One-Week Amalfi Coast Senior Vacation

The fast-paced and chaotic city of Naples has an unexpected charm that derives from its majestic history and stunning settings along the waters of the Tyrrhenian Sea. The layers of the past will emerge from the preserved royal palaces, castles, and ruins that are scattered across the landscape. The National Archeological Museum displays artwork and artifacts that provide insight into the aesthetics of Greek settlements and Roman colonies, such as Paestum and Pompeii. The sweet scent of freshly baked sfogliatelle will drift out of the corner bakeries while the savory aroma of delicious Neapolitan pizza emanates from the restaurants across the city, preserving traditional flavors and exploring new and exciting combinations.

Your flight will land at Naples International Airport, where your private transfer will greet you upon arrival. The azure waters along the harbor will shine against the bustling streets of the city with yachts, fishing vessels, and sailboats. As you travel with your private transfer from the airport to your luxury accommodations that overlook the marina, you will be able to see the radiant past that incorporates Byzantine, French, Spanish, and Austrian rule, with foundations laid by Greek settlers in the eighth century BC.

In the evening, your guide will meet you in the hotel lobby eager to introduce you to the quintessential flavor of Naples with a pizza-making class. You will enter a private kitchen where the ingredients will already be organized. The simple, fresh, and local combination of ingredients will balance the flavors and accentuate the quality of each item used. You will follow the instructions of your chef to make dough, create a savory sauce, and let the dish take shape. Your instructor will explain the history of pizza in Naples and its proud standing as a national symbol that is connected to the colors of the flag. The pizza will cook quickly in the woodfire oven and will fill the kitchen with the scent of crisp dough, garlic, and melted buffalo mozzarella.

The city will return to life in the morning with locals stopping in the local bars for an espresso and fresh pastry before beginning work. The scent of freshly baked sfogliatelle will make its way from the bakeries, once more filling the streets with a sweet, familiar aroma. Your guide will meet you at the hotel after breakfast and will lead you to the gates of Pompeii, which is the infamous city that was buried under 20 feet of pumice and ash after the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 79 AD.

The foundations of the city date back to the seventh century BC with life along the streets and inside the homes of former residents having been preserved for nearly 2,000 years. Your guide will introduce you to the city that once boasted a population of 20,000 people by taking you to the center of public and civic life at the Forum. You will marvel at the ruins of the Temple of Apollo, which is located at the heart of the public plaza. The original statues of Apollo and Diana are housed inside the National Museum in Naples with bronze replicas that decorate the temple grounds.

Discovering the diversity and size of the city’s ruins will showcase the importance of Pompeii. At the House of the Faun, your guide will explain the marvels of the grand villa that covers approximately 32,292 square feet. The elegance and size of the mansion will suggest its use as both public and private. A small bronze statue that rises out of the atrium depicts Faun with borders of a large garden, allowing archeologists insight into the wealth and boldness of the Roman ruling class.

The charming city of Sorrento nestles between the coastal cliffs, rising upwards of 180 feet above sea level for a stunning view of the crystal-clear, Tyrrhenian waters that spread to the looming peak of Mount Vesuvius and across the bay. The city acts as a getaway to the Amalfi Coat with quieter streets, resplendent charisma, and an ancient city center with traces of Greek foundations that have attracted famous literary geniuses including Charles Dickens, Johan Wolfgang von Goethe, and Lev Nikolayevich Tolstoy.

Colorful fishing boats will return to the Marina Grande, which is the traditional fishing port that sits beneath the limestone cliffs and walkways. The views of the port allow visitors to watch local fishers at work as they thatch their nets, unload crates of freshly caught seafood, and venture back through the ancient city walls that are layered with significance.

After meeting your guide in the hotel lobby, you will venture to a local eco-farm that preserves the traditional flavors of the coastline. The scent of citrus will drift from the large lemon groves. The fruit grown around Sorrento have gained the significant label of Indicazaione Geografica Protetta, or I.G.P., which protects the authentic origin and flavor of the product. The robust aroma will overtake the farm as your guide leads you on a tour through the trees to pick fruit from the orchard.

The rind will be thick and bumpy with noticeable oil glands that will provide the particular aroma that gives way to a celebrated tart and acidic flavor with a hint of sweetness instead of bitterness. After exploring the grounds to learn more about the iconic lemons of Sorrento and the celebrated olive oil that is produced on the farm, you will enter the kitchen to make the specialty digestif of Campania, known as Limoncello. The traditional liqueur has various recipes that have been passed down through families for generations. You will follow the lead of your guide by combining lemon rind, sugar, water, and alcohol before allowing the mixture to rest.

The day will begin early with your private driver taking you on a stretch of the gorgeous, 25-mile-long road that winds through the mountainous, Mediterranean shoreline known as the Amalfi Coast. The limestone cliffs protrude from the lush greenery along the hillsides while the azure waters of the Tyrrhenian Sea shimmer in the horizon. You will stop in the eponymous town of Amalfi, which is the former maritime powerhouse of the region. A gorgeous promenade will line the water’s edge and lead to the marina that will be glowing with colorful fishing boats.

The city center will open at Piazza del Duomo, where cafés will set out tables and chairs along the cobblestones and beneath the lingering antique façade of the Cathedral di Sant’Andrea. The massive bronze doors were crafted in Syria before arriving in Amalfi in the eleventh century and, to this day, remain framed by the vines and mythical beasts that have been carved into the surrounding portal.

After visiting the charming town of Amalfi, your driver will escort you to the charismatic town of Bomerano where you will traverse a portion of the trail known as the Path of the Gods. The pathway will provide sensational panoramic views of the coastline, leading up to approximately 1,903 feet above sea level. The trail will begin on a cobbled lane that will be set beneath a walking bridge, leading you towards the towns of Nocelle and Positano. Your first view of the Amalfi Coast from the trail will be breathtaking and will include the pristine azure water and limestone mountains that are adorned with Mediterranean greenery. Churches rise out of the cliffs, and colorful homes terraced along the hillsides will add delightful surprises to the overall scenery.

Your driver can meet you at Nocelle, or you can continue on the path to reach Positano, descending the steep staircase into the terraced town known as the most westerly city of the Amalfi Coast. The cobbled lanes will fill with the scent of lemons and grilled calamari as they are dressed in freshly squeezed lemon juice. The pastel-colored homes will climb up the mountain and gleam against the trees, while the golden shore of Spiaggia Grande will beckon to the visitors.

You will reach the famous island of Capri on the early ferry and disembark at the Marina Grande. The scent of the sea breeze will carry a semi-sweet aroma that will settle inside the marina between the staggering sea cliffs, which reach altitudes of 200 feet. The funicular will carry you to the main public plaza, which is known as the Piazzetta. Tables and chairs of surrounding cafés will fill the space, providing a delicate mixture of vibrant sounds and the complimentary scents of freshly baked pastries as well as freshly-brewed espresso.

You can explore the island at your leisure, enjoying the majesty of the views and splendor of Capri Town’s villas that will be dripping with blossoming bougainvillea and elegant wisteria. Boutique shops can provide elaborate window displays, and gelateria will provide fleeting hints of vanilla. Discovering the island can take you to the fabulous viewpoints that are along the summit of Monte Solaro at 1,929 feet above sea level. You can retreat to the town of Villa Lysis, which is located on the stunning, northeastern tip of the island for a view of the art-nouveau design that will be set against the backdrop of a steep cliff.

The fascinating city of Paestum was constructed in the sixth century BC by Greek settlers and still retains a sense of majesty in the preserved ruins that are rising out of the Campania plain. Your guide will escort you from the hotel in Sorrento to the archeological park that is located inland from the treasured coastline. Remnants of Roman and early Christian presence helped maintain the site until its abandonment by the ninth century AD. The captivating image of the city comprises of three temples that are dedicated to Hera, Ceres, and Poseidon.

The Temple of Poseidon remains the most complete structure of the complex with foundations that date back to 450 BC. With the exception of the roof and inner walls, the temple remains intact with double rows of columns, consisting of 36 pillars total with 24 decorative flutes on each. Before returning to Sorrento, you will have the option of stopping at a local farm to learn the important and to celebrate the art of crafting buffalo mozzarella, for which the region of Campania is known. The local farmer will lead you through the process of crafting the delicious cheese from milking to churning and eventually sampling the fresh, creamy cheese which is famous for its richness and delicious flavor.

In the morning, you will find the sweet scent of sfogliatelle a soothing reminder of your marvelous exploration of the Amalfi Coast and the greater Bay of Naples. The aroma of fresh espresso will sweep through the dining room of your hotel and amplify the beauty of your view over the water. The city will return to its charming pace as the doors to the Archeological Museum will open for the day in the Neoclassical architecture of Villa Fiorentino. The collection will highlight the extensive history along the Sorrentine Peninsula with artifacts ranging from sculptures to decorative arts. After breakfast, your private transfer will meet you at the hotel and escort you to Naples International Airport for your flight home, which will sadly bring an end to your time on the Amalfi Coast. You can always extend your exploration of Italy by visiting the stunning region of Puglia, or by taking time to discover the famous country roads of Tuscany.