Travelling at your own pace, you'll combine the elegance of eternal favourites like Ravello, Positano and Sorrento with discoveries most travellers never make such as farmers harvesting olives, fishermen crouched over brightly painted boats mending their nets and the bird's eye view of the entire peninsula from the Path of the Gods above Positano.
From Ravello, whose exotic formal gardens at Villa Rufolo and Villa Cimbrone seem to float ethereally between sea and sky, your route takes you first to Positano's chic pastel houses and enticing pebble beach. It's then on to Marina del Cantone, and the hidden shingle coves few visitors ever find. Finally you reach cliff-top Sorrento. With balcony views over Vesuvius, it's a great base to visit Pompeii or Herculaneum by train, or Capri or Ischia by boat.
Day 1: Arrive in RavelloArrive at your 4 star hotel in Ravello. There's time for a dip in the swimming pool, offering stunning views, before dinner (Pay locally for dinner).
You stay at the Hotel Villa Fraulo (breakfast included)
Day 2: Exploring Amalfi (Optional)Descend through citrus groves to Torre dello Ziro (the Saracen watchtower inspired Webster's Duchess of Malfi), then continue along panoramic terraces, to enter the Valley of the Mills (a testament to Amalfi's medieval paper industry) to world renowned Amalfi. A 20 min bus ride (pay locally) to return to picture perfect Ravello, where you can end the day with a visit to the famous Villa Rufolo and Greta Garbo's legendary retreat, Villa Cimbrone.
You stay at the Hotel Villa Fraulo (breakfast included)
Day 3: Ravello/Bomerano to PositanoWe will drop you off in Bomerano to begin today's walk which takes you along the Path of the Gods, the region's most famous walk offering views all the way along the peninsula, with Capri's famous Faraglioni cliffs marking 'land's end'. There's a choice of picnic spots with stunning views as you continue onwards past lemon groves and brigands' treasure troves to Nocelle. Then it's down through lush terraces to the vertical pastel town of Positano and your hotel in the historic centre.
You stay at the Hotel l'Ancora (breakfast included)
Day 4: At PositanoPositano's wide pebble beach is perfect for a lazy day, but if you fancy exploring further afield there's a pleasant walk to Fornillo Bay with its twin Saracen watchtowers. Boat excursions to discover coral lined sea grottoes, as well as trips to the magical mediterranean island of Capri, are available in the harbour.
You stay at the Hotel l'Ancora (breakfast included)
Day 5: Positano to Marina del CantoneWe take you into the hills near Fontanelle (30 mins) from where you wind through olive trees as you climb gently to Sant'Agata. There are balcony views - making this a fantastic picnic stop - of Capri, Procida and the Li Galli islands, once considered to be the home of the mythical sirens who lured sailors onto the rocks. A paved lane finally leads you down past geranium-decked houses to the small fishing resort of Marina del Cantone.
You stay at the Taverna del Capitano (breakfast included)
Optional shorter walk: 4.5hrs, distance 12km/7.5mi
Day 6: At Marina del Cantone (Optional)You'll be tempted to linger in this pretty little village with its pebble beach lapped by incredibly azure waters, but it's a shame to miss out on our optional walk on the gorgeous Jeranto Bay. There are sea views throughout as you climb to the Montalto Tower, perched on its 100m-high cliff-top outcrop with a truly fabulous panorama over Marina del Cantone and the Li Galli islands. You then descend through olive groves and olive growers' dwellings to an atmospheric ancient limestone quarry, with great sea views, before a final ascent back to your hotel.
You stay at the Taverna del Capitano (breakfast included)
Day 7: Marina del Cantone to SorrentoWe give you a lift (15 mins) to Termini from where you wind through olive groves with ever-opening views over the Bay of Naples and its islands, Capri, Ischia and Procida. It's well worth the detour to lovely little Annunziata to visit its pretty Aragonese castle for wonderful views. It's then on to bustling, pastel-coloured Sorrento, with its enchanting gardens, maze of narrow streets and stunning views over to Vesuvius.
You stay at the Hotel Continental (breakfast included)
Optional shorter walk: 3hrs, distance 7km/4.5mi
Day 8: In SorrentoStaying at your 4 star hotel panoramically overlooking Mount Vesuvius, you're ideally placed to visit Naples or one of its islands, such as Ischia or Capri, by hydrofoil. Alternatively the historical sites of Pompeii and Herculaneum can be visited using the excellent Circumvesuviana Railway.
You stay at the Hotel Continental (breakfast included)
Day 9: Leave SorrentoThe tour ends after breakfast in Sorrento.
