Amalfi Coast Walking - Hotel Risorgimento

The trip starts at Naples International Airport (NAP). Please meet your driver, who will be holding an Explore signboard, in the arrivals hall next to the 'Welcome Area' kiosk. We provide two complimentary transfers to our hotel in San Lazzaro today. This sleepy village sits at 650 metres above the Amalfi Coast and there are some great views down to Amalfi and the Bay of Salerno from the cliffs. There are a handful of bars, a couple of small restaurants and two mini-markets.



In order to receive a complimentary transfer you need to ensure that you flight arrrives in time.The first transfer will be 11.45 am. If you wish to join this transfer the latest time your flight can arrive is 11.15 am. The second complimentary transfer is at 7 pm and the latest time your flight can arrive if you wish to join this is 6.30 pm. If you plan to arrive later than the second transfer then you will need to make your own way to our accommodation. A taxi should cost in the region of €120 Euros.



The drive to San Lazzaro usually takes just over an hour. Here we can look forward to settling in to our accommodation for the week, the historic Albergo Risorgimento, a traditional, family-run, three star hotel built in 1878, which is situated just a few minutes' walk from the main square in the village. If you join the morning airport transfer please be aware that as our trips run back-to-back you may not be able to access your room until the afternoon. You can relax in the communal areas and head out for a wander in the village.



Tonight we'll enjoy a welcome supper at our hotel and your trip leader will brief everyone on the week ahead.

We catch a local bus from the main square in San Lazarro this morning for a short journey across the Agerola Plateau to the neighbouring village of Bomerano. Our first walk of the holiday takes us back to San Lazarro on a mixture of narrow footpaths with fabulous coastal views and occasional stretches on the tarmac before hiking through part of the dramatic Pino Gorge.



In the afternoon there's the option of another walk, this time departing on foot direct from the hotel. We head up through the outskirts of the village, passing through forest and also open stretches with views of the surrounding countryside. Continuing in a circular direction, views out over the Gulf of Salerno and Amalfi Sea come into sight before we eventually descend back to the Risorgimento.



The morning walk is graded as leisurely, taking around two hours to walk the five kilometres with a total ascent of 300 metres and descent of 290 metres. The optional four kilometre afternoon walk is also graded leisurely and expected to take around one-and-a-half hours with a total ascent and descent of 250 metres.

Our walk today sees us heading down the cliffs from San Lazarro to Amalfi following a path that leads through steep terraces towards the coast. This is an ancient pathway and, before the coastal road was built in the 19th century, this was the only way to get from Agerola to Amalfi. This is quite a lengthy descent on a series of stone stairways; trekking poles will definitely help ease the burden on your knees. There are plenty of places to stop and admire the sea-views as we descend down the series of steps and meander through ancient alleyways.



We arrive in Amalfi in time for lunch and have a free afternoon in which to explore this stunning harbour town. You may choose to look around the impressive Duomo di Sant Andrea (St Andrew's cathedral), with its remarkable baroque interior dating back to the 11th century. The beautifully restored ancient Roman basilica is another highlight. Alternatively, you might choose to relax in one of the many cafes or gelaterias, or look around the curio shops. If it's a hot day, a swim from the public beach might appeal - don't forget to pack your swimming costume and towel. We will head back to San Lazzaro by bus late in the afternoon.



Today's six kilometre walk is graded as moderate, with a total ascent of 90m and a 755m descent. We expect it to take us approximately two-and-a-half to three hours.

This morning, we set out on an ancient limestone stairway above San Lazzaro which leads us high above the village. There are great views towards Salerno and the villages and towns below. Contouring round, we pass pretty woodlands and small valleys, before crossing into the Valle delle Ferriere. Surrounded by high limestone cliffs, the valley has a unique micro-climate, creating a home for plants not normally found in this area. Our well-established path offers spectacular views of the valley and coast, passing small waterfalls and a pretty river. Descending to Amalfi, we take our private bus back to San Lazzaro.



This moderately-graded walk will take approximately six hours, covering a distance of 13 kilometres with a total ascent of 360 metres and a total descent of 1015 metres.

We take an early public bus to catch the boat from Amalfi to Capri (trips from 31OCT through to the end of the year will take a boat from Sorrento). Our ferry ride affords us impressive views of the Amalfi Coast; its clusters of buildings clinging spectacularly to the cliffs. Although only a small island measuring seven kilometres in length and three kilometres in width, Capri's magnificent 600 metre-high cliffs contribute to its imposing appearance. Capri has enjoyed coastal resort status since Roman times, but today's walk gets behind its glitzy facade of trendy boutiques and cool cafes. Exploring its network of winding streets, grand houses and kitchen gardens, our route takes us to the coast, past banks of beautiful bougainvillea and to the quieter parts of the island. Here we have superb views of the mainland and the magnificent limestone cliffs rising out of the Mediterranean. There will be time to enjoy the buzz of the main town, as well as a visit to Emperor Tiberius' palace and perhaps time to visit Villa Lysis, before heading back by boat to Amalfi to the mainland. From Amalfi, we take our private bus back to San Lazzaro.



Today's leisurely-graded walk will take approximately four hours, covering 10 kilometres, with a total ascent and descent of 400 metres . Please note that if the weather is deemed too rough, the ferry to Capri will not operate. Instead we will visit the beautiful hilltop town of Ravello and take a two-hour walk through pretty farmland to the coastal town of Minori. Alternatively, we will re-arrange the days so that we can visit Capri on an alternative day.

Today is a free day to use as you wish. You may choose to relax at the hotel or take an optional day-trip to Herculaneum and Pompeii. Both cities were devastated by the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in AD 79. Pompeii is hailed as one of Europe's most compelling archaeological sites, due to the unique way that the volcanic ash has perfectly preserved so much of the city. Walking around the paved streets and buildings of this UNESCO World Heritage site provides a fascinating, if ghostly, insight into Roman life. Unlike Pompeii, the mainly pyroclastic material that covered Herculaneum, carbonized and preserved more wood in objects such as roofs, beds and doors, as well as other organic-based materials such as food and papyrus. A trip to Herculaneum and Pompeii is organised locally, so you do not need to book it in advance.

Often a highlight of the trip, the Walk of the Gods is justifiably regarded as one of the greatest coastal walks in the world. The high cliff path contours west, with magnificent views of the Bay of Salerno and Capri. The trail passes under huge limestone cliffs and above picturesque stone farmhouses until it reaches the attractive village of Nocelle. From here, we descend down an ancient stairway, past pretty flower gardens, into Positano. A poor fishing village until the 1950s, Positano has grown into a chic town that is still a favourite with Hollywood stars. There is plenty of time to enjoy the town and beach before catching our private bus back to the hotel for our final evening.



Today's moderately-graded walk will take approximately five hours and will cover a distance of 11 kilometres with a total ascent of 330 metres and 900 metres of descent.

The trip ends today at Naples International Airport (NAP). Two complimentary transfers are provided today from our hotel. The first is timed to arrive at the airport at 8 am. If you wish to join this transfer the earliest time your flight can depart is 10 am. The second transfer is timed to arrive at the airport at 2.30 pm and the earliest time your flight can depart is 4.30 pm.



If you are travelling on the later transfer please be aware that as some of our trips run back-t0-back you may need to vacate your room after breakfast. Your luggage can be stored at the hotel and your time is left free to relax in the communal areas or explore further afield.