Amalfi Coast Walking - Coastal Hotel

Naples International Airport (NAP) is our closest airport. We offer two complimentary transfers from the airport to our hotle in Maiori. The first will be at 11.15 am (to join this one, your flight should arrive no later than 10.45 am), and the second is at 7.30 pm (to join this one, your flight should arrive no later than 7.00 pm). Most of our clients arrive in time for the first transfer, so the later one at 7.30 pm doesn't always run. If you know you'll be arriving later and would like to use that transfer, let us know in advance so we can make sure a vehicle is arranged for you. After clearing immigration and collecting your baggage from the baggage hall, head to the 'Welcome Area' kiosk in the arrivals hall where your driver will meet you holding an Explore signboard.

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 €160 to €250 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.

The drive to the Amalfi Coast usually takes around an hour and 15 minutes. Our base here is the three-star Hotel Sole, a small hotel run by a mother and daughter team, located right on the seafront in Maiori. The hotel's comfortable, en-suite, sea-facing rooms are on the 5th and 6th floors (there is an elevator) and all have either a terrace or balcony. The hotel has a restaurant, with pizza oven, on the ground floor and there's a terrace with stunning views on the 6th floor.

Tonight, we'll enjoy a welcome supper at our hotel and your trip leader will brief everyone on the week ahead. Stay: Hotel Sole (or similar) (Comfortable) (D)

This morning, we'll take a short public bus east along the coast to the medieval fishing village of Cetara. It's a traditional fishing village, where for centuries fishermen have caught bluefin tuna, and today there are still many small fishing boats in the harbour. The village has developed a reputation for its food and there are countless fish restaurants. We'll have the opportunity to explore the pretty beach and meandering streets before heading off on our walk towards Vietri Sul Mare. Our walk takes us up above the coast with far-reaching views towards the Bay of Salerno. Our destination, Vietri Sul Mareis, is the 'first town' of the Amalfi Coast and is famous for its ceramics and pretty coloured houses. Here, you'll have some time to explore the shops and ceramics studios before heading back to Maiori/Minori by public bus.

Today's 8 kilometre/5 mile walk is graded as leisurely, with a total ascent of 300 metres/984 feet and descent of 350 metres/1,148 feet. We expect it to take us approximately 3 hours. Stay: Hotel Sole (or similar) (Comfortable) (B/L)

Today we take a public bus to Amalfi first thing in the morning, to avoid the crowds. After some time exploring the town, we begin our walk to Ravello on steep, ancient steps. In Ravello we stop for lunch - you can visit one of the many cafés and restaurants - time allowing there will be the option to visit the gardens at Villa Cimbrone. We then continue our walk, descending 300m into Atrani, and onto Minori and Mairoi along the spectacular Sentiero Dei Limoni, with views towards Capri and the Amalfi Coast. The route passes through terraced lemon groves, up and down ancient staircases and through alleyways. At Minori we visit the world famous Pasticceria de Riso, that sells wonderful pastries made by Italy's most revered pastry chef, Salvatore de Riso.

Today's 10 kilometre/6.2 mile walk is graded as moderate, with a total ascent and descent of 550 metres/1,805 feet. We expect it to take us approximately 5 hours. Stay: Hotel Sole (or similar) (Comfortable) (B/D)

A short bus ride inland brings us to Valico di Chiunzi in Tramonti. Tramonti is a traditional farming area, set 300m above sea level, with far reaching mountain views and is a largely unexplored part of the Amalfi Coast region. There are 13 small villages and 11 churches that sit proudly above the Amalfi Coast in the foothills of the Lattari Mountains. From here we start our hike in the Tramonti valley. Along the way we will get the opportunity to visit a traditional cantina (wine cellar) for a small traditional food and wine sample. After a short presentation from our host we contine to follow the ancient paths which link these ancient villages: we pass small vineyards, lemon groves, farmland, old stone houses and many churches. We stop at a local lemon farm, to enjoy a wonderful lemon tasting. At the end of the walk we'll stop for lunch at a local restaurant, where we will enjoy sharing plates of homemade pizzas. We continue the short walk to Pucara, and then take the public bus back to Maiori.

Today's 9 kilometre/5.6 mile walk is graded as leisurely, with a total ascent of 100 metres/328 feet and descent of 500 metres/1,640 feet. We expect it to take us approximately 4 hours. Stay: Hotel Sole (or similar) (Comfortable) (B/L)

Today we have nothing scheduled, so you're free to recoup 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 €70 per person. We recommend booking the Guide skip-the-line package. This costs €65 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 €16.

All optional activities need to be paid in cash euros which can be withdrawn from the ATM in the village. Stay: Hotel Sole (or similar) (Comfortable) (B)

This morning, we'll take the public bus to Scala via Amalfi where our walk begins. We'll head upwards, via some steep steps, towards the small village of Minuta. We'll then enter the Ferriere Natural Park, an area which was famed for its papermaking and ironworks. Both industries have disappeared, but you can see the watermills that were once powered by the river. We'll walk though ancient woodland, sometimes alongside the river and should see some waterfalls. We'll continue downwards to Pontone and into Amalfi and then take a public bus to our hotel.

Today's 6 kilometre/3.7 mile walk is graded as leisurely, with a total ascent of 100 metres/328 feet and descent of 400 metres/1,312 feet. We expect it to take us approximately 5 hours. Stay: Hotel Sole (or similar) (Comfortable) (B/L/D)

The Walk of the Gods is justifiably regarded as one of the greatest coastal walks in the world and makes a fitting finale to our week on the Amalfi Coast. This morning, we'll head to the village of Bomerano on the Agerola Plain by private bus. From here, the high cliff path contours west with magnificent views of the Bay of Salerno and Capri. The trail passes under huge limestone cliffs and above picturesque stone farmhouses until it reaches the attractive village of Nocelle. From here, we'll descend down an ancient stairway, past pretty flower gardens, into Positano. A poor fishing village until the 1950s, Positano has grown into a chic town that is a favourite with Hollywood stars. There'll be time to enjoy the town before catching our public bus back to our hotel for our final evening.

Today's 11 kilometre/6.8 mile walk is graded as moderate, with a total ascent of 330 metres/1,083 feet and descent of 900 metres/2,953 feet. We expect it to take us approximately 5 hours. Stay: Hotel Sole (or similar) (Comfortable) (B/L/D)

Departing the Amalfi Coast this morning, we'll drive to Naples International Airport (NAP) where we'll arrive about 8.30am - this is where our tour ends. The earliest time you should book a flight to depart today is 10.30am. (B)