Road Scholar : Home
Beyond the View: The Amalfi Coast and Sorrento

Program Number: 18213RJ
Start and End Dates:
9/24/2012 - 10/7/2012; 9/9/2013 - 9/22/2013; 9/23/2013 - 10/6/2013; 10/14/2013 - 10/27/2013; 10/28/2013 - 11/10/2013; 3/25/2014 - 4/6/2014; 4/15/2014 - 4/27/2014; 5/6/2014 - 5/18/2014; 5/20/2014 - 6/1/2014; 9/16/2014 - 9/28/2014; 9/30/2014 - 10/12/2014; 10/14/2014 - 10/26/2014;
Duration: 13 nights
Location: Italy
Price starting at: $3,311.00 - Price may vary based on date, departure city
Program Type:
Meals: 32; 12 Breakfasts, 10 Lunches, 10 Dinners    
Meal Options: Vegetarian; None; None; None    

The cliff-top road along the Amalfi Coast is one of the most beautiful stretches in the world, but this sun-kissed region has so much more to offer than just a scenic drive. Experience life in the artisan’s paradise of Sorrento and the tiny town of Minori, see the pride and skill that goes into the making of infused liqueur limoncello and intarsia woodworking, and, yes, have your breath taken away as you drive and boat along the rugged coastline.




Highlights

• On a boat excursion along the Amalfi Coast, appreciate the picture-postcard view of the houses and gardens clinging perilously to the cliffs.
• Investigate the lost cities of Pompeii and Herculaneum, searching the sites for frozen-in-time structures and valued artifacts.
• Step inside the famous Villa Rufolo with its imposing Arab architecture and lovely gardens that inspired Wagner as he penned Parsifal.



Activity Particulars

Walking up to two miles a day; some uneven terrain, especially at archaeological sites. Boarding small boats and ferries.




Date Specific Information

9-9-2013, 9-23-2013, 10-14-2013

Please note that this is the 2013 Itinerary: Arrival Naples; coach to Sorrento, 9 nights; coach to Positano; boat to Amalfi; coach to Minori, 3 nights; coach to Naples for departure
Enjoy the latest in hearing technology — listening devices — on this date.



10-28-2013

Please note that this is the 2013 Itinerary: Arrival Naples; coach to Sorrento, 9 nights; coach to Positano; boat to Amalfi; coach to Minori, 3 nights; coach to Naples for departure



3-25-2014, 4-15-2014, 5-6-2014, 5-20-2014, 9-16-2014, 9-30-2014, 10-14-2014

Enjoy the latest in hearing technology — listening devices — on this date.



Itinerary Summary

Arrival Naples; coach to Sorrento, 8 nights; coach to Positano; boat to Amalfi; coach to Minori, 3 nights; coach to Naples for departure



Overnight flight from the U.S.A.
1 night
Arrival Naples
Coach to Sorrento
8 nights

Learn about the contemporary issues facing Italy during an expert-led lecture. Discover firsthand two things Sorrento is famous for: making limoncello, a citrus infused liqueur, and crafting inlaid woodworking. Ferry to the chic island of Capri and take a chauffeured convertible ride to the hilltop villa of San Michele. Experience Sorrentine agriculture at an agriturismo, a working farm where you can sample fresh produce and olive oil.



Coach to Positano
Boat to Amalfi
Coach to Minori
3 nights
Coach to Naples for departure

Experience the stunning Amalfi Coast by land on the Amalfi Drive, winding beside the Tyrrhenian Sea, and by sea on boat excursions along the shore. Discover the ancient Greco-Roman city of Paestum and its painted Tomb of the Diver. Amalfi was renowned for the production cotton rag paper--visit the museum during your free time.




Italy

“Dolce far niente,” the “sweetness of doing nothing.” This ode to leisure is a distinctly Italian phrase, and yet the expression does not do justice to the hard-work ethos of the nation’s inhabitants. The monuments, art and civilization bequeathed to the people of modern Italy are a testament to the industry of their forebears, and the legacy lives on in today’s Italians, who work hard to better enjoy the sweetness of repose.
Accommodations
Sorrento: Four-star hotel set in shaded garden in heart of the city. Amalifi/Minori: Four-star hotel with sea breezes and bougainvillea-draped walls.

Road Scholar Instructors
These instructors are participating on at least one date of this program. Please note that changes may occur.
Jan Gilbert
Jan Gilbert has been leading Road Scholar programs in Sorrento and the Amalfi Coast since 1990. A native English speaker, Jan has lived most of her adult life in the Sorrentine peninsula. She has the unique ability to present just enough facts of her beloved slice of Italy to Road Scholar explorers so they can make their own discoveries of the magnificent natural beauty and charm of people of the Amalfi Coast.
 
Candace Ellis
A resident of Capri and Siena, Candace Ellis loves sharing her knowledge of Naples’ rich history with visitors in her presentations on contemporary history. She holds a degree in political science from a prestigious Italian university and is currently a professor at the University of Maryland, European Division. “I am an enthusiastic believer in the spirit of Road Scholar programs,” Candace says, “I love to see the understanding dawning on the faces of participants.”
 
Linda O'Brien
Linda O'Brien pursued her undergraduate studies at the University of Toronto, where she was awarded an advanced degree in art history and archaeology with honors from the Université Libre de Bruxelles. She completed post-graduate work in symbolic anthropology at Stanford University and is currently professor of art history for the European Division of the University of Maryland.
 
Michael Summers
Michael Summers is originally from South Africa. A former assistant conductor of the Monte Carlo Opera House, he conducts for operas and music festivals in Europe and other continents. Currently, he heads the faculty of conducting at the Conservatory of Venice.
 
Michela Porcelli
Michela Porcelli was awarded an advanced degree in linguistic anthropology from the University of Naples. Fluent in English, Swedish, Spanish and French, Michela studied in the U.S. at the University of California Santa Barbara. Currently, she lives in Naples where she is involved in several research projects in linguistics at the university there.
 
Meals and Lodgings
   Hotel Cesare Augusto
  Sorrento, Italy 9 nights
   Hotel Villa Romana
  Amalfi/Minori, Italy 3 nights
 Hotel Cesare Augusto
Type: Four-Star Hotel
  Description: In Sorrento, you’ll be residing in a fine modern hotel overlooking hills and lemon groves, and a very short walk from the charming old town. Buffet breakfast and some group meals will be served in the hotel dining room. The small outdoor pool on the roof of the hotel is open May—September.
  Contact info: Via degli Aranci, 108
Sorrento,  80067 Italy
phone: +011 39 081 878 2700
web: www.hotelcesareaugusto.com
  Room amenities: individual control heat and air conditioning, safe box for valuables, satellite TV, hair dryer, mini bar
  Facility amenities: Comfortable lounge and full service bar in the lobby, 24 hour reception, restaurant, meeting room. Rooftop pool and bar open May to September. Shady garden surrounds the property.
  Smoking allowed: No
  Elevators available: Yes
  Additional nights prior: varies by season To book additional nights at the hotel, email Lavinia Tour, Trinity College’s partnering agency in Rome, info.reserv@laviniatour.it. Another option is to book directly through the hotel’s online reservation system www.hotelcesareaugusto.com. Indicate to the hotel or agency at the time of your booking that you are with the Road Scholar group and every effort will be made to ensure continuity of room assignment
  Check in time: 2:00 PM

 Hotel Villa Romana
Type: Four-Star Hotel
  Description: On the Amalfi Coast lies the seaside resort of Minori. Archeological evidence based on the ruins of an imperial age villa uncovered nearby indicates the area was populated by Romans in the 1st century. Today the village continues to attract visitors to its tranquil shores and piazza-like atmosphere. Perfectly situated near Amalfi, Ravello, Maiori and the ceramic tile center of Vietri, Minori will serve as our base. From there we will coach to Paestum, a 5th century Greek settlement with magnificently preserved temples.
  Contact info: Corso Vittorio Emanuele
Minori (Amalfi),   Italy
phone: +39 -089-877-237
web: www.hotelvillaromana.it
  Room amenities: satellite television, mini-bar, safe box for valuables, hair dryer and individual climate control.
  Facility amenities: The hotel is a short walk from the beach and sea front promenade. Breakfast and dinner will be served in the hotel restaurant. Relax in the spacious lounge with full bar service. The outdoor pool is open May—September. There is an internet point in the lobby for your convenience; charges apply.
  Smoking allowed: No
  Elevators available: Yes
  Additional nights after: varies by season To book additional nights at the hotel, email Lavinia Tour, Trinity College’s partnering agency in Rome, info.reserv@laviniatour.it. Another option is to book directly through the hotel’s online reservation system www.hotelvillaromana.it. Indicate to the hotel or agency at the time of your booking that you are with the Road Scholar group and every effort will be made to ensure continuity of room assignment
  Check out time: 11:00 AM


Travel Details
  Start of Program:
Check in 2:00 pm. Lunch provided for those arriving by noon. 4:00 pm neighborhood walk followed by Welcome Reception and dinner. You will be staying at Hotel Cesare Augusto that night.
  End of Program:
Check out 11:00 am. No activities other than departure transfers to the Naples airport You will be staying at Hotel Villa Romana the night before.
  Required documents:
The Road Scholar Health & Safety Form is required.
Transportation (For Independent Travelers)
  Train or bus availability: Sorrento connects to Naples along the Circumvesuviana railroad line. Naples connects to major Italian cities on the national railroad line. The two lines connect at the Naples train station.
To Start of Program
  Location:  Sorrento
  Nearest city or town:  Naples
  Nearest highway: Autostrata del Sole
  Nearest airport:  Capodichino
  Transportation to site: To reach the program site hotel on your own you can take a public bus, or engage a taxi or private car and driver. Curreri Bus Co. buses depart from the stop in front of the airport terminal. The ticket (approx. 10 euros pp) can be purchased on board the bus. The ride takes about 1.5 hours with various stops. In Sorrento, get off at the Circumvesuviana train station. From there, take a taxi for the short ride to the hotel. Fare is about 10 euros. If you can manage cement steps walk around the back of the station and climb the 20 steps that lead to Viale degli Aranci; the hotel is 300 ft. ahead (turn right at the top of the steps). To take a taxi from the airport to the hotel, proceed to the taxi stand when you exit the airport terminal. Fare will be approx. 130 euros. Another option is arranging a private car and driver from the airport to the hotel in Sorrento. Contact Lavinia Tour tel. 011 39 06 3937 7453, fax 011 39 06 3937 6910, email: agenziaviaggi@laviniatour.it to arrange the service. Fare is approx.170 euros for the service. The driver will meet you as you exit customs.
  From End of Program
  Location:  Amalfi/Minori
  Nearest city or town:  Minori
  Nearest highway: Amalfi Hwy, A1 hwy
  Nearest airport:  Capodichino
  Transportation from site: To reach the Naples airport on your own, there are no direct public ground transportation services from Minori. A private transfer direct from the hotel in Minori to the Naples airport can be arranged through a local agency, tel. 011 39 06 3937 7453, fax 011 39 06 3937 6910, email: agenziaviaggi@laviniatour.it. Private car and driver will cost approx. 175 euros.
The prices listed for commercial services and facilities that are not included in the program cost, such as airport shuttles or extra nights lodging, are subject to change without notice. Since Road Scholar cannot guarantee the accuracy of these prices, we strongly suggest contacting the companies directly for the most up-to-date information.


Daily Schedule

Day 1: Departure from points in North America
(Monday, September 24)
   
 In Transit: Overnight flight over the Atlantic Ocean with arrivals the following day.

Day 2: Arrival/Welcome Reception
(Tuesday, September 25)

Note: Minimal exertion
   
 Arrive To: Arrivals at Naples Airport. Transfer by coach to Sorrento.
 Lunch: Lunch at the hotel for those arriving by noon.
 Afternoon: Welcome to Sorrento reception and introductions to meet your group leader and fellow learners.
 Dinner: Dinner at the hotel.
   
Accommodations: Hotel Cesare Augusto
Meals Included: Lunch, Dinner

Day 3: Orientation and neighborhood walk
(Wednesday, September 26)

Note: Leisurely walk around the neighborhood
   
 Breakfast: Buffet breakfast at the hotel.
 Morning: Staff introduces program schedule, lectures and excursions. A short walk in the neighborhood follows pointing out stores, pharmacies and banking services. The walk continues down to the characteristic old port where it's not uncommon to see fishermen bringing in the catch of the day or repairing their nets.
 Lunch: Lunch at the hotel.
 Afternoon: An expert illuminates Classical Greek art and archeology. Continue your exploration of Sorrento on a brief walk in town.
 Dinner: Dinner at a local restaurant.
   
Accommodations: Hotel Cesare Augusto
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 4: Roman Art and Architecture / Explore Pompeii
(Thursday, September 27)

Note: Vast archaeological park of Pompeii: uneven roads and sidewalks made with cobble stones, some paths are dirt; few opportunities to sit, bathrooms are at the entrance and exits.
   
 Breakfast: Buffet breakfast at the hotel.
 Morning: Discover how the Romans appropriated Greek art forms to their own tastes. An art historian illustrates examples from evidence discovered in Pompeii and Herculaneum.
 Lunch: Lunch at Ristorante Vesuvio in Pompeii.
 Afternoon: Guided visit of Pompeii archaeological site. Wander the streets of the city frozen in time in August of 79 CE. Walk into the amphitheater, see where the gladiators trained, walk down Via Abbondanza, the main street, observe 1st century political grafitti. Notice the similarities between Pompeii where bars, restaurants, shops and bakeries line the streets, and that in any modern city in Italy.
 Dinner: Dinner at the hotel.
   
Accommodations: Hotel Cesare Augusto
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 5: Greek Art and Architecture / Inlaid Wood Workshop
(Friday, September 28)
   
 Breakfast: Buffet breakfast at the hotel.
 Morning: An expert illuminates Classical Greek art and archeology. Continue your exploration of Sorrento on a brief walk in town.
 Lunch: Lunch at the hotel.
 Afternoon: Visit the Tarsia Museum that displays the materials, tools and traditional motifs used by master craftsmen of marquetry, or inlaid wood design. To ensure continuity for the decorative art tradition the museum is also a workshop to teach the craft to local youth.
 Dinner: Dinner on your own.
   
Accommodations: Hotel Cesare Augusto
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch

Day 6: Naples / Archaeological Museum
(Saturday, September 29)

Note: A flight of marble stairs in the museum, leisurely walk around the royal neighborhood in Naples.
   
 Breakfast: Buffet breakfast at hotel.
 Morning: Coach to Naples. Expert-led visit of the Archaeological Museum which houses treasures and artifacts found in Pompeii and Herculaneum, including the famed Alexander Mosaic, Flora and Fauna, and the Farnese Bull.
 Lunch: Lunch at a characteristic restaurant in the heart of Naples.
 Afternoon: See the San Carlo Opera House and Galleria Umberto in the Royal Neighborhood. Extended visit of the interior of the theater may not be possible due to the reheasal schedule at the time of the visit.
 Dinner: Dinner at the hotel.
   
Accommodations: Hotel Cesare Augusto
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 7: Free Morning / Italy Today
(Sunday, September 30)
   
 Breakfast: Buffet breakfast at hotel.
 Morning: Free time to attend services or explore Sorrento at your own pace.
 Lunch: Lunch at a local restaurant.
 Afternoon: Examine the issues facing Italy today in a lecture and discussion of the country's contemporary health care system, education, religion, and women's issues, and discover the ways in which Italy continues to undergo rapid economic and societal change. Question and answer session follows.
 Dinner: Dinner on your own
   
Accommodations: Hotel Cesare Augusto
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch

Day 8: Island of Capri
(Monday, October 1)

Note: Commercial passenger ferry passage from Sorrento to Capri. The hilly island has inclined paths.
   
 Breakfast: Buffet breakfast at hotel.
 Morning: Board a boat to Capri. Indulge in a full day on the Mediterranean's most lush island while roaming the intricate cobbled laneways and the chic neighborhoods. Guided visit to the villa of Axel Munthe. Weather permitting enjoy the scenery from the convertible car with the top down.
 Lunch: Lunch at Ristorante La Giara in Capri.
 Afternoon: Capri visit continues. Some free time to climb the ruins of the villa of Tiberius or savor a gelato at a waterfront cafe. Boat returns to Sorrento by late afternoon.
 Dinner: Dinner at the hotel.
   
Accommodations: Hotel Cesare Augusto
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 9: Political History / Cooking Demo in the Countryside
(Tuesday, October 2)

Note: Leisurely day in the country-side.
   
 Breakfast: Buffet breakfast at hotel.
 Morning: A brief survey of Italian history from the 1848 independence movement to the present.
 Lunch: Lunch on your own.
 Afternoon: Coach to the Sorrento countryside for a cooking demonstration and sampling of local produce, including olive oil.
 Dinner: Enjoy the dinner you have observed in the making.
 Evening: Coach to Sorrento after dinner at the agriturismo.
   
Accommodations: Hotel Cesare Augusto
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner

Day 10: Herculaneum / Music in the Neapolitan Tradition
(Wednesday, October 3)
   
 Breakfast: Buffet breakfast at hotel.
 Morning: Expert-led visit to the archaeological site of Herculaneum. Like Pompeii, the town was destroyed by the eruption of Mt. Vesuvius. What makes this site stand out is that the furnishings and interior of the homes, sealed in by the mud flow, have left a clearer picture of what life was like in an ordinary fishing village in 79 CE.
 Lunch: Lunch at a local restaurant.
 Afternoon: A musicologist expounds on the Neapolitan music tradition, complete with recordings.
 Dinner: Dinner at the hotel.
   
Accommodations: Hotel Cesare Augusto
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 11: Positano/Transfer to Amalfi Coast hotel
(Thursday, October 4)

Note: Walk down hill to the port of Positano. Ability to board commercial passenger boat, weather permitting. Leisure time in Amalfi.
   
 Breakfast: Buffet breakfast at the hotel.
 Morning: Amalfi Coast Drive, the scenic narrow winding road cut into the steep cliffs above the Mediterranean Sea. On route, visit the elegant seaside town of Positano with its characteristic white houses that cling in tiers to the rock face.
 Lunch: Lunch at a local restaurant.
 Afternoon: Board a vessel bound for Amalfi from where you can fully appreciate the cascading houses and luscious gardens on the mountain face. In Amalfi, visit the cathedral of St. Andrew and an interesting museum that illustrates the techniques of milling paper, an industry that flourished in Amalfi in the 12th century. Transfer to Minori and check into the hotel.
 Dinner: Dinner at the hotel.
   
Accommodations: Hotel Villa Romana
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 12: Paestum and The Art of Bufala Mozzarella
(Friday, October 5)

Note: Walk through the archaeological Greek temple area of Paestum along dirt paths.
   
 Breakfast: Buffet breakfast at the hotel.
 Morning: An hour long drive south takes us to the Greek settlement of Paestum, dedicated to Poseidon. The highlights include doric style temples dating from the 6th and 5th centuries BCE dedicated to Hera. The adjacent museum contains the famed painted tomb of the diver.
 Lunch: Lunch at an agriturismo, or working farm.
 Afternoon: Observe the making of the highest quality of mozzarella cheese from water buffalo milk.
 Dinner: Dinner at the hotel.
   
Accommodations: Hotel Villa Romana
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 13: Ravello and Amalfi
(Saturday, October 6)

Note: Inclined walk from parking area to the top of Ravello, climb stairs in the gardens and villa.
   
 Breakfast: Buffet breakfast at the hotel.
 Morning: Coach to Ravello, a medieval hill town above Amalfi for a visit to the world renowned Villa Rufolo, inspiration to Wagner and other artists.
 Lunch: Lunch on your own.
 Afternoon: Excursion on the Amalfi Coast continues. Some free time late afternoon in Minori.
 Dinner: Farewell dinner at the hotel.
   
Accommodations: Hotel Villa Romana
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner

Day 14: Departure
(Sunday, October 7)
   
 Breakfast: Breakfast at the hotel; continental style for participants with early morning departure.
 Morning: Coach to and Depart from Naples airport.
   
Meals Included: Breakfast

Free Time Opportunities
  
  Sorrento Museo Correale
Neapolitan Paintings: 17th, 18th, 19th centuries. European, Oriental porcelain, clocks, inlaid woodwork, archaeological finds. Closed on Tuesdays. For additional information, visit www.museocorreale.com/
  Oplontis
Archeological site close to Pompeii with several historical Roman villas. For additional information, visit NA
Important information about your itinerary: Every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy and completeness of the information featured on this website. Itineraries are based on our best information at this time. Circumstances beyond our control may require us to adjust itineraries or other details. We regret any inconvenience this may cause and appreciate your understanding. Information will be sent to you from your Program Provider approximately three weeks prior to the program start date. The prices listed for commercial services and facilities that are not included in the program cost, such as airport shuttles or extra nights lodging, are subject to change without notice. Since Road Scholar cannot guarantee the accuracy of these prices, we strongly suggest contacting the companies directly for the most up-to-date information.

Suggested Reading List


Blue Guide Southern Italy


Author: Paul Blanchard


Description: A comprehensive guide to Southern Italy and especially its archaeology, history and culture. With maps and site plans.



Campania Basilicata Map


Author: Touring Club Italiano


Description: A colorful, durable map of Campania, including Naples and the Amalfi Coast.



Eyewitness Guide Naples & Amalfi Coast


Author: Eyewitness Guides


Description: This superb guide features color photography, dozens of excellent neighborhood maps and a district-by-district synopsis of the region's attractions.



Greene on Capri, A Memoir


Author: Shirley Hazzard


Description: This book is ultimately a memoir about the author's friendship with Graham Greene, but there's plenty of commentary of Capri’s history and culture for those seeking a flavor of the place.



Herculaneum: Italy's Buried Treasure


Author: Joseph Jay Deiss


Description: An artful and wonderfully written description of daily life of the Romans at the time of the destruction of Herculaneum.



La Bella Figura, A Field Guide to the Italian Mind


Author: Beppe Severgnini


Description: Italians themselves love this guide to the Italian character, which addresses the apparently never-ending passion for beauty, disorder and high emotion. Severgnini opens the book with a snapshot of the hubbub at Malpensa Airport, then moves on to Tuscany, Rome, Naples and Sardinia.



Lonely Planet Italian Phrasebook


Author: Lonely Planet


Description: A handy palm-size phrasebook for the traveler.



Pompeii, Public and Private Life


Author: Paul Zanker, Deborah Schneider (Translator)


Description: A comprehensive guide to the architecture, people and culture of Pompeii, focusing on both grand public spaces and private villas. With 21 color illustrations and 55 halftones, including site plans, models, mosaics and sculpture.



Pompeii, The Day a City Died


Author: Robert Etienne


Description: This indispensable pocket guide illustrates daily life in the city as told by its evocative frescoes, mosaics and treasures.



Pompeii, The Living City


Author: Alex Butterworth, Ray Laurence


Description: A meticulous historical and archaeological reconstruction of the city of Pompeii, its people, culture and daily rituals both before and after 79 AD, the year of the eruption of Mt. Vesuvius.



The Ancient Shore


Author: Shirley Hazzard


Description: Hazzard's lyrical collection of essays on the history, beauty, complexities and contradictions of Naples. Includes a celebrated New Yorker essay by husband Francis Steegmuller.



The Fires of Vesuvius, Pompeii Lost and Found


Author: Mary Beard


Description: With the panache of a gifted classicist, Mary Beard (Wonders of the World) conjures daily life in celebrated Pompeii, not only demolishing with particular relish the many myths that have grown up around the place but also emphasizing the limits of our knowledge. Some things we simply shall never know for certain.



Vesuvius


Author: Gillian Darley


Description: Gillian Darley unveils the human responses to Vesuvius, both feared and celebrated, from a cast of characters as far-flung as Pliny the Younger and David Hockney in this entry in Harvard University Press's excellent Wonders of the World series, a perfect introduction for travelers to Pompeii and Herculaneum.





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