Reviews

Most Inspirational Moment

Every day was occupied with something I was determined to do and see, so despite an injury finishing the final walk and having a cold beer by the beach after completing every walk. This was only tainted by the fact it was the final walk.

Thoughts on Group Leader

We had Paul as our group leader, who was extremely patient and understanding to everyone's needs. He had an excellent knowledge of the local area and good relationship with not only the hotel staff but members of the local community. Not an easy task but he looked after all of us for the week, I don't think we could have had a better guide.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Good walking shoes, that have been broken in and fit well. Make sure you have done some walking beforehand, hills and steps are a must. Reading the trip notes and actually understanding that there are a lot of steps both up and down. Its all worth it though.

Most Inspirational Moment

Pompei and Herculeneum (which we visited on our day off) were places I had wanted to see since I was a child. They both exceeded my expectation. My only sadness was that we were so time restricted on both visits. The expanse of both sites, and how much remains, to be seen, is just incredible. The other truly inspirational moments involved members of the group . Foe example, despite a severe knee injury, Neil was determined to complete the main walks including 'walk of the gods' with it's ending of 2332 steps (and that didn't include the flights leading down to them! ) He did it too, without a moan. What a star.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Paul is very patient, extremely good humoured, and enjoyable company. He even carried a couple of bottles of Prosecco on the Walk of the Gods' so we had a special treat on our final lunch stop. What a hero. A certain member of the group would have prefered Limoncello - so you may need to extend your range of drinks for future trips Paul!!! Despite the whines of 'are we nearly there yet', 'not more ******* steps, and 'can we just cut that part of the walk out', Paul managed to chivvy us all along with his reassuring phrase of 'just round the corner'. He lied but it was all in a good cause.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Get into training on some hill walks, and forget using lifts - lots and lots of flights of stairs. Also, the better rooms of the hotel appear to be in the main building. Worth asking if you can get one. A couple of our group had this fore knowledge and had a balcony and fridge!

Most Inspirational Moment

Walking to the top of the first walk and getting some breath taking views below. Walking to the top of Mount Vesuvius and seeing all the country spread out below.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Christine was very motivating and encouraged all to do as much as possible. It meant that it was a success for all.

Advice for Potential Travellers

You need a reasonable level of fitness to enjoy the challenge. Particularly doing the 2000 plus steps down to Amalfi.

Most Inspirational Moment

Standing on top of the mountain looking over the Bay of Naples.sensational.Felt as if I owned the world.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Christine Rooney was our guide. What a fountain of knowledge. She is a very friendly person,we were at ease at all times. Ask a question,she had the answer,terrific. Local knowledge was great,she seemed to know everyone in the town,and they all liked her. All in all Christine is an amazing guide,very friendly and knowledgable,she made the whole trip a joy. she made everything "DOABLE"

Most Inspirational Moment

I will never forget walking round Vesuvius, away from the tourist trail. Panoramic views of the Bay of Naples on one side and steam rising from the depths of the volcano on the other.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Take walking poles and plenty of tubigrips if you have dodgy knees. I'm so glad I took my waterproof - it nearly stayed at home. Most of the week was beautiful, but when it did rain it was torrential. I'd also recommend earplugs. The hotel and village were very peaceful, but the local cockerel had a serious pair of lungs.

Most Inspirational Moment

The famous walk of the Gods was our last walk of the week and it was beautiful. The boat trip that took us back from Positano at the end of the day allowed us to see exactly how much of the Coast we had walked. It was a pretty impressive sight!

Thoughts on Group Leader

Alejandro was an excellent tour leader and was very knowledgeable about the local products and areas. He went out of his way to help those walkers who struggled a little more that others with the heat and the steps. Overall he went the extra mile to make sure we all had an unforgettable experience.

Most Inspirational Moment

The views wherever we went were just amazing, but the top of AnaCapri up the chair lift, left you breathless with its beauty.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Knowledgeable about all the views, countryside, history, flora and fauna, how can anyone from Argentina have known so much about Italy. Thoughtful and caring and made everyone feel special.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Don't look at the itinerary and think "oh, just 12k's each day is easy" because factor in the heat and the terrain and it feels much more, but if I can do it in my 60's so can you. Think about what you actually need to carry and don't overload your bag, with the heat, steps and sometimes rocky terrain, the least you have to carry the better, also don't forget your walking poles, they really do help.

Most Inspirational Moment

Walking across the bridge & seeing Herculaneum below. The aptly named Walk of the Gods.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Excellent - fluent Italian speaker, knowledgeable and passionate about the people & region. Also kept the group in order! Great that she provided "tastes" of local produce on walks.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Find room in your suitcase to tuck in some Amalfi lemons!

Most Inspirational Moment

The whole week was inspirational. The walks each day were slightly different and the views incredible. Probably the standout was the walk up and around the crater of Mt Vesuvius!!

Thoughts on Group Leader

Christine was fantastic!! Her knowledge of the area, her relationships with the people in the community was fabulous. Her interraction with the group was excellent.

Most Inspirational Moment

Making & spinning pizzas with the hotel chef. Feeling the heat (sun & volcanic) at the top of Vesuvius (excellent local guide giving geological tour round the entire lip of the volcano - off limits to unauthorised visitors). Found time for a brief dance at the top.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Christine is an excellent tour leader. She is very positive, helpful and informative yet suitably relaxed. Great sense of humour. Looked after the slowest in the group as well as directing the way for the faster walkers. She set up an excellent low fuss sandwich service which catered for all our tastes with plenty of variety.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Walking poles help. Stair training is good practice. There are only 3000 steps between you and the beach. Fortunately you do not do these all in one go! Pompeii - take a small shoulder bag for your sandwiches, etc. as rucksacks are not permitted by some museum officials. Carry plenty of water as most days do not have water refill stops until the end of the day.