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Home , Capri, Gardens of Augustus, Grand Hotel Quisisana

CULTURE + WALKING

AMALFI COAST & the Isle of

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AMALFI COAST | POSITANO & THE ISLE OF CAPRI | CULTURE + WALKING

Italy's Most Spectacular Coastline

Classic Journeys On a launch approaching the Amalfi peninsula, you face a startling sight. Like elegant rock climbers, villas cling with no visible foothold to the sheer cliffs. You have to ask provides yourself how … why? But when you swing open the shutters in your cliffside hotel room, the jaw-dropping view is all the answer you need. In balmy Amalfi, orange trees unbeatable access shade village streets. Seaside footpaths around Positano encourage an easy pace perfect for soaking in the atmosphere. You’ll settle in for a stay on the glorious isle of to experiences Capri — a luxury the day-trippers can’t imagine. You’ll explore Pompeii with an archaeologist. Whether you choose our Culture + Walking, Culinary or Family around the globe.” experience, you’ll see Amalfi in the best way — in the company of an Italian friend who knows the ins and outs of life at the edge of the sea.  Travel + Leisure

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AMALFI COAST | POSITANO & THE ISLE OF CAPRI | CULTURE + WALKING

DAY 1 CAPRI POMPEII • Marvel at the views from the top of • Back at sea level, lunch at an elegant marina • Explore Pompeii with an expert archaeologist guide • Stroll the quiet streets after the day-trippers leave • Toast the week ahead over a festive welcome dinner One of the most unexpected and unforgettable Meet in at your hotel overlooking the bay and the experiences on Capri is making the ascent to Monte Solaro. fortress. Your afternoon is dedicated to perhaps the From , the island’s other main village, a chairlift greatest treasure of Roman antiquity: Pompeii. You know takes you up to the terrace on the mountaintop. On the the story of how it was buried by an eruption of Vesuvius in chairlift you’re close to nature and culture - your feet almost 79 AD and of the centuries-long process of excavating the graze the small fruit trees in the gardens of the homes we ruins – a process that’s still yielding remarkable discoveries. glide over. Once at the top, remarkable views come into That story comes to vivid life as you explore with your own focus. You can see the arc of the bay and Naples at its edge expert archeologist. You’ll see the details and nuances of with the inevitable profile of Vesuvius. There’s also a view the city as your guide takes you to a favorite villa and hidden to the Amalfi Peninsula where you’re headed in the coming parts of the site. days and the blue-as-blue-can-be .

Late afternoon, you return to Naples. Your hotel is located The way down is on a natural path that wanders through right on the waterfront, is an ideal location for a leisurely meadows and past a 14th century monastery. The walk and walk on your own, before or after a festive welcome dinner. the amazing air are ideal appetite stimulants, which is a OVERNIGHT: NAPLES lucky thing as your next destination is the beach for lunch, MEALS: D if you wish, at . From Jackie O to Julia Roberts, it’s been a magnet for the isle’s celebrated visitors, and it’s a perfect expression of Capri style. DAY 2 Back in the village of Capri, sip a Negroni on the hotel’s CAPRI elegant front terrace. Take advantage of the many different • across the Bay of Naples to Capri amenities of the hotel and, by all means, do some shopping • Settle into the renowned in the elegant shops that stay open late into the evening. • Soak in remarkable views from a path overlooking the sea The day-trippers are gone, and this peaceful face of Capri is a wonderful way to bring your day to a long, lingering end.

After breakfast, you board a hydrofoil for a brief skim across Dinner tonight is a perfect time to try some Capri-inspried the bay to the Isle of Capri, where you’ll have the dishes, perhaps, starting with a Caprese salad. incomparable luxury of calling it your home away from OVERNIGHT: CAPRI home for the next two nights. From the dock, convertible MEALS: B taxis whisk you up to the piazetta, the little square that is the heart of Capri’s pedestrian village and just a few steps from the Grand Hotel Quisisana. The Quisi is the island’s most DAY 4 iconic hotel, where “grand” takes on a whole new meaning. / POSITANO In the days ahead, you’ll have plenty of time to explore and • Explore and have lunch in Sorrento shop in the charming, boutique-lined streets. (Any designer • Settle into your spectacular sited hotel in Positano label that comes to mind when you think of haute couture has a boutique on Capri). Your first look at the island is one After a sumptuous breakfast wave goodbye to the many tourists never see. Your local guide will lead you on a Quisisana and Capri to return to the mainland. Tracing the walk along cobblestone lanes and coastal paths to hidden perimeter of the bay, arrive in Sorrento. Here, you'll have lookouts from which you get panoramic views over the time to discover the town that has enchanted generations flower-bedecked terraces of the Gardens of . of travelers, starting from the wealthy Roman Senators to Tracing the flower and lemon-tree lined paths back to the the artists of the Grand Tour. While strolling through the village, you’ll have time to linger over an outdoor lunch or bustling little streets, why not indulge and try one of 's do some shopping on your own. Then we’re off to explore favorite gelato? Or stop for, say, a plate of gnocchi alla on a walk with breathtaking views of the , the sorrentina for lunch? towering rock formations that seem to erupt from the sea. From your high-up vantage point, you’ll discover that the From Sorrento, the sinuous Amalfi Coast Road traces the water is so crystalline that the yachts cast visible shadows peninsula’s edge. A remarkable work of engineering, it is on the seabed. You follow in famous footsteps on these carved out of the side of a mountain, with views down to the trails that were used by the Emperor , and even Tyrrhenian Sea and up to the cliffs above. At the farthest Eisenhower and Churchill who met here secretly to point, you can see back to Capri. In the afternoon, you arrive coordinate Allied efforts during World War II. in the seaside village of Positano. When John Steinbeck lived here, he wrote that “Positano is a dream place that isn’t Dinner tonight is at the exclusive restaurant of the Quisisana quite real when you are there and becomes beckoningly Hotel. real after you’ve gone.” But don’t worry, you will fully enjoy OVERNIGHT: CAPRI the magic of Positano during your visit. And that starts with MEALS: B, D the pinch-yourself views from your cliffside hotel. The town stretches from your window and the pastel-colored villas cling almost to the steep slopes down to the sea. DAY 3

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AMALFI COAST | POSITANO & THE ISLE OF CAPRI | CULTURE + WALKING

Shortly after arriving at the hotel, join your guide for an exploration of Positano, where you have time to soak in the DAY 6 unique atmosphere while walking down the colorful and meandering little streets at sunset, before reuniting with POSITANO / SORRENTO HILLS your travel companions again for dinner in town. • Walk through pine and chestnut trees OVERNIGHT: POSITANO • Make your own pizza in a real wood-burning oven MEALS: B, D • Taste the freshest mozzarella and drink the original limoncello

This morning we say “arrivederci” to the Amalfi Coast, and drive up the rolling hills to the countryside. We follow a path DAY 5 that meanders through chestnut trees and a pinewood forest, passing by the local’s homes and gardens where all RAVELLO / AMALFI sorts of delicious seasonal fruits and vegetables are grown. • Wander in the sky-high gardens of Ravello You head towards your hosts’ organic farm, located on the • Follow a trail past the picturesque ruins of paper mills hills above Sorrento, for a delicious and truly Neapolitan

Your morning opens with a scenic drive (there is no other hands-on pizza making. Immerse yourself in the experience kind of drive in Amalfi) to Ravello, a true gem of the Amalfi of learning how to prepare the iconic food that has made Coast. Perched high on a ridge, the town has a lovely this area famous worldwide. Watch and discover (and try it historic center with colorful ceramic shops and bustling yourself!) how to make the freshest-ever mozzarella. Then sidewalk cafes. All sidewalks end at the literal edge of toss pizza dough, dollop on your favorite toppings, and tend gardens where you can see miles and miles of coastline to the perfect baking of your own masterpiece, in an original from a single spot. wood fired oven.

After lunch, your guide will lead you along a incredibly To cap the experience, join our hosts and visit the farm’s scenic footpath known as “the valley of the mills.” It was very own small factory that creates some of the region’s made famous by artists and writers who tried to capture its finest limoncello. You’ll see how the giant local lemons are wild beauty, punctuated by the ruins of mills that made condensed down to the gold liqueur and then sip an icy, paper in a tradition that stretches back to the Middle Ages. citrus-y toast to your time on the Amalfi Coast, before As your trail winds down into Amalfi town, you’ll have a returning to Naples to part company. chance to stop at a working paper mill where an artisan friend shares with you how paper was made. MEALS: B, L OVERNIGHT: POSITANO

MEALS: B, D

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AMALFI COAST | POSITANO & THE ISLE OF CAPRI | CULTURE + WALKING

Tour Hotels

Grand Hotel Vesuvio Built in 1882, the Grand Hotel Vesuvio is centrally located on the waterfront, overlooking Santa Lucia Harbor and the Bay of Naples. The atmosphere of an old-world hotel gracefully combines with all the modern comforts and personalized services. OVERNIGHT: NAPLES | NIGHTS: 1

Grand Hotel Quisisana The 'Quisi' is THE hotel in Capri. Grand and gracious, it’s been named one of the World’s Top 100 Hotels by both Condé Nast Traveler and Travel + Leisure. Its staid façade on the town square gives way to a hugely glamorous pool overlooking the sea. OVERNIGHT: CAPRI | NIGHTS: 2

Le Agavi This beautiful 5-star hotel is built into a cliff overlooking the bay of Positano and boasts a sea-view restaurant and private beach. The appionted guest rooms have their own balcony or terrace from where to enjoy wonderful views of Positano and the sea. OVERNIGHT: POSITANO | NIGHTS: 2

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AMALFI COAST | POSITANO & THE ISLE OF CAPRI | CULTURE + WALKING

Tour Dates & Prices Tour Dates Price per Person Price per Person Double Occupancy Single Occupancy READY TO BOOK? April 4-9, 2021 $5,195 $6,390 May 16-21, 2021 $5,795 $6,990 CLICK TO MAKE A RESERVATION June 6-11, 2021 $5,795 $6,990 September 5-10, 2021 $5,795 $6,990 October 3-8, 2021 $5,795 $6,990 Or give us a call April 3-8, 2022 $5,295 $6,490 1-833-387-1210 May 15-20, 2022 $5,895 $7,090 Mon-Fri 8:00AM – 5:00PM PST June 5-10, 2022 $5,895 $7,090 [email protected] September 4-9, 2022 $5,895 $7,090 October 2-7, 2022 $5,895 $7,090 Want a different date? Or your own date? Visit CLASSICJOURNEYS.COM/PRIVATE to learn more about private journeys.

Trip Essentials

TRIP LENGTH: 6 Days, 5 Nights START: 1:30 PM Lobby of Grand Hotel Vesuvio, Naples, Italy END: 6:30 PM Train Station, Naples, Italy

TERRAIN: Easy to moderate on good trails and coastal paths. An average of 3 to 4 hours of walking per day.

TRAVEL WORRY-FREE! It’s easy with insurance from Travel Guard. Your policy can What’s Included cover trip cancellation, travel delays, lost luggage, medical emergencies, and more. If you are traveling with • Memorable accommodations for 5 nights kids, add them to your policy at no extra cost. Click here or call 800-826-4919 for details. • All breakfasts, 1 lunch (cooking instruction), 4 dinners

• Full-time experienced guide(s) who are with you throughout the trip and AMBASSADOR CLUB handle behind-the-scenes logistics As a Classic Journeys guest, you are invited to join the Ambassador Club after your first Classic Journeys tour. As • Admissions to tastings, historic sites and other scheduled events as noted a member, you’ll have access to a whole suite of in the detailed daily itinerary Ambassador benefits you can use immediately and as often as you like. • Gratuities for hotels, meals, and baggage ENJOY THE UNEXPECTED • All land transportation during the trip When you travel with Classic Journeys, you can expect handcrafted surprises built into every trip, but some things just can’t be anticipated. Unusual weather, a once-a-year festival or an unscheduled site closing will inspire us and Above & Beyond Benefits your local guide to improvise and modify this itinerary. • Wine on Us Likewise, the hotels named here are used on the majority of our trips, but occasionally one of them can’t • Invisible Check-In accommodate us. If that happens, you can count on us to let you know before departure and make sure you’re in a • Privileged Access Events hotel of equal or better quality. It’s our goal to make your trip exceptional! • Perfect Pairings Dinners **Any discount offered cannot be combined with other offers, and only applies to published (regularly scheduled pubic) departure dates in our catalogs or on our website.

833-493-5038 | CLASSICJOURNEYS.COM THE Classic Journeys

Difference

HANDCRAFTING TRIPS OF A LIFETIME.

At the end of the day, we fundamentally believe that every guest on every departure of every trip should have a trip of a lifetime. We’re fortunate to play the role of well-connected friend, linking our guests with amazing guides, artisans, winemakers, hoteliers, restaurateurs, naturalists, and too many others to list here.

That’s what motivates me and our team — in our La Jolla HQ and around the world — every day. Join Us!

President & Founder

You can expect the highest standards:

Luxurious Lodgings: Included Activities: Ours include coveted properties that appear You’ll never be surprised with add-on fees in “World’s Best” and “Gold List” rankings. on your activities that include snorkeling to cooking lessons.

Local Guides: Small Group Travel: Your guides are locals who are always at With an average of just 10-12 guests, it’s a your side like well-connected friends. small footprint that guarantees you access that’s off-limits to larger groups.

Amazing Cuisine: Unmatched Value: From Michelin-starred restaurants to lunch in “Excellent value” and “unbeatable access” a farmhouse kitchen, you’ll have a seat for are two of the reasons that Travel + Leisure the region’s signature dishes. has consistently voted us a World’s Best Tour Operator.

You’ll enjoy these handcrafted travel experiences in the Amalfi Coast and Capri...

• Enjoying two days in Capri, while most tourists just make a unique, personally guided tour crowded day-trip • Overnighting in knockout hotels like the Grand Vesuvio, • Savoring food so good it could make you weep, one of The Leading Hotels of the World especially if you watch the sun go down on Positano • Finding out that the friendliest, most-informed Italian while you're eating it you've ever known is also your expert guide • Exploring Pompeii with your archaeologist friend on a

“Traveling with our guide, I felt like I was being shown around by a friend or favorite cousin who wanted me to know all of the good places to go and the right things to see.” —Sue K., Westfield, NJ

You might also enjoy…

Puglia Matera to Lecce Culture + Walking PICTURE YOURSELF… • Rambling green hills and seaside landscapes • Treading gently on mosaic masterpieces • Relishing lunch on a 17th century farm

For more information, visit https://www.classicjourneys.com/puglia/.

Sardinia & Corsica Rustic Villages & Costa Smeralda Culture + Walking PICTURE YOURSELF… • Following footpaths of ancient shepherds • Learning the secrets of Sardinian cooking • Posing with prehistoric stone menhirs

For more information, visit https://www.classicjourneys.com/sardinia/.

Sicily Agrigento, & Aeolian Islands Culture + Walking PICTURE YOURSELF… • Enjoying a rustic lunch on the slopes of a volcano • Walking a trail of ancient temples • Meandering through meadows and olive groves

For more information, visit https://www.classicjourneys.com/sicily/.

833-493-5038 | CLASSICJOURNEYS.COM You might also enjoy…

Tuscany & the Cinque Terre Chianti, Florence & Seaside Villages Culture + Walking PICTURE YOURSELF… • Wine-tasting on the grounds of a castle • Traversing the streets of towering hill towns • Jumping to the head of the line to see Michelangelo’s David

For more information, visit https://www.classicjourneys.com/tuscany/.

833-493-5038 | CLASSICJOURNEYS.COM Capri and the

AmalfiA LOVECoast: STORY

By: Kelli Kuehner

Before I joined Classic Journeys, I spent seven wonderful into the region; it’s said that it was named after a nymph years guiding tours in Europe, and I always started my who was romanced by the legendary hero Hercules. tours with the same speech: “At the heart of every travel For the sake of love, it seemed like the perfect place to story,” I would tell my guests, “is a love story.” The story you take my husband. We had gotten married the previous tell your friends and family about your trip will be that love spring. I’ve been all over Italy. And the Amalfi region holds story.” As both a veteran guide and a frequent traveler to a special place in my heart. This would be Jason’s first Italy, I can safely say that nowhere is this more true than time in Europe, and we were both excited to have our first on Italy’s stunning Amal i coast. Love is certainly Classic Journeys adventure together. woven CLASSICJOURNEYS.COM During the drive up to the rim of , the the right idea,” Jason observed on our second day most infamous volcano in human history, my husband there, referring to the ancient Roman emperor Jason had a huge grin on his face. “It’s not going to who made Capri his seat of power. “Rule the erupt, is it?” Our guide Sergio, who’s no doubt heard from paradise, eat great food, this question hundreds of times over his guiding swim in that warm water; it’d make the job much career, paused. “Probably not.” Another pause, and then less stressful.” a laugh from Sergio. Still, there’s a gravitas to After two days in paradise, it was back to the Mount Vesuvius, destroyer of Pompeii, and its power mainland — hardly a letdown. Le Agavi Hotel is almost tangible beneath your feet. Jason devours in Positano looks like it came with the cliffs; history books; he’d told me that this was the part of the that somehow, millennia ago when the rock trip he was the most excited about, and reiterated that formations were rising from the sea, a resort as we were getting ready for the walk to the summit eventually just grew out of the sheer granite face that morning. The guide in me wanted to advise him to overlook the ocean. When you stay at Le Agavi, that our jaunt to Vesuvius was just day one of our the only way to get a bad view is to close your Classic Journeys Amalfi coast trip, and that he should eyes. We’d be here for the next three days, the pace himself, because as awesome as Vesuvius is, all resort serving as a stunning home base for our sorts o wonderul things lay ahead. This was his first adventures in the Amalfi region. trip to Italy, so I decided to not give him any advice, and to let everything be a surprise. As I learned as a guide years ago, reinforced by my current role with the Classic Journeys team, The trip to the island of Capri almost made me regret it’s the people you’re with that make the trips that decision. There’s nothing quite like zipping across worth taking. Of course, as with everything in life, the placid Mediterranean in a high-speed ferry; pizza helps. We were invited to join pizza maker The Alsicafo provides a very smooth and very fast ride Luca and his family for a lesson in how to create across the , and my husband would have the wood-fired pies that have become a global been very happy riding around in it all day. Once we favorite. Sipping wine that the family had aged in got to the island, he didn’t need any convincing to their own barrels, flour up to our elbows, sneaking stay. Capri has been called the world’s most beautiful bites of delicious fresh buffalo mozzarella, and island, and this isn’t Italian pride talking: with its warm laughing with our hosts over our amateurish blue waters, stunning peaks, and vibrant villages, it’s struggles with the dough, I exchanged a happy unlike any other island we’d ever been to. Staying at the glance with Jason, and I knew that it was here Grand Hotel Quisisana certainly added to the that my old introduction to my travel groups once experience; the five-star accommodations and again proved to be true. incredible staff made us eelf like royalty. “Tiberius had ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Kelli Kuehner is a Senior Tour Operations Coordinator for Classic Journeys, overseeing operations and logistics for , Iceland, , and Cuba. Prior to joining Classic Journeys, Kelli spent seven years in Europe and the U.S. as a cultural travel guide. In addition to her passion for travel as a vital transformative experience, Kelli’s favorite pastimes include hiking, running, cycling, writing, snowboarding and — solidified by a year spent working for a cooking school in Paris — cooking. She lives in north San Diego county with her husband Jason and two step-children.