Walk & Discover: Sorrento, the Amalfi Coast & Pompeii
8days from
£1,789*per person
Overview
8 days - Escorted Tours
For centuries, the Sorrento peninsula and the Bay of Naples have attracted visitors eager to experience their dazzling scenery, tranquillity and abundance of world-class historical sights. Invasions by the Greeks, Phoenicians and Saracens have all left their marks, but it was the Romans whose legacy remains most obvious today.
Our base for this tour is the picturesque town of Sorrento. There’s colour everywhere you look: tubs of red geraniums, dark blue clematis climbing up pastel-hued walls, and bougainvillea and roses in shades of pink decorating open spaces. Lemon trees are common – you can’t help but notice their fragrance as you wander. Mouthwatering aromas drift from restaurants and trattorias, and pavement cafés serve cappuccinos on every street corner.
We’ll also explore the striking Amalfi coast, famed for its limestone mountains, copses of pine and azure Mediterranean waters. Next it’s Capri, a picture-perfect island off the Sorrento peninsula that possesses a reputation as a veritable Garden of Eden. The skyline of the Bay of Naples is dominated by magnificent Mount Vesuvius, which has erupted spectacularly several times, most famously in 79AD when Pompeii and Herculaneum were entombed by a sea of molten rock and ash. Visits to these Roman towns highlight the scale of this catastrophic event and you’ll be amazed by their astonishing state of preservation.
Ultimately, there are few places in Europe that combine so much of interest in an area of such extraordinary scenery, making this an especially stimulating destination.
Itinerary
- Arrival in Sorrento
- Walk: Sorrento - Since ancient Greek and Roman times, Sorrento has been known for its fabulous olive oil and our first walk takes us through the area’s legendary olive groves. Both Green and Blue routes begin in the hilltop village of Annunziata, with scenic views of the island of Capri, and end in Sorrento where the rest of the day is at your leisure. Duration: 3 hours Distance: 5.3 miles Altitude gain: 324 feet Terrain: Stone paths, tarmac and gravel Duration: 4 hours Distance: 7.2 miles Altitude gain: 577 feet Terrain: Stone paths, tarmac and gravel
- Discover: Capri - Today we take a short boat ride to discover Capri’s charms. It has long been the most desirable part of the Bay of Naples, attracting Roman emperors and Hollywood stars alike. The main town is perched on a hill overlooking the quaint harbour, with whitewashed restaurants and shops lining the streets. You have some time to explore the island, maybe join a boat trip around the island or make your way to the famous Blue Grotto – the large sea cave named for the incandescent blue light that bathes the cavern. Take a short walk from the harbour and you’ll find yourself in near-deserted lanes that pass terraced vineyards and lemon groves, with spectacular views of the rugged coastline and sea below – a true Mediterranean paradise.
- Discover: Sorrento - On your free day in Sorrento, perhaps browse the numerous boutiques and sit down to a leisurely lunch in your choice of restaurant.
- Walk: The path of lemons - Today we experience the sublime Amalfi coast as we wind around glorious pine-clad cliffs that tumble into the Mediterranean. Just inland is the stunning village of Ravello, where after some free time to explore, we begin our walk. Duration: 2 hours Distance: 3 miles Altitude gain: 422 feet Terrain: Stone steps, pavement and gravel tracks Duration: 4 hours Distance: 4.7 miles Altitude gain: 819 feet Terrain: Stone steps, tracks, country roads and gravel tracks We follow the delightful Il Sentiero dei Limoni – the Path of Lemons – an enticing walk through the authentic heart of the Amalfi coast, where we get a glimpse of the relaxed pace of life enjoyed by locals. Of course, the path also takes us past the fragrant lemon orchards where the famed Amalfi lemons are grown. Both walks end in Maiori, a fishing town that was once the principal port of the Republic of Amalfi. There’s free time after to discover the town, so why not wander along the seafront and taste their fresh pasta for which they are famous?
- Discover: Pompeii - Pompeii is so much more than a collection of ruins. Our guided tour highlights its astonishing state of preservation – streets, temples, baths and even the amphitheatre remain largely intact. Many buildings still have murals and mosaics, while others are inscribed with graffiti describing political events, romantic entanglements and even gossip of the time. Later, we’ll visit a family-owned, working farm and enjoy a simple lunch featuring the farm’s own products and other locally sourced ingredients.
- Walk: Valle delle Farriere - Today we take the Amalfi coast road to the town of Scala, where our Valle delle Ferriere walk begins. Duration: 2.5 hours Distance: 3 miles Altitude gain: 255 feet Terrain: Stone steps (both uphill and downhill), tarmac and woodland paths Duration: 4 hours Distance: 5 miles Altitude gain: 984 feet Terrain: Stone steps (both uphill and downhill), tarmac and woodland paths
- Return home
What's Included
Holiday Highlights
- Discover Valle delle Ferries nature reserve with our expert guide.
- Take a guided walk through Sorrento’s renowned olive groves, with views of the Bay of Naples and Mount Vesuvius, and spend time at leisure exploring this lovely coastal town.
- Enjoy a guided walk from Ravello along the Path of Lemons.
- Relax on a boat trip to Capri, see the famous Blue Grotto and spend time exploring this beautiful island.
- Wander through the ancient Roman town of Pompeii and sit down to a simple farm of local produce at a family-owned farm.
Our Price Includes
- The price of this holiday is per person based on two people sharing a twin room and includes:
- Return flights
- Seven nights’ accommodation with breakfast and dinner
- All local taxes and transfers
- All tours as mentioned
- Entrance to Pompeii and Herculaneum
- The services of a Riviera Travel tour manager
- We guarantee there are never any hidden costs or surcharges, inflated prices or artificial discounts.
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Dates and Prices
Accommodation
Villa Maria -
The three-star Hotel Villa Maria provides all the comforts of a modern, purpose-built property. The bedrooms are simply furnished and of course have a private bathroom, air-conditioning, safe and TV. Please note the use of air-conditioning in hotels in Italy is at the hotel’s discretion and is normally restricted to the summer months (mid-May to mid-September), depending on the temperature. The hotel has a good quality restaurant serving a buffet breakfast in the morning and a deliciously varied menu for evening meals. Spend your free time relaxing in the extensive bar and lounge area. Complimentary Wi-Fi available in the common area. The rooftop swimming pool and adjacent sun terrace is the ideal spot to soak up the sun, equipped with sun-loungers and umbrellas. Pool towels are available at €2 per towel per day. Please note the use of air conditioning and outdoor pool opening is at the discretion of the hotel. Room upgrades are subject to availability at the relevant supplement. Contact the Reservations Team to request an upgrade.
Other Information
Holiday code
R478Holiday provided by Riviera Travel
BOOK WITH CONFIDENCE: This holiday is sold and operated by Riviera Travel (ABTA V4744, ATOL 3430). These ABTA and ATOL bonds mean that, when you book a Riviera Travel holiday, you can be 100% sure that your money is safe.