CHARMING AMALFI COAST

Enjoy charming accommodations 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.


ACTIVITY: self guided walking tour
GRADE: easy to moderate
TRIP CODE: ICCAI
DURATION: 8 days/7 nights

2013 PRICES: 

Starting from Euro 780,00 per person in hand-picked 3 star Hotels

Starting from Euro 1320,00 per person in charming 4 star Hotels

Single Supplement:
on request

Please inquire at info@icnosadventures.com

If you wish a different itinerary, please email us at: info@icnosadventures.com
Tailor made self guided tours and privately guided walking/cultural tours available on request

Brief itinerary
Day 1 – Welcome to the green gate of the Amalfi Coast
Arrival in Salerno or Cava de’ Tirreni by train. (Private transfer from Naples on request).
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.

Day 2 – Mount Vesuvius and Pompeii
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.

Day 3 - Cava de’ Tirreni – Vietri sul Mare or Cetara
Option 1: Walking - easy 2.5 hours
You 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 guided 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
Option 2: Walking - moderate 4,5 hours
You 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 guided visit of the Abbey’s treasures, directly from the church square you start the 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. You enjoy a superb coastal scenery starting your 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 you continue by local bus to Amalfi

Day 4 – The valley of the mills
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.

Day 5 – The Ferriere Valley or Capri
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 day 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 long-leafed 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.

Day 6 – From Amalfi to Praiano
Walking – 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.

Day 7 - The path of the Gods
Walking – easy to 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 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” (Footpath of the Gods).Along the pathway you can admire the full splendor 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.

Day 8
Your trip ends after breakfast.

INCLUSIONS:

• 2 nights Hotel **** in Cava de’ Tirreni
  
• 3 nights Hotel ***/**** in Amalfi
  
• 2 nights Hotel ***/**** in Praiano
  
• 7 breakfasts
  
• Transfer Cava de' Tirreni - Vesuvius - Pompeii on day 2
  
• Luggage transfers on day 3 & day 6
  
• Detailed maps and route notes
  
• Emergency phone number
  

ITEMS NOT INCLUDED:

• Visas, Airfare & airport taxes
  
• Travel Insurance (compulsory)
  
• Drinks
  
• Other meals not mentioned in the itinerary
  
• Public transportation & entrance fees
  
• Anything not mentioned in "inclusions"

Those who want to extend their stay can book a CAPRI Extension (3days/2nights including 2 hiking days), a self guided tour in the Cinque Terre or a cycling tour around Rome or some extra days wherever they wish and can pre-book optional transfers by private vehicle – please enquire at time of booking.

Please read about our past guests in the section testimonials

Click here for other ICNOS Tours

Charming Amalfi Coast - self guided walking tour / The jewels of the Amalfi Coast - self guided walking tour/Deluxe Amalfi Coast hiking tour - self guided/Highlights & backroads of the Amalfi Coast - self guided walking tour / Capri Walking tour - self guided / Walking the Amalfi Coast & Sorrento peninsula - guided hiking tour / Food, Wine & Walks on the Amalfi Coast - Guided hiking tour / Walking the Cinque Terre & Italian Riviera - self guided hiking tour / Cinque Terre & Italian Riviera - Guided hiking tour / Tuscany & Cinque Terre Hiking Tour - guided / Enchanting Tuscany - Guided hiking tour / Walking in Tuscany & Umbria - Guided hiking tour / Rome & Etruscan Tuscia - cycling tour / Cultural Discovery of Sicily - Guided cultural tour / Rome, Florence & Venice - Italian Cities tour / Phlegraean Fields & Naples - cultural tour / Cycling around Rome / Undiscovered Cilento