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Welcome to Hooked on Walking holidays and our walking holidays in Italy. This particular hiking vacation in Italy is on the Amalfi coast. This fabulous walking tour is available as a 7 night self guided hiking tour which we have graded as level 2. The Amalfi coast is full of history and also has a fabulous climate making it ideal for year round walking vacation.
Romans and Greeks were there before the growing of the Baroque Palaces and Churches of Spacca Napoli. The biggest artists were all attracted by the charms of Naples, since the early ages to the Romantic period. From the old Néa Polis, founded by Greeks, to the highest glory of the Baroque Age, the city and its environs fascinated every traveler, who loved its artistic treasures as well as its lovely climate and the beauty of the nature around. Romans were not wrong when they choose Hercolanum and Baia as their privileged holiday resorts.
In parallel with this ‘dolce vita’, the eruptions of the Vesuvius, the volcanic manifestations on the Phlegrean Fields and the frequent earthquakes fomented the people’s faith in the proximity of the death’s world and in the Gods. It is here, in fact, the cavern of the Sibille of Cuma, one of the most famous prophet of the Greek-Roman world, it is also here that mythology put its most famous heroes, Enea and Ulysses, strictly linked with the region as well as Cape Misene, the Partenopean Sirens, Procida island. The rage of the volcano gave us also Pompeii, unique evidence buried under ashes since 79 D.C.
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Available year round starting on a Saturday (or other days with a supplement)
Level 2 self guided tour
Day 1 Naples
Individual arrival in Naples. Settle in the hotel and first look at Spacca Napoli, the city centre characterised by narrow streets, where the washing is hung out and, like a coloured frame, it goes across windows of the two sides of the street. Here you can discover, along the way, baroque churches, the San-Carlo theatre, the Gallery Umberto the 1st, the Plebiscito Square (approximate itinerary, depending on time of arrival). Dinner and overnight staying in Naples.
Day 2 Vesuvius 
Departure from the hotel in Naples, transfer by the train to Ercolano. Here you will begin your climbing to the Vesuvius, first by bus, and then on foot, enjoying the wonderful panorama over the Gulf of Naples. In the afternoon you will visit the archaeological site of Ercolano, buried with Pompeii by the eruption of Vesuvius in AD 79. Overnight stay in Naples. Walking time 1 hour , up/down 200m
Day 3 Capri
First a trip by boat to Capri. From Marina Grande, your destination port, the hike leads to the Hermitage of Santa Maria a Cetrella, crossing the Passetiello, a narrow passage between rock faces, overlooking the town of Capri. From the top you can enjoy a stunning panoramic view on the Island and on the Gulf of Naples, dominated by the Vesuvius. Descent on the steps engraved on stone by the Phoenicians. (chance of going for a swim in the sea). Overnight stay in Naples. Walking time 4 hours , up/down 500m
Day 4 Pompeii
Today a visit to Pompeii and to the Villa of the Mysteries. It is the biggest open-air archaeological site of the world. A great example of past human life, where in volcanic eruption of 79 A.D, lava and ashes from Vesuvius, fixed for ever men in their daily activities. In the afternoon, private transfer, to Peninsula Amalfitana. Overnight stay in Agerola.
Day 5 Amalfi 
Excursion through caves in an unusual small valley from you can have a splendid view on the turquoise sea till the canyon of Furore (possible bath). After midday visits of Amalfi the town that at the end of the X century was a very powerful Repubblica Marinara (possible visit of the cloister and the church, possible bath). Return with the bus public to Agerola. Overnight in same hotel as night 4. Walking time 5 hours down 650m.
Day 6 Ravello - Atrani
Departure from Scala, hike to Ravello, where in the placid beauty of the main square, the Dome dedicated to Saint Pantaleone stands out. The blood of the Saint liquefies every year. From the village overhanging the sea, at an altitude of 300m, the view goes across the Gulf of Salerno and over the Cilento Mountains. Optional visit to Villa Cimbrone and to Villa Rufolo, characterised by a melange of styles, Arabic Sicilian and Norman, which had been a source of inspiration for Wagner. Return, on foot, through Atrani (chance of going for a swim) and Amalfi. Overnight in same hotel as night 4. Walking time 4 hours , up 200m down 400m
Day 7 The Path of Gods – Positano.
Panoramic hike on the Path of Gods, the track along the coast which was, until the XIX century, the only way to get from the small isolated villages to the tiny terraced fields and the pergola vineyards. Pervaded by the rosemary perfume, as you descend, you can overview on one side the entire peninsula and over to Capri, and, on the other side, the Gulf of Salerno. 
You can admire the centuries old man work, on this impervious terrains, to create a safe area where people could take refuge during the Barbarian invasions, following the fall of Roman Empire, at the end of V century.
The Saint Dominic Monastery, clung on the mountains, is another testimony of those turbulent times.
After passing Montepertuso, overhung by the mountain rock-face, you descend going past, the cemetery, to Positano. The colourful houses of Positano have been built in an amphitheatre shape, overlooking the sea, giving a unique and picturesque aspect to the village. Free time to visit Positano (chance of going for a swim ). Overnight in same hotel as night 4. Walking time 5 hours up 100m down 650m.
Day 8
After breakfast a 9am transfer back to Naples airport or train station. If you have time we suggest the visit to the Archaeological Museum of Naples where you can admire statues, mosaics and paintings of Pompeii and Ercolano.
Difficulty:
Level 2 : Easy paths, stairs, some steep descent, many steps on Amalfi’s coast on 5, 6 and 7 day. .
Minimum 2 persons
Accommodation: 3/4 star hotels.
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What is Included 3 star
- 7 Nights bed and breakfast
- 4 dinners
- 3/4 star hotels
- Information Pack
- Walk instructions
- Luggage transfers
- Transfers Pompei to Agerola and from Agerola to Naples airport
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Extras
- Transport before and after tour
- Single Rooms
- Flights
- Upgrade to 4 star hotels.
- Entrance to attractions
- public transport
- Travel Insurance
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2010 Prices
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Tour Code HOWAMAL1
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Price per persons based on 2 persons sharing double room
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£549
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Single room (minimum 2 persons)
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£705
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Starting other days supplement per person
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£55
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Supplement per person
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£22 July /August
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How to get there
By plane Naples or Rome airports. If you arrive in Rome the a train to Naples
To view other Walking Holiday in Italy Umbria, Piemonte, Chianti , Cinque Terre, Sicily, Dolomite, Elba, Sicily Active Volcanoes, Tuscany Dream, North of Siena, Lake Como, Glimpse of Sardinia, Pisa to Lucca, Edge of Tuscany.
Click below to view our
Cycling Holidays in Italy
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