Go off the beaten path to experience the hidden gem of the Amalfi Coast: the village of Tramonti, our great base for terrific week’s hiking.
Discover the unexplored side of one of the most breathtaking coastlines in Europe, and enjoy some of the best walking in the region while visiting the astonishing jewels of Amalfi, Ravello, and Positano.
The base for this very special holiday experience is the undiscovered village of Tramonti, located in the hilly heart of the Amalfi Coast, surrounded by ancient vineyards, lemon groves and chestnut trees. An ideal base for those looking for a peaceful setting with a glimpse of rural village life far removed from the hubbub of the coast. This journey gives us the opportunity to visit (or re-visit) the well known beauties of the Coast (some of the most celebrated in the world) while sojourning far from the madding tourist crowds.
We experience superb walks in mountainous landscapes, through steep stairways, old stone houses and narrow lanes just capable of accommodating the occasional passing mule.
Aside from the magnificent mountains scented with wild fruits and herbs, we enjoy the views of an intricate coastline with dramatic cliffs combined with the visit to Pompeii, the finest archaeological site of the region, and Mount Vesuvius.
The highlights of the journey are the genuine warmth of the people, the delicious local food and wine, the gourmet dining experiences with the local Tramonti chefs (famous the world over for their excellent Pizza,) and some interactive foodie experiences, such as wine tastings, vineyard walks, cheese & Pizza making.
ACTIVITY: guided small group tour GRADE: easy to moderate TRIP CODE: ICTRA GROUP SIZE: min 4, max 14 DURATION: 8 days/7 nights
2010 PRICES:
€ 1075,00 per person Single Suppl. *:
€ 150,00 *limited availability 2010 DATES:
Start Finish
04 Sep - 11 Sep closed
18 Sep - 25 Sep closed
02 Oct - 09 Oct # on request
09 Oct - 16 Oct # closed
16 Oct - 23 Oct # closed
23 Oct - 30 Oct open # combining with Walking in
Tuscany & Umbria
Day 1 – Welcome on the Amalfi Coast
Arrival in Naples Airport and transfer to Tramonti. Meeting with the tour leader at 6,00 pm and welcome dinner in a typical Tramonti Restaurant. (D)
Day 2 – The hamlets of Tramonti
Walking easy: 3.5 hours
Today we visit Tramonti , the village of the Amalfi Coast which best preserves its authentic rural atmosphere. We start wandering around the valley using the country roads that linked for centuries the thirteen hamlets of Tramonti. Every hamlet offers interesting scenery amidst vineyards, ancient chapels, chestnut woods and lemon groves. We can enjoy a real farm experience, spending a stimulating time with some farmers, learning on their rural property. We meet small and passionate wine producers, visiting theirs vineyards (some of them are over 100 years old and most of the others seemed to be more than 50 years old). We visit a small cheese producer and in the evening we experience a pizza making in a typical Pizzeria of Tramonti. (B, L, D)
Day 3 – From Tramonti to Maiori
Walking – easy to moderate 4.5 hours
Today’s journey is along a dazzling trail overlooking the captivating valley of Tramonti. The pathway starts from a tiny hamlet of Tramonti and climbs out of the valley through lemon groves, terraced vineyards and narrow alleys surrounded by dry stone walls. We enjoy some dramatic views of the superb mountains surrounding Tramonti, before reaching an ancient hermitage: a perfect spot for a picnic lunch. After we enjoy a gradual descend immersed in a chestnut wood and then, through steep stairways, we arrive in the heart of Maiori, with its colorful dome covered with majolica tiles. Here we 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 our quiet accommodation. Our dinner tonight features delicious local produce and traditional local dishes in a typical Tramonti’s Trattoria. (B, L, D)
Day 4 – Ferriere Valley & Amalfi
Walking - easy 4.5 hours
Taking a private transfer from Tramonti, we reach the starting point of our next walking experience into the Ferriere Valley. It is an interesting nature reserve into the rugged landscape of the Lattari Mountains. We pass through striking vertical cliffs, little waterfalls and natural springs immersed in an unchanged microclimate which allows for the preservation of the Woodwardia radicans, a rare type of long-leafed fern from the pre-glacial age. Continuing in the valley through the chestnut trees we reach the hamlet of Pogerola and then, down along ancient flight of steps, the renowned village of Amalfi. There is plenty of time to explore at your leisure this outstanding place, crossing the vibrant streets of the historical centre, with the option to visit the paper museum and the 13th Century Cloister of Paradise, before taking the public bus to Tramonti. (B, D)
Day 5 – Ravello & Minori
Walking – easy 2.5 hours
Today we visit Ravello, one of the most celebrated village of the coast. Leaving our hotel we reach our destination by a private transfer. In the morning we visit 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. Following ancient stairways amidst orchards and lemon groves we go down to the village of Minori. Time to visit this town and continue towards Maiori.
Return to Tramonti by public bus. (B)
Day 6 – Vesuvius & Pompeii
Walking – easy 4.5 hours
In the morning we reach the Mount Vesuvius, probably the world’s most famous volcano. Here during a striking walk we have the opportunity to know more about the history of the sleeping giant and its many impressive volcanic phenomena. We walk up to the main crater, enjoying the panoramic views over the Bay of Naples and Sorrento Peninsula. On the way to Pompeii, we visit a wine producer tasting the Lacryma Christi (Tears of Christ), the region's most famous wine. During the afternoon we visit Pompeii destroyed by Vesuvius eruption of AD 79. The excavations of the buried town bring to light some of the buildings and its inhabitants, who attempted to escape but perished because of the pyroclastic flow and the volcanic gases. (B, L, D)
Day 7 – Pathway of the Gods & Positano
Walking – moderate 4.5 hours
Today we enjoy a truly unique walking experience, one of the main highlights of our adventure. The famous Pathway of the Gods is like nowhere you've been before and perhaps that's why so many people return time and time again. By private bus we climb up the zigzag coastal road enjoying impressive views on the land terraces built over centuries and preserved by local communities. Our walk begins in Bomerano and offers terrific coastline landscapes with the famous cliffs of Capri marking lands end. Along the pathway we can admire the full splendor of the Divine Coast. Arrived at Nocelle, a tiny mountain village, we 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 our bus to our accommodation. (B, L, D)
Day 8 - Departure
Our trip ends after breakfast with a group transfer to Salerno where you can easily catch trains for the rest of Italy assisted by our tour leader. (B)
INCLUSIONS:
- English speaking local tour leader
- Accommodations:
7 nights small albergo in Tramonti
- Meals:
7 breakfasts, 6 dinners, 2 picnic lunches & 2
light lunches
- 3 wine tastings
- pizza making
- Transfer Naples Airport - Tramonti
(on day 1)
- Transfers according to the programme
(from day 2 to day 7)
- Transfer Tramonti – Salerno (on day 8)
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"
NOTES: A reasonable good level of fitness is required. The walking is graded moderate with 2 to 5 hours walking each day. There are lots of ascents and descents on stepped trails on the coast. We suggest that you start regular exercise. Your preparation should include climbing and descending steps. Please note that some paths are not suitable for severe vertigo sufferers.
In the case of emergency, for reasons of safety, unexpected circumstances or weather conditions, it may be necessary to change the tour program without advance notice, every effort will be made to avoid this if at all possible.
Those who want to extend their stay can book some extra days in Naples or Amalfi and can pre-book an optional transfer by private coach to Rome – please enquire at time of booking.
