Positano - Excursions

Excursions

Positano is situated at the center of the Amalfi coast. Sheltered by the Lattari Mountains from the North winds it has a mild and dry climate and here visitors will enjoy both sun and sea. Positano is also well connected, by both land and sea, to a number of much sought after locations, especially during the summer season, so visitors can make many excursions. Each day, in high season, there are connections and guided tours to the areas of greatest tourist and cultural interest. Indeed, the Campania region is a veritable treasure chest brimful of history and traditions: from the incredible archaeological site of Pompei to the fascinating island of Capri.
Without having to move very far from the town of Positano, you can enjoy a starlit night listening to an exclusive concert on the panoramic terraces of Ravello, or explore the beautiful sea beds guided by a local expert. Immediately behind the Amalfi Coast, you can venture into the mountains, which guard almost undiscovered scenery, featuring waterfalls and rare tropical plants. For information and bookings, you need only contact the reception staff of the hotel in which you are staying.

For Capri and Ischia

Each day from Positano harbour, boats depart for Capri and Ischia. Generally departure is at around 8,30 , returning in the late afternoon, at approximately 16,00. In addition to the journey across the water, passengers can participate in guided tours of the islands. Boats are modern and extremely comfortable, with an open top floor from which the marvellous views across the sea can be seen. During the journey one passes by inlets and small villages; passengers are able to see the natural landscapes and the traditional vernacular architecture. The route to Capri passes by the small islands
of ’Li Galli’, the Sorrentine Coast, the Punta Campanella Straight, across which one can see, on the right, the entire Gulf of Naples and, on the left, Capri as it comes into view.

For those headed for Ischia, after a brief stop at Capri, the boat proceeds towards the Green island.
Ischia is the largest of the islands in the Gulf of Naples, and is called 'the green island' or ‘Isola Verde’ because of the thick vegetation which covers much of the island. The water tables and thermal springs of Ischia are well known and, not surprisingly, every bathing resort or hotel possesses thermal swimming pools and offers beauty and health treatments using mud, mineral waters and algae.

Grotta dello Smeraldo and Li Galli

Every day in Summer boats take visitor sto the Grotta dello Smeraldo cave and the Islands of’Li Galli’. The boat passes by the Fiord of Furore, 'a corner of Norway' cut in to the Mediterranean rock. The first stop is made close to the Emerald cave, allowing passengers to visit the interior of the grotta, before proceeding towards ’Li Galli’, where one can take a dip in the clear waters of the archipelago. The Grotta dello Smeraldo was discovered in 1932 in the Bay of Conca dei Marini, and owes its name to the color which the water assumes within its interior. The visit inside the cave lasts for approximately 30 minutes during which time one can see unusual stalagmites which rise up out of the water, a sign that once the cave was much higher in relation to the level of the sea, and an underwater ceramic nativity scene.
Th islands of "Li galli" are three small privately owned islets, roughly three miles away from Positano, and linked to the cult of the Sirens.

Pompei and Vesuvius

The excursion to Pompei and the Nature Reserve of Vesuvius are made by coach, and are accompanied by professional tour guides. Pompei is a city unique in the world. Destroyed in 79 AD, following the eruption of Vesuvius, it was buried under a storm of lapillus and ashes. Lengthy excavation works brought to light the original structure of the ancient Roman city with its roads, houses, temples and shops. The excursion continues with a visit to Vesuvius, now a National nature reserve, and a brief visit to a factory where corals and cameos are modelled, a traditional art of the area.

Paestum

Another place of great historical and archaeological importance is Paestum, town of the Magna Grecis. Here one can see the Doric columned temples dedicated to Cerere and Neptune, the ruins of a basilica and sections of the ancient city walls. A visit to the Museum, which houses extremely rare archaeological findings, is also included in the excursion.

Naples

The visit to Naples is by coach; a comfortable way to travel along the coast and back. Once in the city, the itinerary is largely pedestrian. Naples is a cultural and artistic city. With, or without, the assistance of a tour guide, to explore the historic center, with its myriad of alleyways and characteristic narrow streets, is a truly unique experience. There are a great number of churches and museums to visit. There is the underground city of Naples, and there are the workshops of local
craftsmen where, throughout the year, the scenery and figures of the Neapolitan Nativity are displayed. The gastronomic delights of the city are nearly impossible e to resist: in Naples the pizza is excellent everywhere, the traditional pastries can be found in every bar, where it is obligatory to savor the local coffee, such as the very fashionable nut flavoured variety.

Sorrento and Herculaneum

Sorrento is one of the principal tourist destinations on the Gulf of Naples. Here visitors can wander through the center where local craft products in leather and wood are displayed, in addition to traditional goods such as spices, liqueurs, wine, and ice cream. Then, of course, there is the marvellous clear water of the bay in which to enjoy a swim.

In the archaeological site of Herculaneum one can see the remains of an ancient Roman city which was buried under mud and ashes and destroyed by the eruption of Vesuvius in 79 AD.

Lattari Mountains

The Lattari mountains offer a host of walking routes across the many pathways which branch out throughout the mountain range, behind the Amalfi Coast. The itineraries are numerous and tours are organised by knowledgeable guides and experts from the State Forestry Commission. Walks include routes such as those along the "Sentiero degli Dei", "Valle delle Ferriere" and "Punta Campanella" which take visitors through the some of the mountains’ most breathtakingly beautiful scenery.