Day 1
Naples / Herculaneum / Paestum
We gather in Naples and head to the fascinating remains of tranquil Herculaneum, unearthed from the lava of Vesuvius with its mosaics and frescoes still intact after 2,000 years. On our walk between Herculaneum’s rows of preserved Roman shops, we stroll along street after street that still show the marks of the ruts worn by chariot wheels in the paving blocks. Overnight is near Paestum, a majestic Greek ruin surrounded by bucolic farmland.
Days 2-3
Paestum / Ravello / Amalfi
At Paestum, home to three of the best preserved Doric temples in the world, we spend the morning exploring these beautiful sites. Later we watch a demonstration of how this region’s traditional fresh mozzarella (mozzarella di buffala campana) is made from buffalo’s milk, followed by a cheese tasting and a delicious lunch of locally made pasta. Our afternoon hike brings us from Minori, a lovely village of seafront promenades, to top-of-the-world Ravello, perched on a spur high above the glittering Mediterranean. D. H. Lawrence and the composer Wagner are among the greats who succumbed to the spell of this legendary town. The next day’s hike is a leisurely descent on trails, stairs, and pathways from Ravello to the shimmering blue sea past the little hamlets of Scala, Minuta, Pontone, and Vallone delle Ferrieri.
Days 4-5
Sentiero degli Dei / Positano / Capri
Our panoramic hike across the spectacular Sentiero degli Dei (Path of the Gods) leads us through groves of Italian cypress and fields of wildflowers, past ancient stone huts, and across hillsides overlooking the sea. At hike’s end, we reach stunning Positano and ferry to the craggy, flower-bedecked isle of Capri. Here we hike to ancient Villa Jovis, former home of the Emperor Tiberius, and follow stone staircases with panoramas of the Bay of Naples. Our hikes offer eye-popping views across the azure sea and of the famous gray spires of the Faraglioni Rocks, familiar from the many movies filmed in Capri.
Days 6-8
Capri / Sorrento Peninsula
A ferry brings us to Sorrento, with its truly inspired location atop rocky cliffs at the end of a peninsula. In the Sorrento countryside, we enjoy a wonderful walk through walnut and olive orchards past an old convent, down through classic farmsteads, and through lemon groves with farewell views back to Capri. We end our journey with a memorable hike on the outer rim of Mt. Vesuvius, the only active volcano on mainland Europe, enjoying views all the way to the Bay of Naples. Depart via Naples on Day 8.
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