An Active Exploration of the Amalfi Coast Tour

Naples is a city of remarkable history and elegant nobility while filled with vibrant life as it edges the eponymous bay. You will arrive at Naples International Airport where your private transfer will greet you and bring you to your hotel that overlooks Via Nuova Marina and the cream colored ramparts of Castello dell’Ovo. The castle was erected over the remains of a Roman fortification in the 9th century to protect the harbor and the surrounding city from Saracens. The first formation of the current edifice was erected in the 12th century under the guidance of Norman rule. Cannons face the sea and peek their iron frame out of the portholes as elegant arcades surround the stone courtyard.

The Duomo in the heart of the city was erected in the 13th century with a Gothic style, yet Baroque frescoes decorate the Chapel of the Treasure of San Gennaro, known for housing the relics of two vials filled with the saint’s coagulated blood. The 4th-century Basilica Santa Restituta flanks the Cathedral to the right and remains the oldest church in the city and features a collection of frescoes that brighten the ceiling and columns that were taken from the original Temple of Apollo that once stood on the site. The aroma of fresh pizza and roasted coffee beans floats along the cobblestone streets of the historical center as yachts, fishing boats, and sailboats enter and exit the harbor at leisure. At dinner, you will settle into a seat at a restaurant that celebrates the traditions of Neapolitan cuisine while delighting diners in new and surprising ways.

In the morning many local Neapolitans venture to La Torretta Market, a covered marketplace filled with stalls and shops. The aroma of local salami and cheeses blends with the freshness of the produce. Ruby tomatoes shine in the natural light while nearby stands sell fresh pizza dough and pasta. Your private transfer will meet you at your hotel and escort you around the Bay of Naples. The scenic drive takes you past the dramatic peak of Mount Vesuvius, the volcano renowned for its eruption in 79 AD, which caused the demise of Pompeii and Herculaneum. You will reach the edge of Sorrento on the homonymous peninsula before you cut through the mountain pass.

The greener and undulating roads open to a view of the turquoise Tyrrhenian Sea, a segment of the Mediterranean. The road stretches for 43-miles along the distinguished Amalfi Coast and the narrow thoroughfare clings close to the cliffs that protrude and indent along rugged promontories. The scenic drive encompasses the glowing water to your right and the emerald trees that carpet the maritime mountains to your left. You will reach the charming town of Ravello, located atop a plateau at nearly 1,150 feet above sea level.

You will check in at your hotel before wandering the cobbled streets of town. Ravello has inspired poets and composers for centuries, including Wagner’s Parsifal. The streets are high enough to catch a hint of the sea breeze blended with the rich limestone of the mountains. Orange groves grow along the roadsides outside of town and the 13th-century church at the heart of the main square glows in opulent white. At the Villa Rufolo, you can take the time to wander through the stunning gardens as an 18th century neo-Moorish cloister accentuates the beauty and history of the estate with a view encompassing the sea.

In the morning you will wake to yet another impressive view of the Tyrrhenian Sea. From the heights of town, the fishing boats resemble toys as they wade out into the water. The aroma of zesty oranges emanates from the thriving groves and blends perfectly with the aroma of rich espresso drifting from the cafes. Today you will partake in a different view of the Amalfi Coast as you trade trekking along the cobblestone streets of town to wandering the trails of the Valle delle Ferriere. You have a private transfer to Pontone, a hamlet in the hills above Ravello where you can linger in the enchanting piazzetta to admire the single café with table set out beneath the shadow of the church steeple.

A bubbling fountain adds to the enchanting ambiance set far away from the bustle of Naples. The town was once a retreat for nobles in the Middle Ages, and elegant homes continue to rise along the ragged bluff. On the trail, the fragrance of lemon groves and chestnut trees fills the air as bougainvillea grows along hillside nooks. Medieval towers linger beneath the brush, scattered across the terraced hills and the steep path winds through the nature reserve. The trickling sound of a river echoes beneath the canopy, soon overtaken by the thundering call of a waterfall. The emerald hues of the underbrush add to the peaceful ambiance and is a landscape you would never expect to see in Italy.

The best way to relish the beauty of the Amalfi Coast is to immerse yourself in it; from the indigo water to the lemon groves, the crisscrossing trails to the stunning terraced vineyards, you will want to take it in with all of your senses. At breakfast, you will indulge in a frothy cappuccino and freshly baked brioche and bask in view of the shoreline from your hotel. After your meal, you will set out on an ancient trail once utilized by herders and messengers to connect with the villages across the mountain promontories. The trail will lead you to the hamlet of Conca dei Marini, a serene cluster of homes that cascade along the mountain slope alongside the flamboyant flowers and lemon orchards.

White houses stand out from the honey-hued rocks as lemons the size of softballs dangle along tree branches and contrast with the dark green vegetation. The 16th-century defensive tower stands on a small outcropping at the base of the cliff to keep an eye out for pirates. You will descend the stairs to the small marina and board a boat to visit the Emerald Grotto. The cave glows with shades of green that emanate from the water, caused by refracted sunlight. Outside the cave, you will return to the quiet streets of the town to visit the 14th-century Convent of St. Rosa, the birthplace of the magnificent Neapolitan dessert sfogliatella, created by the nuns of the convent in the 17th century.

In the morning you will notice people venturing out onto the water in kayaks. From Ravello, you can make out their figures as they undulate with the wake. Fishing boats return to shore with fishermen eager to empty their nets at the market. After breakfast, you will continue your discovery of the villages and hamlets along the Amalfi Coast, beginning with the town of Praiano. The fishing village has cream-colored homes with pastel cottages nestled into the cliffs and the streets create a colorful labyrinth decorated with majolica tiled votive shrines. Steps and staircases rise and fall across town, the most popular of which are the 300 steps that lead from the town center to the golden sandy beach while pastel umbrellas offer a semblance of shade to the beachgoers of La Cala Gavitella.

Sunbathers prefer this particular beach because it remains bathed in sunlight until dusk. Hints of indulgent seafood grilled over an open flame pass through the cobblestone streets. You will continue to Vietri sul Mare, a town famous for its ceramics. The tradition dates back to the 15th century with clay imported from Salerno, and majolica tiles adorn the magnificent dome of the Cathedral to create a glossy shine of blue, yellow and green. The late-Renaissance façade accentuates the beauty of the seasoned edifice, and as you wander through the cobbled streets, you will find boutique shops with graceful display windows and active ceramic workshops where artists offer demonstrations of their work.

The splendor of the Amalfi Coast will continue to captivate you as the emerald brush along the hillsides matches the glinting layers of blue water from the Mediterranean. After breakfast, you will make your way onto the historical donkey paths that travel along the upper mountain ridges known as the Path of the Gods. You have traversed much of the Amalfi Coast, yet nothing will compare to the open views and serene ambiance of the portion of today’s trail. You will have a private transfer from Ravello to Positano, which will take you along the familiar coastal road that connects the villages of the coast. A steep flight of 1,700 stairs leads to the Nocelle, the highest neighborhood of Positano at more than 1,300 feet above sea level.

A network of trails through the Lattari Mountains begins from Nocelle, but you are interested in following only one path today as the trail leads through forests and olive trees and fills the air with a herbaceous quality. The view of the mountain ridges fades into the distance with each peak shrinking as they near the horizon. The trail leads towards Montepertuso, an enchanting village frozen in time. Legend says the gigantic hole in the rocks over the village was caused during a battle between good and evil. Caves and terraces drop along the precipices as falcons spread their wings wide to glide over the rocky surfaces in search of food. They will circle the air gracefully, another image of splendor amongst the rugged shoreline.

The historical paths around Amalfi Coast are inspiring, and you will find wonder in every direction you look. After breakfast, your private transfer will meet you at your hotel and escort you away from the Amalfi Coast to travel the beautiful scenic road through the mountain pass to the Bay of Naples. You will stop at a trail located on the side of Mount Vesuvius for a unique perspective of the Bay and Naples in the distance. A short trail of nearly 500 feet leads to the volcanic crater, and the barren landscape resembles Mars as steam and fumes rise out of the caldera even to this day. Return to the car and make your way to the preserved city of Herculaneum, which is often overshadowed by its more famous neighbor of Pompeii.

The eruption of Mount Vesuvius buried Herculaneum in pumice and ash up to nearly 100 feet deep, but the airtight seal protected the ancient city from plundering and deteriorating elements. The flowing lava filled the town from the ground up, supporting the roofs and walls of the multi-storied homes for a more refreshing view of ancient life. Your guide will lead you to Casa del Albergo, a former inn located at the south end of Cardo III. The inn encompasses nearly an entire city block with the original atrium columns still standing. House of Argus is across the cobbled street and features colorful wall paintings and decorative pillars in the open garden that will amaze you.

The bustling streets of Naples contrast with the relaxed pace that you have enjoyed on the Amalfi Coast. Palaces and castles retain their charm across the nation’s third largest city and remind you of the beauty in both rural and urban Italy. The Museum of San Martino is located in a Baroque Carthusian monastery originally constructed in the 14th century, and the celebrated cloister contains mosaics and polished features last updated by the masters Giovanni Antonio Dosio and Cosimo Fanzago. After one last morning of enjoying all that surrounds you, your private transfer will collect you at your hotel and escort you to the international airport in Naples for your flight home.