THE JEWELS OF THE AMALFI COAST

Enjoy the first self-guided tour which touches every single village of the gorgeous Amalfi Coast, starting from Vietri sul Mare and arriving to Positano. Every day you can choose between different alternatives depending by your level of fitness and your interest in history, culture, shopping and gastronomy. This feature makes this tour suitable for both walking enthusiast and not.
The Amalfi Coast has been described by National Geographic as “ Italy's most scenic stretch of coastline”. Its charming network of pathways offers the opportunity to enjoy splendid sights from terraced sea cliff over azure inlets.
The journey starts in Cava de’ Tirreni, a town known as the “Green gate of the Amalfi Coast”. Walking along the attractive boulevard along the ancient porticos you will be suddenly absorbed by the Italian lifestyle. The location of this town, with its one thousand years old Benedictine Monastery, is the perfect starting point for your journey and an ideal way in to the coastal walks towards the marine villages of Vietri sul Mare and Cetara.
Tramonti, a pleasant location of Amalfi Coast untouched by mass tourism, is embedded in an interesting rural surroundings and it is perfect to live a peaceful sojourn enjoying wonderful atmosphere, traditional food and renowned local wine.
Furthermore you explore the celebrated Amalfi and its neighbors, discovering  Maiori, Ravello, Minori, Atrani, Conca dei Marini, Furore, Praiano and Positano.

ACTIVITY: self guided tour
GRADE: easy to moderate
TRIP CODE: ICAI
DURATION: 8 days/7 nights

2010 PRICES:
06/04 – 25/05 & 01/11 – 21/12
€ 549,00 per person
26/05 – 30/06 & 01/10 – 31/10
€ 579,00 per person
27/03 – 05/04
22/12 – 08/01 & 01/09 – 30/09
€ 595,00 per person

Single Suppl.:
€ 239,00

Brief itinerary
Day 1 – Welcome to the green gate of the Amalfi Coast
Arrival on your own in Cava de’ Tirreni.
The Hotel**** is centrally located and it is a perfect base for exploring, at your own pace, the captivating historical centre, enjoying the pleasure of the Italian dolce vita. Discover the distinctive arched arcades of the Borgo Scacciaventi and experience what the atmosphere must have been like in the 15th century.

Day 2 - Cava de’ Tirreni – Vietri sul Mare
Option 1: Walking - easy 2.5 hours
You start the day taking a local bus to reach the attractive Benedictine Abbey of the Holy Trinity. You experience the intangible atmosphere of a glorious past, visiting the true symbol of the religious and cultural prestige of Cava de’ Tirreni. After a pleasant and peaceful guided visit of the Abbey’s treasures, directly from the church square, you start a lovely walk along chestnut woods. Strolling along the pathways you experience the first astonishment of the Amalfi Coast, with its tiny villages located on the hillsides and stunning coastline views of the Bay of Salerno. Descending stairs lined with sheer stone walls and pastel homes, you pass villages of the Divine Coast before arriving at the decorated village of Vietri sul Mare: the home of the hand painted ceramic art. There is time to explore at leisure this colourful town, with the option to visit local workshops where you can see the hands of a craftsman create exclusive works of art.
A short and panoramic train journey takes you back to Cava de’ Tirreni.
Option 2:
Taking local buses you visit the Benedictine Abbey of the Holy Trinity and the village of Vietri sul Mare


Day 3 – From Cava de’ Tirreni to Tramonti
Option 1: Walking - moderate 4 hours
Today a local bus ride from the city centre takes you to the beginning of the walk.  You start the walk through a path placed in a green valley with chestnut and oak trees. This rewarding hike leads to the coast through a shadowed mule-path once used by pilgrims and traders to reach the coast. You enjoy a superb coastal scenery starting your descending to the fishermen’s village of Cetara.  The pleasing village is settled in a valley and its landscape is characterized by the Tower, built to prevent the Saracen attacks during the 16th century. Cetara is bound to tradition and fishery, it is famous for its gastronomy based on lemons, tunas and anchovies, products exported all over the world.  From here you continue by local bus through the coastal town Maiori to Tramonti
Option 2:
Taking local buses you reach the village of Tramonti, stopping to the village of Cetara, or you can choose to visit the Pompeii ruins before going to Tramonti by public buses.


Day 4 – From Tramonti to Maiori
Option 1: Walking – easy to moderate 4.5 hours
Today’s walk is along a dazzling trail overlooking the captivating valley of Tramonti. The pathway starts from a tiny hamlet and climbs out of the valley through lemon groves,  terraced vineyards and narrow alleys surrounded by dry stone walls. You enjoy some dramatic views of the superb mountains surrounding, before reaching an ancient hermitage: a perfect spot for a picnic lunch. After you enjoy a gradual descend immersed in a oak chestnut and then, through steep stairways, you arrive at the heart of Maiori, with its dome covered with majolica tiles. Here you can indulge in the simple pleasure of the side street cafès on the longest unbroken stretch of beach on the Amalfi coastline, savoring the lemon specialties that give the real distinctive flavor of the village, before returning by public bus to your quiet accommodation.
Option 2:
Taking local buses you explore the village of Maiori and Minori.


Day 5 – From Ravello to Amalfi
Option 1: Walking – easy 2.5 hours
Today you visit Ravello, one of the most celebrated village of the coast. In the morning leave your hotel by a private transfer. You have free time to explore this town of a rich and noble traditions, with its houses built in Arabic/Sicilian style, the prestigious twelfth-century Cathedral, the spectacular thirteenth-century Villa Rufolo and the magnificent lookout at Villa Cimbrone.  In the afternoon, following ancient stairways amidst orchards and lemon groves you go down to the  admirable village of Atrani, a maze of narrow white washed alleys. Time to visit this tiny village and continue towards Amalfi with its illustrious maritime history. Here you spend the next three nights of the journey.
Option 2:
Taking local buses you visit the village of Ravello and Atrani


Day 6 – Via Maestra dei Villaggi
Option 1: Walking – easy 4.5 hours
Today you can choose between two great options: to discover tiny villages and ancient chapels following the “Via Maestra dei Villaggi” or to visit the Island of Capri. If you opt for the “Via Maestra dei Villaggi”,  you can enjoy a lovely walk towards the delicious fjord of Furore. Walking along an old paved mule track dating back to the 9th century, you pass some little hamlets and delightful little chapels before arriving at the Santa Rosa Monastery and, then to the narrow fjord of Furore, with its typical rock-face houses. From here you can take a bus to the small fishing village of Praiano and to indulge yourself in a relaxing time on a panoramic terrace overlooking the charming San Gennaro Church, prior to back by bus to Amalfi.
A visit to the world known island of Capri is proposed as alternative.
The ferry leaves Amalfi in the morning. Arrived to the island, after passing the famous “Piazzetta”, you walk towards the Arco Naturale and following a coastal path you reach the spectacular Faraglioni, the peculiar rocks jutting out of the sea. During the afternoon you have several options for exploring Capri at your own pace. You may choose to relax in the island’s chic shops or take a walk to visit the Convent of San Giacomo, dated back to the 14th century, and the Gardens of August. Return to Amalfi by boat.
Option 2:
Taking local buses you can visit the village of Conca dei Marini and Praiano or you can opt for a visit of the island of Capri


Day 7 – The path of the Gods
Option 1: Walking – moderate 4.5 hours
Today’s journey is along one of the most spectacular trails overlooking the Amalfi Coast, as well as one of the main highlights of our adventure. By public bus you climb up the zigzag coastal road enjoying impressive views on the land terraces built over centuries and preserved by local communities. The walk begins in Bomerano and offers terrific coastline landscapes looking out towards the famous Isle of Capri with the famous cliffs marking lands end. Along the pathway you can admire the full splendor of the Divine Coast. Arrived at Nocelle, a tiny mountain village, you descend through lush terraces and olive groves to the vertical charming resort of Positano. There is time to explore the labyrinth of alleyways surrounded by scarlet bougainvillea and elegant boutiques, before taking the bus or boat to Amalfi.
Option 2:
Taking local buses you visit the village of Positano.


Day 8 - Departure
Your trip ends after breakfast

INCLUSIONS:
- Accommodations:
2 nights Hotel **** in Cava de’ Tirreni
2 nights small Albergo in Tramonti
3 nights Hotel *** in Amalfi
- Meals:
7 breakfasts
- Transfer Tramonti - Ravello (on day 5)
- Luggage transfers (on day 3 & day 5)
- Detailed maps and route notes
- Emergency phone number

ITEMS NOT INCLUDED:
- Visas, Airfare & airport taxes
- Travel Insurance (compulsory)
- Drinks
- Other meals not mentioned in the itinerary
- Public bus & entrance fees
- Anything not mentioned in "inclusions"


Those who want to extend their stay can book some extra days in Sorrento, Naples or Amalfi and can pre-book an optional transfer by private coach to Naples or Rome – please enquire at time of booking.