Welcome to Hooked on Walking holidays and our walking holidays in Italy. This particular hiking vacation in Italy is on the Amalfi coast. This fabulous walking tour is available as a 7 night self guided hiking tour which we have graded as level 2. The Amalfi coast is full of history and also has a fabulous climate making it ideal for year round walking vacation. 
Romans and Greeks were there before the growing of the Baroque Palaces and Churches of Spacca Napoli. The biggest artists were all attracted by the charms of Naples, since the early ages to the Romantic period. From the old Néa Polis, founded by Greeks, to the highest glory of the Baroque Age, the city and its environs fascinated every traveler, who loved its artistic treasures as well as its lovely climate and the beauty of the nature around. Romans were not wrong when they choose Hercolanum and Baia as their privileged holiday resorts.
In parallel with this ‘dolce vita’, the eruptions of the Vesuvius, the volcanic manifestations on the Phlegrean Fields and the frequent earthquakes fomented the people’s faith in the proximity of the death’s world and in the Gods. It is here, in fact, the cavern of the Sibille of Cuma, one of the most famous prophet of the Greek-Roman world, it is also here that mythology put its most famous heroes, Enea and Ulysses, strictly linked with the region as well as Cape Misene, the Partenopean Sirens, Procida island. The rage of the volcano gave us also Pompeii, unique evidence buried under ashes since 79 D.C.

Available year round starting on a Saturday ( other days with supplement)
Level 2 self guided tour

Day 1 Naples
Individual arrival in Naples. Settle in the hotel and first look at Spacca Napoli, the city centre characterised by narrow streets, where the washing is hung out and, like a coloured frame, it goes across windows of the two sides of the street. Here you can discover, along the way, baroque churches, the San-Carlo theatre, the Gallery Umberto the 1st, the Plebiscito Square (approximate itinerary, depending on time of arrival).

Day 2  Vesuvius
Departure from the hotel in Naples and board the circumvesuviana to Ercolano. Here you will begin your climbing to the Vesuvius, first by bus and then on foot. You will enjoy wonderful panonramic views over the Gulf of Naples. In the afternoon you will visit the archaeological site of Ercolano buried with Pompei by the eruption of Vesuvius in AD 79. Walking time 1 hour , up/down 200m

Day 3 Capri
First a trip by boat to Capri. From Marina Grande, your destination port,  the hike leads to the Hermitage of Santa Maria a Cetrella, crossing the Passetiello, a narrow passage between rock faces, overlooking the town of Capri. From the top you can enjoy a stunning panoramic view on the Island and on the Gulf of Naples, dominated by the Vesuvius. Descent on the steps engraved on stone by the Phoenicians. (chance of going for a swim in the sea). Walking time 4 hours , up/down 500m

Day 4 Pompeii
Visit to Pompeii and to the Villa of the Mysteries. It is the biggest open air archaeological site of  the world. A great  example of  past human life,  where in volcanic eruption of 79 A.D, lava and ashes from Vesuvius, fixed for ever men in their daily activities. In the afternoon a private transfer to Peninsula Amalfitana. Accommodation, dinner and overnight stay in Agerola.

Day  5 Amalfi
Excursion through  caves in an unusual small valley from you can have a splendid view on the turquoise sea till the canyon of Furore (possible bath). After midday visits of Amalfi the town that at the end of the 10th century was a very powerful Repubblica Marinara. Return by public bus to Agerola. Overnight in hotel in Agerola. Walking time 5 hours down 650m.

Day 6 Ravello - Atrani
Departure from Scala, hike to Ravello, where in the placid beauty of the main square, the Dome dedicated to Saint Pantaleone stands out. The blood of the Saint liquefies every year. From the village overhanging the sea, at an altitude of 300m, the view goes across the Gulf of Salerno and over the Cilento Mountains. Optional visit to Villa Cimbrone and to Villa Rufolo, characterised by a melange of styles, Arabic Sicilian and Norman, which had been a source of inspiration for Wagner. Return, on foot, through Atrani (chance of going for a swim) and Amalfi. Overnight stay in Agerola.  Walking time 4 hours , up 200m down 400m

Day 7  The Path of Gods – Positano.
Panoramic hike on the Path of Gods, the track along the coast which was, until the 19th century,  the only way to get from the small isolated villages to the tiny terraced fields and the pergola vineyards. Pervaded by the rosemary perfume, as you descend, you can overview on one side the entire peninsula and over to Capri, and, on the other side, the Gulf of Salerno.
You can admire the centuries old man work, on this impervious terrains, to create a safe area where people could take refuge during the Barbarian invasions, following the fall of Roman Empire, at the end of V century.
The Saint Dominic Monastery, clung on the mountains, is another testimony of those turbulent times.
After passing Montepertuso, overhung by the mountain rock-face, you descend going past, the cemetery, to Positano.  The colourful houses of Positano have been built in an amphitheatre shape, overlooking the sea, giving a  unique and picturesque aspect to the village. Free time to visit Positano (chance of going for a swim ). Overnight stay in Agerola. Walking time 5 hours up 100m down 650m.

Day 8
After breakfast transfer at 9am back to Naples airport or train station. If you have time we suggest the visit to the Archaeological Museum of Naples where you can admire statues, mosaics and paintings of Pompeii and Ercolano. 

Difficulty:
Level 2 : Easy paths, stairs, some steep descent, many steps on Amalfi’s coast on 5, 6 and 7 day. .

Minimum 2 persons

Accommodation: 3/4 star hotels.

2010 Prices

How to get there
By plane to Naples or Rome airports. If arriving into Rome airports you can transfer by train to Naples.

To view other Walking Holiday in Italy Umbria , Piemonte , Chianti , Cinque Terre , Sicily , Dolomites , Island of Elba , Sicily Active Volcanoes

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