Steve Austin's
      
Great Vacations
     
 20470 S. Hidden Creek Lane, Colton, Oregon  97017
         1-800-452-8434      Office: (503) 824-4079    Fax: (503) 824-4081
      
 email:  steveaustin@colton.com


 

CAPRI & the AMALFI COAST
`Scenery, Scenery, Scenery - the Best of Italy'

October 14 - October 22, 2011
$3150 Twin Occupancy
$1090 Single Supplement

Early Bird Booking:  $2780 Twin Occupancy
(must be booked by February 28, 2011)
$1090 Single Supplement

 

One of our most popular destinations.  The  Isle of Capri starts our trip with gorgeous Mediterranean views and easy island strolls.Small lanes with bougainvillia clad walls are standard fare in Capri.  Our second location is in classic Positano, one of the most enchanting towns of the Amalfi Coast.    High coastal trails and inland valley walks are a hallmark of this region.  It is no wonder that this coastline has enchanted the rich, the famous and tourists alike.  Both luxury accommodations overlook the azure waters of the Mediterranean.     Visits to Pompeii, Sorrento and Revello are included as is the wonderful southern Italian cooking, Mamma Mia!       

DAY  1      Afternoon pick up at Rome's Leonardo da Vinci airport by your guide and driver.  We then drive south to Naples and board a high speed ferry for Capri.  The arrival at Marina Grande is stunning, a bustling harbor with a backdrop of colorful houses and sheer cliffs. There is time to check out the village before our get acquainted cocktail party on the hotel terrace before dinner.  The next three nights at our luxury hotel.

 DAY  2   This morning we take the trail to what was once the Palace of Emperor Tiberius, the Villa Jovis.  This pretty walk meanders through the lanes of Capri and overlooks many gardens and homes.  On the way there are a number of beautiful vantage points to view the Amalfi Coast and the Bay of Naples.  This afternoon you have the option to extend the walk  or stay in the village and enjoy the activity in the piazza and shops.  This evening we dine
                                                            in an exceptionally good restaurant in Capri.

  DAY  3   The small public buses that negotiate the tiny island roads are an experience not to be missed!  Our first highlight is to Capri’s highest point, Monte Solaro, those who don’t wish to walk can take the chair lift.  The view from the summit is magnificent.  Our final walk on Capri  is a coastal loop around the northern section of the island.   Later we take the trusty island bus down to the Blue Grotto where we dine at a well known fish restaurant.  Following lunch, if the sea conditions permit, you can make an optional visit to the Blue Grotto. This evening at leisure in Capri.

 DAY  4    Today we depart Capri and return to the mainland.  Before heading for the Amalfi coastline we take a side trip to visit Pompeii.  Buried under ash for centuries, this Roman town, is incredibly intact and  only a fraction has been uncovered  This afternoon we make our way to Positano and our superbly situated hotel overlooking the tiny beach.  This evening we dine at our hotel.  The next four nights in Positano.

DAY  5   Our first walk on the peninsula starts high above the harbor town of Amalfi.  Historically famous for its naval strength, Amalfi was also a center for papermaking.  Our walk takes us into the ’Valley of the Mills’ where once the industry employed a huge work force. Only the odd smallholding reveals its mighty past.   The views of Amalfi and the coast far below make for perfect ’post card’ photographs.  At the end of the trail we lunch in a small family pizzeria overlooking the valley and Amalfi.  This evening at your leisure in Positano.

 DAY  6     A morning to relax in Positano.  The little town has some great art galleries and ceramic showrooms.  Following lunch we follow the Amalfi Drive to its northern tip for a short walk around the headland and then into Sorrento.  This bustling town is the largest on the Amalfi coast and we have plenty of time to ‘promenade’ the main piazza before dinner in one of its exceptional ‘ristorantes’.

 DAY  7   Today we visit two towns, Amalfi and Revello.  Our  first visit is to Amalfi, this once wealthy port boasts a beautiful church and small piazza.  Revello, is to many, the jewel of the Amalfi coast.  Set high above the coast on a sheer promontory it enjoys perfect cooling breezes - the town has been maintained admirably over the centuries. Lunch is in a lovely setting high on a bluff overlooking the coastal scenery.  This evening at your leisure in Positano.

 DAY  8   Leaving the best to last!  Our walk today is awesome.  We take part of the trail labeled ‘Walk of the Gods’.  As it implies we are high on the coastal range overlooking Positano and Praiano, the trail follows the coastline and switches around and behind headlands before eventually dropping down to ocean level.  With the smells of wild basil, mint and rosemary in the air this walk is truly, as they say in Italy, “numero uno”.  Our final dinner is back in Positano.

 DAY 9   Following breakfast we depart the Amalfi Coast and return north to Rome for your return to the USA or ongoing travel.

    Air is not included in this tour.  We would be happy to work with you on making your flight  arrangements.
    We suggest a one day early arrival to allow for ‘jetlag’.   It is unlikely that you will be able to make your connection home on Day 10 and will need to overnight at Rome.  For both ends of the tour we suggest a very good hotel at Ostia (minutes from the airport) which offers quite reasonable rates.  Please call us for further information.
 

WHAT TO EXPECT:  Drop dead gorgeous scenery!  Temperatures in the 70’s and low 80’s.  With so many great walks and places to see, the schedule can be busy.  Deciding whether to tour or relax will be your toughest decision.  As always the food is superb – we are in an area of Italy known for its simple but outstanding ‘cucina’.  Accommodations are exceptional and some of the friendliest people in Europe.

First Class accommodations with en suite facilities; all dinners or lunches including wine; picnic; all continental breakfasts; Minivan (2) transportation; funiculars, lifts and boat transportation; tour guide and driver; all entries as per itinerary; all tips and taxes. Absolutely no added charges upon arrival.

 WALKING LEVEL

Easy / Moderate.  The terrain is hilly but most of the time our walks traverse along the hills.  Where there are climbs they are quite short.  These hilly sections can be avoided but the views are well worth any effort.  An average fit person can handle with ease these walks, however it does no harm to prepare yourself with some walking prior to the trip. 

 

Home      Cornish Coast   Monaco Historics      Le Mans Classic    Goodwood Revival        Capri  & Amalfi Coast

 Italian Cooking Tour      Provence & the French Riviera        Austria/Slovenia     Loire & Dordogne

20470 S. Hidden Creek,  Colton  OR  97017     Tel:  (503) 824-4079    Fax: (503) 824-4081    Email:  steveaustin@colton.com 
 
Toll Free:  1-800-452-8434  

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