to Amalfi Coast tour itinerary
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to Amalfi Coast tour itinerary
Amalfi Coast Tour - Itinerary ….crafting wonderful tours of Italy Day 1 Travelling to the Amalfi Coast We meet in Rome and from here we start our journey south toward the Amalfi Coast. From here we start our journey south, with a few interesting stops along the way. Our first stop is at Montecassino, site of the major WWII battle, where we visit the Allies cemetery. A short drive after lunch takes us to the start of the Amalfi Peninsula and the town of Vietri Sul Mare. This is where the famous coloured ceramics are produced, using the maiolica method. We visit a manufacturer where we can see the ceramics being produced and painted, continuing a tradition that started in the 1500s. We see the incredible array of colours and designs of their finished product. Following a drive along the stunning Amalfi Coast road, with hairpin bends and amazing views in equal measure, we reach the town of Amalfi, where we stay for the duration of the tour. Montecassino Ceramics in Vietri Sul Mare Our 4 star hotel is wonderfully situated on the waterfront in the centre of town, making it easy to come and go as you please. On one side you have uninterrupted sea views, and a few steps the other way you have ‘la dolce vita’ of Italian piazza life. In the evening we have a Welcome Dinner, and our first taste of the superb cuisine of this region. Meals: Dinner (3 courses including wine) www.italywithpleasure.com Amalfi piazza Day 2 - Amalfi cuisine, the secrets revealed! ….crafting wonderful tours of Italy The Amalfi Coast cuisine is renowned for the combination of traditional techniques and superb fresh ingredients. Today we learn how it's made with a hands-on cooking lesson. For the cooking lesson we travel to Ravello, which has long been a favourite destination for both musicians and well-heeled travellers. We meet our charming chef, and we start our culinary experience by visiting the organic vegetable garden. On a terrace with a view out over the Tyrrhenian Sea, you could well linger here for the morning. Together we harvest some fresh produce before moving into the kitchen. Here we work through the preparations for a full three course lunch, which we then enjoy overlooking the terraced garden where it was grown. After lunch we visit the famous Villa Cimbrone. The villa was built originally in the 11th century as a residence for a noble family. The grounds are beautifully kept, and the terrace adjacent to the formal garden offers the best views in Ravello, looking down over terraced lemon groves to the sparkling waters below. We spend the remainder of the afternoon in Ravello with some free time. You may choose to visit the Villa Rufolo, another noble residence which famously inspired the composer Wagner. Nearby is the futuristic auditorium designed by Oscar Niemeyer. Or simply wander through some of the lanes, and relax around the piazza area where there are numerous shops and cafes. Meals: Breakfast and Lunch (3 course lunch including wine) www.italywithpleasure.com The organic garden in Ravello Cooking lesson, Ravello The piazza in Ravello Villa Cimbrone, Ravello Day 3 - Spectacular Views and Spectacular Wine ….crafting wonderful tours of Italy In the morning we visit the cathedral in Amalfi. This is more than just a church. Rather it is a complex of different buildings from different era, and is the heart of Amalfi. From the evocatively name ‘Cloister of Paradise’, with elegant marble colonnades, frescoed private chapels an ancient Roman sarcophagus. The Romanesque style Church of the Crucifix. The 13th century Crypt of St Andrew, down below the church, where Saint Andrew is buried. And finally into the main cathedral, with its elaborate baroque decorations. Late morning we drive to a small town near Amalfi where we visit a leading wine producer, in fact with their flagship wine being counted among Italy's best. On the drive up to this winery you'll be glad we have hired a professional driver, such are the tight turns. On arrival at the winery the views are well worth the drive, but you also see during our vineyard visit how difficult this land is to work, with the vines on small terraces clinging to the steep slope. The winery we visit is very highly regarded. It has been pivotal in the area in the way it has taken traditional varieties grown only in the Amalfi Coast area, such as ginestra and fenile, and has raised the bar in terms of quality. The ‘Cloisters of Paradise’ The Crypt of St Andrew Amalfi Coast Vineyards We have a guided visit through the vineyards and the winery. This is followed by a degustation lunch, where the wines are matched with dishes that complement them. And as an added extra, the view from the restaurant is as world class as the wines. Meals: Breakfast and Lunch (4 course lunch including wine) www.italywithpleasure.com The winery cellar Day 4 Positano – chic and stylish by the sea Walking the ‘Path of the Gods’ ….crafting wonderful tours of Italy Today we visit Positano, famous for elegant fashion boutiques and seaside charm, this has been a holiday destination since Roman times. We have an optional walk in the morning, alternatively for those that prefer we will take you directly to Positano and re-group there for lunch. For the walkers: We drive up to a high point above Amalfi, and from here we start today’s walk which has the grand title 'The Path of the Gods' (Sentiero degli Dei’). This is one of the more popular trails on the Amalfi Coast, and walking along this path high above the sea you’ll see why it has gained such renown. It commands fantastic views right out to the island of Capri. The trail takes you through a mixture of wooded areas as well as typical Mediterranean countryside, rocky with wild herbs, flowers and scattered olive trees. Goat herders are often seen on the grassy terraces tending their flocks, and peregrine falcons soar high above. The walk is 2 ½ hours duration. Positano: We meet in Positano for lunch, in a restaurant overlooking the beach. After a relaxing lunch we have some free time in the afternoon. Positano has an enviable combination of a good beach with a broad seaside promenade, with cafes and chic boutiques jostling for position in the pastel coloured buildings. This is a good time for a swim. You can spend some of the afternoon exploring the narrow back streets lined with bougainvillea, or just find your nearest café, put your feet up and sample the local specialty – limoncello! www.italywithpleasure.com Positano The ‘Path of the Gods’ Positano ….crafting wonderful tours of Italy To return to Amalfi we go by boat, and cruising along the coast reveals a new perspective on the area, with some incredible houses tucked away and tiny hidden beaches. Meals: Breakfast and Lunch (3 course lunch including wine) Day 5 - Island time in Capri Today we travel to Capri, a favoured destination for the rich and famous in recent times, but also with an interesting history stretching back beyond ancient Roman times. On Capri we take the funicular railway up to the town centre, where top fashion boutiques jostle for space alongside locals selling fruit and vegetables. Those that wish can cruise around the island, where you will see the magnificent Faraglioni rocks dramatically rising from the sea, and pass through the arch below them. Then you may visit the famous Blue Grotto and enter in smaller local boats. Here the sunlight produces a glowing, magical effect – this is a very evocative experience (note: cruise around Capri and into Blue Grotto not included in tour price - optional). Capri The ‘Faraglioni’, Capri The Grotta Azzurra We dine in a 5 star hotel in central Capri. After lunch we have some free time. Capri has plenty of scope for simply browsing the shops and enjoying the ambience. And stroll down to the Gardens of Augustus. Meals: Breakfast and Lunch (3 course lunch including wine) www.italywithpleasure.com Capri ….crafting wonderful tours of Italy Day 6 - All Roads Lead to Rome By now you know the local barista by name - and he knows which coffee you order - but we must say 'arrivederci' to Amalfi and return to Rome. En route we visit the ancient ruins of Pompeii. Here we have a guided visit, where we see both evidences of the lifestyle of the inhabitants of this Roman city, as well as the destruction caused by the eruption of Mt Vesuvius in 79AD. Even for those who have visited Pompeii before, having a specialist guide provides an in depth experience and is very revealing. We enjoy a final lunch together in Pompeii, having our last chance to enjoy regional cuisine, before heading north to Rome. We reach Rome early evening. Meals: Breakfast and Lunch (3 course lunch including wine) www.italywithpleasure.com Pompeii Frescoes in Pompeii ….crafting wonderful tours of Italy Amalfi Coast Tour The Amalfi Coast is world famous for its spectacular coastline and the picturesque towns clinging to the hills. In this tour you will see all of the famous sights such as Positano, Ravello and nearby Capri. But you also dig deeper, experiencing a cooking lesson in an organic garden, seeing ceramics being produced, and visiting a winery and vineyard. This six day tour gives you an indepth insight into the lifestyle of the people who cultivate this land, the natural beauty (and stunning sea views), and the layers of history that make up this fascinating region. Highlights Ravello, with spectacular views from high over the coast. Cruise to Capri, with its luxurious villas and elegant streets. See Pompeii, with a guided visit to this Roman archaeological site. Visit Positano, a combination of seaside relaxation and chic boutiques. Wine cellars and terraced vineyards, we visit on a private tour. The ‘Walk of the Gods’ in the hills above Positano (optional) Harvest seasonal vegetables. Make a 3 course lunch, in a cooking lesson with a local chef. Villa Cimbrone, an elegant noble residence in Ravello. Relax on the beach in Amalfi, a few steps from your hotel. See the famous ceramics of Vietri Sul Mare, with their vivid designs. Visit a working ceramics producer Boat cruise along the Amalfi Coast, revealing magnificent villas. Visit the Cathedral of Sant’ Andrea, an historic and artistic treasure. Boat cruise past the Faraglioni, rising from the water off Capri. See the cathedral in Positano, with its vibrant majolica tiled dome. Terraced lemon orchards, with the local sfusato lemon. Local cuisine 3 course meals with wine in quality restaurants every day ∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞ Amalfi Tour Dates: 12 – 17 June 2017 26 June – July 1 2017 28 August – 2 September 2017 18 – 23 September 2017 Amalfi Tour Price: €2285 Amalfi Tour includes: 'Italy With Pleasure' provides a tour manager for the duration of the trip. All accommodation is included (Hotel Residence, Amalfi). Meals as listed in the itinerary. All costs/entry fees for activities are included. All transport during the tour is included. ( GBP£1900 / US$2500 / AUD$3300 / NZ$3500 / CAD$3300 ) www.italywithpleasure.com ….crafting wonderful tours of Italy ITALY WITH PLEASURE Small Group Tours of Italy ITALY WITH PLEASURE is a specialist provider of small group tours to Italy. We would like to take you to some of our favourite destinations and unveil to you some of Italy’s best kept gems. We take you to the places that we like visiting – we've travelled extensively throughout Italy, and the itineraries that we've put together allow you to maximise your experience of the best that Italy has to offer. TOURS : PUGLIA – SICILY – AMALFI Some features of our tours are: Contact with local people: Careful selection of a range of activities and visits allow you to have genuine experiences in contact with local people... this is what memories are made of! All our tours are organised directly by Italy With Pleasure: Not by third party tour operators. Our guided tours are in small groups: Tours are always fully guided and in a small group context, giving a more personal touch and flexibility where needed. Experience Italy like a local: As well as organised excursions, we leave some time each day for you to explore at your own pace so you can get a sense of how it is to live like a local. See you in Italy - a presto! www.italywithpleasure.com ….crafting wonderful tours of Italy Our Recent Tours: www.italywithpleasure.com ….crafting wonderful tours of Italy www.italywithpleasure.com ….crafting wonderful tours of Italy www.italywithpleasure.com ….crafting wonderful tours of Italy www.italywithpleasure.com ….crafting wonderful tours of Italy www.italywithpleasure.com
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