomerano) – Meals included: 1 breakfast, 1 dinner
Day 3: Monte Sant’Angelo Walk
Today’s walk is one of the most amazing round walks Agerola has to offer. Along relatively easy paths & tracks we ascend towards the highest peaks of the Amalfi Coast, from where views are perhaps even more beautiful than from the famed ‘Sentiero degli Dei’. The first part of the walk is a relaxed stroll through the charming village of Bomerano, but then, through vineyards and chestnut forest, the path starts to climb. After about an hour walking uphill we reach the ridge of the Monte Tre Calli, from where views are at 360 degrees, ranging from the Agerola Plain to Capri. Along the ridge we then walk to a natural rock formation known as the ‘mushroom’, from where we have to face a choice: some might continue the climb to the Monte Sant’Angelo, otherwise we opt for a relaxed ‘picnic with a view’. Then we start the descent towards the little chapel of the ‘Virgin of the Silence’, from where views on Positano are grand to say the least. Along an easy road we then walk back to our agriturismo.
Accommodation: Agerola (Bomerano) – Meals included: 1 breakfast, 1 picnic lunch, 1 dinner
Day 4: ‘Sentiero degli Dei’ to Positano. Boat trip to Amalfi
In the morning we’ll do ‘one of the world’s greatest hikes’, according to many guides. We start the walk directly from our accommodation. Along a panoramic road, high above the coast, we walk to the village square of Bomerano where we can take a coffee and buy some sandwiches. Then we start walking along one of the most famous footpaths of the area, the ‘Footpath of the Gods’. This path really lives up to its name, suspended between the sky and the Mediterranean. It winds through unique scenery, with unrivalled views over the coast and sea. A few hours we will be walking along some of the most spectacular scenery of the whole Amalfi Coast, until we reach the charming small hamlet of Nocelle. Here we can have a good lunch in a nice restaurant, with amazing views over Positano and the Amalfi Coast (in alternative we can have a great ‘picnic with a view’ along the route). Passing another spectacular valley we then arrive in the little village of Montepertuso. After that it’s only a short walk downstairs to Positano, one of the most charming villages of the Amalfi Coast, an almost vertical town of colourful buildings reached by a network of ancient paths and tracks. We stroll through its small, almost oriental alleys, and perhaps have a swim or a drink on one of its many pleasant terraces. There is time for private exploration before we return in the late afternoon to Amalfi by boat. Another great way to absorb this amazing scenery! A nice meal in a relaxed atmosphere is the perfect end for this great day on the Amalfi Coast.
Accommodation: Amalfi – Meals included: 1 breakfast, 1 dinner
Day 5: The historical heart: Amalfi, Atrani & Ravello
In the morning we will first pay a short visit to the beautiful medieval town with its wonderful ‘Duomo’ and the Paradise cloister. Amalfi once was an important naval power, like Venice and its past glory still shows. Every street hides a charming square, and it’s a real pleasure to wander through the labyrinth of white-washed alleys. We’ll pass through the Piazza dei Dogi and along the Antichi Arsenali. Another street takes us to the Vagliendola quarter, with its tower houses and the famous Hotel dei Cappuccini – once a monastery called San Pietro della Canonica, founded in the 13th century. Then we walk to the beautiful little town of Atrani, along a very scenic path, with great viewpoints on the city centre. From Atrani we proceed through the narrow white little streets and then up the ‘Valley of the Dragon’, until we reach Ravello, another highlight of the Amalfi Coast, where we have plenty of time to visit. Ravello not only has a very interesting history and many medieval monuments, but also offers beautiful views over the Amalfi Coast, and villas with stupendous gardens. We pay an extensive visit to the dramatically located Villa Cimbrone, with its amazing gardens and one of the coast’s most famous viewpoints. Then along the hamlet of Castiglione we walk back down to the little town of Atrani, passing through the vineyards and lemon groves. In Atrani, one of the best preserved villages of the coast, we now take the time to look around the narrow white little streets of the town centre, and perhaps drink a glass on the square. From here it’s now only 15 minutes back to Amalfi, passing along the coast. In the evening we are free to choose from a large choice of restaurants, ranging from simple pizzeria’s to exclusive restaurants.
Accommodation: Amalfi – Meals included: 1 breakfast
Day 6: Capri – discovery walk of the island
Today we recommended travelling by boat to the rightly famous island of Capri, the island where already the roman emperors liked to come as tourists, and that since then never lost its fame. Here a wonderful roundwalk can be made, starting from Marina Grande, the main harbour and then, through lemon groves and gardens to the central square of the little town of Capri, the famous ’Piazzetta’, the centre of mundane life. Then we make a beautiful roundwalk around the eastern part of the island, which shows us most of the ‘highlights’ of the island. These are both cultural and natural wonders, always accompanied with beautiful views in an unrivalled Mediterranean landscape. The walk brings us along the amazing Villa Lysis, and the ruins of the Imperial Villa Iovis, one of the villas of the Roman Emperor Tiberius. We’ll walk past the Arco Naturale, and of course along the Faraglioni, three rocks off the South coast, may be the most famous and most painted rocks in the world. We have a great picnic lunch in an amazing spot, after which we have the time for a coffee or an ice cream. Walking back to the centre we have the opportunity to visit the Certosa and the Gardens of August, from where we can also opt to walk down to Marina Piccola, along the spectacular Via Krupp. This walk can be extended or shortened in many ways. Late in the afternoon we then travel back to Amalfi by boat. In alternative you can opt for a relaxed day in Amalfi, with a swim, and perhaps a sea kayaking trip. In the evening we can all go out for dinner together, perhaps to the best pizzeria in town.
Accommodation: Amalfi – Meals included: 1 breakfast
Day 7: Amalfi & the Valle dei MuliniIn the morning we start to walk inland, along the narrow whitewashed alleys of Amalfi. Then we walk up (optional bus) to the charming little village of Pontone, once a defensive stronghold for the Republic of Amalfi. Here we walk up onto the narrow ridge of the Torre dello Zirro that contains part of this medieval defence system, in a park-like landscape, past shady pine trees and through fields of wildflowers, and enjoy stunning views across the Valle del Dragone to the gardens and villas of Ravello. A series of ascents and descent eventually brings us to the ruins of the Torre dello Zirro, known from the play ‘The Duchess of Malfi’. From here we enjoy dramatic views of both Amalfi and Atrani, and the stunning coastline. We retrace our steps to Pontone, where we can enjoy a lunch in the shade of the lemon trees, before walking into the intriguing ‘Valle dei Mulini’, the valley of the watermills, with its ruins of Europe’s most ancient paper fabrics, dating back to the 11th century and the . The path takes us deep into the valley, to the entrance of the nature reserve, with its lush vegetation and waterfalls. We have a great picnic lunch near the river, before returning to Amalfi. From here it’s about an hour’s walk back down to Amalfi, passing through the charming little back streets of the town centre. We’ll now also have the option to visit the fascinating paper museum, the Museo della Carta. Back in Amalfi there is still some time for a swim or an ‘aperitivo’. In the evening we then all join for a last great evening meal. We are picked up by private boat and brought to a nice restaurant located in a beautiful little bay nearby. After dinner we travel back to our hotel, gliding by boat over the glorious Mediterranean.
Accommodation: Amalfi – Meals included: 1 breakfast, 1 warm lunch, 1 dinner
Day 8: Amalfi
The tour ends in Amalfi after breakfast today. You can make your way to Salerno or Naples, either by boat or bus. A taxi transfer can be arranged on request. |
