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Days
8
Price from
$3,175AUD

Explore Italy's famous Amalfi Coast, taking in Pompeii, the Isle of Capri, Positano and the Pathway of the Gods

Set on the shores of the sparkling Mediterranean, the Amalfi Coast is one of the most beautiful coastlines in Europe. Lace up your boots and set your eyes to the spectacular and sparkling Mediterranean horizon for this scenic trip on the Amalfi Coast. Stroll through the lush Mulini and Ferriere valleys, say 'buongiorno' to local farmers along the 'Pathway of the Gods', and take a boat ride to the glamorous island of Capri.

Start
Naples, Italy
Finish
Atrani, Italy
Country
Italy
Style
Peregrine
Theme
Walking
Code
PESA
Physical rating
Traveller’s rating
29 reviews
Ages
Min 15
Group size
Min 1, Max 12

Why we love this trip

  • The ancient Roman town of Pompeii has been frozen in time under the shadow of the very volcano which destroyed it, Mount Vesuvius. Explore the vast ruins, including the House of the Faun and the Temple of Apollo

  • Walk the Path of the Gods along the spectacular Sentiero degli Dei, one of the most scenic trails in the world. Taste delicious Agerola cheese on the way as a shepherd (and his goats!) will join you to reveal the process of cheese making.

  • The island of Capri isn't just a lavish retreat for Roman emperors of the past and their modern day equivalents. Powerful cliff faces enclose secluded coves, grottos and spectacular Mediterranean scenery

  • Visit a local artisan at his small liqueur factory in Bomerano. Learn some of the science behind how to make limoncello, understand why the area is famed for the production of the liqueur and sample a drop too.

  • Free time in Naples allows you to explore its historic precinct at your own pace. Descend below the city’s streets to discover the extraordinary catacombs, before indulging in a traditional pizza in a fine local restaurant

Is this trip right for you?

  • This walking trip requires a good level of fitness and health, due to the varied terrain and potentially hot temperatures. Many of the treks involve steep hills and steps that you'll need to be able to climb. Walking times vary between three and six hours a day, but the rewards are worth every step.

  • Summer temperatures around the Amalfi Coast can be extreme (up to 40°C), which can be uncomfortable. It’s important to use sun protection, wear layers to combat the heat and drink plenty of water. Please consider the time of the year you wish to travel and your suitability to that season.

  • As accommodation on this trip is twin share, single travellers will share a room with another traveller of the same sex. If you’d prefer not to share, a single room supplement is available at an additional charge. Please ask your travel consultant for more details.

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Itinerary
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This itinerary is valid for departures from 01 January 2018 to 31 December 2018. View the itinerary for departures between 01 January 2017 - 15 October 2017

Arrive in Naples, the capital of the region of Campania. An arrival transfer from Naples Airport is included in the price of this trip. Pleas advise your travel consultant of your flight arrival details at the time of booking. In the evening you will meet your trip leader and fellow travellers at a welcome meeting. This is usually at 6 pm, but you will be advised as to the exact time and place in a notice near the reception at your hotel. In this meeting, your leader will give you a brief description of what lies ahead on the trip. This is followed by a group dinner – your first chance to savour the region's specialties. If you arrive early, use your free time during the day to discover some of Naples' impressive architecture and grandiose monuments, many of which date back to the Spanish rule of the 16th and 17th centuries.
Accommodation
  • Hotel Chiaja de Charme or similar (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Arrival Transfer from Naples Airport
Meals Included
  • Dinner

After a leisurely breakfast, embark on a walking tour of the old town. You'll see the wonderful historic centre of Naples, a major European cultural capital since the time of the Greeks. Perhaps seek out an authentic Neapolitan pizza for lunch, then enjoy a short local train ride to the Pompeii archeological site. Here, without question, lie some of the world’s most fascinating and preeminent ruins. Finely preserved, they give you an extraordinarily real image of daily life in a Roman city with villas, temples, theatres and bustling markets. Walk along the chariot-marked streets that were nestled under the shadow of Vesuvius until the fatal eruption in 79 AD. Visit the magnificent amphitheatre and the ‘Villa of Mysteries’. You will also visit the Roman Forum and basilica, temples, public baths, and the tiny Odeon created for music recitals. Enjoy a short stroll and perhaps have a drink on the central square. Here your private minibus will pick you up for a scenic drive (approximately 1 hour) to the Agerola high plain. Along the way, you'll be dazzled by views of the Amalfi Coast. Enjoy dinner in your family-run hotel in Agerola this evening.

Walking time: approximately 3 hours (4 km)
Accommodation
  • Hotel Risorgimento or simlar (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Pompeii Archaeological Site Entrance
  • Naples Sightseeing Tour
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
  • Dinner

After breakfast, embark on your first real day of walking. Most of the walk today is downhill. Your first stop will be the ‘Punto Panoramico’, perhaps the most scenic viewpoint on the whole Amalfi Coast. From here you will descend through a spectacular landscape, affording you gorgeous views along the coastline. You will be able to see across to the Isle of Capri, and south to the densely forested and expansive Cilento National Park. Today also offers an insight into the geology and agriculture of the area. Your path leads you through an archetypal Mediterranean landscape with vineyards, chestnut trees, oaks and pretty sections of shrubs and flowers. You will spot many old ruins speckling the hillsides. In spring, you can smell the Italian herbs. The path then leads you through the small village of Furore, from where you can see its lovely ‘fjord’. You'll walk up towards grottoes in the cliffside and back up towards Bomerano for lunch. Visit a local artisan at his small liqueur factory in Bomerano. Learn some of the science behind how to make limoncello, understand why the area is famed for the production of the liqueur and sample a drop too. Return to your hotel by local bus.

Walking time: approximately 3.5 hours (6.5 km)
Accommodation
  • Hotel Risorgimento or simlar (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Orrido di Pino Hike
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
  • Dinner

This morning you will take a local bus for a short ride back to the quiet mountain village of Bomerano (where you ended your walk yesterday). Perhaps enjoy a coffee before embarking on the famous Sentiero degli Dei (Pathway of the Gods) to Positano. This path winds its way through unique scenery and boasts unrivalled views along the coast. Walk through forests and fields of wildflowers, past ancient stone huts and beside sheer walls of granite. Glimpse local farmers tending their crops by hoe and elbow grease, herds of goats feeding beside the trail beside their shepherds, and teams of workmen commuting by mule. Taste delicious Agerola cheese on the way as a shepherd (and his goats!) will join you to reveal the process of cheese making. By late morning you will reach Vallone di Grarelle, then continue to the hamlet of Nocelle, a picturesque village situated above Positano. A walk through the village leads to what’s known as the Montepertuso Crossing – a deep gorge with limestone walls. From Montepertuso it's just a short walk down the old steps, through olive groves and vineyards, to beautiful Positano (though you can take a bus instead if you like). Take your time to explore Positano, then continue to Amalfi by boat. Settle into your feature stay hotel in the village of Atrani, with your main luggage already waiting for you. Atrani is a 10-minute walk from Amalfi's town centre, and enjoy the views from its roof terrace. Atrani is perhaps even more picturesque than Amalfi, and with less tourists and a more authentic feel.

Walking time: approximately 5 hours (7 km)
Accommodation
  • Hotel Palazzo Ferraioli or similar (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Sentiero degli Dei (Footpath of the Gods)
  • Boat Ride from Positano to Amalfi
Meals Included
  • Breakfast

Atrani is the best-preserved town on the Amalfi Coast, with narrow little streets and a serene town square. From your hotel you will follow the Valley of the Dragon up to Ravello – another highlight of the coast. The French novelist André Gide once described this 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. 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. Retrace your steps along a rather steep mule track down again to Atrani. Sweeping panoramas will reward your efforts.

Walking time: approximately 4 hours (5.5 km)
Accommodation
  • Hotel Palazzo Ferraioli or similar (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Valley of the Dragon Nature Hike
  • Villa Cimbrone Ravello
Meals Included
  • Breakfast

Today is dedicated to the rightly famous Isle of Capri, a place where Roman emperors used to come as tourists. You will sail from Amalfi to Capri by boat, following the beautiful coastline and passing the islands of the mythical sirens that were mentioned in Homer's Iliadand Odyssey. As you approach, witness Capri’s coastline in all its glory: mighty cliffs, shard-like rock formations, crashing blue seas. Have your camera at the ready on this short cruise. When you arrive in Capri, you will see the popular sights, then take a beautiful circuit walk. During this walk you will pass Villa Jovis (the ruins of the most impressive Roman villa on the island, once home to Emperor Tiberius), see a historic monastery and explore the winding alleyways of the village of Capri. Part of your walk follows untouched coastline and passes many impressive grottoes, and there's time to dip your feet in the water. Your walk can be extended or shortened in many ways today, depending on the wishes of the group. Late in the afternoon you will travel by boat back to Amalfi.

Walking time: approximately 4 hours (3 km)
Accommodation
  • Hotel Palazzo Ferraioli or similar (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Villa Jovis Archaeological Site
  • Boat Ride to Isle of Capri
  • Capri Coastal Walk
Meals Included
  • Breakfast

Get ready for a magical day of walking. Start in the quiet backstreets of Amalfi, heading up to the village of Pontone. Walk on the narrow ridge and then beneath shady pine trees and through fields of wildflowers. This brings you to a viewpoint from which you can see across the Valle del Dragone (Valley of the Dragon) and the luxurious gardens and villas of Ravello. A series of ups and downs takes you to the ruins of the famous watchtower (Torre dello Zirro). After retracing your steps to pretty Pontone, you can enjoy a drink under the shade of lemon trees and gaze down upon the town of Amalfi. Then walk down into the shaded Valle dei Mulini (Valley of the Watermills). Here you will find remnants of Europe’s earliest paper mills, strewn among thick foliage fed by the valley's streams. You may pass locals collecting wild mushrooms and stout men carrying half their body weight in lemons on their heads. The path takes you deep into the valley and the entrance of the nature reserve ‘Valle delle Ferriere’. This is one of the most interesting nature reserves of the area and an ideal place for lunch. From here it's an hour back down to Amalfi, past the Museo della Carta (paper museum). The rest of the day will be at you leisure. Enjoy the beach, do some shopping or take a dip in the Mediterranean. Tonight you will gather for a special farewell dinner.

Walking time: approximately 4 hours (5 km)
Accommodation
  • Hotel Palazzo Ferraioli or similar (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Valle delle Ferriere Nature Reserve (Valley of Iron)
  • Valle dei Mulini (Valley of the Watermills)
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
  • Dinner

Your journey comes to an end this morning after breakfast in Atrani. From here it is easy to arrange onward connections. There are local SITA buses that run to Sorrento, Salerno or Naples for onward travel by rail. You may even wish to take a ferry to Salerno or Naples. Your leader will be able to assist.
Meals Included
  • Breakfast

Meals

7 breakfasts, 4 dinners

Transport

Private minibus, Boat, Local bus

Accommodation

Comfortable hotel (3 nights), Feature stay in Atrani (4 nights)

Included Activities

  • Arrival Transfer from Naples Airport
  • Pompeii Archaeological Site Entrance
  • Naples Sightseeing Tour
  • Orrido di Pino Hike
  • Sentiero degli Dei (Footpath of the Gods)
  • Boat Ride from Positano to Amalfi
  • Valley of the Dragon Nature Hike
  • Villa Cimbrone Ravello
  • Villa Jovis Archaeological Site
  • Boat Ride to Isle of Capri
  • Capri Coastal Walk
  • Valle delle Ferriere Nature Reserve (Valley of Iron)
  • Valle dei Mulini (Valley of the Watermills)

Reviews

Our Spirit of Amalfi trips score an average of 4.76 out of 5 based on 29 reviews in the last year.

Spirit of Amalfi, September 2017

Carole Payn

Review submitted 25 Sep 2017

Spirit of Amalfi, June 2017

Lesley McPherson

Review submitted 25 Jun 2017

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Important notes

LEVEL OF FITNESS
A good level of general fitness is required. A big part of the walks involve steep 'up and down' sections and lots of steps across varied terrain and you may be walking for up to 6 hours per day in potentially hot temperatures. The rewards are worth every step.

ARRIVAL TRANSFER
An arrival transfer from Naples Airport to the start point hotel is included in the price of the trip. Please advise your travel agent of your flight times at the time of booking.

SINGLE SUPPLEMENT
Single Supplement, pre and post tour additional accommodation and departure transfers are available to book upon request, subject to availability. Please contact your travel agent for more details.

Essential trip information

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