Naples and Campania walking tour: Naples to Ravello

Day 1

We meet at the fabulous rooftop bar our 4-star hotel in the heart of Naples for an aperitif and then walk to an excellent local restaurant for our welcome 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.

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 the Gulf of Naples (3 kms, 2 hrs)

After a delicious lunch,  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.   Evening free.

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 (the Bourbons’ 18th century answer to the Palace of Versailles).

After a light lunch, we drive to our base for the next four nights in the historic centre of a medieval hill town.  Dinner tonight is at the accommodation's own 'osteria'.

Day 5

oday we drive south to a picturesque mountain town on the edge of the Monti Picentini National Park.  Our local will guide will accompany us on a walk through forests along the well-marked trails of this beautiful range passing a 14th century monastery and the ruins of a Norman castle (10 kms, 4 hours).  We’ll enjoy a cut lunch along the way.

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 the settlement, 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 n a lovely 'agriturismo' before driving back to our base.

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'.

Day 7

Today we are taken on a beautiful walk through a leafy forest beside a babbling brook to the source of the Calore  River, where we will have a memorable picnic lunch.  (10 kms, 4 hours).

The afternoon is free.  Dinner will be at our accommodation's osteria.

Day 8

Today we 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 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 as its little museum testifies (among other things contains more than 50 anchors from ancient Roman and Greek ships that wrecked along its rocky coast). 

Our base for the next three nights is boutique 4-star hotel set in a refurbished 17th century monastery in the centre of town.  It has gardens and a great swimming pool .  The evening is free.

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.

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.

Day 10

Today we explore what has been described as the most beautiful coastline in Italy, taking a small boat up the coast.  Well off the traditional tourist trail, it makes a great place to spend a relaxing day.

After a slow lunch on the waterfront, we will return to our base, where you will have the option of exploring the town, having a swim or going for a walk, climbing up a paved pilgrim trail to the ruins of the town's castle, perched on a promontory that has sweeping views back across the gulf to the east and down south across the sea to distant Stromboli and the Aeolian Islands (5 kms, 2 hours).

Day 11

This morning we drive north to the spectacular Amalfi Coast, visiting on the way the extraordinary Greek ruins of Paestum.  Swallowed up by forests they lay unknown for over two millennia only being discovered in the early 1800s.  Their perfect state of preservation and isolated position above the Tyrrhenian Sea adds to their impressive grandeur.  We will drive to one of Campania’s premier mozzarella producers and have 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’, Ravello is pleasingly removed from the busier towns on seashore, a lovely spot to finish our tour.  Our accommodation is a lovely hotel near the centre of town, with gardens and views across the coast.  After arriving, the evening is free.

Day 12

Our finale is a glorious walk from Ravello a longer walk option into the extraordinary Valle delle Ferriere, which wraps through a national park, with towering cliffs, shaded chestnut forests, waterfalls and views down over the coast.  Along the way, we'll have a cut lunch beside a waterfall.   (12 kms, 5 hours).

After refreshments, we will be taken back to Ravello.  You'll have the option of visiting the ancient town of Amalfi along the way,  Our final dinner is in a lovely restaurant overlooking the twinkling lights of the Amalfi Coast.

Day 13

In the morning you 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).