Here’s something completely different – as exciting as any of our cycling trips, but with no bikes! In conjunction with Italy expert Valentina Todino we’ve designed a fantastic week, a Beautiful Adventure, around her home region of Campania – that’s Naples, Benevento and Amalfi to you.
It’s an amazing region. Throughout the week we’ll have our own minibus and driver, and every day we’ll visit a UNESCO World Heritage Site as Valentina shows you round the food & wine, the culture, the history and architecture of Campania.
We’ll explore Pompeii, Naples and Amalfi, but we’ll also explore off the beaten track. We’ll visit vineyards, find out about famous local liqueurs Limoncello and Strega, visit a buffalo farm to see the production of mozzarella cheese. The Rough Guide says ‘You could be forgiven for coming to Naples solely to eat’, and we’ll put that to the test.
This trip has been two years in the planning. It’s a busy adventure, but you’ll have a fascinating and a beautiful week. You’ll find lots of details and some great photos at www.labellaavventura.com, but here’s a brief summary of our itinerary: (Remember to click on the photos to see larger images)
Saturday
We meet in Naples for the transfer to Tufara Valle near Benevento.
Sunday
A short drive to Sant’ Agata to meet Paola at her vineyard for a tasting and lunch. In the afternoon we’ll visit the huge palace at Caserta, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and Italy’s Versailles.
Monday
Naples! Italy’s 3rd biggest city, built next to mainland Europe’s only active volcano, with a history that dates back way before the Romans. As well as the Archaeological museum we’ll explore the historical centre of Naples and visit the spectacular Galleria Umberto I. And we’ll eat!
Tuesday
Today we visit Benevento, and explore the Roman Theatre, Trajan’s Triumphal Arch and the church of Santa Sofia, a UNESCO World Heritage site. We’ll also squeeze in a visit to the Strega distillery and a cooking lesson back home at Tenuta Grasso.
Wednesday
Pomeii and Herculaneum, UNESCO sites that offer a unique glimpse into Roman life in 79 AD. We can see the daily routine of Roman life, including the temples, the market places, homes and businesses. The ash even preserved the hairstyle of the victims and graffiti.
Thursday
The coastline, between Sorrento and Salerno is named for its best-known village, Amalfi, and is one of the most famously beautiful stretches of coastline in the world. The home of Limoncello, and also of Colotura, the modern-day version of Garum, Rome’s favourite condiment. Don’t be put off when you learn how they make it!
Friday
We head south for the UNESCO site of Paestum, a collection of beautiful Greek temples only re-discovered in the 18th Century. Nearby we’ll visit a buffalo farm, see them make the famous mozzarella and enjoy a ‘taster lunch’.
Heading back towards Salerno we’ll visit the vineyard of Lunarossa. This is a real treat, mould-breaking winemakers, combining science with tradition, in a beautiful setting.
Saturday
Transfer back to Napoli Centrale for trains to Rome.
Dates for 2014: May 24th – 31st, September 6th – 13th. Just two weeks this year, book early!
Cost: £1,200 per person (on the basis of double occupancy).
Single Supplement: £175
What’s included:
- 7 nights accommodation
- 7 evening dinners
- 7 breakfasts
- Return transfers from Naples train station
- All transport during the week
- All entrance fees
- All tasting fees
- Guide
Travel
Our transfers are based around meeting and returning to Naples train station. Rome has two airports; both of them run regular shuttles to Rome train station with regular departures for Naples (1hr 10 mins). We can help with advance train bookings if required.
The website is due to go live in the first week of February, so please go and have a look, and complain if it isn’t there!
