Amalfi Coast, Gargano Promontory, Abruzzo Mountains, Monte Sibillini, Umbria
Epicurean Walk in Italy
- 16 Days
- From 11,525
- Italy
- Moderate
Moderate: Designed for hikers with some experience, offering longer trails and varied terrain.
Highlights
- Explore Capri's Enchanted Island: A magical walk awaits on the island of Capri, known for its stunning scenery and rich history.
- Walk Vesuvio National Park: Walk the trails of the infamous Mount Vesuvius, whose eruption in 79 AD buried Pompeii. Explore the remnants of ancient Roman life on your free day in Pompeii.
- Untouched Wilderness of the Abruzzo Mountains: Immerse yourself in the wild beauty of the Abruzzo Mountains, home to Italy's highest peaks and one of Europe's most important nature reserves.
- Sibillini National Park & Norcia: Walk through the pristine landscapes of Sibillini National Park, where ancient abbeys, medieval villages, and wildlife like wolves and golden eagles make up this evocative region.
Overview
Begin your journey in Sorrento, the gateway to the breathtaking Amalfi Coast. This 25-kilometre-long peninsula, rising over 1,400 metres, offers a network of stunning paths with many ancient origins. High above the bustling coastal towns, you’ll walk through charming hamlets, citrus groves and vineyards along the mountainside.
A highlight of the tour is a magical walk on the enchanting island of Capri. You will also have the opportunity to visit the famous Mount Vesuvius, which erupted in 79 AD, burying the Roman cities of Pompeii, Herculaneum, Stabia and Oplontis. Today, Vesuvius is far less menacing and you can explore the Vesuvio National Park, established in 1991. On a free day, a visit to Pompeii will reveal unparalleled insights into daily Roman life.
Next, we move on to Peschici, situated on the Gargano Promontory. The rugged coastline here plunges into the Adriatic Sea with dramatic cliffs and hidden beaches offering unforgettable views.
In the Abruzzo Mountains, the untamed landscape leaves a lasting impression. Dominated by the Apennines, this region is home to one of Italy’s last true wildernesses. The highest peak, Gran Sasso, rises to 2,912 metres. One particularly beautiful spot is the Parco Nazionale d’Abruzzo, one of Europe’s most important nature reserves. Its diverse landscape of peaks, rivers, lakes and forests is home to 100 brown bears, a species once hunted to near extinction.
The journey continues into Umbria, known as the “Green Heart of Italy”. Here, you will explore some of Italy’s most remarkable medieval hill towns such as Orvieto, Assisi, Spello and Spoleto. This region is also rich in Roman and Etruscan history and its countryside yields a wealth of delicacies including trout, olive oil and the prized truffles.
Our base for the next three nights is Norcia, located in the heart of the Apennines and Monte Sibillini National Park. This ancient town, established 600 years before Rome, is surrounded by ancient walls and is rich in historical monuments and artistic treasures.
Our walk through the Sibillini National Park, founded in 1993, takes us through the legendary land of the Sibyls. Keep an eye out for native wildlife including wolves, golden eagles and peregrine falcons as we immerse ourselves in the park’s diverse fauna and dramatic landscapes.
As we wander through abbeys and medieval villages nestled at the foot of the mountains, you’ll feel as though time has paused in reverence of the region’s extraordinary beauty.
On the way to Florence, we stop to explore the famous town of Assisi. Our journey ends in Florence where you will find excellent rail connections to continue your travels.
Hotels & Cuisine
Our journey begins with a stay at a charming hotel in the heart of Sorrento just a stone’s throw from the seafront. From the hotel, breathtaking views of Sorrento and its stunning coastline unfold before you. The hotel’s delightful restaurant offers a vibrant selection of dishes highlighting the best of local flavours with an emphasis on fresh vegetables, fish and seafood.
Next, we spend four nights in a peaceful hotel by the harbour in Peschici. Here, the cuisine is a celebration of the sea enriched by fruity green olive oil and crisp dry white wine. The region’s fresh vegetables and sun-ripened tomatoes contribute to one of the healthiest diets in Europe. During our stay we are treated to the warm hospitality of Arcangela’s mother whose Italian home-cooking is a true highlight with her famous fish soup alone worth the journey.
For the following three nights we settle into an elegant art nouveau country house in Pescasseroli nestled in a vast park filled with century-old trees. This historical residence once home to the family of renowned Italian philosopher Benedetto Croce offers a restaurant that serves both classic cuisine and traditional regional specialities ensuring a delightful culinary experience.
Our final stop brings us to the magnificent Palazzo Seneca in Norcia where we will indulge in dinners at the hotel’s one-star Michelin restaurant as well as the renowned Ristorante Granaro del Monte. This historical building once a grain store within Norcia’s town walls is now a National Monument featuring five medieval halls transformed into exquisite dining rooms. The restaurant’s menu showcases the authentic flavours of Norcia offering local specialities such as tagliolini with truffles, spelt soup and fettucine with wild boar.
Transportation
Sorrento
Hotel Continental
Amalfi
Hotel La Bussola
Peschici
Hotel Elisa
Pescasseroli
Albergo Villino Quintiliani
Norcia
Relais & Chateaux Palazzo Seneca
begins
08 June 2025
Sorrento, Italy
ends
