RCGS: Highlights of the Amalfi Coast with Scott Forsyth

Those of us on the group flights touch down in Naples and will be driven 1hr 20min south, past Vesuvius and Pompeii, up and over the Sorrentine Peninsula to Bomerano – a tiny village on the west side of the Agerola Valley. Our hosts for the week are the charming and friendly Giovanni and Nicola Acampora, owners of the Hotel Due Torri. Surrounded by vineyards and orchards, their family-run property has a pool and fabulous views of the surrounding Lattari mountains; an ideal location to escape the crowds.

Please note: It is possible the order of the itinerary will be changed to ensure the best possible conditions for each activity during the trip. All listed activities and services will be included. Your leader will inform you of any changes locally after assessing conditions.

This trip starts in Bomerano – a tiny village on the west side of the Agerola Valley, 1hr 20m south of Naples. Our hosts for the week are Giovanni and Nicola Acampora, the charming owners of Hotel Due Torri. Surrounded by vineyards and orchards, their family-run property has a pool and fabulous views of the Lattari mountains; an ideal spot to escape the crowds. We’ll rendezvous at the hotel in time for dinner and a welcome briefing.

Please note: It is possible the order of the itinerary will be changed to ensure the best possible conditions for each activity during the trip. All listed activities and services will be included. Your leader will inform you of any changes locally after assessing conditions.

Leaving the Agerola plain, we descend by private bus to Amalfi, the oldest maritime republic in Italy. Quintessentially Mediterranean, Amalfi’s townscape is a cluster of little white houses and buildings, narrow alleyways and shady porticoes, dominated by the large cathedral with its brightly coloured tiles typical of the region. We spend the morning sightseeing, relaxing in one of the sun-filled piazzas, or visiting the interesting paper museum (optional). Later, we continue by fast boat (approximately 20 minutes) to Positano. En route, we enjoy the enchanting views of the sheer cliffs and rugged shoreline dotted with small beaches that have drawn people to this stunning coast for centuries. There is no better way of approaching Positano for the first time than from the sea, as the contrast of this near-vertical town of colourful buildings against the verdant cliffs and blue waters will leave you mesmerised. We have a few hours to explore this chic, picture-perfect village on foot before we return to our hotel in the late afternoon by boat and private bus.

It’s a busy day today as we travel to the Bay of Naples by private bus (approximately one hour) to explore two of the most famous archeological sites in the world, Herculaneum and Pompeii. Both towns and their people got buried under the ash and magma of Mount Vesuvius after the 79 CE eruption, but it was only in the 18th century that these ancient cities were rediscovered through excavations. The eruption affected the sites in different ways: while Pompeii is home to a more extensive collection of Roman homes, stores and bathhouses (plus the iconic plaster bodies), the ruins, frescos and recently discovered 300 skeletons along the seashore at Herculaneum are much better preserved. Entrance tickets to both sites are included in the trip and you can decide to explore alone, at your own pace, or led by a knowledgeable local guide (optional). We return to the hotel late afternoon (approximately one hour) to enjoy a delicious dinner and cooking demonstration.

Today we walk a section of one of the finest trails in the world. From our doorstep, it’s a short stroll through the quiet village of Bomerano. Here we’ll drop into a local cheesemaker to see how the delicious local mozzarella is made. And, yes, we’ll taste some. We then join the Path of the Gods, which runs all the way to Positano. Luckily, having already visited Positano earlier this week, we can skip the hard part and the 1,700 steps downtown, and take a linear walk of 4km instead, offering some equally fantastic coastal views along the way. Please be aware that some parts of the trail are rocky and there are frequent ups and downs, which can be a little hard on the knees. With breaks for water and snacks, this short hike is of Level 2/3 (Moderate) difficulty but doable for all those in good fitness, and the challenge will no doubt be repaid by the magnificent views. An optional rewarding lunch awaits you back at the hotel.

Ascent: 330ft (100m); descent: 330ft (100m); walking time: around 2hr 30 mins

How will you spend a free day on the Amalfi Coast? We recommend visiting Sorrento for a seafood lunch and sweeping views over the Bay of Naples. Pedestrian lanes, little boutiques, limoncello shops, and restaurants make it an enjoyable place to spend a day at leisure. Alternatively head to Naples, the capital of the Campania region. A trip up the slopes of Mount Vesuvius to peer into the crater, followed by a wine tasting at a renowned local winery right below the majestic volcano may also be possible. Please note that whilst there is no need to book the excursions to Sorrento and Naples prior to departure (your leader will help arrange them locally), tickets for the Vesuvius tend to sell out in advance especially in the high season. We therefore recommend to pre-book these (speak to your sales consultant). However, please note that occasionally, weather conditions or other factors may impact the standard order of the itinerary and that any unused tickets as a result of schedule changes are not refundable. Please note, all tours are subject to availability and prices are dependent on the number of people joining

We leave the hotel after breakfast and take the bus down to Amalfi and board the boat to Capri. The journey along the Amalfi Coast is spectacular with small coves and bays of azure water overlooked by towering cliffs. The time spent on Capri is unguided and you are free to explore independently. Your tour leader might recommend avoiding the hassle of public transport on the island and make the most of your time by arranging an excursion by private bus and cable car (optional, payable locally).

A beautiful walk will take you up to Capri town and along a network of small pedestrianised streets to visit the remains of Villa Jovis, the former home of the fearsome Roman emperor Tiberius. A walk around the spectacular coastline is recommended and allows you to see a natural rock arch and the Faraglioni – rock stacks that stick vertically out of the sea. There is also time to peruse the boutique shops before returning by boat and bus to our hotel.

Today we visit the romantic hilltop town of Ravello for some of the best views of the Amalfi coastline. Ravello also has a grand cathedral but Villa Cimbrone (visit included) and Villa Rufolo (optional) are the real gems of the town. Set amid elegant gardens, the villa balconies stand at the edge of the cliffs offering stunning views described by French author André Gide as ‘closer to the sky than the seashore’. There is time to wander, enjoy a coffee and soak up the atmosphere before we return to the cooler climes of Bomerano in the afternoon. The remainder of the day is free for relaxation, before a farewell dinner in the evening.

Our tour ends in the morning of day 8. Those on the group flight are usually transferred to the airport in the afternoon for their inbound flight. This means there may be more free time to enjoy a nice walk into town and some last minute shopping opportunities.

We have explored one of the most beautiful stretches of coast in the world. Now it’s time to make our way home, but not before one last breakfast at Hotel Due Torri, which may feel like a second home by now.

If your flight leaves later this evening, you’re welcome to make use of the hotel facilities after check-out and enjoy a lunch (optional, payable locally) here. Alternatively, speak to your leader for recommendations on what to do in the village.