Naples and Campania walking tour: Naples to Ravello

Day 1

We meet at the fabuluos rooftop bar our 4-star hotel in the heart of Naples for an aperitif and then enjoy dinner at their elegant restaurant views over the city rooftops and the celebrated gulf.  (Dinner).

Day 2

This morning we will be taken on a guided visit to Spaccanaopli and the Spanish Quarter to explore the heart of this extraordinary city, including visits to the cathedral and the chapel of San Gennaro; to see one of Caravaggio’s greatest works and Giuseppe Sanmartino’s incredible Vieled Christ.  After lunch (pizza of course!) we’ll have the option spend the afternoon in Nazionale Archeological Museum, the most important archaeological museum in Europe or to explore the shopping streets in the centre of the city.  The evening is free.  (Lunch).

Day 3

This morning 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.  After lunch the afternoon is free.  You will have the option of joining your guide to scale Mt Vesuvius (3 kms, 2 hours); visiting Pompeii (we can book guides for this) or chilling out back in Naples.  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 (the Bourbons’ 18th century answer the Palace of Versailles). 

After a light lunch, we drive to our base for the next four nights, a lovely family-run hotel in the heart of a hilltop village in the heart of the Taurasi wine growing district.  Dinner tonight is at the hotel's celebrated 'osteria'.  (Lunch and dinner).

Day 5

Today we drive south to a picturesque mountain town on the edge of the Monti Picentini National Park.  A local will guide will accompany us on a loop 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 have a picnic 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.  After a cool drink in the piazza, we’ll head back to base for dinner.  (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', learning to cook a selection of local specialities such as different types of hand-made pastas; focaccia and grilled meats, accompanied by fine local wines.  (Lunch and dinner).

Day 7

This morning we drive east to the border with Puglia where we will do a section of the historic Via Francigena, an easy walk over undulating hills, following in the footsteps of imperial armies, pilgrims, traders and drovers.  Along the way we will pass ancient villages, Norman castles and Roman bridges.  We will have lunch at a small 'agriturismo'.  (13.5 kms, 4.5 hours).  On the way back we will stop to visit a local cheese producer.  Dinner is at our base.  (Lunch and dinner).

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 Policastro 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 refurbishd 17th century monastery in the centre of town.  It has gardens and a great swimming pool .  The evening is free.  Lunch.

Day 9

This morning we walk inland, following the Noce River valley to one of the most beautiful hilltowns in the region.  An important trading town in its day, this littletown has a rich cultural and artistic heritage.  After lunch in a local trattoria, we will be taken on a guided tour of the town before driving back to our base, where the rest of the afternoon and evening is free.  (10 kms, 3.5 hours).  Lunch.

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 (8 kms, 2.5 hours).  Dinner tonight is at our accommodation.  (Lunch and dinner).

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 walk 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.  (Lunch).

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 (12 kms, 5 hours). 

You will be free to explore Amalfi and have lunch, either take a bus or taxi back to Ravello or donig the short steep walk back up to Ravello.  Our final dinner is in a lovely restaurant overlooking the twinkling lights of the Amalfi Coast.  (Dinner).

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.