Amalfi Coast:

 Itinerary

Day 1
Arrive in Ravello

Day 2
Ravello – excursion
From Ravello follow ancient stairways down to the fishing village of Atrani, a maze of whitewashed alleys. Paths then lead through lemon groves, above Amalfi, to the Torre dello Zirro and on to Scala, the oldest ‘little’ city of the coast, then back to Ravello. (6.6 miles, 5 hrs)

Day 3
Ravello to Amalfi
From Ravello a high path leads to the famous nature reserve of ‘Valle delle Ferriere’, through meadows, chestnut groves and past waterfalls towards the village of Pogerola and then down ancient flight of steps towards the historic city of Amalfi. (8.6 miles, 6 hrs)

Day 4
Amalfi to Conca dei Marini
Time to visit Amalfi. A 1,000-year-old footpath, the ‘Maestro dei Villaggi’, leads through historic villages, past the monastery of Santa Rosa, to Conca dei Marini. Opportunities to visit the Grotta dello Smeraldo. (3.6 miles, 3 hrs)

Day 5
Conca dei Marini to Vettica Maggiore
A stepped footpath passes churches with panoramic views, and descends into the spectacular fjord of Furore, its clustered houses built into the rock. Then the ‘Via dell’Amore’ leads into the green Praia Valley, before descending to the quiet village of Vettica Maggiore. (5.2 miles, 4 hrs 30)

Day 6
Vettica Maggiore to Positano
Climb up the Via Croce to the monastery of San Domenico and along the ‘Sentiero degli Dei’ (footpath of the Gods), a high open ridge walk with fine views, before descending through olive groves to Positano. (6.3 miles, 4 hrs 30)

Day 7
Positano – excursion
From Montepertuso scenic paths lead towards Santa Maria al Castello with panoramic views over the Gulf of Salerno and Naples. Return via the fertile Pozzo Valley. (6 miles, 4 hrs 30)

Day 8
Return to the airport

You can extend your holiday in Naples

Amalfi Coast:

 Accommodation

Nights 1 & 2
	Ravello **** Bonadies Recently renovated, family-run hotel in 13C convent, with pool. HB		Ravello **** Giordano Restored villa in private gardens with pool. B&B
Night 3
	Amalfi *** Aurora Comfortable hotel with a panoramic terrace, rooms have no sea view. B&B		Amalfi **** Luna Convento Restored convent with chapel and pool. B&B
Night 4
	Conca dei Marini *** Le Terrazze Beautifully situated hotel. B&B		Conca dei Marini *** Le Terrazze Beautifully situated hotel. Superior rooms are larger with sea view. B&B
Night 5
	Vettica Maggiore **** Tramonto D'Oro Comfortable, family run hotel with views and pool. B&B		Vettica Maggiore **** Tramonto D'Oro Comfortable, family run hotel with pool. Superior rooms with sea view. B&B
Nights 6 & 7
	Positano *** Savoia Family-run hotel in town centre with traditional majolica floor tiles. B&B		Positano **** Palazzo Murat Elegant 18C baroque palace with garden. B&B

Amalfi Coast:

 Planning

Terrain

Ancient paths, with long flights of steps originally used to link the villages, which climb and descend through lemon groves. Small open footpaths (rocky in places) through the Valle delle Ferriere and on the Sentiero degli Dei which are not suitable for anyone suffering from vertigo. Some steep ascents and descents, plenty of steps, stick/pole advisable.

When to go

Start any day from 01 Apr to 25 Jul and also from 01 Sep to 24 Oct

On Route

** Ravello: splendid villas and gardens in an incomparable setting including Villa Rufolo, whose gardens inspired Wagner, and Villa Cimbrone with its spectacular panorama. Baroque Duomo with 12C bronze door and two exquisite ambos of Byzantine influence. Church of San Giovanni del Toro 12C with pulpit by Alfano da Termoli and 14C frescoes.

* Scala: 12C Duomo with splendid crypt containing a wooden Deposition from early Angevin times.

** Amalfi: cathedral with its bronze door cast in Constantinople, mosaic façade and 13C Chiostro del Paradiso - originally built as a cemetery for the most illustrious townsfolk. Torre dello Zirro: one of the many defensive structures built along the coast of Duchess of Malfi fame. Paper mills: 19C paper mills with a small Museo della Carta where you can buy handmade paper.

* Grotta dello Smeraldo: cave with seawater discovered in 1932 with interesting stalagmites.

** Positano: originally a small fishing village, which has grown into an elegant, exclusive resort. Church of S. Maria Assunta with its majolica dome and Byzantine Madonna.

Flights & Transport

Recommended Destination Airports: Naples

From Naples centre there are regular buses to Amalfi (2hrs, last bus 1730) and from Amalfi a local bus to Ravello (35 mins). To return to Naples there is a bus service to Sorrento and a train (every 30 mins) to Naples via Pompeii. No buses on Sundays. Taxis recommended.

Taxi Prices:
Naples airport - First Hotel approx 100 euros
Last hotel - Naples airport approx 95 euros

Notes
No. of luggage moves included: 4

No. of nights with half board (dinner included): Standard 3, Superior 1

Shortest / Longest days walk: 3 / 6 hrs