Spirit of Amalfi

Your trip starts today with your arrival in Naples, capital of the region of Campania and a city proud of recent endeavours to gentrify and brighten its city sights to more accurately represent its rich past. In the 16th and 17th Centuries Naples was arguably a more important city in world affairs than Rome which was, in this period, in a state of decline. Naples was under Spanish rule and much of her impressive architecture and grandiose monuments owe their construction to this period. Whilst at your discretion, we recommend arriving/ departing by train where possible within Europe due to this method of transports minimal carbon emissions. No activities are planned this afternoon so you may arrive at any time. Please make your own way to the joining hotel (details are in your travel documents) that is located in the historic centre of the city. In the evening we meet our tour leader and our fellow travelling companions at a Welcome Meeting (this is usually at 6pm, but you will be advised as to the exact time and place in a notice, located near the reception at our hotel), where our leader will give us a briefing on what lies ahead on our tour. This is followed by dinner in a restaurant in town where we can savour some local specialties.

After a leisurely breakfast we walk straight from our hotel into the old town. We will discover the wonderful historical centre of Naples, a major European cultural capital since the time of the Greeks, and also a very colourful and lively city. We have lunch in the historic precinct (perhaps a real Neapolitan pizza?) and then enjoy a short ride by local train to Pompeii – without question some of the world’s most fascinating and preeminent ruins. Due to its fine state of preservation the excavations give us an extraordinarily real image of daily life in a Roman city, with villas, temples, theatres and bustling markets. We walk along chariot-marked streets where a bustling city once nestled complacently under the shadow of Vesuvius until the fatal eruption in 79AD. We will be captivated by the exceptional frescoes to be found throughout the city and by the opulence of the villas. Visit the magnificent Amphitheatre and the ‘Villa of Mysteries’ with its frescoes depicting the secret rites of these ancient people. We also visit 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 centre of Pompeii is a calm and attractive area. We will enjoy a short stroll and perhaps have a drink on the central square. Here our private minibus picks us up for a scenic drive to the Agerola high plain, with marvellous views along the Amalfi Coast. A beautiful dinner in our comfortable hotel will make a good end to the day.

After breakfast we embark on our first real day of walking. Most of the walk today is downhill and there is also the option to opt out for some sections of the walk should you choose. From our hotel we walk to the ‘Punto panoramico’, perhaps the most scenic viewpoint on the whole Amalfi Coast. From here we start to descend through a scenically spectacular landscape, affording us gorgeous views along the coastline, across to the isle of Capri, and south to the densely forested and expansive Cilento National Park. As we walk we pass steeples of limestone rocks backdropped by the azure sea that stretches as far as the eye can see. Today also offers an insight into the geology and agriculture of the area. Our path leads us through an archetypal Mediterranean landscape with peaceful vineyards, dignified chestnut trees and oak woods and pretty sections of shrubs and flowers. As we continue we will spot many old ruins speckled on the hillsides. Throughout the seasons, but especially in spring, there is the most wonderful flowering of the local flora, and you can smell many of the aromatic herbs used in Italian cooking, which grow naturally here. Our path then leads us through the small village of Furore, and then descends to its so-called ‘fjord’, a large impressive chasm home to a picturesque hamlet and a tiny port with reflections of small fishing boats mirrored in its still waters. From here we climb back up again, towards the charming village of Conca dei Marini, a walk with unrivalled views. From here we take the local bus back up to our welcoming hotel (daring walkers may tempt the climb back up!). Along the way there are various points which deserve a stop and a rest. (Approx walking time: 4 hours)

From our hotel we take the local bus for a short ride to the quiet mountain village of Bomerano. Here we can have a coffee before embarking on one of the most wonderful walks in all of Europe - following the fabulous Sentiero degli Dei (Footpath of the Gods) to Positano. This path really lives up to its name, and reputation, as it winds its way through unique scenery with unrivalled views ahead of us along the coast and out to the glistening sea. We walk through forests and fields of wildflowers, past ancient stone huts (until recently still used by shepherds) and beside sheer magnificent walls of granite. As we wander we glimpse a world more yesteryear than modern day – local farmers tending their crops by hoe and elbow grease, herds of goats feeding beside the trail under the watchful eye of their shepherds and teams of workmen coming and going from their daily works by the most appropriate form of transport on these ancient trails – mule! By late morning we reach Vallone di Grarelle, with its many caves and deepcoves, and continue to the hamlet of Nocelle, a picturesque village situated above Positano. A walk through the village takes us on an old footpath that leads to what’s known as the Montepertuso Crossing - a deep gorge with striking limestone walls. From Montepertuso it's only a short walk down the old steps, through olive groves and vineyards, to Positano - one of the most charming villages on the coast and a popular haven for the ‘jetset.’. Whilst a very beautiful village it's undoubtedly the setting of Positano that sets it apart as arguably the most beautiful, and now most fashionable, town on the Amalfi Coast, full of brightly painted houses whose facades are covered in bougainvillea. If ever there is a ‘picture-postcard’ town, this is it! From Positano we then travel to Amalfi by boat, which enables us to admire the impressive cliffs that we were walking over in the morning, from the sea. Here we settle into our centrally located ‘feature stay’ hotel in the very heart of the Amalfi village and located a mere 20 metres from the beach and the welcoming lapping waves on the Marina Grande. (Approx. total walking time: 6 hours)

From Amalfi we walk along a very scenic path to the beautiful little town of Atrani, from where there are great views looking back on the town centre. Atrani is the best-preserved town on the Amalfi Coast, with narrow little streets and a serene town square. We follow the Valley of the Dragon up to Ravello - another highlight of the Amalfi Coast. The French novelist, André Gide, once described this dominating town as being ‘closer to the sky than the seashore’. For centuries, its lofty position and sunny, dry climate has made it an appealing place for writers, artists, musicians and travellers. Boccaccio, DH Lawrence and Richard Wagner are among the more notable guests who have succumbed to its charms. While staying here, Wagner composed parts of his opera ‘Parsifal’. More recently, the author Gore Vidal was also another who derived inspiration from this charming town. Ravello also boasts two magnificent villas - the superb 11th Century Villa Rufolo which was once a papal residence and later, the home of Wagner, and Villa Cimbrone, a sumptuous 19th Century mansion with fabulous gardens and unequalled views over the Gulf of Salerno. There is an option to visit the Villa Rufolo (entrance not included). From here we take our time to retrace our steps along a rather steep mule track down again to the delightful coastal village of Atrani. Along the way we are rewarded with sweeping panoramas as reward for our efforts. We can stop in Atrani for a refreshing drink before walking back along the coast to our hotel in Amalfi. (Approx. total walking time: 4 hours)

Today is dedicated to the rightly famous Isle of Capri - a place where Roman emperors used to come as tourists! Since Roman times it has remained a popular travel destination drawing visitors to its shores with its myriad of scenic attractions top of which is its own natural beauty. We sail from Amalfi to Capri by boat, following the beautiful coastline and passing the islands of the mythical sirens, mentioned in Homer's Iliad and the Odyssey. As we draw nearer it is inspiring to see Capri’s dramatic coastline in all its glory - mighty cliffs and shard-like rock formations cascading down into crashing blue seas. Have your cameras to hand on this short cruise. In Capri we not only see the popular sights, but also enjoy a beautiful circuit walk that takes us past a continuous stream of natural and cultural highlights. On our splendidly scenic walk we pass Villa Jovis (the ruins of the most impressive Roman villa on the island, once home to the Emperor Tiberius), view an historic monastery and explore the snaking and winding alleyways of the charming village of Capri. Part of our walk follows untouched coastline and passes many impressive grottos with time too to dip our feet should we choose. Our walk can be extended or shortened in many ways today based on the tastes of the group. Late in the afternoon we travel by boat back to Amalfi together. (Approx. total walking time: 4 hours)

After breakfast today we walk directly from our hotel to start a truly magical day of walking. Through the quiet back streets of Amalfi we walk up to the charming village of Pontone, once a defensive stronghold for the Republic of Amalfi. From here we walk on the narrow ridge that was part of this medieval defence system and then beneath shady pine trees and through fields of wildflowers to a viewpoint where we can enjoy the stunning views afforded us across to the Valle del Dragone (Valley of the dragon) and the luxurious gardens and villas of Ravello before us. A series of ups and downs now takes us to the ruins of the watchtower (Torre dello Zirro), known from the play ‘The Duchess of Malfi’. Retracing our steps to pretty Pontone, we can enjoy a drink under the shade of lemon trees and gaze down upon the town of Amalfi itself. We then embark on our ‘highlight experience’ walk down into the shaded Valle dei Mulini (Valley of the Watermills). Here remnants of Europe’s most ancient paper mills, dating back to the 11th Century, lie strewn as ghostly ruins amidst thick foliage, fed by the waters of the valley's crystal clear streams. We are sure to enjoy this magical walk far from the maddening rush of mass tourism. We will pass locals collecting wild mushrooms on the side of the trail, give way to stoutly built men carrying half their own body weight in lemons atop their heads - destined to become the famous local liquor Limoncello- and more than likely be greeted by the friendly local herdsmen tending their animals. The path takes us deep into the valley and the entrance of the nature reserve ‘Valle delle Ferriere’, one of the most interesting nature reserves of the area with lush vegetation and waterfalls, an ideal place for lunch. From here it's a good hour back down to Amalfi, which we enter by passing along the fascinating paper museum - the Museo della Carta. The rest of the day is at leisure. Enjoy the beach, do some shopping or rent a canoe to paddle along the coast. Tonight we gather for a special farewell dinner.

Our journey ends this morning after breakfast in Amalfi. From here it is easy to arrange onward connections. You may wish to board one of a number of ferries that sail from Amalfi to Salerno or Naples as an interesting method of departure. Alternatively there are local SITA buses that run to Sorrento, Salerno or Naples from where you can rendezvous with onward rail connections. There is also a private coach that can be arranged locally (at an additional cost), depending upon the number of participants planning to travel back to any one destination. Your tour leader may be able to assist you with arranging any ongoing travel. Arrivederci!