Introduction
If
you want a short trip filled with the diversity of southern Italy, then this is
the adventure for you. Acquaint yourself with the Eternal City of Rome and
learn about the catastrophic fate of Pompeii. Soak up the sunshine in the
coastal town of Sorrento and explore the beautiful Amalfi Coast. This trip
offers the chance to delve into history, culture and cuisine and to live a
little of la dolce vita.
Trip Summary and Grading
This tour involves moderate walking that is suitable for most fitness levels.
Land Only Itinerary
Day 1. Arrive Rome.
You can arrive at any time on day 1 as there
are no activities planned until the important welcome meeting at 6pm. Rome is
undeniably one of the world's most historical and culturally rich cities, and
well worth sightseeing if you have time.
Day 2. Train to Naples, afternoon sightseeing. Then catch a train to Pompeii.
Travel by train (approximately 3 hours) to
Naples. After storing our bags, your leader will take you on an orientation
walk through this diverse city. The historical old centre of Naples is a UNESCO
listed area and the famous Spanish Quarter is still one of the most densely
populated residential areas in Europe. In the afternoon we head off to the
Archaeological Museum, one of the best in Europe, which houses all the original
artefacts rescued from the Pompeii Site.
Naples is the birthplace of the pizza, and
with that in mind it is only appropriate to head to one of the many pizzerias
and taste what is truly the some of the best that Italy has to offer.
In the afternoon we bid 'arrivederci' to Naples and board our train for Pompeii
(approximately 1 hour). Our hotel is located in the heart of the picturesque, small
town of 'modern' Pompeii. You can sit in the wonderful old town square with the
locals and while away the time drinking true Italian coffee and watching the
world go by.
Day 3. Visit the archaeological site of Pompeii.
We will head to the archaeological site of
Pompeii, a massive area uncovered in the 18th Century, which was
destroyed by the eruption of Mount Vesuvius 2000 years ago. Pompeii is a time
capsule - quite unlike any other 'ruined' city in the world and a living
portrait of village life set in the times of the Roman Empire.
Day 4. Bus up Mount Vesuvius, walk the final
ascent. Continue onto Sorrento.
We store our bags at our hotel and then catch
a bus up the mighty Mount Vesuvius. The final ascent of the volcano can only be
done on foot, up a steep but well-made trail of volcanic ash and gravel. The
ascent takes around 30-45 minutes. We will then proceed to Sorrento.
Our accommodation in Sorrento is in the peaceful adjoining town of Sant'Agnello.
Sant'Agnello is quieter than it's close neighbour Sorrento but all the
attractions of the resort are easily reached on foot (30 minutes) or by local
bus or train.
Day 5. Free day in Sorrento.
Today is a free day for you to make the most of this delightful area. A day
trip to Capri is always popular and your leader will be able to help with
advice and timetable information. Or you can catch a ferry back to Naples, or
to one of the other islands. Or just explore the myriad attractions of
Sorrento, with its lemon groves and cliff-top views.
Day 6. Bus to the Amalfi Coast, free
afternoon.
After a short bus journey (approximately 2
hours) we arrive at our base on the Amalfi Coast. The Amalfi peninsula is the
land of rocky coasts, cliff top vistas, azure seas and bright blue skies.
People have been coming to the region, the peninsula and its islands for at
least the last 2,000 years and it is easy to see why.
In the afternoon you will be able to explore the picturesque towns of Amalfi,
with its majestic cathedral, and Positano. Or just relax on the small, but
pretty beach.
Day 7. Half-day
walk along the Amalfi Coast.
Your leader will take you for a half-day walk along the narrow trails which
until quite recently were followed by mules and donkeys as they traversed the
dramatic landscape. The trails are steep and have many stairs, but the views
are breathtaking and amply repay you for the effort. You will see forests,
ancient buildings, cliff-tops overlooking the sea, olive groves, vineyards and
villages.
Day 8. Depart Amalfi.
There are no activities planned for today and you are able to depart the hotel
at any time. Check out time from the hotel is 10am. If you are departing later,
you can arrange luggage storage at the hotel reception.
Trip Details
Joining arrangements and transfers
Your
tour starts at the joining hotel in Rome in the evening of day 1. Details of
which will be sent a few weeks prior to departure. Airport transfers are
generally an additional cost to the tour price. You can get an official taxi
from Rome Airport to the joining hotel for approximately 40EUR. If you would
prefer to pre-arrange a transfer with us, please enquire on the phone or book
via the website.
Services included
Archaeological
Museum in Naples, Pompeii ruins, Climb to the summit of Mount Vesuvius, Hike on
the Amalfi Coast.
Services not included
International flights, travel insurance, airport
transfers, all meals, miscellaneous personal expenses – drinks, souvenirs, etc
Spending money
Every
traveller is different and therefore spending money requirements will vary.
Some travellers may drink more than others while other travellers like to
purchase more souvenirs than most. Please consider your own spending habits
when it comes to allowing for drinks, shopping, participating in optional
activities and tipping. Allow 315EUR for meals not included. The most
convenient and cheapest way to acquire money is from an ATM. You can obtain
local currencies easily at airports and major train stations, but be sure to
bring some extra cash that can be exchanged if the ATMs are not functioning. Credit
cards are not always accepted in stores and restaurants. We recommend travelling
with both cards and cash.
Food
Part of the experience of any visit to Southern
Italy is the opportunity to taste its wonderful cuisine. This
region traditionally has a 'Mediterranean' diet, rich in vegetables, pasta,
fish and olive oil which latterly has come to be equated with longevity. The
soil here is very rich, probably because of Vesuvius, and everywhere we go we
will see an abundance of tomatoes, zucchinis, chilli and basil, terraces of
grapes, and orchards of lemons, apples, and chestnuts. Amidst such fecundity, it
is hardly surprising that the Amalfi Coast has some of the best cuisine in the
world.
General Information
Group
Size and Trip Status
For each of our group adventures, there is a minimum number of participants
required to enable the trip to go ahead. Once the minimum number is reached,
the trip status will change to 'Guaranteed Departure'. You can check the trip
status on our website. Other than in exceptional circumstances, we will not
cancel a trip once it has achieved this ‘Guaranteed Departure’ status. If
you are unsure about the trip status, please call our office.
Language
Most people in this area speak good English, however we do recommend you try to learn some simple Italian phrases
and greetings as attempts to speak in the local language will always be
appreciated and is all part of the fun.
Climate
The Amalfi coast exhibits a typical Mediterranean climate with
hot, dry summers and cool, damp winters. The best time to visit is April-June
and September-October, when temperatures are the most pleasant. At these times
daytime temperatures will be around 22ºC/72ºF, falling to around 10ºC/50ºF at
night. Towards the end of June or the beginning of September and in July,
daytime temperatures can reach 30ºC/85ºF while at these times the evening
temperature rarely dips below 18ºC/65ºF. Coastal areas normally have a nice sea breeze. There isn’t a lot of rainfall in the summer months.
Visa requirements
You will need a valid passport. Nationals
of the EU do not require visas to visit Italy as tourists for up to three months. Nationals of other countries should check the visa requirement with the relevant embassy i
Vaccinations
No special vaccinations are required for
this trip. UK residents should obtain a European Health Insurance
Card (EHIC) before travelling.
What to Take
There is a luggage weight limitation on this trip please refer to important notes for more info.
Use the checklist to ensure you have everything you may need.
Checklist
The following checklist is to be used as a guide only and is not
intended to be a complete packing list. Any other items that you wish to
pack are at your own discretion however you should attempt to comply
with the suggested luggage weight limit.
Travel documents:
Passport
Any Visas required for this trip
Travel insurance including insurer details, 24 hr emergency contact
telephone number and policy number (even if you are travelling with
credit card insurance)
Flight Tickets, e-ticket
Trip confirmation voucher
Photocopies of important documents to be kept separately (we recommend you keep a copy at home as well)
Latest trip notes (this information)
Money matters:
Money (cash/credit cards)
Travellers' cheques- keep a note of the serial numbers of your
Travellers cheques and also the emergency contact numbers. Keep these
details separately from the cheques.
Money belt or pouch (to be worn under clothes)
Personal health:
First aid kit
Personal Medication/prescriptions
Prescription glasses
Contact lenses and solution
High protection sunscreen
Lip balm
Hat / wide brim hat
Sunglasses
Insect repellent
Antihistamine / insect bite cream
Antibacterial gel / wipes
Travel sickness tablets
Sleeping:
Eye mask
Ear plugs
Alarm clock
Torch/flashlight and spare batteries
Night clothes/sleepwear
Travel pillow for on the road
Swimming:
Swimming costume
Swimming towel
Hiking:
Comfortable walking shoes with good grip
Sandals/flip flops
Sightseeing:
Binoculars
Camera
Film, memory cards
Spare batteries
Travel accessories:
Scissors / army knife
Comfortable day-pack to carry your personal needs during the day
Local language phrase book
Personal audio player
Portable games/playing cards
Reading material
Raincoat
Umbrella
Luggage lock (and keys)
Electrical adapter - US 2-pin
Clothing:
Nice clothes for nights out
Jeans / trousers
Socks / shorts / underwear
T-Shirts / cotton shirts / dresses
Warm clothes particularly if travelling outside of the summer months
Warm anorak / rain coat / sweater
Waterproof jacket
Waterproof bags for rain protection while walking
Thermal Underwear when travelling outside of Summer months
Gloves
Beanie / woolly hat
Long trousers
Personal items:
Toiletries
Travel hair dryer
Shaving equipment
Mobile phone- check you have international roaming access