Italy: Hiker's Amalfi Coast

The hiking route along the dramatic Amalfi coastline leads across varied terrain and winds through a paradise of sensory delights. Hillside trails offer brilliant vistas on the indigo Mediterranean Sea virtually every step of the way. The scent of citrus and olive groves envelops each path as you climb along terraced hillside vineyards and down the streets of quaint villages carved into limestone cliffs. Walking the twisting trails of the Sorrentine Peninsula, you follow mule paths and stone stairways including a stunning, less-travelled route overlooking one of the Amalfi Coast’s classic walks, the “Path of the Gods.” The trails ascend and descend frequently, entering shaded forests of pine, oak, and chestnut and then open onto awe-inspiring views of a ruggedly captivating region. The picturesque towns of Amalfi and Sorrento invite exploration of southern Italy’s distinctive air of refinement—a simple charm enriched by stunning scenery and the sea’s dramatic beauty. The draw of this region is both powerful and ancient, dating to the Greeks who imagined the rocky coastline to be the home of the Sirens of Homer’s classic, The Odyssey.
    Day’s end treats you to comfortable accommodations in lovely coastal settings. Here in the birthplace of pasta and pizza, you dine on fresh seafood, roasted vegetables, and local cheeses. Sumptuous evening meals may culminate with the distinctly regional flavor of limoncello—a refreshing liqueur made from the region’s signature lemons.