Day 1
Sorrento & Roman Villa

After meeting at the train station in Castellammare di Stabia, we transfer you to our centrally located hotel in Sorrento, which allows for easy access to wonderful coastal walks as well as easy access to a charming and lively medieval town. The quiet landscape of open coastal pathways, tufa crags & cliffs, terraced vineyards, citrus orchards and olive groves are enjoyed on our first walk to the nearby fishing villages and the sight of an impressive ancient Roman villa.

Enjoy a very easy walk that follows paved, cobblestone and earthen pathways along farm tracks of olive trees and vineyards. Splendid views of the Isle of Capri along this coastal headland are featured as we return with plenty of time to enjoy the active picturesque port town of Sorrento--a mixture of lush gardens and Moorish architecture within the medieval town center offers us the ideal setting from which to explore before enjoying the delicious welcome dinner served at our 4-star hotel.

• Lodging: 4-star hotel with fantastic access to the Bay of Naples and views of Mt. Vesuvius.

Day 2
Isle of Capri

The Isle of Capri, once named the “City of Sweet Idleness” by the Emperor Augustus, is a “must see” for anyone visiting the Bay of Napoli. Enjoy a bellavista during our walks, which embrace the many colors of the flower gardens, sea grottoes and vegetation of this wondrous island. We walk from the southwest and quieter part of the island along a coastal path leading to a spectacular viewpoint that looks past the towering cliffs to the Faraglione Islands and the peninsula. We then return with enough time to either take the cable up to the highest point on the island or a bus down to the famous “Blue Grotto”. After lunch we visit the islands main tourist town where many quaint shops line the colorful streets before a walk past the magnificent villas to a coastal pine forested-path that takes in an idyllic view of the entire peninsula. A large sea cave and the often-photographed “Arco Naturale” highlight our walk along the clear blue green waters crashing into the white cliffs. Before our loop back into Capri town is complete we sidetrack for a visit to the impressive Roman ruins of the Villa Jovis. Here you’ll enjoy one last fantastic view of the peninsula before returning to board our boat back.

• Lodging: same as previous night. Dinner: Excellent Trattoria.

Day 3
Isolated Coastal Villages

Sorrento sits 230’ above the sea on a broad shelf then rises quickly to an elevation of 1300’ at the Village of S’Agata. It is from this village that we begin our day by a walk to the ancient convent Il Deserto. Here the monks may allow you to enter so that you may take in the lofty views to each side of the peninsula. We explore an area of the peninsula, which remains today much as it has throughout time. Walking choices include a challenging hike that explores the secluded bays of stilted houses along the wildest and most remote parts of the peninsula. We then continue along the obscure trails of a rugged coast while continually taking in splendid isolated views. Easier hikes follow the paths along the terraced farmlands, woods and open coastal routes past the tiny fishing villages and remote 16th century towers built as defense against the Ottoman Empire. After our walk we transfer to the most picturesque town of the entire coast, Positano. I still remember the first time I saw the whitewashed houses spilling down from the mountain into the sea. For me, Positano truly epitomizes the beauty of this coast. This exclusive village is home for the next 3 nights.

• Lodgings: 3-star in Mediterranean style with sea terrace, ocean view & private balcony.

Day 4
“Walk of the Gods”

As difficult as it is to pull oneself away from magical Positano we are lured away by the idea of walking along a trail whose name demands that we leave. We start our approach to the “walk of the gods” from a lofty town whose entrance is a natural gateway where an enormous hole pierces through large crag. This walk is mostly flat, always earthen and most definitely lives up to all the hype its name demands. We skirt a deep chasm to a tiny one-street hamlet and the actual starting point to the official trail. We traverse along a truly spectacular wild mountainside that encounters a stunning array of wildflowers, Italian cypress groves and continual open vast views of the coastline. This trail continually enjoys solitude and scenic beauty that you’re sure to talk about long after the trip ends. On our return to Positano we visit the “Emerald Grotto” where the surreal green lighting is bound to have you reaching for your camera again. You’ll then have the remainder of the day to explore Positano’s cultural offerings or just take a swim before meeting later for dinner.

• Lodgings: same as previous night. Dinner: Free night out

Day 5-6
”Valley of the Mills”

The previous day’s walk is a tough act to follow, but the “Valley of the Mills” lives up to the task. Amalfi‘s paper making industry is as renowned as its maritime past. It had for centuries relied on the torrential rains that ran down the mountain and into the valley behind it in order to supply the power and water to the lucrative paper mills. Today only 2 mills still operate. We visit the mill and the paper museum before taking to the trail of this valley. You’ll have the option of starting points that leads us into the secluded “Valley of the Mills”. Either from the coast we ascend a long set of steps past the many lemon groves and ancient defense towers or we can skip the climb and begin from the incomparable hill town of Ravello, through the tiny hamlets and to the secluded trail. Enjoy a remote path within a declared nature reserve and leads far back into a wooded valley filled with waterfalls and streams vital to Amalfi even today. Upon completion we tour the one-time maritime power, Amalfi and its spectacular Duomo. We then return to Positano for one last evening here and a grand farewell dinner.

• Lodgings: same as previous night.

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Transportation Logistics

The following is a list of train schedules for transportation to and from the tour start and end locations. Train departure times and tracks are subject to change, so verify before boarding.

*Meeting your tour by train in Castellammare di Stabia (located near Naples)

Rome to Naples/Napoli: ~2 hour Naples to Castellammare di Stabia: 45'

#9373 Roma Termini -09.45am--arrival Napoli Centrale ---11:38pm

#22199 Napoli Centrale ---12:09pm ---arrive Castellammare di Stabia --12:54

* Departure times and track are known to change on a moments notice, thus verify before boarding