We wanted to drop you a “note” to tell you we had a wonderful time on the trip to Italy. Thank you so much for your great work in putting it all together!
Olive Oil Tour and Wine Tasting
Historical tours of Paestum, Agropoli, and Cicerale
Vegan Cooking Lesson
Stunning Scenery and Local Culture on this Vegan, Italian National Park Tour
Immerse yourself in this off-the-beaten-path tour that travels from Naples, down the Amalfi Coast, into Italy’s stunning Cilento National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Experience ancient Greek ruins, Byzantine architecture, and an 11th-century ghost village. Enjoy stunning, pristine beaches, grottos, and canyons. Abundant footpaths are appreciated by those who love to trek, offering stunning panoramic views of coastline and mountains.
Why You’ll Love This Tour!
Off-the-beaten path
Great mix of beach, canyon, and mountain locations
Cooking lessons, olive oil tastings, wine tastings, local cuisine
9-Day Adventure
Walking Tour and Welcome Dinner in Naples
National Park with Mountains and Beaches
Click the Tabs to Find Out More
Essential Info
Essential Info
Price
$3400 USD/per person
*A non-refundable deposit of 25% of the tour cost, along with a registration form, are required in order to join the tour. Your space is not guaranteed until both of these are received.
Dates
October 11-20, 2024
Tour duration
9 nights/10 days
Group size
8-15 people
Included
- 9 nights accommodations
- 9 breakfasts
- 8 lunches
- 9 dinners
- Sightseeing and activity admissions
- Transportation between activities
- All logistics are taken care of for you
Not included
- Airfare
- Travel insurance
What to bring
Comfortable shoes
Travel insurance is highly recommended for any unexpected emergency expenses.
About your guide
One American tour leader and one Italian tour leader
Trip Overview
On Day 1, Arrival Day, we will gather together at our Naples hotel and enjoy a walking tour of chaotic Naples. If you arrive early and your room is not ready you will be able to store your bags. While Naples is not a city for everyone, it should be experienced once, and we’ll have a local guide to make things easier for us. Its food is some of the best in Italy, and its setting on the Bay of Naples, with Mount Vesuvius in the distance, is quite stunning. We will spend a bit more time getting to know each other with a welcome dinner featuring local cuisine.
On Day 2, after enjoying breakfast in Naples, we will travel by bus to Paestum, a town with its historical and architectural roots in Greece. Located on the Tyrrhenian sea, this village boasts stunning views and the ruins of three ancient Greek temples.
Day 3 includes a visit to Agropoli, home of the Aragonese Castle, dating back to the Byzantine era. We will enjoy a wine-tasting lunch at a vegan winery, followed by an afternoon at Trentova Bay, with an optional walk around the bay.
Day 4 will be spent exploring local plants, herbs, and flowers, after which we will cook an organic lunch hosted by Giovanna, of Agriturismo Corbella, recognized as an ambassador of the Mediterranean Diet. Our evening will be spent in the village of Cicerale, meeting locals and viewing historical sites.
On Day 5, we embark upon our national park adventure, visiting Calore Canyon, enjoying a scenic walk along the river and picnicking beside the mountains at Fellito.
Day 6 will take us to the beautiful village of Acciaroli, where we will indulge in an olive oil tasting, learning of its history, mythology, and health benefits.
Day 7 is a free day to relax at our accommodations, Villa Bernadette Farmhouse, spend the day at the beach, or hike Mt. Stella.
On Day 8, we head out to the pristine beach area at Infreschi Bay, a hidden paradise accessible only by walking. For those who don’t wish to walk today, the Marina di Camerota offers a peaceful alternative for exploration.
Day 9 brings us to the Palinuro Cape, with an optional grotto boat tour or walk around the cape. Following this adventure, we will visit an 11th-century ghost village.
On Day 10, we will travel back to Naples for departures, following our farewell breakfast.
Itinerary
Plan to arrive at the airport in Naples, Italy (NAP), and transfer to our centrally located hotel. You’ll be able to store your bags at the hotel if it’s not yet check-in time. We will meet our local guide and enjoy a walking tour of this bustling city, followed by a welcome dinner.
On our first full day, we will commence our journey to Paestum, an ancient city located on the Tyrrhenian Sea, where we will experience the architecture, art, rites, and culture of ancient Greece. Later in the day, we will head to our accommodations in Cicerale.
Meals Included
Day 1: Dinner
Day 2: Breakfast, lunch and dinner
Day 3 sees us visiting Agropoli, site of the Aragonese Castle, whose foundations were laid in the Byzantine (6th Century!) era. From the castle, we will enjoy panoramic views of the Tyrrhenian Sea. We will visit a vegan winery for a tasting and lunch, followed by a leisurely afternoon at Trentova Bay Beach, with the option to walk around the bay.
Day 4 will offer lessons in regional plants, herbs, and flowers with chef and Mediterranean Diet Ambassador Giovanna, of Agriturismo Corbella. Together, we will cook an organic lunch using these local delicacies. After lunch, we will venture into Cicerale to mingle with the locals and explore the local history and architecture.
Meals Included
Day 3: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner
Day 4: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner
On Day 5, we will venture into the Cilento National Park, where we will visit Calore Canyon, affording us the opportunity to hike on forested, well-trodden paths, reaching the Calore River. We will eat lunch along the river before continuing on towards the limestone formations within the Fellito Reserve. We will transfer our accommodations to Villa Bernadette Farmhouse, in San Mauro Cilento, where we will enjoy a fresh, farm dinner.
Day 6 offers us the opportunity to experience an olive oil tour and tasting, where we will learn about its history, its cultivation and production, and its purported health benefits. We will visit the white sand beaches of Acciaroli and enjoy lunch and a leisurely, unscheduled afternoon. Of note here is that Acciaroli was known as a holiday destination for Ernest Hemingway. The area is known for its especially pungent variety of rosemary, and the local diet seemingly contributes to an extended life expectancy.
Meals Included
Day 5: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner
Day 6: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner
Day 7 will be a free day for relaxing at the farm, visiting the beach, or hiking Monte Stella, which houses a small church dedicated to Our Lady of Monte Stella, as well as a radar station which monitors air traffic within the vicinity of the Tyrrhenian Sea. As there are various options for hiking paths, these hikes can be short-to-long in duration and of medium-to-strenuous difficulty, based upon your preferences.
On Day 8, we will hike to Infreschi Bay, a hidden paradise accessed by walking only. This is a moderate hike, along a well-maintained trail, leading to a pristine beach, a true hidden paradise. Those not inclined to hike can enjoy a leisurely morning at the Marina di Camerota. There is much to explore here, including paleolithic caves and fine-sand beaches. We will re-group for lunch, enjoying a secret dish of the area, featuring a legume called Lentiscosa Maracuoccio, often made as an enticing and nutritious polenta. This unique legume is cultivated only in this region and is recognized by the Slow Food Foundation for Biodiversity.
Meals Included
Day 7: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner
Day 8: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner
On Day 9, we will visit the Palinuro Cape, indulging in a grotto azurra (Blue Grotto) boat tour. For those who wish to remain on land, the cape offers ample opportunities for leisurely and picturesque walking. We will also visit an 11th-century ghost village. Our final dinner will be prepared by a local family and served in a village bar.
On Day 10, we will enjoy a farewell breakfast before transferring back to Naples (NAP) for our departing flights.
Meals Included
Day 9: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner
Day 10: Breakfast
Good to Know
Amount of walking: 5-8 miles per day, with options to pursue other activities
Airport: Plan to fly into and out of Naples, Italy (NAP)
Previous Guests Praise Veg Jaunts and Journeys
It was a special experience to explore Italy with like-minded, compassionate travelers. We saw the sights, plus we got to explore a cat sanctuary in Rome and a vegan cheesemaking business. This trip was a top 10 life experience.
Thank you Kim and Wendy for such a wonderful trip through Italy. I was so nervous traveling alone overseas but really enjoyed getting to know everyone in the group. Would love to keep in touch with all and maybe see you on another trip.
