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The Amalfi Coast & VillagesEurope’s most dramatic coastal scenery
Nights: 7
Starting point: Hotel Scapolatiello (4*), Corpo di Cava. Popular among artists in the 19th century, this high-quality hotel has been run by the Scapolatiello family since 1821. As well as spacious lounges in which to relax, there is an outdoor pool and a terrace with views over the village and woods and valleys. Day 1: for your first day we suggest a gentle introductory circuit which starts from the village’s impressive Benedictine monastery, founded in the 11th century and later restored in Baroque style. The route leads through chestnut woods and crosses streams to rise to an ancient chapel from where there are fine views of the coast. Unless you want to extend the walk by ascending a rocky trail to a monastery at an altitude of almost 900 metres (this strenuous option is rewarded in clear weather with views of Vesuvius), you return to Corpo di Cava via another chapel which again boasts great coastal panoramas. Alternatively, for a day of sightseeing, you could take the train to Pompei, a 30-minute ride away – pay locally. (7km, 2.5hrs or 14km, 5.5hrs) Accommodation: Hotel Scapolatiello, as above. Day 2: the day starts with a transfer to the coastal town of Maiori. From here, you ascend hundreds of ancient stone steps past fragrant lemon groves and through woods of pines and chestnuts to the late 11th-century Convent of San Nicola, which perches on a hill 486 metres above the sea, the highest point of the walk. You then descend through woodland to Ravello, passing occasional olive groves and vineyards. (9km, 3hrs) Accommodation: Hotel Giordano (4*), Ravello. Carefully converted from
a private villa by owner Vicenzo Palumbo, this is a good base from which
to explore magnificent Ravello and boasts an outdoor pool. Your stay is
on a bed and breakfast basis, leaving you free to take your pick of the
town’s restaurants. Day 3: the day is free for you to explore exclusive Ravello and appreciate the impressive views – the best in the region – of the Amalfi Coast. Some of the most breathtaking and far-reaching vistas are enjoyed by the formal gardens of the Palazzo Cimbrone and Villa Rufolo (pay entrance fees locally). The cathedral is also worth a visit as it houses some fine works of art. Ravello has a thriving concert society, and there are many musical recitals throughout the summer (pay locally). For more walking, we suggest a route that leads down to an ancient watchtower on a wooded promontory, returning to Ravello via a couple of small villages surrounded by lemon trees and vines. (7km, 3hrs) Accommodation: Hotel Giordano or Villa Maria, as above. Day 4: from Ravello you walk past isolated farms and along a panoramic
path to enter the Valle delle Ferriere nature reserve, a lush valley in
which salamanders, red woodpeckers, giant ferns and the insect-eating
Pinguicola hirtiflora can be found. The path contours the Lattari Mountains,
affording splendid views. On the other side of the valley, you can choose to ascend directly to the Agerola Plain in the mountains above (your host will collect you from the finish point) or descend
along a stepped pathway to historic Amalfi which Accommodation: Albergo Due Torri (3*), Bomerano. Nicola Acampora's mountain hotel is the most welcoming on the holiday, offering a glimpse of the peninsula's quieter side. His small restaurant serves delicious regional dishes. Day 5: this is a spectacular walk, possibly rewarding you with a sighting of a peregrine falcon in addition to the breathtaking views which give you the impression of being on top of the world. The route contours the mountains and takes you along the 'Path of the Gods' high above the sea, the views often stretching as far as the island of Capri. You then descend along hundreds of stone steps to reach the elegant resort of Positano. (10km, 3.5hrs) Accommodation: Buca di Bacco (4*), Positano. This is a high-quality hotel offering professional yet very friendly service. We include sea view rooms. Your stay is on a bed and breakfast basis, leaving you free to take your pick of the resort’s many seafood restaurants. Day 6: you could spend your last day exploring Positano’s tiers of houses linked by narrow alleyways and stairways lined with boutiques, and strolling along the headland. Alternatively, a demanding walk leads high into the mountains above Positano to follow a rocky ridge which affords unforgettable views to the end of the peninsula and north towards the Bay of Naples and Vesuvius. You descend to Colli San Pietro and from here return to Positano by bus (pay locally). (12km, 5hrs) Accommodation: Buca di Bacco, as above. Walking chart: the chart gives the distance and an approximation of the ascents and descents involved each day. If comparing holidays, please note the scale of each chart as this can differ.
Recommendations for extra nights: any hotel would make a good choice for an extra night. Choose the Due Torri (Bomerano) for more time to appreciate the peninsula's quieter side (and to enjoy a walk in the mountains). Extensions: if you are flying via Naples, experience the elegance of Sorrento with 3 nights at the 4-star Antiche Mura or 5-star Excelsior Villas, or the thrill of Naples with 3 nights at the 4-star Miramare. Other information: if you would like to see the brochure page, you can download this (and the pages for any other holidays you are interested in) by using our brochure creation system. Similar holidays: The Sorrento Peninsula (grade 2), Along the Ligurian Coast (grade 2), Mountains & Villages of Mallorca (grades 1 & 2), Collioure to Cadaqués (grade 2), Secret Algarve (grade 2) Prices & travel 2008:
Recommended destination airport: Naples Extra night prices 2008 (extra nights can be booked at any hotel):
> Notes on prices > Any queries? Let us call you back  |
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South
of Naples and the conical mass of Vesuvius, the rugged promontory of the
Amalfi Coast – a Unesco World Heritage Site – fuses an astonishing, mountainous landscape with picturesque
villages whose construction, clinging to steep hillsides, appears to defy
logic. The sparkling waters below are ever-present, the views breathtaking
at every step. Our route here is a thrilling discovery of this spectacular
coastal region, with dramatic trails into the Lattari Mountains that form
the promontory’s spine. There can be no better way to explore here
than on foot, following mule paths and stone stairways that have linked
the villages since ancient times. Short enough to allow you plenty of time to relax, the routes delight the senses in every way – you walk amid lemons, olives and vineyards with the murmur of the waves below – and you will love the local fish and seafood. 
Ravello
