Italy: Amalfi Coast and Isle of Capri

Trip Includes:

Experienced, friendly and knowledgeable guides

Transportation during the trip

All accommodations while on tour, including elegant hotels with coastal settings, all private baths

All meals included except one lunch and two dinners; local wine included

DAY 1
Meeting in Naples. Walking tour of Pompeii; 2 miles, easy (sneakers acceptable). Transfer to Ravello
Upon meeting in Naples, you drive a short distance to the archeological excavation site of Pompeii. 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 you 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, including the stunning 13th-century Villa Rufolo, famous fot its spectacular gardens. An evening stroll in the lively main square, the Piazza Duomo, is an opportunity to see the town’s 11th-century cathedral. From your hotel’s expansive terrace and dining room, where dinner is served, you are able to enjoy the stunning views of mountains plunging into the sea.
Hotel Rufolo, Ravello

DAY 2
Villa Cimbrone; Ravello to Torre dello Ziro to Valle dei Mulini to Amalfi; 5-7 miles, easy to moderate. Several elevation gains and losses of 100 - 350 ft each
Today is spent in the valley between the towns of Ravello and Amalfi. First, a short walk brings you 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. You then leave Ravello on foot for the tiny village of Pontone, the route weaving through cobbled ways and former mule paths, once the only roads connecting the network of hill farms and villages. From here you walk down to the Torre dello Ziro, a medieval tower perched on a crag with spectacular views of the coast. Returning to Pontone, lunch served on the terrace of a familyrun restaurant may include risotto with wild mushrooms and home-made linguine puttanesca.
After lunch, a 15-minute and 150 foot ascent with views of the entire valley leads to a saddle. You then descend to a brook rushing down from the mountain ridge, once a power source to numerous paper mills, for which Amalfi was famous. The trail descends stone steps through a shaded forest and follows contours of the hill into the Valle dei Mulini (Valley of the Mills). You walk past ruins of the mills into the heart of Amalfi, where you are free to visit its shops and cathedral.
Later, you return to the tranquility of Ravello via the tiny town of Atrani. Upon arrival at the hotel you may choose to relax, or browse the ceramic shops in this delightful town before dinner on your own at one of Ravello’s many fine restaurants.
Hotel Rufolo, Ravello

DAY 3
Bomerano to Sentiero degli Dei to Montepertuso to Positano; 6 miles, moderate; elevation gain of 300 ft and loss of 1,000 ft. Possibility of vertigo in certain places. Transfer to Capri
Today’s walk begins on a southern slope above the Amalfi Drive, one of the most stunning coastal routes imaginable. The route today is the Sentiero degli Dei (Path of the Gods), one of the classic walks of the Amalfi Coast region. The path winds below the limestone ridge of the south-facing mountains with spectacular views of the sea and dramatic coastline, and passes through mixed forest and terraced vineyards ingeniously clinging to the hillsides. You arrive in the town of Montepertuso for a well-deserved lunch of local cheese, cold cuts, and grilled vegetables. Later you continue descending many ancient stone steps (elevation loss of approximately 1,000 feet) 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.
Following a visit in Positano, you shuttle to Sorrento’s port to board a ferry for the short ride to the Isle of Capri (between 25 and 40 minutes). This nautical approach provides excellent views of the Sorrentine Peninsula and the striking “teeth” of Capri, the Faraglioni cliffs. Upon arrival at Capri’s Marina Grande, you board the funicular and ascend to the island’s elegant main square. After checking in, you may enjoy an aperitivo on the terrace overlooking the waters below or among the citrus trees of your hotel’s garden. Dinner, likely the fresh catch from the waters below, is served at the hotel’s restaurant.
Hotel Luna, Capri

DAY 4
Anacapri to Belvedere Migliara to Monte Solaro to Anacapri. Moderate to challenging option is 6 miles with an elevation gain of 1,300 ft and possibility of vertigo. Easier option is 4 miles with an elevation gain of 400 ft and a chairlift ride. Additional afternoon option Belvedere delle Noci or Arco Naturale; 3 miles, easy to moderate
Capri’s early-morning light invites exploration as you 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. The walk brings you to the Migliara viewpoint with vistas of neighboring Ischia and Procida islands, and the Punta Carena lighthouse. Some may choose the challenging option—to reach Capri’s highest point, Monte Solaro (1,926 feet above sea level), on foot; the less strenuous ascent is by chairlift! After enjoying a stunning view you return to the base of Monte Solaro—again either on foot or by chairlift—and you are free to enjoy lunch on your own in the village of Anacapri. Regrouping after lunch, your guides lead you to the Church of San Michele, an 18th-century gem of a church whose majolica tiles of Adam and Eve are one of the finest examples of Neapolitan Baroque artwork.
In the later part of the afternoon you have several options for exploring Capri at your own pace. You may choose to browse in the island’s chic and inviting shops, enjoy a swim in the hotel’s pool, or take an easy walk to the Arco Naturale, or Belvedere delle Noci, permitting a close-up look at the island’s limestone rock formations carved by the sea. For dinner on your own, you can venture into one of Capri’s numerous restaurants to perhaps enjoy a signature insalata caprese followed by perfectly grilled fish or scampi.
Hotel Luna, Capri

DAY 5
Villa Jovis, 4 miles, easy. Transfer to Sorrento. Afternoon option: Monte San Costanzo - Termini; 4 miles, easy to moderate
Weather and ferry dependant, an early morning walk takes you to the ruins of the Villa Jovis, built by the Emporer Tiberius over 2,000 years ago. From the promontory overlooking the mainland, you can anticipate where you will go for the afternoon walk. Catching a late-morning ferry to Sorrento, you arrive in time for an excellent lunch and some free time for browsing.
The afternoon walking option is at the tip of the Sorrentine Peninsula, where from the summit of Monte San Costanzo there are outstanding views of the entire region; the Bay of Naples laid out on the right and Capri rising starkly from a glistening blue sea straight ahead. You descend from the summit across the grassy hillside and continue on to a small village. Returning to Sorrento and checking into your historic seaside hotel, you soon depart for a group dinner at a nearby restaurant for a taste of traditional Sorrentine cooking.
Grand Hotel Royal, Sorrento

DAY 6
Colli di San Pietro to Monte Vico Alvano to Arola; 5 miles, moderate; elevation gain of 1,000 ft
A splendid view of Mount Vesuvius greets you at breakfast. Today’s walk begins at the estate of Colonna Castle in Colli di San Pietro, a short coach transfer from Sorrento. A few long switchbacks on a sustained ascent lead to the summit of Monte Vico Alvano, with beautiful views of Sorrento. As you descend 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 (Path of the Gods) open before you. This saddle is the watershed between the Gulfs of Naples and Salerno, and in the springtime is filled with wild asphodels, rock roses, and orchids. You continue the descent to Arola where you stop for lunch on a terrace overlooking the sea.
The restaurant is part of the “Slow Food Movement,” an international association promoting food and wine culture, while also protecting local food and agricultural biodiversity worldwide, and features homemade ricotta and provolone cheeses. Soon after you return to Sorrento for some last minute shopping or exploration, or join the guides for an easy walk nearby.
This evening you enjoy a farewell dinner, feasting on locally produced vegetables, olive oil, wine, and limoncello.
Grand Hotel Royal, Sorrento

DAY 7
Departure from Sorrento
After enjoying a copious breakfast, your guides assist your departure at your leisure from Sorrento.

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.

Touring Date	Land Only	Land + Air	Single (Land Only)	Single (Land + Air)
9/12/2010 - 9/18/2010	$4,398
9/19/2010 - 9/25/2010	$4,398
9/26/2010 - 10/2/2010	$4,398
10/10/2010 - 10/16/2010	$4,398
Airfare Disclaimer A NOTE ABOUT AIRFARE: We encourage you to buy your airfare from the tour operator, because if your tour cancels then your airlines tickets will be covered. Purchasing flights separately at a lesser rate and incorporating it with a Non-Guaranteed Departure Date can result in loss of total cost of your flight investment. Depending on the fare rules, flights may be Non-Refundable and/or Non-Transferable. Neither the tour operator and/or Atlas Cruises & Tours will be held responsible for loss if a tour is cancelled for Lack of Participation. If you would like to check for discounted fares on Guaranteed Departures or for competitive pricing on air and hotel packages, we invite you to follow this link. Documents TRAVEL DOCUMENTS: Necessary Travel Documents such as Passports and Visas is the responsibility of the traveler. Passports must be valid six months from your return travel date.

Charming towns of Amalfi, Ravello, Sorrento, and Positano

Guided historical walking tour of Pompeii

Classic Sentiero degli Dei (Path of the Gods) walk

Two nights on the Isle of Capri

Abundant seafood and authentic local cuisine

Elegant hotels with stunning coastal settings

Walk Ratings:
Moderate terrain with challenging sections 3-8 miles per day with occasional options Significant elevation gains and losses are noted in the itinerary. There is daily climbing and descending, often on steep stone steps; a walking stick is recommended. Possibility of vertigo on several days.

2009 Price: $4,398

2009 Single Supplement $1225

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