Sentiero degli Dei - Monti Lattari (Campania)

October 28th to November 2nd, 2016 -
Amalfi Coast. “The perfect union of mountain and sea.” A blend of history and mythology, past and present. A timeless paradise nestled between the majestic limestone cliffs of the Monti Lattari. Sky and sea merge in an enchanting route that finds its natural conclusion in the splendid setting of Positano. This is the postcard view offered by the Sentiero degli Dei. Furthermore, this trip includes a guided tour of the ruins of Pompei.
The places of our journey: We will be based in Agerola, at a charming property on a hillside very close to the village—a balcony overlooking the nature of the coast. Our hotel is a family-run establishment with wonderful hospitality, a memorable homemade breakfast, and all the warmth of a family that knows how to share their passion for the place they call home.
Some of the towns we will see at the beginning or end of our route include Agerola (Bomerano), Positano, Amalfi, and San Lazzaro, with a final day trip to Pompei.

Fee: € 90.00 - Includes guide service, insurance, and trip organization.
Other expenses: € 255.00. Includes: hotel accommodation in double and triple rooms, dinners on Oct. 29/30/31, breakfasts on Oct. 30/31 and Nov. 1, packed lunches on Oct. 30/31 and Nov. 1, guided tour of Pompei, and private bus transfers from the Port of Naples/Agerola (round trip), including a stop in Pompei on the return journey and transport to/from the hotel at the end of the hike.
Round-trip ship costs from Catania/Naples - Armchair ticket round trip € 65.00 per person – Double cabin ticket round trip € 158.00 per person. We are currently evaluating the option of traveling by sleeper train. Confirmation will be provided as soon as the group is complete.
Naturally, those wishing to arrive by plane or train from any location must reach the meeting point on Saturday, October 29th, at 09:00 at the Port of Naples.
Important notice: by booking the group ticket by October 10th, you save over 10%.
Costs do not include: round-trip travel expenses to reach the meeting point and extra expenses not specified.
Deposit: € 100.00 at the time of booking to confirm the trip.
Balance: € 245.00 - Do not send; please bring it with you and pay on-site.
For insurance, I need: first name, last name, date and place of birth, and residence.
Meeting point: Friday, October 28th, 19:00 at the Port of Catania OR Saturday, October 29th, 09:00 at the Port of Naples.
End of trip: Tuesday, November 1st, 19:00 at the Port of Naples OR Wednesday, November 2nd, 09:30 at the Port of Catania.
Travel style: stationary with a light backpack.
Difficulty: medium.
Daily walking hours: 5/7.
Nights: hotel accommodation.
Meals: dinners and breakfasts at the hotel.
Highlights: historical, cultural, and naturalistic.
Required equipment: trekking clothing, small backpack, hiking boots, fleece, waterproof jacket, sweater, water bottle, and personal toiletries.
Duration: 4 days/3 nights.
Booking deadline: October 15th, 2016.
Guide: SalvatoreMarletta: contact 3334987946
Email: [email protected] [email protected]

Program

Friday, October 28th - 19:00 meeting at the Port of Catania. 20:30, departure time of the ship to Naples.

Saturday, October 29th – Arrival at the Port of Naples at 08:30. 09:00 meeting with all trip participants and departure by private bus to Agerola. Hotel check-in and subsequent departure for the hike.
SENTIERO DEGLI DEI: Bomerano (Agerola) – Nocelle - Positano.
A trail mentioned in every guidebook and always suggested by every publication dealing with tourism and hiking. The views it offers are unforgettable; we will immerse ourselves in the Mediterranean scrub, descending first toward the valley floor before following a mule track that passes ancient shepherd shelters and ruins, continuing until we reach Nocelle. In our version, we take the descent of the staircase that reaches Positano. Return from Positano to Agerola by bus.
Stage characteristics: walking hours: approx. 4.
Lunch: packed.
Route: marked trail.

Sunday, October 30th – VALLE DELLE FERRIERE: San Lazzaro - Amalfi
In the Amalfi hinterland, starting from San Lazzaro, we will follow a path to reach this valley. We will discover a fantastic world there, where the play of cheerful springs creates, as if by magic, foaming waterfalls. In this oasis, among giant ferns and rocky walls, we will walk past the ruins of the Ferriere and mills, witnesses to a past of artisanal traditions. In the past, the economy of the Amalfi Coast was based on agriculture, and over time, proto-industrial activities were added, such as paper production, with the ruins of numerous paper mills that harnessed the kinetic energy of the watercourse. Before arriving in Amalfi, we will encounter the Paper Museum. Thanks to the particular microclimate due to the presence of streams and humid sea breezes, the Valle delle Ferriere hosts some unique species, such as a rare species of fern dating back to the Tertiary period, the Woodwardia radicans, studied at the time by the German naturalist Karl Haekel in 1859.
Stage characteristics: walking hours: approx. 5.
Lunch: packed.
Route: road, mule track, marked trail.

Monday, October 31st – MONTE TRE CALLI – CAPO MURO – PAIPO - PENDOLA.
Departure from Casa Pendola (Bomerano) for a pleasant “climb” as part of a route that brings us back to the starting point. The first section of the route is a bit demanding due to the 300m elevation gain, but afterward, we are rewarded with an enchanting 360-degree panoramic view of the Gulf of Salerno, the Sorrento Peninsula, Capri, the Conca di Agerola, and the other peaks of the Monti Lattari.
Stage characteristics: walking hours: approx. 5.5 hours.
Lunch: packed.
Loop route: road, mule track, marked trail.

Tuesday, November 1st – DEPARTURE FROM AGEROLA – VISIT TO POMPEI – PORT OF NAPLES.
After breakfast at our hotel, we will leave Agerola for Pompei; the bus transfer will take us directly to the site where the guided tour of the ruins begins. At the end of the tour, we will have a picnic stop nearby, and from there, we will depart by the same transfer to the Port of Naples to wait for the ship that takes us back to Catania. Once at the Port of Naples, there will likely be some time to organize a short walk on your own.
Stage characteristics: walking hours: approx. 2.
Lunch: packed

Wednesday, November 2nd – END OF TRIP. 09:30 in Catania.