Italy
Beyond the View: The Amalfi Coast and Sorrento
Program No. 18213RJ
Explore the ruins of Pompeii, enjoy a cooking class in Sorrento, see the gardens that inspired Wagner’s Parsifal and revel in the sites as you take a deeper look at the Amalfi Coast.
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Select your type of room
Price will update based on selection
Prices displayed below are based on per person,doubleoccupancy.
DATES
& starting prices
PRICES
May 14 - May 26, 2024
Starting at
4,949May 21 - Jun 2, 2024
Starting at
4,949Sep 10 - Sep 22, 2024
Starting at
4,949Sep 17 - Sep 29, 2024
Starting at
4,949Sep 24 - Oct 6, 2024
Starting at
4,949Oct 1 - Oct 13, 2024
Starting at
4,949Oct 8 - Oct 20, 2024
Starting at
4,949Oct 15 - Oct 27, 2024
Starting at
4,949Oct 29 - Nov 10, 2024
Starting at
4,449DATES
& starting prices
PRICES
May 14 - May 26, 2024
Starting at
5,769Sep 3 - Sep 15, 2024
Starting at
5,769Sep 10 - Sep 22, 2024
Starting at
5,769Sep 17 - Sep 29, 2024
Starting at
5,769Sep 24 - Oct 6, 2024
Starting at
5,769Oct 1 - Oct 13, 2024
Starting at
5,76913 days
12 nights
26 meals
11B 7L 8D
At a Glance
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 intarsia woodworking and the making of the infused liqueur known as limoncello, and, yes, have your breath taken away as you drive and boat along the rugged coastline.
Activity Level
Let's Go!
Walking up to four miles a day. Extended standing during site visits with limited or no public seating. Uneven terrain, limited public handrails, unavoidable stairs, marble and terracotta flooring, cobblestones, steep inclines, loose gravel, dirt paths. Elevator use is limited or restricted in historic sites. Expect crowded conditions in pedestrian centers and museums. Dress accordingly for visits to open-air archeological parks. Program-related travel and transfers will be via bus, boat, convertible, and funicular. Sheltered waiting areas may not be available at docks.
Small Group
Love to learn and explore in a small-group setting? These adventures offer small, personal experiences with groups of 13 to 24 participants.
What You'll Learn
- Appreciate the picture-postcard view of the houses and gardens clinging perilously to the cliffs via boat excursion along the Amalfi Coast.
- Investigate the lost cities of Pompeii and Herculaneum 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.
Featured Expert
All trip experts
Linda O'Brien
Linda O'Brien taught art history for the European Division of the University of Maryland and lectures in Road Scholar programs in Florence and Sorrento. She began her undergraduate studies at the University of Toronto, and then moved to Brussels, Belgium to continue her studies. 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 the Sorbonne.
Please note: This expert may not be available for every date of this program.
Linda O'Brien
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Linda O'Brien taught art history for the European Division of the University of Maryland and lectures in Road Scholar programs in Florence and Sorrento. She began her undergraduate studies at the University of Toronto, and then moved to Brussels, Belgium to continue her studies. 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 the Sorbonne.
Michela Porcelli
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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.
Domenico Nucci
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Domenico Nucci studied Greek, Latin, physics and philosophy during high school in Naples. He earned an associate's in art history, and later a degree at the Università di Napoli Federico II, and further studies in environmental and humanitarian legislation at American University. He then worked for many years in aid and reconstruction programs in Africa and Asia. When not on Road Scholar programs, he works in fruit tree care, home renovation, and property management.
Vincenzo Coppola
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Vincenzo Coppola is an ethnomusicologist and licensed guide for the Amalfi Coast area. He has a passion for music in the Neapolitan tradition. A lecturer at Naples University and Conservatory of Music, his seminars include Opera and Oriental Traits in Neapolitan popular music and the Japanese Theater of Noh.
Michelle Bassett
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Michelle Bassett was born in England and has spent most of her adult life there. She has a degree in applied social science from the Open University and is a qualified human resources professional. In 2011, Michelle moved to Italy and began working as a group manager and event planner. She and her husband live on a small farm near Sorrento with olive and lemon groves, a vegetable garden, and a dog. Michelle enjoys working on the farm, running, and reading.
Enrica Guida
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Enrica Guida studied at a classical lyceum and earned a degree in Political Science and Economy with honors from the University of Naples. She honed her English language skills at Cambridge University, England, and is also fluent in French and Spanish. She continued studies in Greek and Roman history, archaeology of Magna Grecia, and Pompeian antiquities at the University of Naples. She is a member of the Amici di Pompeii Association. Licensed by the Region of Campania, Enrica loves sharing the region’s history and culture.
Enzo Mangini
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Enzo Mangini was born and raised in Calabria in southern Italy. He moved to Perugia for college and graduated in political sciences with a major in history of the Mediterranean. He then moved to Rome to attend the LUISS School of Journalism. After 15 years as a professional journalist, Enzo decided to change careers and became an exploration leader. Enzo, his wife Federica, and daughter Frida live in a small town between Rome and Naples.
Sabina Gargiulo
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Sabina Gargiulo resides in Piano di Sorrento, and is a licensed regional guide specializing in the Campania region. Holding a degree in law from the esteemed Università degli Studi di Napoli Federico II, Sabina possesses a diverse professional background encompassing legal consultancy, sales management, and event coordination. Her profound love for exploration and adventure fuels her passion for travel, with a particular focus on unraveling the rich tapestry of history, art, and culture that Campania has to offer. Sabina speaks Italian, English, Spanish, and French.
Giorgia Montella
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Giorgia Montella, born in Torre del Greco near Naples, has been in the tourism sector for about 20 years, primarily as a group leader for Italian and international clientele. Her extensive experience includes group and individual management, problem solving, and collaborating with agencies and travel operators to craft innovative itineraries in Campania. She has recently ventured into travel designing for bespoke expeditions in Italy's leading travel destinations. Her passion for psychology, writing, and Eastern philosophies complements her professional pursuits.
Suggested Reading List
(18 books)
Visit the Road Scholar Bookshop
You can find many of the books we recommend at the Road Scholar store on bookshop.org, a website that supports local bookstores.
Beyond the View: The Amalfi Coast and Sorrento
Program Number: 18213
The Italians
The definitive portrait of the Italian people, this is a classic, scholarly essay on the Italian character. Though first published in 1964, it's still worth reading for its insight, grace and wit.
The Fires of Vesuvius, Pompeii Lost and Found
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.
Rediscovering the Ancient World on the Bay of Naples, 1710-1890
This extensively illustrated volume details various reactions to the early excavations of the ancient Roman cities of Pompeii and Herculaneum and their international influence in the 18th and 19th centuries.
The Ancient Shore
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.
Herculaneum: Italy's Buried Treasure
An artful and wonderfully written description of the daily life of the Romans at the time of the destruction of Herculaneum.
The House in Amalfi
Master of suspense and romance, Adler deftly intertwines lush descriptions of place with fast-paced intrigue in her 16th novel.
Vesuvius
Darley unveils human responses to Mount Vesuvius, a place both feared and celebrated, from a cast of characters as far-flung as Pliny the Younger and David Hockney. This entry in Harvard University Press's excellent Wonders of the World series is a perfect introduction for travelers to Pompeii and Herculaneum.
Campania Basilicata Map
A colorful, durable map of Campania, including Naples and the Amalfi Coast.
Blue Guide Southern Italy
A comprehensive guide to Southern Italy and especially its archaeology, history and culture. With maps and site plans.
Pompeii, The Day a City Died
This indispensable pocket guide illustrates daily life in the city as revealed by its evocative frescoes, mosaics and treasures.
Pompeii, Public and Private Life
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.
La Bella Figura, A Field Guide to the Italian Mind
Italians themselves love this guide to the Italian character, which addresses their never-ending passion for beauty, disorder and high emotion. The book opens with a snapshot of Malpensa Airport, then moves on to Tuscany, Rome, Naples and Sardinia.
Italian Folktales
A treasured collection of 200 lively folk tales presented by one of the modern masters of Italian fiction. Calvino's elegant rendering of these old stories reveals his great affection for the folkloric traditions of his childhood.
Life and Death in Pompeii and Herculaneum
Drawing on sharp, full-color photographs of more than 200 objects excavated from Pompeii and Herculaneum, Roberts, a curator at the British Museum, discusses what life was like in the ancient cities. He covers everything from birth certificates to the prevalence of bakeries and taverns.
Spartacus Road, A Journey Through Ancient Italy
Stothard retraces the 2,000-mile journey of the rebel gladiator and his army from Rome to Pompei and Sorrento in this tale of travel, myth and slave revolt in the first century B.C.
Lonely Planet Italian Phrasebook
A handy, palm-sized guide to pronunciation, basic grammar and essential vocabulary for the traveler.
Eyewitness Guide Naples & Amalfi Coast
Covering Naples, Pompeii, Herculaneum, and the Amalfi coast, this superb guide focuses on culture, history and art.
Gomorrah
Savaiano's expose of the Naples mob documents in graphic detail the depredations and violence of the killers, criminals and thugs of the Camorra.