The authentic village of San Lazzaro will be our home for the duration of our tour. Sitting 650 metres above sea level, you can get a feeling for slow-paced village life at one of the handful of local bars and restaurants.
Today is about getting our bearings, so feel free to get to know the village or wander further, before joining this evening's welcome supper. We'll get our first taste of the South with a homecooked dinner and wine, produced right here at our agriturismo.
Naples International Airport (NAP) is our closest airport. We offer two complimentary transfers from the airport to our agriturismo in San Lazzaro. The first will be at 12.45pm (to join this one, your flight should arrive no later than 12.15pm), and the second is at 7pm (to join this one, your flight should arrive no later than 6.35pm). After clearing immigration head to the 'Welcome Area' kiosk in the arrivals hall where your driver will meet you holding an Explore signboard.
As we need to arrange the transfer vehicles some time in advance and to help us monitor flight arrivals, if you have not booked your flights through Explore you must let us know your flight details and which transfer you would like to join at least 30 days before the start of your trip. If you do not tell us these details, we'll assume that you're travelling on the earlier transfer. There may not be room on the later private bus for you, in which case you'll need to take a taxi at your own expense - this costs in the region of €120. If you plan to arrive later than the second transfer, you'll need to make your own way to the accommodation.
Our base for the week is Luna d'Agerola (Agerola's moon), a small family-run agriturismo set on a plateau above the Amalfi coast. We stay with the family, as their guest, on their working farm. The property is small and intimate with just 11 rooms - all with private bathrooms. There's a terrace to relax on after a day of walking and a quiet room where you can access Wi-Fi. For more information about the agriturismo, visit the accommodation section of our trip notes.
Today, we travel in our own bus to the village of Bomerano, just a short journey across the Agerola Plateau. To ensure that we're not displacing the locals who are reliant on the public bus network, we've taken the decision to use private charter vehicles throughout this tour when we're not hiking direct from our accommodation. Today's hike back to San Lazzaro takes us along a scenic route of coastal views and through the dramatic rocky pathways of the Pino Gorge. Although it's not a lengthy walk, our first encounter with the terrain, a mix of steps, some rocky and some flatter sections, provides a good taste of what's to come and helps warm up our wallking legs! Walking poles can be a great help and help to take the pressure off your knees. Bring your own if you have them. If you've not used poles before, we have several pairs at the agriturismo available for people to borrow.
In the afternoon, there's the option of joining another walk, or you can choose to relax and take a wander in the village. We'll depart from our agriturismo and head up through the outskirts of the village, passing through lush forest and stretches of countryside. We'll take a circular route, treating us to open vistas of the Gulf of Salerno and the Amalfi Sea before we descend back to our farm stay.
This evening, there's the option to join a mozzarella and pasta making cooking class run by our hosts, followed by a dinner at the agriturismo to taste what you've prepared.
Our morning walk covers 4 kilometres/2.5 miles and is graded as leisurely. It has a total ascent and descent of 250 metres/820 feet. We expect it to take between 1.5 to 2 hours. The optional afternoon walk covers 5 kilometres/3.1 miles and is also graded as leisurely. It has a total ascent and descent of 300 metres/984 feet. We expect it to take around 2 hours.
We'll explore two Italian icons today, Amalfi and Ravello. In the morning, we'll take a bus from San Lazzaro down to Amalfi, our starting point for today's hike. Leaving the famed harbour town behind, we'll ascend on ancient footpaths and staircases to Ravello. Our hike takes us up through fragrant lemon groves and past farms cultivating olives, fruits, and vines, giving us a real snapshot of life on the Amalfi coast.
Often referred to as the hidden gem of the Amalfi coast, Ravello is located high up on the rugged coastal cliffside. Famous for its Moorish architecture, the village has attracted artists and writers for generations, thanks to its tranquil atmosphere as well as its enchanting streets, brimming with spots for al-fresco coffee. Here, we'll have lunch and there's the option to visit the town's famous, manicured gardens before heading back to Amalfi via a different route.
On arriving back in Amalfi, we'll have free time to explore. Indulge in the baroque charm of the Duomo di Sant Andrea or take in the ancient Roman basilica. Cool off with a swim on the public beach and don't forget to taste typical Italian gelato at one of Amalfi's many gelaterias before we catch our private bus back to San Lazzaro.
This evening, there's the option to join a pizza-making demonstration at a hotel in the village followed by a pizza supper.
Today's circular walk covers 8 kilometres/5 miles and is graded as moderate. It has a total ascent and descent of 400 metres/1,312 feet. We expect it to take around 4 hours.
Starting early, we'll take a bus to Amalfi, where we'll catch a boat to the island of Capri (note: from 28th October until the end of the year, we'll board the boat in Sorrento). The view from the ferry ride gives us an unobstructed panorama of the coast - be sure to look up and spot the clusters of villages clinging to the dramatic cliff face.
Capri has been high up on holiday bucket lists since the Roman times when it was visited as a coastal resort. Easily explored in a day, Capri is petite, measuring just seven kilometres long and 3 kilometres wide - 600-metre-high cliffs lend it its imposing presence. Our island walk will wind us through the vibrant streets, teeming with boutiques and cafes, via grand houses and kitchen gardens to the coast. We'll breathe in the scent of bougainvillea as we head to less populated parts of the island and climb the limestone cliffs for a spectacular view of the mainland and the Mediterranean that separates us. After our walk, there will be time for those who wish to explore Capri's main town, visiting Emperor Tiberius' palace and Villa Lysis before heading back to the mainland.
Today's walk covers 10 kilometres/6.2 miles and is graded as leisurely. It has a total ascent and descent of 400 metres/1,312 feet We expect it to take around 4 hours.
Note: Occasionally the ferry ds not operate due to inclement weather. In this instance, our trip to Capri will be rearranged.
Today's walk starts at our agriturismo. From here, we'll navigate the ancient limestone stairway that takes us high above San Lazzaro, rewarding us with views towards Salerno and Campania's scattered villages and towns. We'll work our way past woodlands and valleys before crossing the Vallone di Ferriere. Surrounded by limestone cliffs, this valley has a unique microclimate, creating a habitat for plant species not commonly found in southern Italy. Working our way out of the valley, our path delivers views of the coast before we descend to Amalfi, where a private bus waits to take us back to San Lazzaro.
Today's walk covers 13 kilometres/8.1 miles and is graded as moderate. It has a total ascent of 360 metres/1,181 feet and descent of 1,015 metres/3,330 feet. We expect it to take around 6 hours.
Today we have nothing scheduled, so you're free to recoup and explore the local area at your leisure. If you'd rather explore further, there's an optional day trip to Herculaneum and Pompeii. Both cities were devastated by the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in AD 79 and give us a fascinating (if ghostly) insight into Roman life. The UNESCO-listed city of Pompeii has been almost perfectly preserved in volcanic ash, sitting unchanged since the time of the eruption. Herculaneum is another town preserved by the eruption, here you can see roofs, beds, and doors, as well as organic-based items such as food and papyrus, as they once were, centuries ago. The trip to Pompeii and Herculaneum is organised locally, so you don't need to book in advance.
The grand finale of our Amalfi coast walking tour has to be the Walk of the Gods. Regarded as one of the greatest coastal walks in the world, this hike delivers some of the most breathtaking views of the southern Italian coast. We'll follow the high cliff path as it contours west from Bomerano, opening to views of the Bay of Salerno and Capri. Passing under limestone cliffs and above an old stone farmhouse, we'll reach the village of Nocelle. From here, we start our descent down a lengthy ancient stairway into Positano. Once a poor fishing village, Positano has gained popularity and is now a must-visit spot. We'll take time to enjoy the beach town before boarding our private bus back to the agriturismo for our final evening.
Today's walk covers 11 kilometres/6.8 miles and is graded as moderate. It has a total ascent of 330 metres/1,083 feet and descent of 900 metres/2,953 feet. We expect it to take around 5 hours.
Our trip ends at Naples International Airport (NAP). We offer two complimentary transfers from our agriturismo to the airport. The first is timed to arrive at the airport at 8am (the earliest your flight can depart is 10am). The second is timed to arrive at the airport at 2.30pm (the earliest your flight can depart is 4.30pm).
Note: If you\ re travelling on the second transfer, please be aware that you will need to check out of your room after breakfast. Luggage can be stored at the agriturismo and you are free to relax in the common areas.
