Tuesday, 24 March 2009

Sorrento & Amalfi Coast Walking Holiday

Walks of Sorrento and the Amalfi Coast with Page & Moy. 8 days from GBP769

Telephone Page & Moy on 0845 358 2639 now to reserve your space

Indulge yourself with a holiday like no other on one of the most beautiful stretches of the Italian coastline. The views you will experience as you explore Sorrento, Ravello and Crapolla are second to none. See mountains and quaint rural villages as you walk along the Pathway of the Gods, sample local delicacies and then travel back to the days of the Roman Empire with a visit to Pompeii and Vesuvius.


Highlights

* Spectacular scenic walks
* Charming family-run hotel

* Off the beaten track
* Walk and explore or relax


Included excursions

* Sorrento walk
* Crapolla walk
* Bomberano & Positano walk including Mozzarella cheese tasting


Optional excursions

* The Amalfi Coast
* The Island of Ischia & La Mortella Gardens
* Pompeii & Vesuvius


Meal arrangements

* 7 nights half board including a farewell dinner in a local restaurant and lunch on 2 of the walks


Also included

* The services of an experienced Page & Moy Tour Manager and local walking guide


Your Accommodation
Hotel Piccolo Paradiso (3-star), 7 nights half board.
Situated between lemon groves and the sea, the hotel is just a short walk from the delightful fishing village of Marina di Lobra. Hotel amenities include a bar, restaurant and swimming pool. All rooms have a TV, air-conditioning, hairdrier and en-suite facilities.

Your Itinerary


DAY 1 UK/Marina di Lobra

We fly to Naples and transfer to our hotel. There will be some free time this afternoon to explore the little port of Marina di Lobra, which is just a short walk away, before dinner at the hotel.

DAY 2 Sorrento
Sorrento has long been a favourite haunt of writers and artists from around the globe, with flower-filled piazzas, elegant shops and pretty pavement cafes. Our walk today begins from the village of Sant’Agata in the hills above Sorrento, passing the Deserto Convent from where, on a clear day, you can see both the Bay of Naples and the Bay of Salerno. We take the ‘Circumpiso’ trail, the old road used by the locals to walk from Sant’Agata to Sorrento. After some free time for a little shopping and lunch, we then enjoy a walking tour of this magnificent town visiting the 13th-century Cloister of St Francesco and exploring the little streets. We discover the seating of the old Dominova where decisions were once made about the community in the old days of the Bourbons. We then head to the magnificent cathedral with its inlaid woodwork, internal doors and altar made by the locals. Easy walking – 2 hours. Distance – 2½ miles.

DAY 3 Amalfi Coast
The Amalfi Coast is one of the most beautiful stretches of coastline in the world. Today on our optional excursion we follow the coastal road, overlooking intensely blue waters and tiny villages clinging precariously to the cliffs. En route we stop on the terrace above Positano, a town with pastel coloured houses which seem to be stacked on top of each other. We continue past beautiful villas, gardens and strange rock formations before reaching Amalfi, which is set in a chasm in the cliffs. From here we visit the magnificent cathedral with its mosaic facade before heading to Ravello. Set some 350 metres above the sea, it is from here that many of the well-known images of the Amalfi Coast are taken. We take a short walk, with views of lemon groves and the Ravello gorge along the way, to the Villa Cimbrone, known for its glorious gardens. Nearby are the lush gardens of the Villa Rufolo, which inspired Wagner to base part of his opera, Parsifal, on it. Both gardens offer an unparalleled vista along the coast.


DAY 4 Crapolla

Legend has it that Saint Peter, on his way to spread the Gospel, landed in Crapolla and climbed the cliff up to St Agata before continuing his walk through the Italian Peninsula. Today we are going to follow in his footsteps, albeit in reverse, going down to the small fjord of Crapolla. The steep, rugged walk down passes by olive and lemon groves and descends deep between two hills. Admire the three islands of I Galli, once the property of the world famous ballet dancer Rudolf Nureyev; and also, if the weather is clear, the views of the Bay of Salerno up to Santa Maria di Castellabate. As we approach the fjord and small beach, we stop at the stunning San Peter’s Chapel. Down on the beach we may come across the fishermen who make their living in Crapolla, before enjoying the fruits of their labour when we take a short boat ride to Marina del Cantone for lunch in a fish restaurant. Moderate/difficult walking – 3 hours. Distance – 2 miles.


DAY 5 Ischia

The enchanting island of Ischia rises serenely from the sparkling waters of the Bay of Naples. After a jetfoil ride across to the island on our optional excursion, we enjoy a bus tour including a visit to the La Mortella gardens, created by the English composer Sir William Walton and his wife Susanna. They are widely regarded as amongst the most beautiful gardens in the world. Later on we pass by Forio and Barano, where we stop for a wine tasting before heading back to Ischia Porto for some free time.


DAY 6 Bomerano

Our final walk along the Pathway of the Gods is arguably the most fascinating. On arriving in Bomerano, we enjoy a tasting of some of the local Mozzarella cheese at a farm. Our walk then starts through the small streets of the village and reveals views down rocky cliffs to the villages of Praiano and Positano. Looking upwards, you can admire the beautiful Monte Faito and the Lattari mountain chain. All along this rugged path you are greeted with marvellous vistas, freshwater springs, and villages that are inaccessible by car. After lunch we return to Positano for time to explore the village further or take a walk on the beach. Moderate walking – 4½ hours. Distance – 4 miles.


DAY 7 Pompeii & Vesuvius

Take a glimpse into Roman life in 1st-century Italy on our optional excursion to Pompeii, the city so cruelly enveloped by ash when Vesuvius erupted in AD 79. Explore the chariot-worn streets, see the huge amphitheatre and admire the beautifully frescoed villas, well preserved for hundreds of years by the ash and pumice. Tonight we enjoy dinner in a typical local restaurant.


DAY 8 Marina di Lobra/UK

We transfer to the airport for our homeward flight


Telephone Page & Moy on 0845 358 2639 now to reserve your space

Dates, Prices & Departure

holiday ref:EEITWA
20/05/2009 £769

27/05/2009 £769
03/06/2009 £769
16/09/2009 £779

Deposit £100 per person Prices are based on the shared occupancy of twin or double rooms with private facilities.

Supplements
* Single room supplement £115
* Balcony/sea view room £70
* Holiday Insurance Please see general information for details of items not included in the holiday price and our price policy.


Travel Information

Scheduled flights by British Airways between London Gatwick and Naples; departing at 1055h and arriving back at 1710h. All timings are approximate and may be subject to variation.

Also Fly From...
You can also fly to your destination from the following airports at the supplement shown below (per person)

Stansted £NIL

Regional Connecting Flights
Connecting flights to London from only £69 If it’s not possible to fly direct to your destination, usually you will have the option of taking a connecting flight to Heathrow or Gatwick from as little as £69 per person return. Fly from Aberdeen, Belfast, Durham Tees Valley, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Inverness, Jersey, Leeds/Bradford, Manchester, Newcastle, or Newquay

Transfers
Transfer time from the airport to your hotel is approximately 90 mins.

Make Your Own Way
- Save up to £150 per person
You may want more flexibility to combine your trip with visits to friends and relatives or travel from an airport that we do not offer. If so, we offer a reduction of £150 on many of our holidays when you make your own way to your holiday hotel. Please remember that these arrangements do not include flights or transfers to and from your hotel and you will need to make your own travel arrangements.

Telephone Page & Moy on 0845 358 2639 now to reserve your space

More Walking Holidays at www.inspiringholidays.com

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