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Italy Walking Tours - Amalfi Coast Walking Tour
Amalfi Coast and Isle
of Capri
7 Days
The towns of the Sorrentine Peninsula and Amalfi Coast have been part of the
European “Grand Tour” since the 19th century and with good reason. The spectacular
coastal scenery of dramatic limestone cliffs contrasts against an impossibly-blue
sea. Clinging hillside towns, groves of fragrant lemons, silvery olives and
vineyards are quintessentially Mediterranean. The draw is indeed ancient, dating
to the Greeks who imagined the rocky coastline to be the home of the Sirens
of Homer’s Odyssey, and later wealthy Romans who chose the area as a site to
construct their summer villas.
The landscape varies from typical
Mediterranean maquis where a goat may be peeking down from a nearly vertical
hillside, to the cultivated terraces of citrus, olives or vines, testament to
centuries of civilization. In addition to feasting our eyes, we literally feast
on the bounty of the region’s incredible variety of flavors. Lemons from the
Sorrentine Peninsula have inspired the liqueur limoncello, sipped ice cold after
dinner. Fresh seafood, cheeses, and pasta dishes unique to the region are among
other tastes to be savored in this exploration of a mythical coastline.
The landscape varies from typical Mediterranean
maquis where a goat may be peeking down from a nearly vertical hillside, to
the cultivated terraces of citrus, olives or vines, testament to centuries of
civilization. In addition to feasting our eyes, we can feast on the bounty of
the region’s incredible variety of flavors. Lemons from the Sorrentine Peninsula
have inspired the liqueur limoncello, sipped ice cold after dinner. Fresh seafood,
cheeses, and pasta dishes unique to the region are among other tastes to be
savored in this exploration of a mythical coastline.
Arrival day - Meeting in Naples. Walking tour
of Pompei; 2-miles, easy. Transfer to Ravello
Upon meeting at the Naples airport, we drive the short distance to the archeological
excavation site of Pompei. A guided two-hour walking and historical tour provides
a glimpse into the Roman town frozen in time in 79 A.D. by the eruption of nearby
Mt. Vesuvius. In the early evening we arrive at the picturesque village of Ravello,
perched high on a hilltop above the seaside town of Amalfi. Both Ravello and
Amalfi, powerful towns in the Middle Ages, are rich with art and history. Ravello
is the smaller and quieter of the two, its cobblestone ways are free of traffic
and bordered by gardens and elegant villas. An evening stroll in the main square
is an opportunity to see the 11th-century cathedral and Villa Rufolo. We enjoy
the stunning views of mountains plunging into the sea from our first hotel’s
lovely terrace and dining room.
Hotel Rufolo, Ravello
Ravello - Torre dello Ziro - Valle dei Mulini
- Amalfi - Atrani; 5 to 7 miles, easy to moderate
Today a full day is spent in the valley between Ravello and Amalfi. First, a
short walk brings us to the Villa Cimbrone, an original 19th-century estate
of which the splendid and slightly wild garden seems to literally hang on the
cliff’s edge over the sea. We then leave Ravello on foot to the tiny village
of Pontone, our path weaving through cobbled streets and former mule-paths,
once the only roads connecting the network of hill farms and villages. En route,
perched on a promontory between Ravello and Amalfi, the ruins of the medieval
Torre dello Ziro provide spectacular views of the coast. The trail descends
stone steps through the fragrant groves of Amalfi lemons and follows the contours
of the hill into the Valle dei Mulini (Valley of the Mills). A rushing brook
tumbling down from the mountain tops once supplied the energy to the numerous
paper mills for which Amalfi was famous. We walk past the ruins of the mills
into the heart of Amalfi where we are free to visit its shops and cathedral,
or enjoy a well-deserved gelato before returning to the tranquility of Ravello
via the tiny town of Atrani. You may choose to relax by our hotel’s pool this
evening or browse the ceramic shops before dinner out in this delightful town.
Hotel Rufolo, Ravello
Praiano - Sentiero degli Dei - Montepertuso;
6 miles moderate. Elevation gain of 1,000 ft with many old stone steps. Possibility
of vertigo in certain places. Transfer to Sorrento
Today’s walk starts on the limestone ridges and hills above the Amalfi Drive,
one of the most stunning coastal routes imaginable. Our route today is the Sentiero
degli Dei, (the Path of the Gods), one of the classic walks of the Amalfi Coast
region. The path winds below the ridge of the south-facing mountains with spectacular
views of the sea and the dramatic coastline, passing through mixed forest and
terraced vineyards ingeniously clinging to the hillsides. We arrive conveniently
in the town of Montepertuso for a well-deserved lunch. Later we continue walking
down many ancient stone steps to Positano, once a small fishing village, and
today a chic seaside resort.
White-washed houses built into the steep hillside, spiral down narrow streets
to the café-lined beach. Our final destination for the day is Sorrento, which
we reach by continuing our route along the Amalfi Drive. After checking in to
our historic sea-side hotel with stunning views of the Bay of Naples we venture
out for dinner in one of Sorrento’s local haunts.
Hotel Bellevue Syrene, Sorrento
Monte San Costanzo - Termini - Schiazzano -
Marina della Lobra; 6 - 8 miles, easy to moderate
A splendid view of Mount Vesuvius greets us at breakfast before our transfer
to Monte San Costanzo and a full day walking at the tip of the Sorrentine Peninsula.
The summit of Monte San Costanzo offers outstanding views of the entire region,
the Bay of Naples laid out on one side and Capri rising starkly from a glistening
blue sea straight ahead. We descend from the summit across the grassy hillside
continuing into a small village where we are warmly welcomed for a lunch of
enticing antipasti. We continue our walk in the afternoon past castle
ruins all the way to sea level to the fishing village of Marina della Lobra.
Later, we dine al fresco at a family-run farm, feasting on locally produced
and harvested vegetables, olive oil, wine and limoncello under a traditional
pergola.Hotel Bellevue Syrene, Sorrento
Colli di San Pietro - Monte Vico Alvano - Arola
- Astapiana - Montechiaro. 7 miles, moderate. Elevation gain of 1,000 ft. Transfer
to Capri
After a short bus transfer from Sorrento, today's walk begins at the estate
of Colonna Castle in Colli di San Pietro. Several long switchbacks on a sustained
ascent take us to the summit of Monte Vico Alvano with nice views of Sorrento.
Descending through a chestnut forest to the saddle between Monte Vico Alvano
and Monte Comune wonderful views of the Amalfi Drive and the Sentiero degli
Dei open before us. This saddle is actually the watershed between the Gulfs
of Naples and Salerno and is filled with wild asphodels and orchids in the springtime.
We continue our descent to Arola, and then climb slightly to the convent of
Astapiana. Lunch is served in the kitchen of this 17th century monastery with
its original majolica tiles. We have time after lunch to continue our visit
of the monastery, its authentic furnishings and stunning surroundings. A short
descent of about another hour brings us to Montechiaro where our bus is waiting
to bring us to the port of Sorrento to transfer to the port of Capri, Marina
Grande. This nautical approach provides us with excellent views of the Sorrentine
Peninsula. Ahead lie the striking “teeth” of Capri, the Faraglioni cliffs and
rock formations of its shores. Arriving in Marina Grande, we board the funicular
to Capri’s elegant main square. After checking in to our hotel you may relax
by the hotel’s swimming pool. Later in the evening, you will have the opportunity
to venture on your own into one of the town’s numerous restaurants.
Hotel La Certosella, Capri
Anacapri - Belvedere Migliara - Monte Solaro
- Anacapri. Moderate option is 6 miles with an elevation gain of 1,300 ft and
possibility of vertigo. Easy option is 4 miles with an elevation gain of 400
ft. and chairlift ride. Additional afternoon option to Capri via Marina Piccola
- 2 miles, moderate
Capri’s soft, early-morning light invites exploration this morning as we drive
up the winding road to Anacapri, a small town of 5,000 residents, formerly connected
to the Marina Grande only by the Phoenician Steps— a flight of 800 stone steps
reputed to have been built by the Greeks. Our walk brings us to the Migliara
viewpoint with vistas of neighboring Ischia and Procida islands, and the Punta
Carena lighthouse. Some may choose the challenging option to climb Monte Solaro,
Capri’s highest point on foot; others a less strenuous ascent by chairlift!
After a picnic lunch of regional delicacies, and returning to the base of Monte
Solaro either on foot or by chairlift, the afternoon offers the possibilities
of returning to our hotel through Marina Piccola and the Gardens of Augustus,
or perhaps visiting the Villa San Michele in Anacapri, an estate built in the
1880s on the site of a Roman villa. We then return to Capri to relax before
our farewell dinner.Hotel La Certosella, Capri
Capri - Villa Jovis; 3 miles, easy to moderate.
Departure from Capri
Our early morning walk takes us on a gradual ascent through Capri’s pedestrian
streets to the Emperor Tiberius’ Villa Jovis on Capri’s easternmost peak. First
constructed in the Augustan period (27 A.D.) and modified in the Tiberian Age,
the villa was occupied until the second century A.D. Architectural exploration
in the 1930s revealed a series of structures built over several levels of the
hilltop. At the highest point, the medieval chapel of Santa Maria del Soccorso
commands an expansive view of the entire island, the Bay of Naples and the Sorrentine
Peninsula’s tip, the Punta della Campanella. Returning from our walk, you may
depart at your leisure from Capri’s port.
Itinerary Changes
Please bear in mind that this is a typical
itinerary, and the actual walks and sites may vary due to season, special events
or weather. We reserve the right to alter the itinerary since tour arrangements
are made up to a year in advance, and unforeseen circumstances that mandate
change may arise. Itinerary changes are made to improve the tour and your experience.
Journey Highlights
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Mediterranean
cuisine |
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Two
nights on the mythical Isle of Capri |
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Elegant
hotels with dramatic views |
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Moderate
terrain with challenging options |
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Average
of 3-8 miles per day, with shorter and longer options on most |
Price: $3,298
Departure Dates:
April 6, 2003 May 11, 2003
May 18, 2003 September 14, 2003
September 28, 2003
October 5, 2003 October 19, 2003
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