Hiking Southern Italy: Islands & Fire in the Land of the Gods

Saturday, May 8, 2027: Depart home for Naples, Italy

Sunday, May 9: Arrive in Naples | Transfer to hotel | Castellammare di Stabia
Upon arrival at Naples-Capodichino International Airport (NAP), you will be met and transferred as a group (time TBD) to our hotel in Castellammare di Stabia. Take some time to relax before gathering for an introductory lecture and welcome reception at the hotel. Enjoy a leisurely, independent dinner. Five nights at the 4-star Towers Hotel Stabiae Sorrento. (R)

Monday, May 10: Pompeii | Boscoreale | Castellammare di Stabia | Welcome dinner
Explore Pompeii, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one the world’s most fascinating archaeological sites that was both destroyed and preserved by the eruption of Mt. Vesuvius in A.D. 79. The eruption buried the city under tons of ash, pumice, and lapilli, but excavations have revealed life in a prosperous ancient Roman city. After lunch at a local restaurant, visit Villa Regina at Boscoreale, just over half a mile north of Pompeii (and part of the Archaeological Park of Pompeii). Discover its well-preserved rooms and frescoes, and explore the Antiquarium, which showcases artifacts from nearby villas, offering insight into daily life in the Vesuvian region before the eruption. Return to our hotel and gather for a welcome dinner at a local restaurant. (B,L,D)

Tuesday, May 11: Amalfi | Hiking the “Path of the Gods” | Castellammare di Stabia

2.5-hour, 3.5-mile hike (650 feet up and 1150 feet down) 

Begin the day with a visit to Amalfi, once one of Italy’s four great maritime republics, and visit its stunning 13^th-century Cathedral and Cloister. After lunch at leisure, a short drive takes us to Bomerano, from where we hike the breathtaking “Path of the Gods.” The panoramic trail is punctuated by insights into local life, passing shepherds’ huts and ancient stone houses carved into the limestone. Stop in Nocelle, before descending to colorful Positano. Enjoy some time at leisure in Positano before we return to our hotel in Castellammare di Stabia. Gather for dinner this evening. (B,D)

Wednesday, May 12: Hiking Mt. Vesuvius | Oplontis | Castellammare di Stabia

2-hour, 2.5-mile “Gran Cono” hike (600 feet up and down)  

This morning we hike the trail of Vesuvius National Park, reaching the crater from where you can enjoy the majesty of the volcano and views over the whole Gulf of Naples. Then we drive to the archaeological site of Oplontis, located in the center of the modern village of Torre Annunziata. The main surviving structure is the Villa Poppea, a grand residential villa from the mid-1^st century B.C. with superb wall paintings, which was expanded in the imperial era and under restoration at the time of Vesuvius’ eruption. Return to our hotel and gather for dinner. (B,L,D)

Thursday, May 13: Hiking on Capri | Villa Jovis | Castellammare di Stabia

2.5-hour, 3.5-mile loop hike to Villa Jovis & Villa Lysis (500 feet up and down)  

In the morning take a ferry to the fabled island of Capri, the favorite retreat of Roman Emperor Tiberius. Enjoy a scenic circular hike to Villa Jovis and Villa Lysis, wandering through quiet lanes and traditional Capri architecture. Explore Villa Jovis, the largest and most opulent of Tiberius’ twelve villas on the island; and the elegant Villa Lysis, with its unique neoclassical charm. Along the way, take in breathtaking views of the Gulf of Naples, the Tyrrhenian Sea, and the Faraglioni (three towering rock formations just off the coast). Relax over a picnic lunch amid the fragrant Mediterranean vegetation, and then walk back to the Old Town and enjoy some time at leisure to explore its famous “Piazzetta.” Return to the mainland by ferry, transfer to Castellammare di Stabia, and gather for dinner. (B,L,D)

Friday, May 14: Herculaneum | Naples Archaeological Museum | Overnight ferry to Lipari
Check out of our hotel this morning. Begin today exploring Herculaneum which, like Pompeii, was both destroyed and preserved by the catastrophic eruption of Mt. Vesuvius. Excavations have revealed the customs, habits, and art of an ancient holiday resort for wealthy Romans. Among the most important buildings are the theater, the basilica adorned with marble and paintings, the spa with gym, and the House of Argos. Continue to Naples to taste the city’s acclaimed pizza for lunch, followed by a visit to the Naples Archaeological Museum, which houses one of the world’s finest collections of Greco-Roman art and artifacts. The Farnese Collection includes celebrated bronze and marble statues, as well as ancient paintings and important artifacts from Herculaneum and Pompeii. This evening, embark the overnight ferry to Lipari. Dinner is on your own in the ferry cafeteria. Overnight aboard a Siremar Ferry. (B,L)

Saturday, May 15: Lipari: Archaeological Museum | Hiking Vulcano | Panarea

2.5-hour, 3.5-mile “Gran Cratere” hike (1,170 feet up and down)  

Disembark the ferry at Lipari and enjoy breakfast at a local café. Lipari is the largest island of the Aeolian archipelago, comprising seven islands off the coast of Sicily: Lipari, Panarea, Vulcano, Stromboli, Salina, Alicudi, and Filicudi. They were all created by the still-active volcanoes of Stromboli and Vulcano, and today they are a UNESCO World Heritage (natural) Site. We visit the Archaeological Museum, tucked inside Lipari Castle, which stands out on the island’s eastern bay. After lunch at leisure, we take a private boat to Vulcano that, according to Greek mythology, was the home of Hephaestus/Vulcan, the god of fire, metalwork, and the fine arts. Hike to the top, from where it is possible to observe numerous volcanic phenomena, including smoke clouds, vapor spouts, and sulphuric mud holes known for their therapeutic properties. Continue to Panarea, the only car-free island of the archipelago, and have dinner at a local restaurant. Two nights at the 4-star Hotel Lisca Bianca. (B,D)

Sunday, May 16: Hiking Stromboli | Panarea             

3.5-hour, 4-mile “Sciara del Fuoco” hike (950 feet up and down)  

Take a private boat to nearby Stromboli, the most active volcano in Europe, which has been erupting for at least 2,000 years at intervals of approximately 15 minutes, with lava flow that runs down into the sea. Embark on a guided excursion to the “Sciara del Fuoco” and admire the natural spectacle of volcanic activity, its characteristic vertical eruptions boasting impressive explosions of incandescent magma. The excursion includes a picnic lunch. Return to Panarea in the afternoon. Dinner is at leisure. (B,L)

Monday, May 17: Catania, Sicily | Farewell dinner
Leaving Panarea behind, we take a ferry to Milazzo, Sicily, and then drive to Catania, the most important city in eastern Sicily. Although terrible natural disasters have repeatedly crossed its path, the city has preserved traces of its ancient and medieval past among the sumptuous Baroque façades of its palaces and churches, thus making it a treasure chest of art and archaeology, now recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. After an independent lunch, admire the scenic Piazza Duomo with the famous Fountain of the Elephant; the Cathedral of St. Agatha, the city’s patron saint; and Piazza Stesicoro, from which we can see the striking ruins of the Roman amphitheater. The rest of the afternoon is at leisure, until we gather for a farewell dinner at a local restaurant. Overnight at the 4-star Hotel Palace Catania. (B,D)

Tuesday, May 18: Fly home
This morning transfer as a group (time TBD) to Catania-Fontanarossa Airport (CTA) for flights homeward. (B)