Living & Learning on the Amalfi Coast: Independent Stay and Study

Activity note: Hotel check-in available from 3:00 p.m. Remember to bring your nametag (sent previously).

Afternoon: After checking in to the hotel and getting your room, take some time to freshen up and relax before our Orientation session. Orientation: 6:00 p.m. The Group Leader will greet everyone and lead introductions. We will review the up-to-date program schedule, discuss roles and responsibilities, logistics, safety guidelines, emergency procedures, hand out train and bus timetables, and answer questions. Educational content will be provided by a local expert and our knowledgeable Group Leader. Program-related travel will be primarily via motorcoach — requiring ascending and descending a few steps — unless specified otherwise. Meals will feature local cuisine and will include wine, coffee, and water with other beverages available for purchase. Periods in the daily schedule designated as “Free time” and “At leisure” offer opportunities to do what you like and make your experience even more meaningful and memorable according to your personal preferences. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions. Program activities, schedules, personnel, and indicated distances or times may change due to local circumstances/conditions. In the event of changes, we will alert you as quickly as possible. Thank you for your understanding.

Dinner: At the hotel.

Evening: At leisure. Continue getting to know your fellow Road Scholars, settle in, and get a good night’s rest for the day ahead.

Activity note: Walking up to 2.5 miles in about 1/2 hour; even and uneven terrain.

Breakfast: At the hotel.

Morning: We’ll set out on a walking field trip with our Group Leader to explore this Italian paradise by the sea. As we walk, we’ll observe volcanoes, sample limoncello, and learn about Greek legends and Italian traditions.

Lunch: At a farmhouse in Sorrento.

Afternoon: After returning to the hotel, the remainder of the afternoon is free. This period of time has been set aside for your personal independent exploration to see and do what interests you most. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions. Please note that the period scheduled for free time is subject to change depending on local circumstances and opportunities for independent exploration.

Dinner: At a local restaurant.

Evening: At leisure. Prepare for check out and transfer in the morning.

Activity note: Getting on/off a motorcoach; traveling about 35 miles approximately 1 hour riding time. Walking about 1.5 miles throughout the day; generally flat terrain.

Breakfast: At the hotel.

Morning: After checking out of the hotel, we will board our motorcoach and transfer to the residence. After getting your apartment, take some time to freshen up and relax before our lunch.

Lunch: At a local restaurant.

Afternoon: The Group Leader will acquaint us with the local bakery, cleaners, market, drugstore, and all of the other services needed for our time in Maiori. The Group Leader will also discuss how to create a connection with the local community by pursuing a personal interest or hobby during our stay. We will then explore with the Group Leader the city center on foot and get familiar with the public transportation system.

Dinner: At a local restaurant.

Evening: At leisure.

Activity note: Extent and duration of walking and other activities during free time according to personal choice.

Breakfast: Independent meal.

Morning: We will be joined at the residence by a local expert who will give us a lecture on Campania's culture, art, and traditions.

Lunch: Independent meal.

Afternoon: We will be joined at the residence by a local expert who will give us a lecture on Mediterranean diet. Free time.

Dinner: Independent meal.

Evening: At leisure.

Activity note: Extent and duration of walking and other activities during free time according to personal choice.

Breakfast: Independent meal.

Morning: We will be joined at the residence by a local professor for our first Italian language lesson.

Lunch: Independent meal.

Afternoon: Free time.

Dinner: Independent meal.

Evening: At leisure.

Activity note: Extent and duration of walking and other activities during free time according to personal choice.

Breakfast: Independent meal.

Morning: We will be joined at the residence by a local professor for our Italian language lesson.

Lunch: Independent meal.

Afternoon: Free time.

Dinner: Independent meal.

Evening: At leisure.

Activity note: Extent and duration of walking and other activities during free time according to personal choice.

Breakfast: Independent meal.

Morning: We will be joined at the residence by a local professor for our Italian language lesson.

Lunch: Independent meal.

Afternoon: Free time.

Dinner: Independent meal.

Evening: At leisure.

Activity note: Extent and duration of walking and other activities during free time according to personal choice.

Breakfast: Independent meal.

Morning: We will be joined at the residence by a local professor for our Italian language lesson.

Lunch: Independent meal.

Afternoon: Free time.

Dinner: Independent meal.

Evening: At leisure.

Activity note: Extent and duration of walking and other activities during free time according to personal choice.

Breakfast: Independent meal.

Morning: We will be joined at the residence by a local professor for our Italian language lesson.

Lunch: Independent meal.

Afternoon: Free time. In the late afternoon, we will meet our Group Leader at the residence. Share your experiences with new Road Scholar friends.

Dinner: Independent meal.

Evening: At leisure.

Activity note: Extent and duration of walking and other activities during free time according to personal choice.

Breakfast: Independent meal.

Morning: Free time.

Lunch: Independent meal.

Afternoon: Free time.

Dinner: Independent meal.

Evening: At leisure.

Activity note: Extent and duration of walking and other activities during free time according to personal choice.

Breakfast: Independent meal.

Morning: Free time.

Lunch: Independent meal.

Afternoon: Free time.

Dinner: Independent meal.

Evening: At leisure.

Activity note: Getting on/off motorcoach; traveling about 73 miles, approximately 2.5 hours throughout the day. Walking about 2.5 miles throughout the day; cobblestone paths.

Breakfast: Independent meal.

Morning: We will board the motorcoach and head to Pompeii. On arrival, we’ll set out on a walking field trip with a local expert to explore this ancient city. One of the most preserved examples of Roman civilization, Pompeii provides us an amazing opportunity to witness the daily life of ancient Romans.

Lunch: At a restaurant in Pompei

Afternoon: Then, we will ride to Ercolano. On arrival, we will set out on a walking field trip to explore the Ville Vesuviane. With our Group Leader, we’ll learn how the villas were inspired, both in their architecture and wall paintings, by the excavation of Roman Herculaneum. We will return to the residence.

Dinner: Independent meal.

Evening: At leisure.

Activity note: Extent and duration of walking and other activities during free time according to personal choice.

Breakfast: Independent meal.

Morning: We will be joined at the residence by a local professor for our Italian language lesson.

Lunch: Independent meal.

Afternoon: Free time.

Dinner: Independent meal.

Evening: At leisure.

Activity note: Extent and duration of walking and other activities during free time according to personal choice.

Breakfast: Independent meal.

Morning: We will be joined at the residence by a local professor for our Italian language lesson.

Lunch: Independent meal.

Afternoon: Free time.

Dinner: Independent meal.

Evening: At leisure.

Activity note: Extent and duration of walking and other activities during free time according to personal choice.

Breakfast: Independent meal.

Morning: We will be joined at the residence by a local professor for our Italian language lesson.

Lunch: Independent meal.

Afternoon: Free time.

Dinner: Independent meal.

Evening: At leisure.

Activity note: Extent and duration of walking and other activities during free time according to personal choice.

Breakfast: Independent meal.

Morning: We will be joined at the residence by a local professor for our Italian language lesson.

Lunch: Independent meal.

Afternoon: Free time. In the late afternoon, we will meet our Group Leader at the residence. Share your experiences with new Road Scholar friends.

Dinner: Independent meal.

Evening: At leisure.

Activity note: Extent and duration of walking and other activities during free time according to personal choice.

Breakfast: Independent meal.

Morning: Free time.

Lunch: Independent meal.

Afternoon: Free time.

Dinner: Independent meal.

Evening: At leisure.

Activity note: Extent and duration of walking and other activities during free time according to personal choice.

Breakfast: Independent meal.

Morning: Free time.

Lunch: Independent meal.

Afternoon: Free time.

Dinner: Independent meal.

Evening: At leisure.

Activity note: Getting on/off public transportation; traveling about 13 miles, approximately 1 hour. Walking about 2 miles throughout the day; generally flat terrain.

Breakfast: Independent meal.

Morning: We will be joined at the residence by a local expert who will give us a lecture on Neapolitan traditions and the Neapolitan music.

Lunch: Independent meal.

Afternoon: We will board the motorcoach and ride to Ravello, with a crazy panoramic view of the sea. We will visit the beautiful Villa Rufolo. Built by a wealthy merchant family in the 13th century, the villa has a rich and storied past. We will ride back to Maiori.

Dinner: Independent meal.

Evening: At leisure.

Activity note: Extent and duration of walking and other activities during free time according to personal choice.

Breakfast: Independent meal.

Morning: We will be joined at the residence by a local professor for our Italian language lesson.

Lunch: Independent meal.

Afternoon: Free time.

Dinner: Independent meal.

Evening: At leisure.

Activity note: Extent and duration of walking and other activities during free time according to personal choice.

Breakfast: Independent meal.

Morning: We will be joined at the residence by a local professor for our Italian language lesson.

Lunch: Independent meal.

Afternoon: Free time.

Dinner: Independent meal.

Evening: At leisure.

Activity note: Extent and duration of walking and other activities during free time according to personal choice.

Breakfast: Independent meal.

Morning: We will be joined at the residence by a local professor for our Italian language lesson.

Lunch: Independent meal.

Afternoon: Free time.

Dinner: Independent meal.

Evening: At leisure.

Activity note: Extent and duration of walking and other activities during free time according to personal choice.

Breakfast: Independent meal.

Morning: We will be joined at the residence by a local professor for our Italian language lesson.

Lunch: Independent meal.

Afternoon: Free time. In the late afternoon, we will meet our Group Leader at the residence. Share your experiences with new Road Scholar friends.

Dinner: Independent meal.

Evening: At leisure.

Activity note: Extent and duration of walking and other activities during free time according to personal choice.

Breakfast: Independent meal.

Morning: Free time.

Lunch: Independent meal.

Afternoon: Free time.

Dinner: Independent meal.

Evening: At leisure.

Activity note: Extent and duration of walking and other activities during free time according to personal choice.

Breakfast: Independent meal.

Morning: Free time.

Lunch: Independent meal.

Afternoon: Free time.

Dinner: Independent meal.

Evening: At leisure.

Activity note: Getting on/off public transportation; traveling about 96 miles, approximately 2.5 hours throughout the day; Walking about 2.5 miles; generally flat terrain.

Breakfast: Independent meal.

Morning: We will board our motorcoach and ride to Caserta. We’ll set out on a walking field trip with our Group Leader to visit the Royal Palace, an UNESCO heritage site and the largest royal palace in the world.

Lunch: At a restaurant in Caserta.

Afternoon: We will return to Maiori. Free time.

Dinner: Independent meal.

Evening: At leisure.

Activity note: Getting on/off motorcoach; traveling about 71 miles, approximately 2.5 hours total. Walking about 3 miles; uneven terrain; unavoidable 136 steps down into underground tunnels; tunnel paths are illuminated and spacious.

Breakfast: Independent meal.

Morning: We will board our motorcoach and ride to Naples. we’ll set out with our Group Leader on a walking field trip to explore the historic center of Naples. As we walk, we’ll learn more about the history of this beautiful city.

Lunch: At a restaurant in Naples.

Afternoon: We will walk with our Group Leader to the Naples Underground. Forty meters below the lively streets of Naples, we’ll discover the origins of the city. We’ll step back through time and walk through the extensive caves, underground structures, and observe ancient artifacts including the remains of Nero’s lost theater. We’ll exit the underground tunnels and walk with our Group Leader to the Cristo Velato — the Veiled Christ — one of the greatest sculptures of all time in the Sansevero Chapel. We will then return to Maiori.

Dinner: Independent meal.

Evening: At leisure.

Activity note: Getting on/off a jet boat; approximately 2 hours speed ferry to Capri. Walking up to 2 miles, approximately 2 hours with several stops; smooth, flat terrain.

Breakfast: Independent meal.

Morning: We will board a motorcoach, ride to the dock, and get into a jet boat that will take us to Capri. On arrival, we’ll set out on a walking field trip with our Group Leader to explore the historic Santa Teresa district. We’ll learn about the history of the village and how it’s been influenced by Arabic culture.

Lunch: At a restaurant in Capri.

Afternoon: We will then return to Maiori after our field trip.

Dinner: Independent meal.

Evening: At leisure.

Activity note: Extent and duration of walking and other activities during free time according to personal choice.

Breakfast: Independent meal.

Morning: Free time.

Lunch: Independent meal.

Afternoon: Free time.

Dinner: Independent meal.

Evening: At leisure.

Activity note: Getting on/off a motorcoach; driving about 80 miles, approximately 2.5 hours throughout the day. Walking about 2 miles, approximately 1 hour throughout the day; uneven terrain, cobblestone.

Breakfast: Independent meal.

Morning: We will board the motorcoach and ride to Paestum for an expert-led walking field trip of the archaeological site. Paestum was a major ancient Greek city on the coast of the Tyrrhenian Sea, it comprises three of the best-preserved ancient Greek temples in the world. We will then ride to the Masseria Eliseo for a cooking demonstration of traditional recipes of Campania with the Baronessa Cecilia Baratta.

Lunch: At the farmhouse, we will enjoy the meal we observed being prepared.

Afternoon: We will ride back to Maiori.

Dinner: Independent meal.

Evening: At leisure.

Activity note: Extent and duration of walking and other activities during free time according to personal choice.

Breakfast: Independent meal.

Morning: Free time.

Lunch: Independent meal.

Afternoon: Free time.

Dinner: Independent meal.

Evening: At leisure.

Activity note: Extent and duration of walking and other activities during free time according to personal choice.

Breakfast: Independent meal.

Morning: Free time.

Lunch: Independent meal.

Afternoon: Free time.

Dinner: Independent meal.

Evening: At leisure.

Activity note: Extent and duration of walking and other activities during free time according to personal choice.

Breakfast: Independent meal.

Morning: We will be joined at the residence by a local professor for our Italian language lesson.

Lunch: Independent meal.

Afternoon: Free time.

Dinner: Independent meal.

Evening: At leisure.

Activity note: Extent and duration of walking and other activities during free time according to personal choice.

Breakfast: Independent meal.

Morning: We will be joined at the residence by a local professor for our Italian language lesson.

Lunch: Independent meal.

Afternoon: Free time.

Dinner: Independent meal.

Evening: At leisure.

Activity note: Extent and duration of walking and other activities during free time according to personal choice.

Breakfast: Independent meal.

Morning: We will be joined at the residence by a local professor for our Italian language lesson.

Lunch: Independent meal.

Afternoon: Free time.

Dinner: Independent meal.

Evening: At leisure.

Activity note: Extent and duration of walking and other activities during free time according to personal choice.

Breakfast: Independent meal.

Morning: We will be joined at the residence by a local professor for our Italian language lesson.

Lunch: Independent meal.

Afternoon: Free time.

Dinner: Independent meal.

Evening: At leisure.

Activity note: Extent and duration of walking and other activities during free time according to personal choice.

Breakfast: Independent meal.

Morning: We will be joined at the residence by a local professor for our Italian language lesson.

Lunch: Independent meal.

Afternoon: Free time. In the late afternoon, we will meet our Group Leader at the residence. Share your experiences with new Road Scholar friends.

Dinner: Independent meal.

Evening: At leisure.

Activity note: Getting on/off public transportation; traveling about 8 miles, less than 1/2 hour. Walking about 1.5 miles throughout the day; generally flat terrain. Extent and duration of walking and other activities during free time according to personal choice.

Breakfast: Independent meal.

Morning: We will board our motorcoach and ride to Amalfi for an expert-led walking field trip through the town narrow streets and Arabic districts. We will visit the “paper Museum”, a small but very unique and well-preserved museum dedicated to the art of paper making. We will then return to Maiori.

Lunch: Independent meal.

Afternoon: Free time.

Dinner: Independent meal.

Evening: At leisure.

Activity note: Extent and duration of walking and other activities during free time according to personal choice.

Breakfast: Independent meal.

Morning: Free time.

Lunch: Independent meal.

Afternoon: Free time.

Dinner: Independent meal.

Evening: At leisure.

Activity note: Extent and duration of walking and other activities during free time according to personal choice.

Breakfast: Independent meal.

Morning: We will be joined at the residence by a local professor for our Italian language lesson.

Lunch: Independent meal.

Afternoon: Free time.

Dinner: Independent meal.

Evening: At leisure.

Activity note: Extent and duration of walking and other activities during free time according to personal choice.

Breakfast: Independent meal.

Morning: We will be joined at the residence by a local professor for our Italian language lesson.

Lunch: Independent meal.

Afternoon: Free time.

Dinner: Independent meal.

Evening: At leisure.

Activity note: Extent and duration of walking and other activities during free time according to personal choice.

Breakfast: Independent meal.

Morning: We will be joined at the residence by a local professor for our Italian language lesson.

Lunch: Independent meal.

Afternoon: Free time.

Dinner: Independent meal.

Evening: At leisure.

Activity note: Extent and duration of walking and other activities during free time according to personal choice. Walking about 0.5 miles throughout the day; even and uneven terrain.

Breakfast: Independent meal.

Morning: Free time.

Lunch: Independent meal.

Afternoon: Free time.

Dinner: At a local restaurant. Share favorite experiences and enjoy camaraderie with new Road Scholar friends during our farewell dinner.

Evening: At leisure.

Activity note: Residence check-out by 11:00 a.m. See your program's “Getting There” information regarding transfers.

Breakfast: Independent meal. This concludes our program.

Morning: If you are returning home, safe travels. If you are staying on independently, have a wonderful time. If you are transferring to another Road Scholar program, detailed instructions are included in your Information Packet for that program. We hope you enjoy Road Scholar learning adventures and look forward to having you on another rewarding program in the future. Don’t forget to join our Facebook page and follow us on Instagram. Best wishes for all your journeys!