the Amalfi Coast and Southern Italy

Transcription

1 the Amalfi Coast and Southern Italy March 17-27, 2013 small group touring led by Chumley and native Italian guides the Amalfi Coast, including the towns of Positano and Amalfi multi-night stays: Amalfi coast, Paola, Matera, Cusano Mutri visits to farms and kitchens, vineyards and cellars, local craftsmen lovely coast and mountain scenery visits to timeless sites, with commentary by local experts {Small Group Exploration; Limited to 14 Adventurers. This is an insiders tour, featuring visits to local artisans and traditional farms.} Itinerary: Sunday, March 17 Depart on your overnight flight to Italy. Monday, March 18 Our local guides will pick us up at the Rome airport and begin our drive directly to the

2 Amalfi coast. We will stop for lunch en route. In the afternoon, we will check into our hotel perched at the top of a peak overlooking the splendid Tyrrenean Sea (a part of the Mediterranean). After a chance to settle into the hotel with balcony views of its splendid terraced gardens and lemon groves we ll toast the lovely sunset over the water, and set our minds and forks to an unforgettable seafood feast. Finally, after sipping some unimaginably good Limoncello, we ll be ready to drift off to sleep. Tuesday, March 19 Our first morning in Amalfi will begin on the right note, with a buffet breakfast featuring home-made jams, cakes and more. The Amalfi coast is known in part for its dramatically curvy roads, which sometimes keep passengers from concentrating on the seaside views. That s why on the second day we instead will take a private boat to see Positano and the famous Blue Caves, as well as other beautiful beaches, approached from the sea. We ll have lunch at a restaurant favored by locals and known for its delicious regional dishes. In the afternoon, we ll go by van to visit a local ceramic craftsman. His family has long made stunning ceramics from clay mixed with lava rock, known for their unusual, high quality. He ll show us the art involved in decorating and firing these ceramic jewels. After a short rest at the hotel, the day will continue with a visit of Positano by night with a taste of their pizzas topped with the famous water buffalo mozzarella. Wednesday, March 20 After breakfast, we ll make our way to Calabria. En route, we ll stop to visit the other jewel of the coast, the city of Amalfi with its charming Duomo and historic traditions

3 from the time when this city was a republic as well known as Siena, Venice, and Florence. We ll have time for lunch on our own there, and some time for shopping. The day will continue with some time on the road, but after about an hour and a half, we will begin to enjoy a fantastic natural spectacle: the high mountains of the Pollino chain of Calabria. We will arrive at our hotel on the sea, and luxuriate in its 5-star charms, including a private beach. Dinner will be at a local restaurant near the city of Paola. Thursday, March 21 After breakfast, this morning we ll take a relatively short drive of about 40 minutes to visit a series of hamlets in the area, whose homes cling to the mountainside. Of special interest will be the village of Fiume Freddo. In addition to its interesting history, Fiume Freddo has preserved its local charm intact. We ll watch a grandma baking bread and cheese in the traditional way and learn about the many ways to prepare dry figs. Our simple lunch will feature these products and more. In the afternoon we will take advantage of our private beach to relax. Dinner will be at a local farm (agriturismo) which boasts a beautiful view of the sunset over the Tyrrhenian Sea. Friday, March 22 Today after breakfast we ll start off in the direction of the beautiful city of Matera. Before leaving Calabria for Basilicata or Lucania, however, we will stop at Oriolo, a

4 small fairytale-like village where, in addition to the visit to the main Castle, we will stop at a working farm which produces all the food served at their restaurant. The owners will show us how ricotta cheese is made, and we will partake of plenty of delicious food but try to save room for a gelato later on! Finally, we ll arrive in Matera. Matera is known for its nativity-scene look: in fact, it was the location for the filming of such films as The Passion of Christ and The Nativity Story. We will stay in a former convent with an amazing 360 degree view of the Sassi cave dwellings, inhabited by local residents until not long ago. We will have an orientation walk in Matera, which will feel like a step backwards in time. Dinner will be on our own this evening. Saturday, March 23 After breakfast, we will take a tour of the two parts of the Sassi with a local guide. The Sassi are an exceptionally intact example of a cavedwelling (troglodyte) settlement in the Mediterranean region. The first inhabited zone dates back to the palaeolithic period, while other settlements stretch across many epochs. We will enjoy lunch at a local restaurant which is located underground, carved out of what the locals call tufo bianco (white tufa stone a type of limestone). In the afternoon, we will also visit a local

5 olive oil press and some chiese rupestre cave churches with frescoes, all in the Matera area. Dinner will once again be a special meal, served at a working farm. Sunday, March 24 This is the day that, following breakfast, we ll head back up north. On the way, we ll stop for the night in an area of the region of Campania renowned for wine, porcini mushrooms, chestnuts, and more. We will stay in a B&B which, though run by farmers, boasts surprisingly elegant rooms with a view of the mountain village of Cusano Mutri. This village, Cusano Mutri, is completely built of local gray stone and has one of the most beautiful views of the Appenine Mountains. There we will have lunch with the farmers who will treat us to a cooking class and a visit to their prosciutto aging room. This evening we will visit Cusano Mutri as well, where we will enjoy dinner on our own. Monday, March 25 Today we will drive to the village of Saint Agata dei Goti. Here, in addition to a brief visit of the village, we will have a look at an utterly amazing wine cellar, totally carved in tufo stone. There we will be guided by a noblewoman, the owner, who will tell us about its wine making history and we ll enjoy lunch with wine tasting. Tonight will be our farewell dinner in Cusano Mutri. Tuesday, March 26 Today, we drive to Rome. The day is yours to enjoy. We ll stay in the heart of the old city featuring enjoyable strolls in every direction. Visit the local boutiques, discover a unique museum or gallery, or people-watch from a strategic café. Over dinner together this evening, savor great stories from our adventure together. Overnight, Rome. Wednesday, March 27 Take a shuttle to the Fiumicino Airport for your flight to the U.S., arriving home in the evening. Price: approx. $3950 / person (double occupancy; single supplement, $700); price includes all ground transportation in Italy (including airport pick-up / drop-off), excursions as described, accommodations for 9 nights in Italy, all breakfasts, 5 lunches,

6 4 dinners, guide services. Price does not include international airfare, trip insurance, some meals, personal expenses, tipping, optional activities (including activities and city transportation in Rome). About your Explore Up Close Southern Italy adventure... Hotels: Accommodations are generally deluxe double rooms, often with a view or balcony, located in 3-star (or better) quality hotels. Our hotels are often family-owned, boutique-style hotels, with a pleasant ambiance (some with a courtyard area), and an attractive lobby and breakfast room. Hotels are chosen for their comfort, pleasant and convenient locations, attentive staffs, and are intended to enhance the richness of our immersion experience. Transportation: We will travel by comfortable van, chauffeured by our Italian guides, Roberto and Anna. They are safe drivers who know the roads well. Travel style: The style of the trip is to primarily offer structured / guided exploration of villages and countryside, with some opportunities for individual down time. It should be a nice blend of both. All breakfasts are included; many lunches and dinners are as well. Travel in the off season means the locals are less pressed and more friendly; we will get plenty of support from the trip leader, our native guides, and the hotel staff.

7 Travelers insurance: Travelers insurance is not included in the price. It is recommended. I recommend that you purchase it through Gateway Travel (call Jane Calhoun at ), or online at Registration / trip payment: Register for the trip by printing the Registration document (pdf) and mailing it with a deposit of $750 / person (check, payable to Explore Up Close). Final payment is due 60 days prior to departure (January 18, 2013). Payments are refundable prior to January 18, minus required vendor deposits, and a $100 service fee from Explore Up Close. If the trip is cancelled due to low participant sign-up, all monies will be refunded. Itinerary: Explore Up Close, LLC, reserves the right to alter the itinerary when necessary. EUC guarantees the spirit of the original itinerary; all substitutions will represent equivalent standards, etc. Activity / fitness level: European travel generally requires more walking than travel in the U.S.; terrain (even in towns and villages) is more uneven and rough; Italy is hilly and mountainous. A basal fitness level is required to climb stairs, hills, get into and out of the vans, and to cope with life as an active traveler in Italy. Liability: By enrolling for the trip, travelers assume responsibility and liability for the risks of travel, and for their health during the trip. Explore Up Close maintains a liability insurance policy. Explore Up Close 2012