Amalfi Coast Walking - Agriturismo

The authentic village of San Lazzaro will be our home for the duration of our tour. Sitting at 650 metres above sea level, you can get a feeling for slow-paced village life at one of the handful of local bars and restaurants.

Today is about getting our bearings, so take some time to get to know the village or wander further, before joining this evening's welcome supper. We'll get our first taste of the South with a homecooked dinner. Our agriturismo also produces its own wine, which you can buy directly from them.

As we need to arrange the transfer vehicles some time in advance and to help us monitor flight arrivals, if you have not booked your flights through Explore you must let us know your flight details and which transfer you would like to join at least 30 days before the start of your trip. If you do not tell us these details, we'll assume that you're travelling on the earlier transfer. There may not be room on the later private bus for you, in which case you'll need to take a taxi at your own expense - this costs in the region of €120 to €200 and increases as it gets later in the evening. If you plan to arrive later than the second transfer, you'll need to make your own way to the accommodation. If you don't wish to take either of the included transfers and will be making your own way to meet the group at the agriturismo, please tell us in advance so the tour leader does not spend time looking for you at the airport.

Our base for the week is Luna d'Agerola (Agerola's moon), a small family-run agriturismo set on a plateau above the Amalfi coast, where we stay with the family on their working farm. The property is small and intimate with just 11 rooms - all with private bathrooms. There's a terrace to relax on after a day of walking and a quiet room where you can access Wi-Fi. For more information about the agriturismo, visit the accommodation section of our trip notes. Stay: Agriturismo Luna d'Agerola (or similar) (Comfortable) (D)

Today, we travel in our own bus to the village of Bomerano, just a short journey across the Agerola Plateau. To ensure that we're not displacing the locals who are reliant on the public bus network, we've taken the decision to use private charter vehicles throughout this tour when we're not hiking directly from our accommodation. Today's hike back to San Lazzaro takes us along a scenic route of coastal views and through the dramatic rocky pathways of the Pino Gorge. Although it's not a lengthy walk, our first encounter with the terrain provides a good taste of what's to come and helps warm up our walking legs, with a mix of steps, some rocky and some flatter sections plus a short steep section just after exiting the gorge. Walking poles can be a great help by taking some of the pressure off your knees. We highly recommend you bring walking poles if you have them.

In the afternoon, you can choose to relax and take a wander in the village.

This evening, there's the option to join a mozzarella and pasta making cooking class run by our hosts, followed by a dinner at the agriturismo to taste what you've prepared.

Our morning walk covers 4 kilometres/2.5 miles and is graded as leisurely. It has a total ascent and descent of 250 metres/820 feet), and we expect it to take between 1.5 to 2 hours. Stay: Agriturismo Luna d'Agerola (or similar) (Comfortable) (B/L)

We'll explore two Italian icons today, Amalfi and Ravello. In the morning, we'll take a bus from San Lazzaro to Ravello. Often referred to as the hidden gem of the Amalfi coast, Ravello is located high up on the rugged coastal cliffside. Famous for its Moorish architecture, the village has attracted artists and writers for generations, thanks to its tranquil atmosphere as well as its enchanting streets, brimming with spots for al-fresco coffee. Here, we'll have some time to explore, browse the shops and optionally visit the town's famous, manicured gardens before stopping for lunch at a local cafe or perhaps buying a bite to eat at the local bakery.

After lunch we'll start our hike down to the famed harbour town of Amalfi. Much of the route descends on ancient footpaths and staircases. Some of the steps are quite high and staircases lengthy. This is likely to be quite different from your usual walking terrain so we will take it at an easy pace with plenty of stops to admire the terrific coastal views. Our hike takes us past fragrant lemon groves and farms cultivating olives, fruits, and vines, giving us a real snapshot of life on the Amalfi coast.

Upon arriving in Amalfi, we'll have free time to explore. Indulge in the baroque charm of the Duomo di Sant Andrea or take in the ancient Roman basilica. Cool off with a swim on the public beach and don't forget to taste authentic Italian gelato at one of Amalfi's many gelaterias before we catch our private bus back to San Lazzaro.

This evening, there's the option to join a pizza-making demonstration at a hotel in the village followed by a pizza supper (cost is €20 pp).

Today's walk covers 4.5 kilometres/2.8 miles and is graded as leisurely due to its length although some may find the steps a bit challenging. It has a total descent of 325 metres/1,066 feet. We expect it to take around 2 to 2.5 hours. Stay: Agriturismo Luna d'Agerola (or similar) (Comfortable) (B)

Starting early, we'll take a bus to Amalfi, where we'll catch a boat to the island of Capri (note: from 28th October until the end of the year, we'll board the boat in Sorrento). The view from the ferry ride gives us an unobstructed panorama of the coast - be sure to look up and spot the clusters of villages clinging to the dramatic cliff face.

Capri has been high up on holiday bucket lists since the Roman times, when it was a popular island amongst emperors and prominent figures of the era. Easily explored in a day, Capri is petite, measuring just 4.3 miles (7 kilometres) long and 1.8 miles (3 kilometres) wide, and towering 600-metre-high cliffs lend it its imposing presence. Our island walk will wind us through the vibrant streets, teeming with boutiques and cafes, via grand houses and kitchen gardens to the coast. We'll breathe in the scent of bougainvillea as we head to less populated parts of the island and climb the limestone cliffs for a spectacular view of the mainland and the Mediterranean that separates us. There will be time to explore Capri's main town or visit Emperor Tiberius' palace or Villa Lysis before heading back to the mainland.

Note: Occasionally the ferry does not operate due to inclement weather. In this instance, our trip to Capri will be rearranged.

Today's walk covers 10 kilometres/6.2 miles and is graded as leisurely. It has a total ascent and descent of 400 metres/1,312 feet We expect the whole walk to take around 4 hours. Stay: Agriturismo Luna d'Agerola (or similar) (Comfortable) (B/D)

Today's walk starts at our agriturismo. From here, we'll navigate the ancient limestone stairway that takes us high above San Lazzaro, rewarding us with views towards Salerno and Campania's scattered villages and towns. We'll work our way past woodlands and valleys before crossing the Vallone di Ferriere. Surrounded by limestone cliffs, this valley has a unique microclimate, creating a habitat for plant species not commonly found in southern Italy. Working our way out of the valley, our path delivers views of the coast before we descend via a series of stairways to Amalfi, where a private bus waits to take us back to San Lazzaro.

Today's walk covers 10 kilometres/6.2 miles and is graded as moderate. It has a total ascent of 250 metres/820 feet and descent of 885 metres/2900 feet. We expect it to take around 4 to 5 hours. Stay: Agriturismo Luna d'Agerola (or similar) (Comfortable) (B/L/D)

Today we have nothing scheduled, so you're free to rest, regain your energy and explore the local area at your leisure. If you'd rather explore further, there's an optional day trip to Herculaneum and Pompeii. Both cities were devastated by the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in AD 79 and give us a fascinating (if ghostly) insight into Roman life. The UNESCO-listed city of Pompeii has been almost perfectly preserved in volcanic ash, sitting unchanged since the time of the eruption. Herculaneum is another town preserved by the eruption, here you can see roofs, beds and doors, as well as organic-based items such as food and papyrus, as they once were centuries ago. The trip to Pompeii and Herculaneum is organised locally and will need to be booked by Day 4. The private return bus transfer costs €80 per person. We recommend booking the Guide skip-the-line package. This costs €60 per person and includes skip-the-line entrance tickets to Pompeii and Herculaneum, private licenced English-speaking guided tours at both sites and a digital radio. If you would rather book the tickets independently, we recommend booking in advance as visitor numbers to Pompeii are now being limited. Pompeii entrance is 19€ and Herculaneum entrance is €13.

All optional activities need to be paid in cash euros which can be withdrawn from the ATM in the village. Stay: Agriturismo Luna d'Agerola (or similar) (Comfortable) (B)

The grand finale of our Amalfi coast walking tour has to be the Walk of the Gods. Regarded as one of the greatest coastal walks in the world, this hike delivers some of the most breathtaking views of the southern Italian coast. We'll follow the high cliff path as it contours west from Bomerano, opening to views of the Bay of Salerno and Capri. Passing under limestone cliffs and above an old stone farmhouse, we'll reach the village of Nocelle. From here, we start our descent down a lengthy ancient stairway into Positano. Once a poor fishing village, Positano has gained popularity owing to its rugged cliffs and colourful houses and is now a must-visit spot. We'll take time to enjoy the beach town before boarding our private bus back to the agriturismo for our final evening.

Today's walk covers 11 kilometres/6.8 miles and is graded as moderate. It has a total ascent of 330 metres/1,083 feet and descent of 900 metres/2,953 feet. We expect it to take around 5 hours. Stay: Agriturismo Luna d'Agerola (or similar) (Comfortable) (B/L/D)

Our trip ends at Naples International Airport (NAP). We offer two complimentary transfers from our agriturismo to the airport. The first is timed to arrive at the airport at 8am (the earliest your flight can depart is 10am). The second is timed to arrive at the airport at 1.30pm (the earliest your flight can depart is 3.30pm). Most of our clients take the first transfer, so the later one, departing San Lazzaro at 12:30pm, doesn't always run. If you know you'll want the later transfer, let us know in advance so we can make sure a vehicle is arranged for you. If you want to transfer to Naples Airport outside of these times and are thinking of organising a private transfer, please note that there are no commercial taxi operators in San Lazzaro and we strongly recommend pre-booking a private transfer through Explore before your holiday.

If you're travelling on the second transfer, please be aware that you will need to check out of your room after breakfast. Luggage can be stored at the agriturismo and you are free to relax in the common areas. (B)