Hike & Kayak on Italy's Amalfi Coast

Welcome to Italy! A representative will be waiting to meet you at Naples Airport to take you to your hotel. Your trip begins with a welcome meeting at 6 pm where you'll meet your local leader and fellow adventurers. If you arrive early, there’s tons to do in the capital of the Campania region. Maybe head out and discover some of Naples' impressive architecture and monuments, many of which date back to the 16th and 17th centuries. Or check out the Royal Palace of Naples – a historic royal residence where you can see how Spanish viceroys and Bourbon monarchs once lived. After the meeting, why not get to know your travel crew over dinner? Your leader can suggest some great spots for an authentic Neapolitan pizza – after all, this is where the beloved dish was born.

After a leisurely breakfast, take a private minibus to the Pompeii archaeological site for a tour with a local guide. Explore the chariot-marked streets, Roman Forum, temples, public baths and Odeon of this former Roman city and get a glimpse into what daily life was like until the fatal 79 AD eruption of Mt Vesuvius. After some lunch, you’ll hike up Vesuvius and walk around the crater rim where sulphuric gases and steam still emerge from the gravel. After, hit the road to the hilltop village of Agerola. Keep your eyes to the window as the drive offers gorgeous views over the Bay of Naples and the Amalfi Coast. The evening is free to relax at your hotel or indulge in the cuisine – smoked cheese and potatoes are some local favorites.

Enjoy a free day in Agerola. You’ll hike the famous Path of the Gods tomorrow, but there are plenty of other trails in the area if you’re feeling active – including the hike to Punto Panoramico, which offers great views of the Amalfi Coast. From here, you can descend through a spectacular landscape overlooking the Isle of Capri and the forested mountains of Cilento National Park – past vineyards, chestnut trees and old ruins dotted along the hillsides. Later in the afternoon, you’ll regroup to visit the small village of Bomerano for a tasting of its famous limoncello before returning to Agerola for the evening.

Maybe order an extra shot of espresso at breakfast, as today you’ll hike one of Italy's most famous trails – the 'Sentiero degli Dei' (Path of the Gods). Starting in Agerola and taking you all the way to Positano, the path winds through forests and wildflower fields, past ancient stone huts and beside sheer granite walls. Watch farmers tending their crops, herds of goats grazing and teams of workers commuting by mule. You’ll reach the valley of Vallone di Grarelle by late morning before pressing on to the hamlet of Nocelle – a picturesque village above Positano. A walk through the village leads to the deep limestone gorge of the Montepertuso Crossing, where it's just a short walk down old steps, through olive groves and vineyards, to Positano (though you can take a bus instead if you like). Continue to Amalfi by boat and enjoy the scenery from a different viewpoint.

Today is dedicated to the glamorous Isle of Capri – a former vacation spot for Roman emperors. Take a ferry from Amalfi to Capri along the coastline, passing the islands home to the mythical sirens that were mentioned in Homer's Iliad and Odyssey. Keep your camera handy as the ride offers views of Capri's cliffs and shard-like rock formations. When you arrive in Capri, you’ll do a circuit walk to see Villa Jovis (the ruins of the island’s most impressive Roman villa and the home to Emperor Tiberius), explore the town’s winding alleyways and take in the views from a rugged coastal path. Before taking the ferry back to Amalfi later in the afternoon, enjoy some free time to explore the town center or dip your feet in the water. For dinner, you could ask your leader where to find the best scialatielli ai frutti di mare (seafood pasta) – a local specialty.

Get ready for another day exploring on foot. Start in the quiet backstreets of Amalfi and head up to the village of Pontone. Walk along a narrow ridge to a viewpoint that stretches across the Valle del Dragone (Valley of the Dragon) and the luxurious villas of Ravello. Continue along a series of ups and downs to the ruins of the of Torre dello Zirro watchtower, then retrace your steps to Pontone to enjoy a cold drink under the lemon trees overlooking Amalfi. You’ll then walk down into the shaded Valle dei Mulini (Valley of the Watermills), where you’ll find remnants of Europe’s earliest paper mills. The path continues into the valley to the entrance of Valle delle Ferriere – a lush nature reserve and ideal spot to grab lunch. From here, it's an hour back down to Amalfi where you’ll set off on a kayaking trip to the secluded beach of Santacroce. Grab a cool drink here before paddling back to Amalfi to relax.

This morning you’ll hike to Ravello – another highlight of the Amalfi Coast. For centuries, Ravallo's lofty position and dry climate have attracted writers, artists and musicians seeking inspiration. It also has two magnificent villas – the 11th Century Villa Rufolo which was once a papal residence and later the home of Wagner, and Villa Cimbrone, a 19th Century mansion with fabulous gardens and unequalled views over the Gulf of Salerno. Continue past the village of Atrani – a small village close to Amalfi town. This evening you’ll wrap up your trip with a final group dinner at a local restaurant – a perfect way to share your favorite memories from an unforgettable week on the Amalfi Coast.

Your Amalfi Coast adventure comes to an end after breakfast. If you’re staying in Italy, it's easy to arrange onward ferry or bus connections from Amalfi – your leader can assist you.