Amalfi Coast Walking
Resort: | Amalfi Coast Walking |
Operator: | Explore |
Destination: | Italy |
Price From: | £999.00 |
OverviewThis relaxed walking holiday explores the trails of the spectacular Amalfi Coast from clifftop hikes to woodland walks. There’s also time to discover the towns of Amalfi and Positano and the island of Capri. You’ll stay with an Italian family at their peaceful farm overlooking the Mediterranean and enjoy tasty home-produced organic food and wine.
ItineraryDAY 1 – Join trip at Naples Airport; transfer to our agriturismoThe trip starts in the Arrivals Hall at Naples International Airport (NAP). We provide two complimentary transfers to our agriturismo in San Lazzaro today. This sleepy village sits at 650 metres above the Amalfi Coast and there are some great views down to Amalfi and the Bay of Salerno from the cliffs. There are a handful of bars, a couple of small restaurants and two mini-markets. In order to receive a complimentary transfer you need to ensure that you flight arrrives in time.The first transfer will be 10.30 am. If you wish to join this transfer the latest time your flight can arrive is 10 am. The second complimentary transfer is at 7 pm and the latest time your flight can arrive if you wish to join this is 6.30 pm. If you plan to arrive later than the second transfer then you will need to make your own way to our accommodation. A taxi should cost in the region of 120 Euros. The drive to San Lazzaro usually takes just over an hour. Here, we can look forward to settling in to our authentic agriturismo accommodation, with its rustically-furnished, en-suite rooms – our home for the next week. If you join the morning airport transfer please be aware that as our trips run back-to-back you may not be able to access your room until the afternoon. You can relax in the communal areas and head out for a wander in the village. The family who run this working farm produce their own wine, as well as much of the food that they serve us. Tonight we’ll enjoy a welcome supper at the agritursimo and your trip leader will brief everyone on the week ahead. DAY 2 – Ridge walk with views of Mount VesuviusSetting off on foot from the farm this morning, we head up onto a ridge and gently ascend to a height of 900m. Continuing along the ridge, we pass through thick woodland and enjoy views of the Agerola Plain, Vesuvius and the Bay of Naples. Today’s walk is circular and we descend to the small hamlet of Santa Maria before heading back to San Lazzaro, where the rest of the day is free to relax. Today’s walk is graded moderate, with the 11 kilometres expected to take approximately six hours with a total ascent and descent of 540m. DAY 3 – Walk to Amalfi along the Ancient Republics PathThis afternoon there will be the option of making our own pizzas for dinner. For those taking part we will spend a short time making pizza dough with the family after breakfast so that the dough can proof during the day.After this we once again commence our walk from the farm, following a path that leads through steep terraces towards the coast. This is an ancient pathway and, before the coastal road was built in the 19th century, this was the only way to get from Agerola to Amalfi. There are plenty of places to stop and admire the sea-views as we descend down a series of steps and meander through ancient alleyways. We arrive in Amalfi in time for lunch and have a free afternoon in which to explore this stunning harbour town. You may choose to look around the impressive Duomo di Sant Andrea (St Andrew’s cathedral), with its remarkable baroque interior dating back to the 11th century. The beautifully restored ancient Roman basilica is another highlight. Alternatively, you might choose to relax in one of the many cafes or gelaterias, or look around the curio shops. If it’s a hot day, a swim from the public beach might appeal – don’t forget to pack your swimming costume and towel. We will head back to San Lazzaro by public bus late in the afternoon. Today’s six kilometre walk is graded as easy, with a total ascent of 90m and a 755m descent. We expect it to take us approximately two-and-a-half to three hours. DAY 4 – Day Trip to Capri by boatWe take an early bus to catch the boat from Amalfi to Capri (trips from 31OCT through to the end of the year will take a boat from Sorrento). Our ferry ride affords us impressive views of the Amalfi Coast; its clusters of buildings clinging spectacularly to the cliffs. Although only a small island measuring seven kilometres in length and three kilometres in width, Capri’s magnificent 600 metre-high cliffs contribute to its imposing appearance. Capri has enjoyed coastal resort status since Roman times, but today’s walk gets behind its glitzy facade of trendy boutiques and cool cafes. Exploring its network of winding streets, grand houses and kitchen gardens, our route takes us to the coast, past banks of beautiful bougainvillea and to the quieter parts of the island. Here we have superb views of the mainland and the magnificent limestone cliffs rising out of the Mediterranean. There will be time to enjoy the buzz of the main town, as well as a visit to Emperor Tiberius’ palace and perhaps time to visit Villa Lysis, before heading back by boat to Amalfi to the mainland. At Amalfi, we take our private bus back to San Lazzaro. Today’s easy-graded walk will take approximately four hours, covering 10 kilometres, with a total of 400m ascent and descent. Please note that if the weather is deemed too rough, the ferry to Capri will not operate. Instead we will visit the beautiful hilltop town of Ravello and take a two-hour walk through pretty farmland to the coastal town of Minori. Alternatively, we will re-arrange the days so that we can visit Capri later in the week. DAY 5 – Walk in the Ferriere Natural ParkOnce again, today’s walk sets off from our accommodation. We take an ancient limestone stairway above San Lazzaro which leads us high above the village. There are great views towards Salerno and the villages and towns below. Contouring round, we pass pretty woodlands and small valleys, before crossing into the Vallone di Ferriere. Surrounded by high limestone cliffs, the valley has a unique micro-climate, creating a home for plants not normally found in this area. Our well-established path offers spectacular views of the valley and coast, passing small waterfalls and a pretty river. Descending to Amalfi, we take our private bus back to San Lazzaro. This evening there’s the option to enjoy a wine tasting in the beautiful wine cellar at the agriturismo. The wines will be accompanied by a feast of home-cooked food. This moderately-graded walk will take approximately six hours, covering a distance of 13 kilometres with a total ascent of 360m and a total descent of 1015m. DAY 6 – A free day to visit Pompeii and VesuviusToday is a free day to use as you wish. You may choose to relax at the farmhouse or take an optional day-trip to Pompeii. Devastated by a volcanic eruption in AD 79, Pompeii is hailed as one of Europe’s most compelling archaeological sites, due to the unique way that the volcanic ash has perfectly preserved so much of the city. Walking around the paved streets and buildings of this UNESCO World Heritage site provides a fascinating, if ghostly, insight into Roman life. Looming above Pompeii is Mount Vesuvius. As well as providing the opportunity to peer down into its 200 metre deep crater, which most recently erupted in 1944, the panoramic view from its summit is spectacular. A trip to Pompeii and Vesuvius is organised locally, so you do not need to book it in advance. DAY 7 – The ‘Walk of the Gods’ to PositanoOften a highlight of the trip, the Walk of the Gods is justifiably regarded as one of the greatest coastal walks in the world. The high cliff path contours west, with magnificent views of the Bay of Salerno and Capri. The trail passes under huge limestone cliffs and above picturesque stone farmhouses until it reaches the attractive village of Nocelle. From here, we descend down an ancient stairway, past pretty flower gardens, into Positano. A poor fishing village until the 1950s, Positano has grown into a chic town that is still a favourite with Hollywood stars. There is plenty of time to enjoy the town and beach before catching our private bus back to the Agriturismo for our final evening. Today’s moderately-graded walk will take approximately five hours and will cover a distance of 11 kilometres with a total ascent of 330m and 900 m descent. DAY 8 – Transfer to Naples Airport where trip endsThe trip ends today at Naples International Airport (NAP). Two complimentary transfers are provided today from our agriturismo. The first is timed to arrive at the airport at 8 am. If you wish to join this transfer the earliest time your flight can depart is 10 am. The second transfer is timed to arrive at the airport at 3 pm and the earliest time your flight can depart is 5 pm. If you are travelling on the later transfer please be aware that as our trips run back-t0-back you will need to vacate your room after breakfast. Your luggage can be stored at the agriturismo and your time is left free to relax in the communal areas or explore further afield. |