WALKING ON THE AMALFI COAST & SORRENTO PENINSULA

A combination of interesting historic sites, charming tourist destinations, celebrated flavors of Italian cooking and fascinating rural traditions characterizes our walking experience in Italy.
The journey begins in Cava de’ Tirreni, a town with a thousand years of history, nestled in a hilly landscape overlooking the Mediterranean sea and known as the “Green gate of the Amalfi Coast”. It is surprising unknown as a tourist destination and upon your arrival you will be suddenly absorbed by the Italian lifestyle, the attractive boulevard along the ancient porticos with its bustling bars it is perfect to sit for a drink watching the world passing by. The location of this town, with its impressive Benedictine Monastery, is the perfect jumping off point for our adventure and an easy access to the coastal walks.
The Amalfi Coast has been chosen by National Geographic as “One of the fifty places you should visit in your lifetime” and they go on to describe it as “ Italy's most scenic stretch of coastline”. Its picturesque network of pathways, once lifeline between terraced land and rural villages, offers the opportunity to enjoy magnificent views above lemon gardens and vineyards set amidst terraced cliffs over the crystal blue sea. Immerse in a bright landscape and a fascinating heritage we walk around Amalfi and its neighbors: Positano, Atrani and Ravello, a mixture of memorable sights and unique environments.  
We then arrive in the Sorrento Peninsula, where we stay in an historical accommodation located over a cliff-edged promontory overlooking the bay of Naples and the Vesuvius. This delightful location, embedded in an interesting rural surroundings, is our ideal base to explore Sorrento and the island of Capri or Pompeii. We have the privilege to live a peaceful rural experience enjoying wonderful panoramas and delightful food in this prestigious family-run country house which hosted prominent personalities of Italian history and Nobel prizes.
 
ACTIVITY: guided small group tour
GRADE: easy to moderate
TRIP CODE: ICAS
GROUP SIZE: min 6, max 16
DURATION: 8 days/7 nights

2010 PRICES:
April – May – October
€ 1358,00 per person
June – September
€ 1398,00 per person

SPECIAL OFFERS
Please enquire for further details

Single Suppl:
April – May – October
€ 520,00
June – September
€ 570,00

2010 DATES:
Start      Finish
11 Sep - 18 Sep closed
25 Sep - 02 Oct guaranteed 
02 Oct*- 09 Oct # closed
16 Oct* - 23 Oct # guaranteed
*guaranteed departure (minimum 2 pax)
# combining with Walking in Tuscany & Umbria

Day 1 – Welcome to the green gate of the Amalfi Coast
Arrival on your own in Cava de’ Tirreni.
Our 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.
At 6,00 p.m., we meet our tour leader in the hotel for a welcome meeting and we receive a first briefing about what lies ahead.  
This evening we enjoy a welcome group dinner at a local restaurant in Cava de’ Tirreni. (D)

Day 2 - Cava de’ Tirreni – Vietri sul Mare
Walking - easy 2.5 hours
We start our day taking a local bus to reach the attractive Benedictine Abbey of the Holy Trinity. We 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, we start a lovely walk along chestnut woods. Strolling along the pathways we experience the first astonishment of the Amalfi Coast, with its tiny villages on located on the hillsides and stunning coastline views of the Bay of Salerno. Descending stairs lined with sheer stone walls and pastel homes, we pass villages of the Divine Coast before arriving at our goal. The decorated village of Vietri sul Mare is 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 we can see the hands of a craftsman create exclusive works of art.
A short and panoramic train journey takes us back to Cava de’ Tirreni. (B)

Day 3 – From Cava de’ Tirreni to Cetara
Walking - moderate 4 hours
Today a local bus ride from the city centre takes us to the beginning of the walk.  We start our 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. We enjoy a superb coastal scenery starting our 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 we continue toward the renowned town Amalfi, once an important maritime republic, here we take our time to explore and enjoy the panoramic view from the terrace of our hotel. (B)

Day 4 – The valley of the mills
Walking - easy 4.5 hours
Today we enjoy an easy gradual ascent along the valley of the ancient mills towards the celebrated village of Ravello. Starting from our hotel, we pass the vibrant streets of the historical centre before going into a green area, walking along a fresh river and passing the ruins of several abandoned mills.
The pathway climbs out of the valley and softly takes us, through lemon groves and narrow alleys surrounded by dry stone walls, into the hilltop village of Pontone, with its panoramic tiny square: a perfect spot for a picnic lunch. Before reaching Ravello, we enjoy some dramatic views of Amalfi and Atrani from the ruins of Torre dello Zirro: an ancient lookout tower of the powerful Maritime Amalfi Republic.  Stairs bring us to the well-known Ravello,  a town of a rich and noble traditions, exemplified in the magnificent historical villas with theirs incomparable gardens. The afternoon is free to explore the town. We strongly recommend a you visit the Villa Cimbrone and Villa Rufolo. We return to Amalfi by public bus, or following ancient stairways down to the  admirable village of Atrani, a maze of narrow white washed alleys. (B)

Day 5 – The path of the Gods
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 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 looking out towards the famous Isle of Capri and Sorrento Peninsula. (or 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 next destination. We leave the Divine Coast and we experience the glamour and enchantment of the Sirens’ Land indulging ourselves with a glass of wine while enjoying the sensational landscapes overlooking the Sorrento Peninsula and Vesuvius. (B, D)

Day 6 – Sorrento
Walking – easy 1.5 hours
Today we discover the secrets and the spirit of a manor house with a glorious past. Following the footsteps of its history, we re-live the atmosphere of  a place that has been a monastic complex, a royal site, a silk manufacture and a noble estate. We experience a captivating stay amidst paintings, ancient books and a 17th century wine and olive oil cellar with original barrels and jars. We visit the vineyard, the orchards and the olive grows of its farm and take a break on a panoramic terrace enjoying tasteful food and delicious house-produced wine. There is then time to stroll in the hilly countryside around the property and take a local train to Sorrento. Here we visit the historical centre enjoying a captivating atmosphere famous all over the world  for its unique sceneries and gastronomic traditions. This evening we are free to dine on our own in Sorrento, before taking our private bus back to our country house. (B, L)

Day 7 – Isle of Capri
Walking – easy 3.5 hours
Free day. Assisted by the tour leader it is possible to choose to take the local train to Pompeii, visiting the world’s most captivating Roman excavation (a full visit take at least half a day) or, go by boat to Capri, the island, which has been famous since Roman times when Emperor Tiberius chose to live there to enjoy its gorgeous nature and pleasant climate. Transportation is available to Sorrento and Pompeii or to enjoy a memorable visit to the celebrated Isle of Capri with our tour leader.
We gather to celebrate our Italian week together with a farewell dinner at our excellent farmhouse. (B, D)

Day 8 - Departure
Our trip ends after breakfast with a group transfer to Sorrento where you can easily catch trains for the rest of Italy assisted by our tour leader. (B)

INCLUSIONS:
- English speaking local tour leader
- Accommodations:
2 nights Hotel **** in Cava de' Tirreni
2 nights Hotel **** in Amalfi
3 nights Country house in Sorrento Peninsula
- Meals:
7 breakfasts, 3 dinners & 1 light lunch
- Transfer Positano - Sorrento (on day 5)
- Luggage transfers (on day 3 & 5)
- Transfers to Sorrento (on day 6 & 7)
- Transfer to Sorrento train station (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 prepara"on should include climbing and descending steps. Please note that some paths are not suitable for severe vetigo sufferers.
In the case of emergency, for reasons of safety, unexpected circumstances or weather condi"ons, it may be necessary to change the tour program without advance no"ce, 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 Sorrento, Naples or Amalfi and can pre-book an optional transfer by private coach to Rome – please enquire at time of booking.