G Adventures – Local Living Italy – Amalfi Coast
I recently have returned from a great holiday to the Amalfi Coast, Italy! This was my second time back to Italy, as I always said I needed to see more since my visit back in 2008.
I started my holidays out in Florence for 8 nights travelling with my parents. This was our home base for the duration of our stay in the area. We made day trips visiting Siena, San Gimigano, Pisa, Lucca and the Cinque Terre.
Amalfi
It was following this part of my trip where I took the train down to Naples to start my trip with G Adventures. This was my 2nd time travelling with G Adventures. The first time was to Peru but I wanted to try one of their Local Living trips. They have several of these style trips which allow you to unpack and experience one area like a local. I’m going to take you through my travel experience on the Amalfi Coast itinerary.
Day 1
I arrived into Naples the day before the trip start date in the late afternoon from Florence. I took a taxi from the Naples train station to Hotel Correra 241. There is also the option to take the Metro but it was currently not operating on my arrival.
I got settled into my hotel and then went out exploring Naples historical district. The best way I can describe Naples in one word is ‘dramatic’. I’ll let you make your own visit to understand my description!
Day 2
This was the official start day of our trip with G. The welcome meeting was held at 6pm where we met our CEO (Chief Experience Officer) for the week. It was following our welcome meeting when we went to a local pizzeria to taste real Neapolitan pizza. This also gave us the chance to meet our fellow travellers for the week.
Day 3
We departed the hotel after breakfast (included) for Pompeii. We had a guided tour through Pompeii for approx. 3 hours and then lunch afterwards. Our CEO then took us on a walk through ‘New’ Pompeii where we got some Gelato and visited one of the cathedrals. From Pompeii we made our way in our private bus to our home for the week! We arrived at our Agriturismo, Sant’Alfonso, in the late afternoon. We then had some time to unpack and explore the grounds before our first 4-course dinner at 8pm.
(View at Sant’Alfonso)
Day 4
We had a 930am departure to make our way to the town of Amalfi. We went for a nice hike from Amalfi up to a waterfall and back down. It was our first taste of the amazing views we would see in the week to come during our hikes!
Once we made it back down to Amalfi we had time on our own to walk around Amalfi, grab some lunch and hit the sunny beach. We made it back to the Agriturismo around 4pm that afternoon and had time for ourselves until dinner at 8pm. During the free time some people would take a quick nap, walk the ground or relax with some wine admiring the views.
(Left: View on walk; Right: Beach in Amalfi)
Day 5
This was the first day we realized just how many steps there are in the Amalfi coast! We walked up from Atrani to Ravello where many do this walk down. We actually got an applause and bravo at the top from some other travellers. After making it to our destination of Ravello we got to walk around the quaint town on our own. I chose to visit Villa Cibrone with my roommate for the week. It is a beautiful garden with some great views over the coastline. We then had some great seafood for lunch at a restaurant that overlooked the sea.
This night we had a cooking demonstration on how to make Tiramisu from our hosts. Guess what we had that night for dessert? Yum!
Day 6
We hiked the well-known trail, Walk of the Gods. This was the longest hike of the week for sure! We started it actually from the Agriturismo and ended it in Positano. It took us approx. 5 hours if I remember correctly, but we also made a stop at a small café for some fresh lemonade and the BEST bruschetta I have had! I must mention the bruschetta slices were only .50EURO!
This hike ends with over 1300 stairs down so you well deserve a beverage by the end! Once we made it to Positano and down all those stairs, we had lunch to rest our feet. We had a couple hours to walk the town but I had down enough walking and chose beach relaxation.
We took a ferry from Positano back to Amalfi at 430pm where we were picked up by our drivers. This night we had a cooking demonstration on how to make fresh pasta.
(Left: Views during Walk of the Gods & ferry ride; Right: Pasta Demonstration)
Day 7
This was our free day for the week. Our CEO was very helpful in providing us our options; spa day, beach day, visiting some of the other towns again or as many do (and we did) a day trip to Capri. This was the one day it rained in the week so it was a bit chillier and wet. We took the ferry from Amalfi to Capri that morning at about 855am. The rain only lasted a little while before it stopped and just stayed cloudy.
I and my new friend chose to grab a coffee to start off our day in Capri. She then took a boat ride around Capri to some of the lagoons while I walked the port. The boat ride around Capris about 1 hour and you have the option to see the famous ‘Blue Lagoon’. Although, due to the rainy & windy day it was not ideal conditions to see.
We took the funicular up to Ana Capri which is where you’ll find all the high end shops such as Louis Vuitton and Gucci. We had some lunch and walked the streets before heading back down for our ferry back at 430pm. (The round trip ferry ride was 30EUR)
Tonight was our last cooking demonstration where we learned how to make a pasta soufflé which consisted of béchamel sauce, cauliflower, pancetta, egg and spaghetti noodles.
Day 8
We had the option to do the last hike today which was the Walk of Tre Cali. There was about 6 of the 15 of us that decided to give it a go one last time! This hike was almost more challenging than the Walk of the Gods. It isn’t quite as much distance but all the way up to the top of the mountain. My calves were on fire from fatigue but once you make it to the top, it’s all worth it 🙂 The views we had were amazing! You could see all the way out to Capri and Salerno. We sat and took it all in enjoying a picnic lunch prepared for us.
We had our last dinner as a group this evening.
Day 9
It was hard to say goodbye to the fabulous hospitality we enjoyed that week at Sant’Alfonso. As well as the gorgeous views and many new friends made during our trip.
We were transferred back to Naples at approx. 9am to the central train station.
It seemed like everyone was doing something different from this point. Some of us just had one more night in Naples before flying home, a couple stayed a few nights longer in Naples and others took the train to Rome. This is the great addition, you can always add on to your holiday before or after, it doesn’t have to be over!
(Castel Nuovo in Naples)
I highly recommend visiting the Amalfi Coast, it will not disappoint! As mentioned it was my 2nd trip with G Adventures, and I would do another. They are unique itineraries, well organized and the CEO’s contribute so much! A shout out to our CEO for the week, Elisabetta, you were a blast!
June 11, 2015
