Italy's Amalfi Coast - with Dave Best
August 2010

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Trip Outline

The Amalfi Coast is a world within a world, an area of great  physical beauty and natural diversity. It offers history, tradition and breathtaking views along with modern comforts and delicious food. Its origins date back to the first century AD when Roman aristocrats built luxurious villas in this area and in time a number of wealthy towns were established, such as Ravello, Sorrento and Positano – one of the most beautiful and oldest of the Roman settlements. Positano was ‘rediscovered’ in the early 20th and its pastel-coloured houses cling to impossibly steep cliffs.

One of the beauties of the Amalfi coast is that the many sites of interest are all within easy walking distance of each other, so there is no need to move hotel. We are therefore based, for the whole week, at a charming little hotel in Scala, high in the hills, overlooking Ravello and the surrounding valleys. Our day walks, though not long in terms of distance, can be strenuous at times as we either ascend – or descend – old stairways that have been used, for many years, to traverse this picturesque region. In the second half of the week there’s a free day, allowing time to visit Pompeii, relax, read, swim, or make your own discoveries.

 

Your Tour Host – Dave Best

Dave is a renegade town planner. Originally from London, he’s been based in Australia now for almost 20 years. He has trodden many paths from France to Asia and New Zealand and, in late 2008, he returned from an epic 5- week journey from one end of Vietnam to the other, accompanying two walking groups and discovering plenty of new restaurants! In 2009 he is taking a group to the Amalfi Coast, and he’ll be repeating this memorable walk in 2010. He’s also been hankering to visit Turkey for years and in September 2010 (directly after this trip) he’ll be leading a wonderful 15-day programme focussing on Istanbul and the Aegean coast, including several major classical sites and a series of day hikes. In addition, Dave runs regular walks in the French Pyrenees. If you are unfamiliar with the Dave Best travel style, think of it as adding the ‘extra’ to the ‘ordinary’, providing good value tours filled with the ‘must do’ attractions but enhanced with insights into the culture, history, cuisine and people of the destination. 

Itinerary – departs Salerno – 25 August 2010

25 August 2010  SAT 25 AUG: SALERNO-SCALA -  We meet at Salerno train station at 3.00pm and transfer to our hotel in Scala. This afternoon we’ll  take a short walk into the village, where it’s easy to conjure up images of medieval life as we stroll  through the alleyways, stairways, and along ancient roofed passages. Before dinner Dave will give a  briefing on what lies ahead for the next week. (D) 

SUN 26 AUG: RAVELLO  - After breakfast we walk up to Ravello, with glorious views over the Gulf of Salerno. Its lofty position  and sunny, dry climate has appealed for centuries to writers, artists, musicians, and travellers. D. H.  Lawrence, Wagner and Gore Vidal are among the more notable guests who have succumbed to its  spells. Wagner composed parts of his opera ‘Parsifal’ while here and author Gore Vidal still lives in the  village. (BLD) 

MON 27 AUG: PONTONE, TORRE DELLO ZIRO, ATRANI  - After breakfast we walk through the village of Scala, and on towards the sleepy cliff-town of Pontone,  once a defensive stronghold for the surrounding towns. A series of ascents and descent eventually  brings us to the ruins of the Torre dello Ziro, an ancient lookout that once provided an early warning  system for the powerful Amalfi Republic. From here we enjoy dramatic views of the stunning  coastline and then head down to the coastal village of Atrani, with many winding alleyways and a fine  old church. (BLD) 

TUE 28 AUG: PONTONE, VELLE DELLE FERRIERE, AMALFI -  From Pontone we walk along good, sometimes shaded, paths through lemon and citrus groves to the  Valle delle Ferriere nature reserve, a wooded area with tall chestnuts trees, natural springs and  waterfalls. We then continue down to Amalfi itself, a descent of some 400 metres, where there is  time for lunch and to explore this charming coastal town, once an important naval power. In the late  afternoon we return to Scala by bus. (BLD) 

WED 29 AUG: FREE DAY/OPTIONAL VISIT TO POMPEII  - Today is a free day. Some may wish to take the opportunity to visit Pompeii, while others may wish to  relax at the pool and/or take the local bus down to Amalfi for further exploration. Nearby Ravello has  some lovely restaurants for those wanting to indulge in a long lunch. For those going to Pompeii, you  set off after breakfast for a guided tour of this outstanding archaeological site, and return in the late  afternoon. (BD) 

THU 30 AUG: CONCA DEI MARINI - We walk along a path hugging the cliffs above the Amalfi coastline with tremendous vistas across the  sea, and arrive in the town of Conca dei Marini. Once proud and combative, it was a Roman ally  during the Punic Wars. During the peace that followed, its war galleys were turned into trading  vessels, making the town wealthier and more opulent than Amalfi. Our walk takes us through the  higher town, and then down to the maritime village, now a sleepy fishing port. You can also visit the  Grotta dello Smeraldo ("Emerald Cave"), perhaps the most lovely of the sea-caves that honeycomb  the coast, with stalactites and sparkling green gem-like waters. We return to Scala by bus. (BLD) 

FRI 31 AUG: POSITANO  Today we head to beautiful Positano. If the weather is kind we will travel by boat; if not, we’ll take  the bus. On arrival we walk along the fabulous Sentiero degli Dei (footpath of the Gods), a five hour  hike to Positano, through groves of Italian cypress and fields of wildflowers, past ancient stone huts,  and across precipitous hillsides and narrow ledges overlooking the sea. If ever there was a  ‘picture-postcard’ town, this is it! We return to our hotel for our final dinner together. (BLD) 

SAT 1 SEP: DEPARTURE  After breakfast you are transferred to Salerno train station, arriving around 10:30 hrs, where your trip  ends. This is scheduled to allow time to connect to the Rome train. (B)

Dates and Prices

8 Day The Amalfi Coast
Price: $2150 (per person twin-share)
Single Supplement: $380

Price includes: Services of Dave Best as Tour Escort. Arrival and departure transfers and other local bus transfers, as indicated. Twin-share or single room accommodation with private facilities. All meals as indicated in the itinerary (except lunch on Day 5). Not Included: Visa fees. Insurance (compulsory on all trips). Additional meals. Drinks. Entrance Fees.

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