Reviews

Most Inspirational Moment

I thoroughly enjoyed all the walks: there are some stupendous views (though of course  this rather depends on the weather).  I guess walking around the rim of the Vesuvius crater, on a fine day, with stunning views all around, was something of a highlight.  I also loved the gardens of Ravello, though the best time of year for them is probably spring time.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Albert was competent, well-organised and knowledgeable.  Everything ran very smoothly under his direction.

Advice for Potential Travellers

If the flight is still with British Airways, try to fit your walking poles into your suitcase.  You can only take them as hand luggage if you take off the tips or cover them.  Otherwise they will go into the hold either strapped to your case or as a separate item, depending on who is doing the checking in.  In addition to your day pack, you can take a laptop or briefcase as a second piece of hand luggage.  You can check in online. The breakfast on board is foul - very disappointing for an expensive airline! 

Most Inspirational Moment

Walking around the crater rim of Mount Versuvius was pretty special, as were the views from the Walk of the Gods. The optional trip to Herculaneum and Ravello was excellent with unparalled ruins at the first and the incredible gardens of Villa Cimbrone at the second.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Albert was fantastic. He made sure that everyone in the group was happy and answered our many questions! He ensured that we all got seats on the public bus back from Amalfi (not an easy task!) and was always ready to advise on the best places for a meal or a drink.

Advice for Potential Travellers

This is a lovely week - fairly relaxed, with some lovely walks. However a few of the walks are in the moderate category (not leisurely) so be prepared for some uphill as well as stiff ankles and calf muscles after all the downhill!Having said that, I did not feel that walking poles were necessary although with wet, slippery paths they would definitely be a help.

Most Inspirational Moment

Every walk was as good as each other.  At times a litttle tough but all very enjoyable.  The hotel was superb, it was more like staying with a family, they all made us very welcome during the entire stay.  The food was wonderful, four courses every night and all delicious.  The evenings spent in the kitchen were great fun. 

Thoughts on Group Leader

Juanne our leader was excellent.  He was always most helpful, considerate and fun to be with.  He led the walks with enthusiasm and kept the pace to suit us all.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Most of the reviews for this holiday mention that the walking is hard going.  Although I would agree to this they were all manageable.  We are in our sixties and coped well but if you should have severe knee problems the steps down at the end of the walks could prove a little difficult as there are a lot of them.  

Most Inspirational Moment

views in course of walks

Thoughts on Group Leader

Mature excellent low key high level of confidence

Most Inspirational Moment

I loved the fact that each walk is different in terms of terrain and spectacular views.  The walk to the nature reserve, which in itself is another sight to behold, was my favourite with the dappled sunlight, passing mule trains and waterfalls.  I also enjoyed the occasions of taking the local bus back to our hotel (sit on the left hand side!) and twirling ever upwards round the hairpin bends, beeping frantically as you go.  We did one trip at night and looked back on Amalfi twinkling in the dark - perfect!

Thoughts on Group Leader

Albert was a safe pair of hands as a group leader.  He gave the group the freedom to find their level in terms of fitness and speed and kept us all together.

Advice for Potential Travellers

My advice would be to make sure you have comfy walking shoes (I had a blister!) and take a pair of flip-flops in your back-pack for the beach, as it is shingle and very painful to walk on.  A cozzy and walking boots is not a good look, especially in Positano amongst the glamorous Italian ladies.

Most Inspirational Moment

Inspirational moments were for me Walk of the Gods for the views (steps down to Possitano at the end, lots of them, but unless your knees are suffering by that point, they were no problem we all agreed). Guided optional walk around the rim of Vesuvio, dropping 20 meters down inside to the fumerols was facinating, and visiting the waterfalls in the nature reserve on the valley walk, which was a complete and wonderful surprise to us who ventured in. Viewing Possitano from a-high on three peaks walk, magic!

Thoughts on Group Leader

Juan, our guide was knowledgeable and helpful.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Take comfy walking boots, preferably, and a walking pole (useful as a third leg on some tricky terrain). The walks do require a reasonable level of fitness and are not just stolls.  There are some steep upward gradients and tricky downward decents.  Beaches are stones/pebbles so beach shoes came in useful for swim opportunities. It was a good time do this trip as end september is marginally cooler for walking but still very very pleasant for a sea dip and a cold beer.

Most Inspirational Moment

Walking to the summit of Mount Vesuvius in the wild windy weather. It was very atmospheric.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Paula was very enthusiastic. Also the way she herded us on to the rather hectic local transport was incredible.

Advice for Potential Travellers

The walking was more strenuous than I had expected. There are many steps and these take their toll on the calves and knees. Walking poles are a must.

Most Inspirational Moment

Walking round the crater of VesuviusWalk of the Gods

Thoughts on Group Leader

Excellent - patient, knowledgeable and good company

Advice for Potential Travellers

Be prepared for some quite challenging walking - especially in the heat.  Nothing difficult but probably more on the moderate side rather than leisurely.

Most Inspirational Moment

Each walk provided different moments of inspiration , from viewing Amalfi for the first time or entering Pompei and seeing the grand scale of a lost city. Walking up to Vesuvius was well worth the views and if you have the nerve , walking around the actual  crater is an experience in itself. On our free day we visted Herculaneum and Ravello, which are definitely worth seeing.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Albert our leader was very calm and a good organiser. He looked after everyone and had great knowledge of the area.

Advice for Potential Travellers

If you are going when the weather is warm, take a swimming costume as you have the opportunity to swim after 3 of the walks. You do need a walking pole and be aware that there are plenty of steps on most of the walks.

Most Inspirational Moment

Walking round the crater summit of Vesuvius and looking down over the thousands of houses that would be engulfed if Vesuvius erupts again.  With only three days' notice and no main route out, the possibility of a catastrophe is very real.  However, trying to race those elderly people up to the summit didn't come easy, but going down was much easier.  If you are lucky enough to have the same guide as we did, you get the privilidge to walk around the whole of the crater.The hospitality of the family run hotel and the friendliness of the group made the holiday for me.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Alfred led us on some mighty walks!  Punctuality and his friendliess were his forte and he certainly had our safety at the forefront when we were confronted by a forest fire.  Although this meant turning back and retracing our steps, the staff of the hotel came out in the middle of the day to drive us by road nearer to our destination thus avoiding the fires.  We nicknamed one of them Emerson (after the racing driver) because he knew how to take every bend in that well run route!

Advice for Potential Travellers

Make sure you are fit and can cope with lots of steps.  I know the trip is graded leisurely/moderate - it certainly falls into the moderate category taken at a leisurely pace.  I wouldn't recommend it to anyone with knee, hip or foot problems.  That put aside, the views are spectacular  and so is the food.  Although the hotel does not have a pool, which is a shame, take a swim suit as you do get the opportunity to swim in the sea - which you have to negotiate the hot pebbles to get to!