The Amalfi Coast
Vistas and Vineyards
| South of Napes is the spectacular Amalfi Coast. Seaside mountains covered with lemon trees and umbrella pines offer gorgeous hiking. Trek along the coastal hills near Positano and Amalfi, around the Isle of Capri, and up Mt. Vesuvius. The region also offers scrumptious seafood and outstanding wines from ancient Greek grapes, such as Aglianico, Greco di Tufo, and Fiano di Avellino. |
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Highlights:
• Daily wine tastings & visit to Marisa Cuomo winery
• Hiking 2-5 hours (4-12 miles) on mountainous terrain (LEVEL: Intensive intermediate)
• Climb Mt. Vesuvius
• See Pompeii and its vineyards
• Visit a limoncello factory
2010 dates: [7 days/6 nights]
June 27-July 3
Cost: $3,345; Single room supplement $350
Early Bird Discount: Book by February 1 and save $150
Meet: Naples
Depart: Naples
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Day 1 - Pompeii & Vesuvius
When Vesuvius erupted in 79 AD, Pompeii was a thriving, wealthy city full of epicures. Ancient wine bars lined the streets leading to the coliseum, and bar owners planted small vineyards next to their establishments. Today's journey first takes us up the slopes of Mt. Vesuvius for a scenic 2-mile hike around the volcano's rim. After lunch, we'll have a guided tour of Pompeii and a peek at the recently-excavated Roman vineyards. Here archaeologists are working with winemaker |
| Mastroberardino to recreate ancient Roman wine. We'll then continue to Scala and settle into our hotel. On the terrace before dinner, we'll have an introduction to Campania Wines. Dinner will spotlight the region's seafood-based cuisine, such as pasta with shellfish and cherry tomatoes. L, D |
Day 2 - Loop around Ravello
The coastal area surrounding Amalfi is surprisingly thick with woods. Today, we'll venture into the Apennine hills, hiking through old chestnut woods, pine forests, and along ancient trails. Our loop hike takes us back to Ravello, where there will be free time to explore its stunningly beautiful villa Villa Cimbrone and its gardens overlooking the sea, that was the secret hideaway for Greta Garbo and Leopold Stokowski when they eloped. Our "terrace tasting" offers pointers on How to Taste, with more background on Campania's indigenous grapes. B, D |
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Day 3 - Amalfi and the Valley of the Mills
The destination of our hike today is Amalfi, once a formidable sea power, equal to Venice, Pisa, and Genoa. Starting from the hotel, we'll head into the wooded hills, passing tiny vineyards, limonetti (lemon groves), medieval ruins, and the town of Pontone. A gradual descent follows a stream in the Valle dei Mulini (Valley of the Mills) down to Amalfi. Here we'll visit a limoncello factory and see how this famous lemon liquor is made. There will be time in town for lunch and sightseeing in the magnificent cathedral or in the well-stocked wine stop. |
| We'll then shuttle to Furore and our next hotel, owned by cousins of highly-regarded winemaker Marisa Cuomo. Our pre-dinner "terrace tasting" features Cuomo's wines, produced from ancient terraced vineyards. Dinner at the hotel offers such regional fare as grilled zucchini with mint; baccala (salt cod) with fennel fronds, red peppercorns, arugula and scamoraza (melted smoked cheese) wrapped in lemon leaves. Mamma mia! B, D |
Day 4 - Furore to Positano
The Amalfi Coast is best admired from on high. Today, we'll walk along mountain ridges paralleling the sea. Our hike takes us past terraced vineyards, mountain grottos, sheep herds, and breathtaking views of the Mediterranean. We'll wind up in Nocelle for lunch at a trattoria with a panoramic view, then you can choose to descend by foot or by van to Positano, the coastal town where our final hotel is located. The rest of the day offers free time in Positano to shop or relax. Our evening balcony tasting spotlights a side-by-side comparison of the white wines |
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| of Campania: Greco di Tufo, Fiano di Avellino, and Falaghina. Dinner in town offers another fantastic view, coupled with even more fantastic wine and food. B, D |
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Day 5 - The Isle of Capri
Jutting out of the Bay of Naples is the rock-like island of Capri. This is where Emperor Tiberius sumptuously lived in exile and where famous writers and movie stars had their getaways. We'll take a ferry to Capri, getting a fabulous view of Naples, the sparkling bay, and Vesuvius along the way. On the |
| island, we'll hike up through its eponymous town and along a path that encircles the island. There'll be an optional stop at Villa Jovis, the Roman ruins of Emperor Tiberius' villa. Pre-dinner, we'll reconvene for an informal wine tasting at the hotel, featuring more of Campania's wines. Dinner is on your own in Positano. B
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Day 6 - Positano Loop
Today's hike winds through the town of Montepertuso and up the coastal hills into wooded terrain, where oak trees, herbs, and Mediterranean scrub line the paths. The descent back to Positano follows an ancient switchback path that was once the old road to Naples. After having time for last-minute shopping in Positano, we'll meet for our final terrace tasting, which spotlights Campania's great red, Aglianico, dubbed "Barolo of the South." Our farewell dinner is at a mountainside restaurant displaying a splendid view of Positano as well as featuring |
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| fantastic grilled meats, a perfect accompaniment to Aglianico. B, D |
Day 7 - Buon viaggio!
A shuttle to the Naples train station and assistance with your travel plans. B
How to book: Fill out the online Reservation Form along with a certified cheque, Visa or Mastercard for the amount of the desired tour to Harsan Inc., Ste. 902-5790 Patterson Avenue, Burnaby, B.C., V5H 4H6, CANADA.
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For Google Map, click here
