Positano, Amalfi Coast

The Amalfi Coast is heralded as the most spectacular in Europe, and we experience it at its best. One of our coastal hikes brings us to breathtaking Positano, with its villas perched above the sea.

Photo by SIME s.a.s / eStock Photo

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Amalfi and Capri route-map

Trip Details at-a-Glance

Cost From: $4195   see pricing
Length: 8 days
Arrive: Naples, Italy
Depart: Naples, Italy
Lodging: 7 nights small inns and hotels
Meals: All meals included except 1 lunch and 2 dinners
Activity: Hiking / Trekking, Cultural Adventures
Trip Level: A mix of moderate walks and hikes, some steep staircases, 3-6 hours a day, van support
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Highlights

  • Best hikes on the Amalfi Coast, spectacular Mediterranean views
  • Ravello, perched on a promontory above the deep blue sea
  • Hiking on Capri with magnificent coastal panoramas
  • Mt. Vesuvius, ancient Herculaneum, Paestum’s Temple of Hera


One of our best trips ever. The group, hikes, food, hotels, trip leader, and trip design were outstanding.Bill B.—Morris Plains, NJ

Choosing the Right Trip

We work hard to help you choose the right trip for you, paying attention to your individual interests, abilities, and needs. If you have questions about the level of comfort or any of the activities described in this itinerary, please contact us.
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References

We are proud to have an exceptionally high rate of repeat travelers. For more information, we would be happy to put you in touch with a client who has traveled with us.

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Departure Notes

Once you have signed up on the trip, we send a complete packing list, relevant health information, and required travel documents.

Resources

With its head in the clouds and its feet in the sea, the precipitous Amalfi Coast has long been exalted as the most spectacular coast in all Europe. Across the blue Bay of Naples from Amalfi is enticing Capri, a sun-splashed jewel of an island soaring out of azure waters. With hikes on ancient footpaths connecting hilltop villages and seaside hamlets, we explore this glorious realm surrounded by amazing landscapes. We also watch mozzarella di bufala being made, taste homemade pastas, enjoy trailside picnics, explore the remains of Herculaneum and out-of-the-way Paestum, and finish with a hike on the rim of brooding Mt. Vesuvius. Our Italy Trip Leaders are simply the best in the world, with a true passion for sharing their love of la bella Italia.

Itinerary at a Glance

For a more complete description, Download Full Trip Brochure

Days 1-3
Naples / Herculaneum / Paestum / Ravello

We gather in Naples and head to the fascinating remains of Herculaneum, unearthed from the lava of Vesuvius with its mosaics and frescoes still intact after 2,000 years. At the majestic Greek ruin of Paestum, we spend a morning exploring its beautiful temples and artifacts. Later we watch a demonstration of how traditional fresh mozzarella (mozzarella di bufala campana) is made from buffalo’s milk, followed by a cheese tasting. An 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. The next day’s hike is a leisurely descent from Ravello to the shimmering blue sea.

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. Reaching stunning Positano, we ferry to the isle of Capri, with its Roman ruins, high trails with sweeping views, and stone-paved lanes fragrant with lacy swathes of wisteria. Our hikes here offer eye-popping views across the azure sea and of the famous gray spires of the Faraglioni Rocks, familiar from the many classic 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 countryside, we enjoy a wonderful walk through walnut and olive orchards, down through classic farmsteads, and through lemon groves with 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. Depart via Naples on Day 8.

For a more complete description, Download Full Trip Brochure

What the Trip is Like

This trip is rated Level 3+. Our town and country walking tour consists of day hikes of 4-6 hours over often hilly terrain with many ascending and descending staircases and stone steps. We carry just a daypack. Our luggage is transported for us by van, so it is usually possible to ride in the van if you want to opt out of a day's hiking. Please note that in Europe, the dinner hour is considerably later than what it is in the US. We do our best to secure early reservations for our groups, but most often the evening meal will be at 7:30 p.m.

Explanation of Trip Levels

 

Departures & Leaders

Sep 11-18, 2010

Oct 9-16, 2010
May 14-21, 2011
Sep 10-17, 2011
Oct 3-10, 2011

Tour Costs

Prices are for 2010 dates

$4195 (11-14 members)
$4595 (6-10 members)
Single supplement: $750

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Tour Cost Includes:

  • expert leadership of a Wilderness Travel Trip Leader and local guides
  • accommodations in hotels and small comfortable inns
  • welcome and farewell dinners, and other meals as indicated in the Full Trip Brochure
  • ground transportation from meeting until departure

Tour Cost Does Not Include:

International airfare, independent transfers to/from airports, any meals not specified in the Full Trip Brochure, wine at dinner (except welcome and farewell dinners), airport departure taxes, optional tipping or gratuities to leaders or staff, additional hotel nights that may be necessitated by airline schedule changes or other factors; pre-trip expense of medical immunizations (if any), travel insurance or passports; and other expenses of a personal nature (alcoholic beverages, laundry, and so on).

Trip Payment Schedule

At time of reservation: $500
120 days prior to departure: 20% of tour cost
60 days prior to departure: Balance

Cancellation Fee Schedule

Minimum fee: None
46-90 days prior to departure: 25% of tour cost
45 days or less: 100% of tour cost

Our Trip Leaders

Here are the Trip Leaders scheduled for this journey (please note that leader assignments are subject to change).

Andrea Angelini

Departure Dates: October 9-16, 2010

Andrea Angelini, a resident of Rome, has been in the tourism business since 1991, working throughout Europe with a two-year stint in Mexico. A great hiker and man of the mountains, he currently assists leading our Amalfi Coast trips. In addition to his native Italian, Andrea speaks Spanish, ...
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Giuseppe Aruta

Departure Dates: October 9-16, 2010

Giuseppe Aruta, born in Naples, earned his undergraduate degree in Geology from the University of Naples and his PhD in Sedimentology from Florence. When not working as a freelance geologist with the National Geological Survey, he enjoys sharing the beauty and history of Italy with travelers, ...
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Amy Barnes

Departure Dates: September 11-18, 2010

Amy Barnes was raised between Europe and Turkey until the age of seven. After studying Liberal Arts at the University of Florida, she returned to Europe in 1978 and settled in the historic center of Florence in 1979. She has designed a number of itineraries for Wilderness Travel, including our ...
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JoAnn Lantz

Departure Dates: October 9-16, 2010

JoAnn Lantz was born in New York City, raised in Long Island, and graduated from New York University. She taught at the School for the Deaf in Manhattan before moving to Italy in 1988, after many years of traveling to Italy on vacation. She lives with her husband and daughter in the countryside ...
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Sergio Mastroberardino

Departure Dates: September 11-18, 2010

Sergio Mastroberardino was born in the town of Avellino in southern Italy. He is a Certified Alpine Ski Instructor and during the winter season works full time with various ski schools or as a self-employed professional. Sergio has lived and taught skiing in Aspen, Colorado, Val D'Isere, ...
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Client Comments

One of our best trips ever. The group, hikes, food, hotels, trip leader, and trip design were outstanding. Bill B., Morris Plains, NJ The trip was a wonderful adventure and created a fantastic lifetime memory for our honeymoon. Tim B., Danville CA Great food, good leaders, good time! Anthony C., Holland, PA Hikes with incredible views, great food—a perfect combination of excercise in the outdoors, culture, and history. Great trip! Steven S., Ellicott City, MD A great balance among hiking time, sightseeing historical sites, museums, tours, eating! Carmen D., Daly City, CA The Trip Leaders, the venues, special off-the-beaten path restaurants—it was all wonderful. There were so many experiences that had that WT touch.
 
Cathie B., Madison, WI
Magical from start to finish. One of the other trip members had been on eight WT trips, and we can understand why. Stunning scenery, great local guides, and Trip Leaders who are thoroughly knowledgeable about the area, take care of every detail, and who must be “chemists” to so effectively meld a group of strangers into a team of supportive friends. Niles and LInda B., Madison, WI