MT Sobek: Italy Sorrento Peninsula & Amalfi Coast Hiking
Day 1 Arrive in Naples & Transfer to Vico Equense
45-minute airport transfer
Welcome to Italy! Your MT Sobek guide will meet you and the group at Naples airport for a 45-minute transfer to the hotel. Stop along the way to savor your first slice of Neapolitan pizza in the city from which it originates. Upon arrival at the colorful seaside town of Vico Equense, settle into your comfortable hotel. Refresh, then meet up for a welcome orientation and your first Italian dinner together with the group.
Accommodation: Hotel Torre Barbara
(D)
Day 2 Marvel at Ieranto Bay
2-3 hours/4 miles of moderate hiking
Today, hike around the magnificent Bay of Ieranto on the farthest point of the Sorrentine peninsula. Pliny the Elder believed that this majestic turquoise cove was where Ulysses met the sirens on his way home to Ithaca. Start your hike in the little village of Nerano and down a path lined with fragrant Mediterranean bushes descend to the Baia (Bay). Marvel at crystal-clear waters, take in fantastic views of Capri and the massive Faraglioni stacks, then return the same way to enjoy dinner at the hotel.
Accommodation: Hotel Torre Barbara
(B, L, D)
Day 3 Admire the Gulf of Naples from Mount Faito
20-minute train transfer
3-4 hours/5 miles of moderate hiking
Take the cable car from Castellamare di Stabia on the coast and whoosh to the top of Mount Faito, a 4,500-foot peak in the Lattari Mountains. Your 5-mile loop hike comes replete with spectacular vistas of the Sorrentine Peninsula, the island of Capri and the Gulf of Naples, with Mount Vesuvius in the distance! Visit the Monastery of San Michele, the warrior angel who inspired the saints Catello and Antonino to build this sacred place in a beautiful beech forest. Enjoy a scoop of gelato in Castellamare before hopping on the Vesuviano train back to Vico Equense.
(B, L)
Day 4 Discover Capri & Sip Aperitifs in Sorrento
Two 30-minute boat transfers
3 hours/4.5 miles of easy hiking
Enjoy a boat ride to the stunning island of Capri, with its steep cliffs rising from the sea. Walk to the imperial Villa Jovis, built by the Roman Emperor Tiberius at the eastern extreme of the island. Delight in a lunch of Italian specialties. Later, from Tragara Belvedere viewpoint, soak up the panoramic beauty of the island from the bay of Marina Piccola and its pristine beach to the famous Faraglioni sea stacks. Walk along the Pizzolungo trail and marvel at beautiful villas, including the uniquely designed Casa Malaparte. Continue to Sorrento by boat, sip an aperitif and spend some time roaming the pretty town.
(B, L, D)
Day 5 Walk on the Path of the Gods from Agerola to Positano
30-minute private van transfer
4-5 hours/5.5 miles of moderate hiking
Hike on the Sentiero degli Dei (Path of the Gods) and travel back in time to when the Greeks settled villages like Agerola and Positano to ease commerce between the coast and the inland areas. From alpine Agerola, descend into Positano while admiring cultivated terraces, ancient dry walls, and the privately owned archipelago of Li Galli that once belonged to the famous Russian dancer Rudolf Nureyev. Enjoy a picnic lunch along the way. Spend some time in the jet-set nest of Positano before transferring to Maiori for the evening.
Accommodation: Reginna Palace Hotel
(B, L, D)
Day 6 Explore Ravello, Mount Lattari & Amalfi
Two 20-minute private van transfers, possible 20-minute boat transfer
2-3 hours/4 miles of moderate hiking and guided tour in Duchy di Amalfi
Take a scenic drive to Ravello, a delightful town on the slopes of Mount Lattari that has inspired artists like Miro, Turner and Wagner. Hiking along the Dragone River Valley, make your way down to Amalfi and the Natural Reserve of Mount Lattari. Marvel at waterfalls and prehistoric plants such the 6-foot Woodwardia radicans. At the end of the valley, find the remarkable Cathedral of St. Andrew, built way back in the 9th century. Explore the cathedral and the area with a guide before heading back to Maiori for the evening.
Accommodation: Reginna Palace Hotel
(B, D)
Day 7 Take the Path of Lemons & Relish Handmade Pasta
4-5 hours/5.5 miles of easy hiking
Walk from the Maiori village to the village of Minori on the Path of Lemons. Delight in the fragrance and wildflowers as you pass cascading terraces planted with lemon trees. This area has been renowned for its handmade pasta production since the 16th century, and you'll learn more about pasta and its historical impact on the local economy during a visit to the Vico dei Pastai. Feast on local fusilli furitani and ndunderi for lunch. Round off the day with a visit to Villa Marittima Romana, a splendid showcase of 1st-century Roman architecture. Return to Maiori for an evening at your leisure.
(B, L)
Day 8 Explore Ancient Paestum & Go Cheese Tasting
Two 1.5-hour private van transfers
Guided tour of Paestum and cheese tasting
Today you'll travel from Maiori to Cilento to visit the Greek temples at Paestum, one of the region's most impressive archeological sites. Before delving into history, make a stop at a local farm to taste buffalo mozzarella and yogurt that the region is famous for. Powered by delicious dairy, enjoy a guided tour of Paestum and roam inside its ancient walls and gates, see the forum and the seaside temples of Hera and Athena. In the afternoon, drive back to Maiori and enjoy your farewell dinner in the evening.
(B, L, D)
Day 9 Bid Farewell to the Amalfi Coast & Return to Naples
1-hour private van transfer
All good things come to their end, and so does your journey around the Sorrento Peninsula and Amalfi Coast. Say arrivederci to this bedazzling corner of the earth and transfer to Naples airport at 9am.
(B)
Sorrento
Sorrento is a town of extraordinary beauty and is known as a popular gateway to Italy's most spectacular stretch of coastline - the Amalfi Drive lined with fishing villages and famous resorts. The seaside resort of Amalfi sits with weathered houses scrambling up steep cliffs. Visitors marvel at its location and its magnificent cathedral. The religious sanctuary of Cloister of St. Francis is worth a visit. The tiny, exclusive resort of Positano has its famous world-class hotel, San Pietro. Excavations of the ruined city of Pompeii, which was destroyed in 79 A.D. during the disastrous eruption of Mount Vesuvius, give visitors a vivid impression of life in a very wealthy ancient city and the tragic end of its population. The Isle of Capri ranks as one of the most beautiful islands and has captured visitors for centuries with excellent climate, spectacular landscape and fantastic sea caverns. Capri has lavish villas, elegant hotels, chic boutiques and quaint restaurants. Museo Correale contains a death mask of poet Torquato Tasso and some special editions of his works, pictures, furniture and porcelain.
Excursions
Sorrento: The Ancient City of Pompeii - 6 Hours
Sorrento: The Ancient City of Pompeii - 6 Hours
Travel outside along the coast today with your driver to the ancient site of Pompeii where your expert local guide will meet you to explore this most famous of places. The extensive and varied ruins of Pompeii now provide us with a rich history of life at the time of the Roman Empire. There are theatres, thermal baths, shops and lavish dwellings, many of which have been incredibly well preserved. After your visit you will have time at leisure for lunch before returning to your cruise ship in Sorrento.
Highlights:
- Visit the incredibly preserved Roman city of Pompeii
Tour Duration: 6 hours
Tour Can Operate: Morning/Afternoon
Wheelchair Accessible: Please enquire for more information
Physical Activity Level: Light
Inclusions:
- Luxury car or minivan at your disposal during the tour
- An expert English-speaking guide at the Pompeii site (3 hours)
- Entrance fees to the Pompeii site
- All taxes
Exclusions:
- All cruise travel, personal items, meals and associated costs
- Gratuities
Sorrento: The Iconic Amalfi Coast - 6 Hours
Sorrento: The Iconic Amalfi Coast - 6 Hours
Today meet your English-speaking driver-guide and private vehicle for a half-day excursion along the stunning Amalfi Coast taking in the villages of Positano, Amalfi and Ravello. The Amalfi drive is the most romantic drive in Italy, following the road snaking along the edge of the rocky cliffs that plunge straight into the sea. Amalfi is the coast's largest town and home to the magnificent 10th-century Duomo fronted by a beautifully coloured 13th-century facade. Also be sure to admire the amazing views from Ravello’s Villa Ruffolo.
Highlights:
- Drive along the magnificent Amalfi Coast, stopping at Positano, Amalfi and Ravello.
Tour Duration: 6 hours
Tour Can Operate: Morning/Afternoon
Wheelchair Accessible: Please enquire for more information
Physical Activity Level: Light
Inclusions:
- Luxury car or minivan at your disposal during the tour
- An expert English-speaking driver-guide throughout the tour (6 hours)
- Entrance fees to the Villa Ruffolo
- All taxes
Exclusions:
- All cruise travel, personal items, meals and associated costs
- Gratuities
Sorrento: Capri Exploration by Private Motorboat – 8 hours
Sorrento: Capri Exploration by Private Motorboat – 8 hours
Explore the island of Capri in style today as you take a cruise in your skippered private motorboat. As you circle the Island of Capri you will be able to stop at Marina Piccola, a delightfully picturesque inlet that provides the Caprisi and other sun worshippers with their best beach – it is also safe for swimming. The entire cove is romantically lined with stabilimenti – elegant bathing lidos.
We suggest lunch at Al Gallo D’Oro (payable locally), which serves an excellent selection of local fare.
Travelling west, pass the beach of Marina Grande and of Bagni di Tiberio. Continue to the next stretch of coastline which consists of the high calcareous cliff with fissures and grottoes covered by lush, indigenous vegetation.
Enjoy time at leisure for shopping or perhaps a lazy swim from the boat before cruising back to Sorrento.
Highlights:
- Private skippered motorboat to explore the beautiful island of Capri, including Marina Piccola and Marina Grande.
Tour Duration: 8 hours
Tour can Operate: Morning
Wheelchair Accessible: Please enquire for more information
Physical Activity Level: Light
Inclusions:
- 34-foot (1-4 pax) or 43-foot (5-6 pax) private motorboat with English-speaking skipper (8 hours)
- All taxes
Exclusions:
- All cruise travel, personal items, meals and associated costs
- Gratuities
Naples
From Naples visitors can explore the rugged Amalfi coast, Italy's most romantic stretch of coastline. Near Amalfi is the resort of Positano, where visitors enjoy strolling through streets and shopping in small boutiques. Take an excursion to legendary Pompeii, an ancient Roman city covered and preserved by the debris from the violent eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 79 A.D. The monuments of this city are considered to be among the finest of any ancient city in Europe, and visitors can spend a day here learning about life in a Roman town during the first century A.D. The Cathedral of San Gennaro, a fine medieval building, has one chapel containing the tomb of Charles of Anjou, while another houses the cathedral's gold and silver treasure. Among the Christian underground burial vaults discovered in an area of suburban heights, the Catacombs of San Gennaro can be visited. Capodimonte Park - a well-kept tropical park - has a royal palace built by Charles III in 1738 that now houses Naples' picture gallery, the National Museum of Capodimonte.
Excursions
Naples: Food Tour of Naples - 4 hours
Naples: Food Tour of Naples - 4 hours
Along with your expert guide, head into the heart of the historic centre of Naples and explore one of Naples’ best food markets. Your guide will lead you through the market stalls and shops, where you can sample some of the delicious local specialties. Continue along the alleys of the historic city centre to discover the most picturesque corners of Naples. Sites include the Greek ruins of Bellini square, the street of music (San Biagio dei Librai), San Gregorio Armeno street (famous for shops selling nativity scenes), Decumani and old churches decorated in Rococo style.
Stop for a wine tasting in one of the most famous wine shops in the city before the highlight of your tour: lunch in one of the world’s oldest pizzerias! Naples is the birthplace of the pizza. The Naples pizza margherita features a soft yet satisfyingly chewy base, all puffed up and charred at the edges, the merest smear of tomato sauce, the odd dot of mozzarella and a few basil leaves. Not to be missed is the pizza fritta - the original pizza and unique to Naples - a deep fried pizza filled with ricotta cheese. Heaven on a plate!
Highlights:
- Sample some delicious specialities at one of Naples' best food markets
- Visit one of the world's oldest pizzerias for lunch
Tour Duration: 4 hours
Tour can Operate: Morning/Afternoon
Wheelchair Accessible: Please enquire for more information
Physical Activity Level: Low
Inclusions:
• Luxury car or minivan at your disposal during the tour
• An expert local guide (4 hours)
• Entrance fees
• All taxes
• Wine tasting and pizza
Exclusions:
• All cruise travel, personal items, meals and associated costs
• Gratuities
Naples: The City of Naples - 8 hours
Naples: The City of Naples - 8 hours
Naples' historic city centre is the largest in Europe, covering 4,200 acres and enclosing 27 centuries of history. One of the oldest continuously-inhabited cities in the world with Bronze Age Greek settlements dating back to the second millennium BC, the area was re-founded as Neápolis (‘new city’) in the sixth century BC, becoming a lynchpin of Magna Graecia and playing a key role in the merging of Greek culture into Roman society.
Explore Naples today with your expert guide. Highlights include the Spaccanapoli district, the magnificent Duomo cathedral, the Cappella Sansevero with its virtuosic sculptural masterpiece the Cristo Velato, as well as lesser-known gems such as the San Giovanni a Carbonara. Today’s tour encompasses artistic-historic treasures and plenty of local colour. Along the way, enjoy a bite of Naples’ famous street food ‘frittura’, a sinfully delicious mix of deep fried aubergines (eggplant), zucchini, mozzarella, arancini (rice croquettes), cauliflower, or potato croquettes.
Continue your sightseeing tour in the historic centre of Naples. Visit the Castel Nuovo, the imposing medieval structure built by the Angevins to defend the city. You may also wish to visit the adjoining Palazzo Reale (The Royal Palace Museum and Royal apartments), built in the 17th century. The magnificently decorated halls and rooms contain the original Bourbon furnishings, paintings, statues and porcelain. Enjoy a panoramic drive to reach the magnificent Carthusian Monastery, the Certosa di San Martino situated on Vomero Hill, where you may visit the luxuriously decorated Baroque Style church.
Highlights:
- Try Naples' famous street food as your guide shows you the historic sights of Italy
- Visit the medieval Castel Nuovo, whose magnificently decorated rooms contain original Bourbon furnishings, paintings and statues
Tour Duration: 8 hours
Tour can Operate: Morning
Wheelchair Accessible: Please enquire for more information
Physical Activity Level: Low
Inclusions:
• Luxury car or minivan at your disposal during the tour
• An expert local guide (8 hours)
• Entrance fees
• All taxes
Exclusions:
• All cruise travel, personal items, meals and associated costs
• Gratuities
Naples: Historic Pompeii & Vesuvius - 9 hours
Naples: Historic Pompeii & Vesuvius - 9 hours
Travel outside Naples today for an excursion to Pompeii. Upon arrival at Pompeii, enjoy a walking tour of this once opulent town. The extensive and varied ruins of Pompeii now provide us with a rich history of life at the time of the Roman Empire. Destroyed by the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 79 BC, this dugout treasure represents an amazing day trip for children and adults alike. On view are temples, forums, amphitheatres, a brothel and the casts of those killed by the falling ash and pumice stone.
Mount Vesuvius – 1281 meters high – was brought into volcanological history after the eruption of 79 BC, when it destroyed the towns and thousands of residents of Pompeii, Stabiae, and Herculaneum. Climb till the summit of the ‘mount’ this afternoon with your guide and admire the splendid views across the Bay of Naples. Lose yourself admiring its slopes, once covered with vineyards and woods that nowadays provide a spectacular backdrop for the bustling town below.
Highlights:
- The ruins of Pompeii provide an unparalleled window into life during the Roman Empire
- Climb to the summit of Mount Vesuvius to admire views across the Bay of Naples
Tour Duration: 9 hours
Tour can Operate: Morning
Wheelchair Accessible: Please enquire for more information
Physical Activity Level: Low
Inclusions:
• Luxury car or minivan at your disposal during the tour
• An expert local guide (8 hours)
• Entrance fees
• All taxes
Exclusions:
• All cruise travel, personal items, meals and associated costs
• Gratuities
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