Overview
The Amalfi Coast has long been exalted as the most dazzling coastline in all Europe. Across the Bay of Naples lies seductive Capri, a sun-splashed jewel set in a sparkling sea. We’ve combined these two glorious settings with wonderful hikes from top-of-the-world Ravello to enchanting Positano, to the summit of Monte Solaro for fantastic vistas of the sea, and along the brooding crater rim of Vesuvius. In addition to our hikes, we’ll watch mozzarella di bufala being made (and sample it, of course!), visit a family-run olive oil farm, and explore the haunting remains of Herculaneum and Paestum. Our Trip Leaders are simply incomparable, with a true passion for sharing their love of la bella Italia.
This was the trip of my lifetime. I have been home for one week and I can't stop smiling remembering my trip to Italy while being in the good care of JoAnn, Andrea, and Zuzana! Way to go, Wilderness Travel, for employing such a great team of trip leaders.
— Carole B., Alta Loma, CA
Days 1-3
Naples / Paestum / Ravello
Our adventure begins with a visit to Naples’ archaeological museum and the eerie remains of the Roman city of Herculaneum, destroyed when Mt. Vesuvius erupted in AD 79. After a visit to the majestic ruins of Paestum, where Doric temples still convey an exquisite grandeur, we hike a steep trail that winds up staircases and paths to the entrancing hillside town of Ravello, set 1,200 feet above the sea. This elegant town, with its sunny climate, has attracted writers, artists, and musicians for centuries. Our next day’s hike is a leisurely descent from Ravello to the seaside town of Amalfi.
Naples / Paestum / Ravello - Days 1-3
Azienda Agrituristica Seliano
Day 1 (1 night), Paestum, ItalyThis charming agriturismo close to Paestum has been in the same family for generations, and a stay here offers a glimpse into Italy’s rural life. Guest rooms are simple but large, clean, and comfortable, as befitting an accommodation on a real working farm. Dinner made with farm-fresh ingredients is served family style in the main dining room, and there is a lovely pool set among attractive gardens scented with roses and orange blossoms—a welcome pleasure after a long day of exploring. An interesting side note: our accommodation is run by descendants of the Bellelli family, subject of a renowned portrait painted by Edgar Degas in the mid-1800s that now hangs in the Musee d’Orsay in Paris.
Hotel Rufolo
Days 2 to 3 (2 nights), Ravello, ItalyWith a rich history and an incredible location on the edge of Ravello, Hotel Rufolo is the quintessential stay where famous writers and artists often passed through. The hotel’s guest book even has a lovely quote from writer Lucette Desvignes describing the hotel, “from the medieval towers to the infinity of the sea…all is yours and you take it with you when you leave.” Guestrooms have been renovated with comfortable beds, tiled bathrooms, and lovely balconies overlooking the gardens and water.
Days 4-7
Sentiero degli Dei / Positano / Capri / Sorrento
The spectacular Sentiero degli Dei (“Pathway of the Gods”) brings us past ancient stone huts and across steeply terraced hillsides to Positano, with its brightly painted houses draped in bougainvillea. Ferrying to the storied isle of Capri, we set off on hikes that lead along stone-paved lanes to the ruins of imperial Roman villas and to the summit of Monte Solaro, with its eye-popping views across the azure sea. In sunny Sorrento, we visit an olive oil farm run by the same family since 1849 and hike through lemon and walnut groves.
Sentiero degli Dei / Positano / Capri / Sorrento - Days 4-7
Hotel Gatto Bianco
Days 4 to 5 (2 nights), Capri, ItalyJust steps from the main square, the Hotel Gatto Bianco enjoys a central location right in the heart of the isle of Capri. Light and airy guest rooms, each with balcony or terrace, are decorated in traditional Caprian style with bright furnishings and hand-painted majolica floor tiles. Enjoy the casual island ambiance in the hotel’s terraces and patios filled with sweet-smelling flowers, and after our day’s hike, try a massage or spa treatment at the hotel’s beauty center. And don’t forget to make friends with Matisse, the resident white cat, the hotel’s namesake! Capri has always attracted the rich and famous—luminaries from King Farouk to Clark Gable to Jacqueline Kennedy have stayed at this hotel.
Grand Hotel Cocumella
Days 6 to 7 (2 nights), Sorrento, ItalyPerched on the Amalfi coast, the Grand Hotel Cocumella is the first five-star hotel in the area, with a heritage dating back to the 1600s. Lush gardens surround terraced buildings and guestrooms reveal Mediterranean-style décor with garden, sea, or citrus grove views. Opt to relax on your private deck or in the shade of the garden with a drink after an exhilarating day of exploring.
Days 8-9
Mt. Vesuvius / Naples
Our last hike is on Mt. Vesuvius, with a chance to peer into the steaming abyss of the volcanic caldera, followed by lunch and wine tasting at a winery on its slopes. Depart on Day 9 via Naples.
Mt. Vesuvius / Naples - Days 8-9
Hotel Palazzo Alabardieri
Day 8 (1 night), Naples, ItalySet on a pedestrian side street just a few blocks from the waterfront and close to historical sites, restaurants, and high-end fashion shops, the Palazzo Alabardieri offers a warm ambiance and a relaxing place to stay in the bustling city of Naples. Guest rooms in this former palazzo are quiet, clean, and well appointed, and the staff is friendly and welcoming.
Amalfi and Capri
Highlights
Highlights
Details
A mix of moderate walks and hikes, some steep staircases, 3-6 hours a day, van support (for luggage or if you wish to skip a day’s hike).
