The Amalfi Coast is one of the most dramatic coastlines in Europe. Mountains jut steeply out of the Mediterranean and picturesque towns nestled in the coves below. Walking the ancient hillsides studded with lemon groves and framed by deep gorges, we descend from the Agerola Plain to the quaint towns of Positano, Ravello, and of course Amalfi itself. No visit to the Bay of Naples would be complete without a trip to see the remains of Pompeii under the imposing volcanic cone of Mount Vesuvius. The highlight of this Amalfi Coast guided walking holiday is saved till last with arguably the world’s best coastal walk: the ‘Walk of the Gods’. Away from the trails we partake in a favorite traditional pastime and sample incredible food and wine as the Italians do.

DETAILED ITINERARY

Day 1:  ARRIVAL DAY – NAPLES AIRPORT – AGEROLA. We’ll meet at Napoli Capodichino Airport, meet with our local guide, then transfer by private coach to Agerola.  Arrival,and check-in.  If time permits, we’ll enjoy a short walk in the village. At 6: 30 pm, please join us for a welcome drink, dinner, and introduction to our week of walking.  Dinner in our hotel. Overnight.

Day 2:  AGEROLA-AMALFI. Departing directly from our hotel, we take the path that descends towards Furore. The stairways and the road will soon become a narrow path that descend into the ravine that separates Bomerano from San Lazzaro. A path along the coast, with breathtaking views, will guide us to Vettica and Lone, where we’ll enjoy our packed lunch in the churchyard of Santa Maria Bambini. We then continue along mule tracks to Amalfi where we’ll have some free time to explore the city. Most of the route is made up of mule tracks, which in total include more than 3000 steps. Private coach back to Hotel. Ascent: +50 m/ Descent:-700 m – Length: 9 km – Time: 6 Hours

Day 3:   AGEROLA – AMALFI – CAPRI.  After breakfast we’ll head to the port of Amalfi to catch the ferry to Capri. Once there, you’ll understand why Capri is one of the most famous islands in Italy.  We begin with a chairlift from Anacapri to Monte Solaro, the highest point of the island, for breathtaking views of the Sorrento peninsula, the Gulf of Naples and Vesuvius. We’ll also enjoy a visit to the church of San Michele, a UNESCO heritage site noted for the tiles that make up the pavement. Then we’re off to Capri Town to visit the famous Piazzetta, the gardens of Augustus and the famed alleyways of the town. After some free time, we’ll ferry back to Amalfi and return to our hotel.

Day 4:  AGEROLA – THE WALK OF THE GODS – to POSITANO.  From our hotel, we’ll walk towards the square of Bomerano to begin our walk on the famous Path of the Gods. The first 8 kilometers of trail wind along the coast, between sea rocks, and through some stretches in the woods. The panoramic views of the Sorrento peninsula, Capri, and Positano that we’ll enjoy along the way are priceless. We’ll lunch in Nocelle on a terrace overlooking the sea, savoring the views as well as the local bruschetta and other local delicacies. After lunch we leave for the last part of the route between Nocelle and Montepertuso, hamlets of Positano. After some free time to explore in Positano, we’ll return by ferry to Amalfi and transfer to Agerola. Dinner and overnight. Ascent: +100 m/ Descent: -700 m – Length: 12 km – Time: 6 Hours

DAY 5: VESUVIUS – POMPEII. After breakfast, we’ll head to Mount Vesuvius. Our route takes us under the shadow of the volcano that, with the fatal eruption of 79 AD, destroyed the bustling city of Pompeii, creating the world’s most fascinating ruins. We’ll take the road up Vesuvius as far as we can before starting our walk, a journey into the geologic past with surreal scenery. Our walk takes us along the impressive volcanic phenomena to be seen around the crater: lava flows, pumice fields, and grotto’s, up to the highest point at 1281 metres (4000 feet), for a majestic view of the Bay of Naples, one of the panoramic wonders of the world. After descending, we’re off to Pompeii and a light lunch in this historic town. We’ll spend the afternoon with our local guide exploring the myriad of Pompeii excavations. 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. We’ll be captivated by the exceptional frescoes found throughout the city and by the opulence of the villas with their atriums and charming peristyles, owned by the rich and influential of the day. In Pompei we’ll have free time to explore on our own. Please don’t miss the amphitheater 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. Return to hotel.

DAY 6:  RAVELLO – VALLE DELLE FERRIERE – AMALFI. First we reach historic Ravello, known as the “Balcony of the Amalfi Coast” as well as the “City of Music”. This is a village much loved by artists and writers, past and current. You might recognize the names of musicians and composers like Wagner and Toscanini or writers like Lawrence and Virginia Wolf, some of those who have found inspiration in this cliffside hamlet. We’ll stroll through this beautiful village before beginning our journey of many steps down to the coast and on to Amalfi, passing through vineyards and lemon groves along the way. Wonderful views of the Amalfi Coast accompany us as we follow the trail up and down via the small hamlets of Scala, Minuta, Pontone, and Vallone delle Ferriere, all perched in beautiful settings along the coast. This is the ‘Valle dei Mulini’, the valley of the watermills, with its ruins of Europe’s most ancient paper fabrics, dating back to the 11th century. In Amalfi, we’ll visit the famous “Museo della Carta” (Paper Museum) before heading back to our hotel. Ascent: +50 m/ Descent: -300 m – Length: 7 km – Time: 3:30 Hours

DAY 7: BOMERANO MONTE TRE CALLI – MONTE SANT’ANGELO. Today’s walk takes us through vineyards and chestnut forests towards one of the highest peaks of the Amalfi Coast, the Monte Tre Calli. From here we’ll enjoy 360-degree views. We’ll enjoy a relaxing picnic lunch on a natural rock formation known as the ‘mushroom’. Our path then takes us down to the little chapel of the ‘Virgin of the Silence’ and an easy path back to Bomerano. Late afternoon farewell aperitif with limoncello tasting and demo: the chef will show us how to prepare the famous limoncello. Farewell dinner. Overnight hotel. Ascent: 550 m – Length: 10 km – Time: 5 Hours

DAY 8: PRAIANO AND THE PATH OF BRIGANDS.  From our hotel, a series of stairs will lead us to the locally famous “path of love” (via dell’amore) and on to the walk of the Agavi to Praiano with the beautiful church of San Luca. From here, it’s back on the footsteps of the Brigands until we head back to Furore and a visit to the gorge of Furore. Ascent: +100 m/ Descent: -750 m – Length: 9.5 km – Time: 4:30 Hours

DAY 9: AGEROLA – NAPOLI – DEPARTURE. After breakfast we transfer to Napoli Capodichino Airport. Departure. End of services.

WHAT WE INCLUDE:

HOTELS:

• 8 nights in Agerola: Hotel Le due Torri 3*** https://www.hotelleduetorri.it/en/

MEALS INCLUDED:

• 8 continental morning breakfast
• 6 lunches (4 picnic lunches, 2 light lunches at restaurant)
• 5 dinners in hotel
• 3 dinners in a local restaurant (1 with “pizza menu”)

DRINKS INCLUDED:

• Water in every meal
• ¼ of litre (2 glasses) of Wine at dinners only
• Coffee at dinners only
• 1 wine tasting and degustation

OTHERS:

• Transportation in private bus with driver
• Ferry rides to and from Capri and from Positano
• All entrance fees in scheduled stops:
• Welcome drink in hotel
• Farewell drink with limoncello tasting and demo
• Professional Official walking guide
• English speaking local guide for Pompeii excavations

PLEASE NOTE:

Beginning of services: Napoli Capodichino Airport, only one appointment for pick-up.

End of services: Napoli Capodichino Airport, only one trip to suit most departures.

IMPORTANT:

Itinerary may be subject to changes at guide’s discretion, according to weather conditions and paths that may be closed at the time of the trip.

FERRY RIDES and visit to Capri are subject to good sea conditions

Some of the walks are not suitable for severe vertigo sufferers