Among them, it is impossible not to mention the Amalfi Coast, which offers suggestive and unforgettable panoramas.
Get equipped with a backpack and cosy shoes: let’s experience together one of the most exciting walking tours in Southern Italy. Discover fairy places that can amaze whoever decides to explore them.
Tours in the South of Italy: Americans love the Amalfi Coast
The Amalfi Coast is one of the favourite tourist destinations by the Americans. In particular, many celebrities choose to travel in this lovely place in Southern Italy every year. Among the American stars who have chosen this international destination for their vacations, there are Cameron Diaz and Jennifer Lopez.
Actually, every year this corner of paradise attracts numerous tourists from all over the world. This is not surprising: besides the stunning landscapes that you can admire, the Amalfi Coast boasts a unique cultural and historical heritage and a traditional cuisine, that can delight everyone.
The Amalfi Coast has ever hosted illustrious figures, attracted by the pleasant and restorative atmosphere you can breathe here. Nowadays it is a destination for international tourism, while in the past this locus amoenus was the favourite place of intellectuals and artists: they were inspired by the beautiful landscapes and by the authenticity of the daily life.
The enchanting sceneries, that amaze those who decide to go through one of the most famous panoramic roads in Italy, have been often chosen as natural movie set. This fact has surely contributed to increase the international fame of the Amalfi Coast and of the tours in the South of Italy. Many film directors, indeed, have been inspired by the beauty of these landscapes: they realized famous movies such as “A Good Woman”, with Scarlett Johansson and Tom Wilkinson; “Only You”, with Robert Downey Jr. and Marisa Tomei; “Beat the Devil”, with Humphrey Bogart, Jennifer Jones and Gina Lollobrigida. Moreover, the Amalfi Coast was also a movie set of “Mr. and Mrs. Smith”, during the filming of which Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie fell in love.
Southern Italy travel: explore the Amalfi Coast on foot
The Amalfi Coast is a long panoramic cart road, which connects colourful and picturesque towns in the Campania region. Among them, the most famous are Amalfi, after which the Amalfi Coast is named, Positano, Vietri Sul Mare, Sorrento, Ravello and Agerola.
The walking tours in Southern Italy are for sure the most exciting way to discover these places, which hide real corners of paradise. Along the Amalfi Coast, on the slopes of Monti Lattari, there are many paths: one is the spectacular Sentiero degli Dei. This path, leading to Positano through a panoramic trail with a view over Capri, is one of the most fascinating. The Sentiero dei Limoni is also outstanding: it connects Maiori to Minori through a suggestive walk among the terraced lemon orchards. Here you can enjoy a stunning view with the fresh scent of the famous citrus fruits, with which a delicious liquor is made: limoncello.
Walking through these tours in the South of Italy, you can enjoy breathtaking panoramas, especially at sunset, when the sky and the sea romantically turn pink and orange.
Choosing to hike along the Amalfi Coast means exploring one of the most beautiful place in Italy from an unusual perspective: in close contact with an unspoiled nature and slowly, taking the time needed to fully enjoy all the beauties that these places can offer.
Guided tours in Southern Italy: discover the Amalfi Coast from east to west
Slow Active Tours offers two routes along the Amalfi Coast: the eastern one starts from Salerno and arrives in Amalfi; the west one, instead, starts from Amalfi and arrives in Sorrento.
Both the Amalfi Coast trails offer stunning views of the Tyrrhenian Sea through ancient paths that smell of lemon, and typical towns, enriched by colourful majolica.
Amalfi, one of the four Maritime Republics, is the most important city of the Amalfi Coast, and also the reference point for both the itineraries proposed by Slow Active Tours. This pretty and romantic city is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Italy. It directly overlooks the sea with its characteristic houses, which form a hamlet, recognized by UNESCO as World Heritage. The artistic and historical heritage of Amalfi finds its maximum expression in the monumental Cathedral in Arabian-Sicilian style, that amazes all the tourists.
Salerno is the departure city of the eastern tour along the Amalfi Coast: less known than the west one, it really deserves to be experienced. This beautiful city has much to offer from the touristic point of view. Among the main attractions, we suggest you to visit the fascinating medieval castle of Arechi, that overlooks the gulf of Salerno. Moreover, the Medieval Aqueduct, the Provincial Pinacoteca, the Cathedral, the Minerva’s Garden and the Public Garden deserve to be visited. To end the day with a moment of relax, you can have a pleasant walk along the promenade.
Following the trail along the Amalfi Coast, you will have the opportunity to visit the beautiful Vietri sul Mare. It is a small village, but here you can discover the most authentic soul of the region. It is half-way between Salerno and Amalfi and offers beautiful beaches and suggestive coves, that are lapped by clear blue water. In this city you can admire some among the most beautiful handmade ceramic objects: in the craft shops and upon the walls of the houses and of the streets … pottery is everywhere in Vietri sul Mare!
Instead, if you choose the west trekking tour along the Amalfi Coast, the most famous one among the tours in the South of Italy, you will surely be enchanted by Positano. You will arrive in Positano after having walked through the fascinating Sentiero degli Dei. Following some uphill trails, you can get to Agerola, a little town suspended between sea and mountain: the only view of which will pay off the efforts of the adventurous travellers who arrive here. We suggest an overnight stay in this peaceful place, as proposed, for instance, in “The divine coast: walk from Amalfi to Sorrento” tour.
The final destination of the tour is Sorrento, lovely town where Torquato Tasso was born. The main square, indeed, is named after the writer and is the heart of the city life. Corso Italia branches off from Piazza Tasso and is rich in shops, boutiques and typical restaurants. You cannot miss other attractions such as the Cathedral of Sorrento, the Monastery of San Francesco and the suggestive Vallone dei Mulini. Moreover, you can enjoy breathtaking panoramic views over the sea from different points of the city.
Hiking tours in the South of Italy: some tips by Slow Active Tours
This Southern Italy trip is surely one of the most exciting experience that a walking traveller could have. It is important, however, follow some tips to better enjoy the tour and make it unforgettable!
Firstly, it is important to get equipped in the right way: cosy clothes, durable shoes, lightweight backpack and hiking sticks are recommended. These latter are necessary to face without problems the ups and downs that characterize the trail.
Choosing the right period to hike along the Amalfi Coast is also important to make this experience more or less pleasant. The most recommended months in which you can plan your journey are surely April, May and October, when the weather is not too cold nor too hot.
The tours proposed by Slow Active Tours can be managed in complete freedom and customized on your own needs. We suggest you a trip to Naples, which is easily reachable from every part of the Amalfi Coast. Here you can hike on the Vesuvius, enjoying unique emotions and breathtaking views over the Parthenopean city and the Gulf of Naples.
Finally, you cannot miss Ischia. This volcanic island is easily reachable from Naples by boat. It is a very popular destination among tourists from all over the world, thanks to its wonderful sea and its enchanting bays. Among the most famous beaches, there is Cartaromana, which is characterized by its volcanic rocks and its thermal hot waters in the sea. Not only sea: Ischia is also famous for its numerous historical and archaeological sites, such as the Roman settlements and the Aragon Castle.