Campania & The Amalfi Coast walking tour ... Naples to Ravello

Day 1

Our accommodation is a in a charming, historic hotel in a pedestrian precinct a short walk from Via Toledo.  After meeting in the foyer at 19.00, we will walk to a sophisticated nearby restaurant for dinner.  (Dinner)

Day 2

This morning we will be taken on a guided visit to explore the heart of this extraordinary city, including visiting the celebrated archaeological museum; Santa Chiara and its marvellous cloisters; one of Caravaggio’s greatest works and Giuseppe Sanmartino’s incredible Veiled Christ.   Along the way, we'll enjoy lunch in one of the city's oldest pizzerias.  The evening is free.  (Lunch)

Day 3

This morning we will be driven up to the side of Mt Vesuvius from where there is a short, stiff walk up to the edge of the crater from where we can enjoy extraordinary views out over Naples and its gulf. (3.5 kms, 1.5 hrs, 161 mts ascent)

After a delicious lunch in a chic restaurant, we will be taken on a guided visit to Herculaneum, an ancient residential town on the outskirts of Naples that was swallowed up in the same eruption as Pompeii.  Smaller but better preserved than Pompeii, Herculaneum is no less fascinating and more manageable for a single visit.   The evening free.  (Lunch)

Day 4

This morning we leave the bustle of Campania’s capital and head east across the fertile plains of Benevello to the 'Irpinia' district in the rolling foothills of the Appenine Mountains near the border with Puglia.

Along the way we stop at the extravagant Royal Palace in Caserta.  Beautifully restored, Caserta was the Bourbons’ 18th century answer to the Palace of Versailles.  It is the largest royal palace in Europe.

After a light lunch, we continue to our base for the next four nights, recently restored apartments in the historic centre of a quiet, medieval hilltown.  Dinner tonight is at the accommodation's own 'osteria'.  (Lunch and dinner)

Day 5

Today we drive south to the Monti Picentini National Park.  We will do a beautiful walk through down forests along the well-marked trails finishing at the ruins of a Norman castle, where we will enjoy a picnic lunch. (11 kms, 4 hrs, 565 mts descent).

In the afternoon, we’ll visit one of the neighbouring town.  Sitting on hills above the Ofanto and Calore rivers, it is believed that Hannibal passed by this town, losing a number of elephants which became bogged in the river flats.  In the Middle Ages, this small town was an important bishopric and a seat of learning, becoming known as the 'Athens of the Irpina'.  After the plague of 1656, the town’s fortunes declined, leaving it something of an enchanting time capsule. 

We will have pre-dinner drinks and dinner at a lovely 'agriturismo' in the country before driving back to our base.  (Lunch and dinner)

Day 6

Today we explore the fine wines and cuisine of the district.  Although virtually unknown outside Italy, Irpinia has been called the ‘new Tuscany’ for the quality of its wines.  Due to volcanic activity, high elevation, strong sunshine and cool nights, this region is tailor-made for making great wine most notably its four different indigenous DOCG certified varietals: Aglianico, Greco di Tufo, Fallanghina, and Fiano di Avellino.

After a late start, we will visit one of the region’s finest producers, where we’ll visit their wonderful cellars, have a degustation of the wines and a light lunch, before returning to our base for a bit of R&R. 

Later in the afternoon we are introduced to the secrets of the Irpina cuisine via cooking lesson conducted by our hosts in their own 'osteria'.  (Lunch and dinner)

Day 7

Today we return to the Picentini National Park.  We will are taken on a beautiful walk through a leafy beech forest beside a babbling brook to the source of the Calore River, where we will have a memorable picnic lunch.  (9 kms, 4 hrs, 367 mts ascent).

At the end of the walk, we will be driven back to our base where afternoon is free.  Dinner will be at our accommodation's osteria.  (Lunch and dinner)

Day 8

Today we leave the mountians and drive south to Campania’s spectacular coastline.  Along the way, we will stop for a guided tour of an extraordinary World Heritage listed monastery.  Founded by the Normans in 1086, this monastery has the largest cloisters in the Western world.

After lunch n a local restaurant, we will continue on to one of Italy’s best-kept secrets: a tiny enclave on a hilltop overlooking the sparkling Pollicastro Gulf.  This vibrant and well-preserved town has a long history going back to ancient Roman and Greek times, as its little museum testifies. 

Our base for the next three nights is boutique 4-star hotel set in a refurbished 18th century monastery in the centre of town, which has gardens and a great swimming pool .  The evening is free.  (Lunch)

Day 9

This morning we get a lift up to the spectacular 'belvedere' high above the town.  After admiring the views, we walk south along a mountain ridge with wide vistas inland over the mountains on one side and views over the Mediterranean Sea on the other.  (8 kms, 3 hrs, 89 mts ascent)

At the end of the walk, we will have lunch and a swim at a family-run beach club overlooking the prettiest beach in the region.  Back at base, the rest of the afternoon is free.  Dinner is at a local trattoria.  (Lunch and dinner)

Day 10

Today we explore what has been described as the most beautiful coastline in Italy, taking a small boat north, exploring rocky coves, grottos and beaches, with plenty of places to swim in the blue waters of the Mediterranean.

After a slow lunch in a chic restaurant overlooking the port, we will return to our base, where you will have the option of relaxing at the hotel or exploring the town.  You will also have the option of going for a walk, climbing up a paved pilgrim trail to the ruins of the town's castle, which is perched on a promontory that has sweeping views across the gulf. (5 kms, 2 hours, 363 metres ascent).  (Lunch)

Day 11

This morning we drive north to the spectacular Amalfi Coast.  On the way we visit the extraordinary Greek ruins of Paestum.  After a guided visit to the site, we drive to visit one of Campania’s premier mozzarella producers for an open-air lunch under a pergola.

Our tour finishes in Ravello, a charming town with a rich history sitting on a natural balcony looking down over the famous Amalfi Coast: ‘Closer to the sky than the seashore’.  Our accommodation is a lovely 4-star hotel in the centre of town, which has gardens and a swimming pool with breathtaking views over the coast.

After arriving, the evening is free.  (Lunch)

Day 12

The grande finale is a glorious walk from Ravello into the extraordinary Valle delle Ferriere.  The trail passes through a national park passing under towering cliffs and through shaded chestnut forests, with views down over the coast.  We'll have a cut lunch beside a waterfall.   (11 kms, 5 hrs, 478 mts ascent).

We will be taken back to Ravello, and you'll have the option of visiting the ancient town of Amalfi along the way,  Our final dinner is in a lovely, family-run restaurant.  (Lunch and dinner)

Day 13

In the morning we will be transferred back to Naples, an hour’s drive from Ravello, which has national and international rail and air connections.  The transfer is scheduled for 08.30.  First stop Naples Centrale station (around 10.00) and then Naples airport (around 10.30).