Italy: The Amalfi Coast

Your tour starts in Sorrento—the buoyant, small city perched on the southern coast of the Bay of Naples, with a long tradition as a destination in the Grand Tour of European travel. Its bustling seaport attests to the many ways to arrive here—by ferry, train, or bus from Naples and beyond. You may relax by the hotel swimming pool, soaking in the view, before an orientation meeting followed by dinner at a local restaurant.

Included Meals: Dinner

6.3 miles, easy to moderate with challenging sections, 1,000-ft. elevation gain and loss. Afternoon option: 2.9 miles, easy to moderate, 100-ft. elevation gain and 1,200-ft. elevation loss

Your exploration of the Sorrentine Peninsula—the landmass extending from Italy’s west coast out to the Isle of Capri—begins with a loop walk along its southerly flank. You’ll have almost constant views of the Sirenuse Islands, the tiny group of islands named for the Sirens of Greek mythology. A short drive brings you up to the trailhead in the charming town of Sant’Agata, a 19th-century destination like Sorrento. The route takes you past homes and gardens to the hamlet of Torca, then through narrow alleyways and onto open hillsides with ancient terraces of olives and low Mediterranean flora. With the shimmering sea always in view, you reach a beautiful panorama that stretches from the town of Praiano to the tip of the peninsula. Entering a hushed pine forest, you then continue back into the center of Sant’Agata. Following lunch at a local restaurant, you have the option to descend to your hotel in Sorrento on foot, or to take a public bus. This evening, you may choose to relax and take in the stunning views from your hotel or explore Sorrento’s many excellent dining options.

Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

3.2 miles, easy to moderate, 600-ft. elevation gain and loss

Today is dedicated to exploring the enchanting Isle of Capri. You walk from your hotel to Sorrento’s harbor, where you catch one of the frequent hydrofoils to the island, a 20-minute boat trip (we regret that we are not able to pre-pay for these tickets, so they are at your own expense). Upon arrival in Capri’s Marina Grande, you take the funicular up to the main square—one of Italy’s best-known and most elegant, with its chic outdoor cafés, boutiques, and shops. Several walking options depart from here and quickly take you from this bustling scene to the quiet “streets” of the island—narrow walkways that pass garden fences, overflowing with flowers and vegetables, in front of homes and villas. One option is a coastal walk to the Belvedere delle Noci viewpoint and the Natural Arch rock formation; you continue along a shaded trail where the views open onto the Faraglioni, the massive rocks jutting just off shore near the Marina Piccola. Above this tiny port, you stroll through the manicured Gardens of Augustus. You may choose to then walk down to the seaside for a swim in aquamarine waters or continue back to the square for a gelato before descending the stepped walkway or boarding the funicular down to Marina Grande. Here, there is the option of boarding a small boat for a tour around the island’s rocky coast and water-level caves, including the well-known Blue Grotto. You hop a return ferry back to Sorrento in the evening.

Included Meals: Breakfast

6.5 miles, easy to moderate with challenging sections, 1,200-ft. elevation gain and loss

Today’s walk takes you through the small streets and paths of Massa Lubrense, a town that stretches over the western tip of the Sorrentine Peninsula. The route meanders through tiny hamlets under centuries-old stands of lemon and olive trees; narrow paths pass old villas and town squares. For lunch, you can stop in Termini at a favorite local trattoria serving fresh pasta dishes or perhaps enjoy your own picnic overlooking the Bay of Sirens. You continue on through Annunziata to the Villa Murat with its stunning panorama over the Gulf of Naples. The Villa is an elegant, historical vacation home named for one of its most distinguished guests, Gioacchino Murat, the former King of Naples who was also Napoleon’s brother-in-law. Make your way down to the small fishing port of Marina della Lobra, with time for a freshly squeezed lemonade or gelato before the last stretch back to Massa Lubrense where you catch a private car ride back to your hotel in Sorrento.

Alternatively, if you wish to forgo a day of walking, spend a leisurely day in and around Sorrento, with many cultural or walking choices. You can easily explore its shaded gardens and museums, as well as its pedestrian streets with many shops, bars, and restaurants. The seashore at Cape Sorrento, a short bus ride or easy walk away, has a beach area for swimming and lounging as well as natural rocks and Roman ruins. You may also choose to discover the wider Gulf of Naples region with a visit to the archaeological sites of Pompeii or Herculaneum, an easy train ride of about 45 minutes from Sorrento’s train station.

Included Meals: Breakfast

3.9 miles, moderate, 1,300-ft. elevation gain and 650-ft. elevation loss

This morning, a scenic drive (approximately 40 minutes) takes you up and over the mountains to Positano, on the southern side of the peninsula. Probably the Amalfi Coast’s best-known town, and a fishing port since the 10th century, Positano began attracting artists and the jet set in the 1920s. Its brightly colored houses and 13th-century church spill dizzyingly down to its harbor and beaches, which you can explore before it gets busier later in the day. You then catch a local bus up to Nocelle, the hillside town where you begin your walk along the famous Path of the Gods. This famous route is high above the Amalfi Drive with tremendous views—of the mountains that form the spine of the peninsula, the winding coast below with its jewel-like towns, and the brilliant blue Mediterranean. Dramatic limestone cliffs tower alongside ancient stone terraces carpeted in olive groves and vineyards. The walk ends in the village of Bomerano, where a taxi meets you for the drive to Ravello, your home for the next three nights.

Included Meals: Breakfast

6.5 miles, moderate with challenging sections, 1,550-ft. elevation gain and 1,700-ft. elevation loss. Afternoon option: 1.2 miles, easy to moderate, 950-ft. elevation loss

The elegant town of Ravello is perched between the mountains and the sea. Rich in medieval art and architecture, its car-free cobblestone streets invite exploration. This charming town is home to enchanting villas and gardens, such as the 13th-century Villa Rufolo with its Moorish-inspired courtyard. You depart on foot this morning from your hotel to reach Scala, the Amalfi Coast’s oldest town, and one of its six hamlets, tiny Minuta. From here, you start your walk into the Upper Valley of the Mills above Amalfi, a lush natural area with gurgling waterfalls and streams that once powered the small paper mills that were an important industry for Amalfi from the 13th century. The route alternates between shaded chestnut forest and views opening back to Ravello and down to the cultivated terraces above Amalfi. Arriving at the village of Pogerola, you might opt to stop at a family-run osteria for a savory lunch of homemade pasta and fresh seafood. Afterward, you can continue on foot along a steep, ancient mule track, at one time the only connection between these tiny towns and farms (about an hour’s walk into Amalfi), or catch a local bus. Amalfi was a prosperous maritime republic in the Middle Ages, and you can stroll its main square with the 10th-century San Lorenzo church before a taxi returns you to Ravello.

Included Meals: Breakfast

5.9 miles, moderate, 1,180-ft. elevation gain and 2,260-ft. elevation loss. Afternoon option: Minori to Ravello; 1.1 miles, moderate, 1,035-ft. elevation gain

A short drive brings you to the village of Sambuco, from where a path ascends gradually through quiet orchards and chestnut forest to the terrace of the former convent of San Nicola. From the convent, there are panoramic views of the crest of the Amalfi Coast to the east, Ravello in the distance, and the town of Minori below. After soaking in the views, you continue along a path descending through lush lemon groves to a paved alleyway just above the village, connecting the towns of Minori and Maiori. Once in Minori, you can visit the Roman Maritime Villa that dates from the 1st century AD. Returning to the route, after a short stretch on the Amalfi Drive, you can either take the steep steps up to Ravello (a steady, one-hour climb) or duck back onto a pathway through a cluster of lemon trees overlooking the sea. You’ll eventually reach Atrani, Italy’s smallest village—with its intriguing labyrinth of narrow streets and archways. From Atrani, you can choose to continue on foot through narrow alleyways to Amalfi or catch a local bus back to Ravello (possible from either Atrani or Amalfi).

Included Meals: Breakfast

You depart Ravello this morning, taxiing about an hour and a half to the city of Naples for your onward connections.

Included Meals: Breakfast