OVERVIEW
Enjoy charming 3 star lodging while discovering the lovely Amalfi Coast.
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 you walk around Amalfi and its neighbors: Atrani, Ravello and Positano: a mixture of memorable sights and unique environments. 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.
- ACTIVITY: Self-guided walking tour
- NAME: Vesuvius, Pompeii & Amalfi Coast
- TRIP CODE: ICVPA
- DURATION: 8 days/7 nights
- GRADE: easy to moderate
- 2023 PRICES: Starting from Euro 1090,00 per person sharing twin/double room
GALLERY
-
- amalfi coast hiking adventures
-
- Vietri sul Mare – icnosadventures.com
ITINERARY
Arrival in Naples on your own. You can reach Salerno or Cava de’ Tirreni by local train. Arrived in Salerno or Cava de’ Tirreni a private taxi brings you to the Hotel located in a green and peaceful valley. Cava de’ Tirreni is a delightful little town rich in history and less touristic than other places on the Amalfi Coast with its narrow streets and alleys, nestled in a landscaped valley called the green gate of the Amalfi Coast. In past centuries it was an important market centre and well known for the Abbey of the Holy Trinity which spread its temporal and spiritual influence over Southern Italy. Overnight: Country House in Cava de’ Tirreni
Walking 4 km approx. 1,5 hour walking + 4 hours walking tour in Pompeii Today you experience a visit to Mount Vesuvius before exploring the Pompeii ruins. A private transfer brings you on the summit of Mount Vesuvius; here you can visit the big crater and enjoy panoramic views over the Bay of Naples. Then you reach by private transfer the world’s most captivating Roman excavation and experience a real intact image of this ancient world. The devastating eruption of Mt. Vesuvius in AD 79 trapped 25000 inhabitants of Pompeii, many of whom left impressive examples of everyday life in 1st Century. From Pompeii you come back to your charming hotel in Cava de’ Tirreni by train + local bus.
Overnight: Country House in Cava de’ Tirreni
Walking – easy 2.5 hoursYou start the day visiting 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 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. From here you continue by local bus to Amalfi.
Overnight: Hotel*** in Amalfi
Walking – easy 4.5 hours.Today you enjoy an easy gradual ascent along the valley of the ancient mills towards the celebrated village of Ravello. Starting from your hotel, you 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, you 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 you 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 to visit Villa Cimbrone and Villa Rufolo. You return to Amalfi following ancient stairways down to the admirable village of Atrani, a maze of narrow white washed alleys.
Overnight: Hotel*** in Amalfi
Walking – easy to moderate 4.5 hours Today you can choose between two great options: to discover the Ferriere valley or to visit the Island of Capri (if you have not chosen our 3 days Capri walking tour) If you opt for the Ferriere valley, taking a local bus you reach the starting point of your next walking experience. Ferriere valley is an interesting nature reserve into the rugged landscape of the Lattari Mountains. You 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 longleafed fern from the pre-glacial age. Continuing in the valley through the chestnut trees you reach the hamlet of Pogerola and then, down along ancient flight of steps, the village of 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.
Overnight:Hotel*** in Amalfi
1st option – Walk from Amalfi to PraianoWalking – moderate min 4 – max 5.5 hours
You start the walk from your hotel strolling 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. Here you reach the church of San Pancrazio in the tiny village of Conca dei Marini, then walk and descend to the fjord of Furore, with its typical rock-face houses. From the fjord you can take the local bus or continue, before along an hard section and then along a great path, to the small fishing village of Praiano, where you indulge yourself in a relaxing atmosphere on the panoramic terrace overlooking the Amalfi Coast.
2nd option – Mt. Tre Calli hike & 1st section of the path of the Gods
Walking – easy to moderate min 2h,30min, max 6h,30min
Today you take a local bus to Bomerano and from here you can choose between two options depending on your level of fitness. A longer option includes the Tre Calli hike and the 1st section of the famous Path of the Gods. The shorter option is only the section from Bomerano to Praiano walking along the path of the Gods. The Tre Calli hike is one of superlatives. Incredible coastal views from ancient paths cut into the mountainside will have you continually reaching for your camera. You reach the central square of Bomerano (Agerola) by local bus. From here you can opt for the longer option including a great walk that leads toward the highest massif of Amalfi Coast, Sant’Angelo a Tre Pizzi. The coastal views are inspiring! Further along walk around Mt. Tre Calli, you can enjoy the Amalfi’s finest viewpoints with sights of Positano, the finis terrae and the Isle of Capri. This great walk ends in the central square of Bomerano and from here you start the second part including the 1st section of the famous Path of the Gods, from Bomerano to Colle Serra where you enjoy some of the best view of the Coast. From here you take some stairs going down to Praiano, your next destination. Overnight: Hotel*** in Praiano
Walking – easy to moderate 4.5 hoursToday’s journey is along one of the most spectacular trails overlooking the Amalfi Coast, as well as one of the main highlights of your adventure. From Praiano you reach the convent of San Domenico, a stunning view point leading towards the most picturesque part of the world famous “Sentiero degli Dei” (Path of the Gods). Along the pathway you can admire the full splendour 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 and explore the labyrinth of alleyways surrounded by scarlet bougainvillea and elegant boutiques. Return to Praiano by public bus.
Overnight: Hotel*** in Praiano
Your trip ends after breakfast. You can reach your next destination by public transportation or by private transfer on request according to your final travel plan.