Most Inspirational Moment
The walks to the top of the Vesuvio and Pompeii were awe inspiring, and both guides were excellent.
Thoughts on Group Leader
Our leader was all right, but from what we gathered from other groups, we seem to have got a more basic service. I didn't have the impression from his responses to my questions that he was terribly interested in sharing the local culture that much. Also, we were a mixed group (not a problem and we all got on very well), with a wide range of ages (from mid 20s to mid 60s) and a wide range of abilities. Some of us were slower than others during the walks. And the biggest issue was that our leader seemed to be happier to spend his time at the front with the fatest ones, leaving the slowest ones at the back, on their own. Which could have been dangerous in particular with the uneven terrain we were going through. As we were 2 walking groups I am a bit puzzled as to why a test walk wasn't done at the beginning, and groups rescheffuled according to abilities.
Advice for Potential Travellers
To come physically very well prepared. Attendees will be requested virtually straightaway to walk several hours, on uneven terrain, through 600 to 800 m elevations. These are not moderate walks for your average sedentary customer. And even for the reasonably prepared, 2 hours of going down uneven steps can leave your legs shaking and your calves sore for a few days!
Suggestions
Amalfi, and Ravello are quite touristic
but the hotel is situated in a normal working village, ie not a chocolate box one as often seen on pictures, with a main street with a few shops and several cafes and restaurants, which seems at its most lively in the evening. But we were a bit out of of season. The hotel itself was fine, with a large dining room where guests have their meal, as a group, at large tables, at a fixed time in the evening. The food was adequate, sometimes good, but sadly largely uninspiring for me. Our room was on the 3rd floor, no lift though, with a large terrasse. It was part of a building built more recently, or renovated, and was spacious and clean. The hotel staff seemed pleasant and efficient. I was surprised by the level of tipping requested to the guides, the hotel staff, the bus drivers... The local transport system is very good (buses, ferries) , and on our free day, a few of us in the group managed to organise relatively easily to go and see Salerno, among other places, which gave us a better idea of the life in a local larger city. (And included a lovely cathedral with an impressive crypt)