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 NAPLES AND AMALFI COAST 2010
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Code: L005B.
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IMG_2846.JPG)
Romans and Greeks were there before the growing of the Baroque Palaces and Churches of Spacca Napoli. The biggest artists were all attracted by the charming of Naples, since the early ages to the Romantic period. From the old Néa Polis, founded by Greeks, to the highest glory of the Baroque Age, the city and its surroundings fascinated every traveller, who loved its artistic treasures as well as its lovely climate and the beauty of the nature around. Romans were not wrong when they choose Hercolanum and Baia as their privileged holiday resorts.
In parallel with this ‘dolce vita’, the eruptions of the Vesuvius, the volcanic manifestations on the Phlegrean Fields and the frequent earthquakes fomented the people’s faith in the proximity of the death’s world and in the Gods. It is here, in fact, the cavern of the Sibille of Cuma, one of the most famous prophet of the Greek-Roman world, it is also here that mythology put its most famous heroes, Enea and Ulysses, strictly linked with the region as well as Cape Misene, the Partenopean Sirens, Procida island. The rage of the volcano gave us also Pompeii, unique evidence buried under ashes since 79 D.C.
Going southern we find Amalfi, which reached its maximum splendour in the X and XI centuries, when it became the first Sailor Republic in Italy and played a great role in the commerce with Orient and transporting crusaders. This link with the Arab-Byzantine world is even more clear when wandering up and down along the labyrinth of white roads in Atrani, looking to the arches of the Paradise’s Cloister in Amalfi or even in the architecture of the first church of Positano. Enchanted by the lovely climate and the beauty of nature, many artists and princes have build here their sumptuous villas, especially in Ravello or in Capri.
As an extension of the peninsula there is the island of Capri, last residence of the emperor Tiberio, which delights us with its beauty. Also here we find huge villas by artists and princes, surrounded by pine-trees, whereas Carthusian monks retired on the slope of Mount Solaro, the highest point of the island.
This is a tour not to be missed: during one week you will discover not only Naples and Pompeii, but also the routes of the Amalfi’s Coast, from Ravello to Positano, and the two Mediterranean islands, jewels of Naples’ Bay: Procida and Capri.
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Program
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Day 1 : Individual arrival in Naples. Leave the luggage in the hotel and first discovery of Spacca Napoli, the city centre characterised by narrow streets, with washing hung out, baroque churches and palaces, the San-Carlo theatre, the Gallery Umberto the 1st, the Plebiscito Square. Overnight stay in Naples hotel****.
Day 2 : Departure from the hotel in Naples, transfer with the “Circumvesuviana” to Ercolano. Here you will begin your climbing to the Vesuvius, first by bus, and then on foot, enjoying the wonderful panorama over the Gulf of Naples. In the afternoon you will visit the archaeological site of Ercolano, buried with Pompeii by the eruption of Vesuvius in AD 79. Overnight stay in Naples.
Day 3: Trip by boat to Capri. From Marina Grande, your destination port, the hike leads today to the Hermitage of Santa Maria a Cetrella, crossing the Passetiello, a narrow passage between rock faces, overlooking the town of Capri. From the top you can enjoy a stunning panoramic view on the Island and on the Gulf of Naples, dominated by the Vesuvius. Descent along the stone steps built by Phoenicians. Possibility of bathing. Overnight stay in Naples.
Day 4: Visit of Pompeii and the Villa of the Mysteries. It is the biggest open-air archaeological site of the world. A great example of past human life, where the huge eruption of the Vesuvius in 79 A.D fixed forever under ashes and lava men in their daily activities. Private transfer to Amalfi’s Peninsula to reach the plateau of Agerola and your hotel. Accommodation, dinner and overnight stay in Agerola, hotel***.
Day 5: Excursion through caves and chapels in an unusual small valley from where you can have a splendid view on the turquoise sea till the canyon of Furore (possible bath). In the afternoon visit of Amalfi, the most powerful Mariner Republic at the end of X century, (possible visit to the cloister of Paradise and the church, museum of paper, possible bath). Back by public bus to Agerola. Dinner and overnight stay in hotel in Agerola.
Day 6 : Departure from Scala, hike to Ravello, where in the placid beauty of the main square, the Cathedral dedicated to Saint Pantaleone stands out. The relic blood of the Saint, conserved in the Cathedral, liquefies every year. From the village overhanging the sea, at an altitude of 300m above sea level, the view goes across the Gulf of Salerno and over the Cilento Mountains. Optional visit to Villa Cimbrone and to Villa Rufolo, characterised by a melange of styles, Arabic, Sicilian and Norman, which had been a source of inspiration for Wagner. Return, on foot, through Atrani (chance of going for a swim) and Amalfi. Dinner and overnight stay in Agerola.
Day 7 : Panoramic hike on the Path of Gods, the track along the coast which was, until the XIX century, the only way to get from the small isolated villages to the tiny terraced fields and the pergola vineyards. Pervaded by the rosemary perfume, as you descend, you can overview on one side the entire peninsula and over to Capri, and, on the other side, the Gulf of Salerno. You can admire the ancient work of old men, on these impervious terrains, to create a safe area where people could refuge during the Barbarian invasions which followed the fall of Roman Empire, at the end of V century. The Saint Dominic Monastery, clung on the mountains, is another evidence of those turbulent times. After Montepertuso, overhung by the mountain rock-face, you descend from the cemetery to Positano. The colourful houses of Positano have been built in amphitheatre shape, overlooking the sea, giving a unique and picturesque aspect to the village. Free time to visit Positano (chance of going for a swim). Dinner and overnight stay in Agerola.
Day 8 : After breakfast, transfer to Naples airport. If you have time we suggest the visit to the Archaeological Museum of Naples where you can admire statues, mosaics and paintings of Pompeii and Ercolano.
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Map
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Trek campania.jpg)
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Technicals caracteristics
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Terrain characteristics: Paths and easy country roads, stairs, some steep descents, several stairs in the Amalfi coast on day 5, 6 and 7. It is advisable to have done a little trekking practice or a little training. Trekking height: between 0 and 650 mt, average duration of the stages between 4 and 5 hours, positive difference in height from 0 to 500 mt per day.
Duration: 8 days / 7 nights
Departures: every Saturday
Number of participants: minimum 2
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Prices
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Price per person |
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Trek in double room |
549 |
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Suppl. single |
157 |
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Suppl. departure July and August |
25 |
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Suppl. departure on other days (not Saturdays) |
63 |
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Extra night in Naples on B&B in double hotel**** |
56 |
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Extra night in Naples on B&B in single hotel**** |
86 |
Included : accommodation 3 nights in hotel**** in Naples and 4 nights hotel*** in Agerola, in double rooms with private facilities; bed and breakfast service from day 1 to day 3, half board from the dinner of day 4 to the breakfast of the last day, transfer from Pompeii to Agerola and from Agerola to Naples with private vehicle, luggage transport, informative material.
Not included : journey to/from Naples; transfer airport/Naples on day 1, dinners on day 1, 2 and 3, transfer by bus and ferry, lunches, drinks, entrance fees, insurance and everything not specified.
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IMG_2846.JPG&cartina=(120907145253)Trek campania.jpg)
Amalfi dal sentiero.JPG)
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Capri 2.JPG)
Ercolano.jpg)
Tramonto in costiera.JPG)
Sentiero Dei.jpg)
Valle Ferriere 3.jpg)
