dossier

Amalfi Coast Walk

AMALFI COAST WALK  |  WHERE YOU STAY

Hotel Ristorante Garden ***
Ravello, Days 1+2+3

The hotel enjoys a fabulous position in Ravello just a short distance from the town’s main piazza but still benefiting from truly stunning views down the Amalfi Coast. All 10 rooms at this hotel have private balcony and sea view. All rooms are ensuite with direct dial telephone, television and air-conditioning.

Day 1  Arrive in Ravello

We pick you up at Naples airport and take you to your hotel in the centre of Ravello (90 mins) where you’ll stay for the next three nights. Time permitting, we'll visit VIlla Cimbrone (Great Garbo's retreat commanding balcony views over the bay) before dinner.

Day 2  Ravello/Minori/Atrani  10km/6mi/4hr

Walking through vines and terraces of lemon trees we reach the old pilgrim’s chapel of San Nicola which commands stunning views over the Amalfi Coast. We then descend to the pastel houses of Minori for a traditional trattoria lunch before walking along the coast to diminutive Atrani. We take the local bus back
from here to our hotel.

Day 3  Ravello/Pontone/Amalfi  10km/6mi/3-3.5hrs

Ravello is enchanting: “must sees” include Moorish Villa Rufolo and its semi tropical gardens. After lunch we follow a scenic path down to Ponte dello Ziro watchtower (great coastal views) then descend to Amalfi via the Valley of the Mills. Time to visit one of the old medieval paper mills, and the strikingly striped 13C cathedral before returning to Ravello by bus.

Day 4  Sentiero degli Dei  11km/7mi/4hr

Past brigands’ treasure caves and terraces of lemon trees, we explore the “Pathway of the Gods”, Amalfi’s most scenic walk. When the nearly vertical town of Positano comes into sight, we have a bird’s eye view of tiny boats, pretty villas, grey volcanic beaches and churches. Lunch in a traditional trattoria perhaps, then on to our second hotel, in Massa Lubrense, by minibus.

Hotel Bellavista  ***
Massa Lubrense  Days 4+5+6+7

This hotel is situated in a perfect location only few minutes away from some gorgeous beaches. Hotel Bellavista consists of 30 rooms, which are all en suite with air-conditioning. Each room has a security box, air conditioning, internet access direct line, satellite tv, hairdryer with luxury marble finished bathrooms. Make sure you take time to enjoy the stunning panoramic swimming pool and large solarium area.

Further details on the hotel website.

Day 5  Free day

The most popular option is to take a bus from just outside the hotel to Sorrento (15 mins) and pick up the hydrofoil across to Capri. Known as “Pearl of Naples”, Capri is arguably the most beautiful island in the Mediterranean. It has over 800 species of flowers and plants, and magnificent grottoes along the coast.

Day 6  Pompeii and Annunziata  11km/7mi/4.5hr

First stop today is Pompeii (1 hour by minibus - transfer provided). To see an entire ancient city come to life is really something quite magical so we’ve employed a local guide to enhance your visit. After  lunch it’s on to lovely Annunziata, from where the King of Naples laid seige on the English who were occupying Capri at the time. Explore its pretty park - balcony views of the island - before descending to the unspoilt port of Marina della Lobra.

Day 7  Punta Campanella  12km/7mi/4.5hrs

Walking through herb-scented scrubland past trees mis-shapen by the prevailing winds, we reach Sorrento’s “Land’s End”, and the watchtower of Punta Campanella. Breathtaking views across to Capri. The point got its name when in 1558 Saracen pirates, escaping with captured women and gold, stole the bell from the local church, but were unable to set sail until they had thrown it overboard. Every year on St. Valentine’s Day the bell is said to rise to the surface and toll once more. In the afternoon we follow a coastal path back to our hotel in time for a limoncello by the sea before dinner .

Day 8  Return home

WALKING DETAILS

The walking is on mule tracks, dressed stone steps and coastal paths, with fairly long descents to sea level on some days. Vertigo sufferers may have problems with sections of Day 4 (arrangements can be made to omit this walk). Walkers with knee problems may have difficulty with days 2 + 3 as there are a number of steps.

For extra nights we recommend Naples, Massa Lubrense or Ravello.