Amalfi coast & Sorrento Peninsula

Day 2: The ‘eastern’ Amalfi Coast: from Vietri & Cetara to Amalfi past the headland of Capo d’Orso, Maiori, Minori and Atrani (optional visit of Ravello)

(approx. 25 - 35 km)

The Amalfi Coast ‘officially’ starts at the charming village of Vietri sul Mare, from where you start today’s ride, h heading for the splendid medieval Amalfi itself. The whole day you’ll be following the beautiful winding coastal road, defined by some ‘the most scenic ride in the world’. In case you did not visit yet, do make a first stop is in the idyllic village of Cetara, named after the Roman ‘cetus’, tuna fish. Take your time for a coffee or cappuccino, overlooking the colourful fishermen’s boats lying on the sandy beach. Then it goes up to Capo d’Orso, the highest point of the road, and a wonderful outlook on the whole of the Amalfi Coast and Capri. After admiring the view it now goes downhill, along a beautiful winding road through lemon groves, forests and dramatic cliffs, until you arrive at Maiori, the biggest town on the coast. A short stretch around the headland brings you to Minori, with its nice little centre and beautiful seaside boulevard. Then you continue with a short climb towards Castiglione, once part of the defence system of the Amalfi Republic. Here you have the choice between cycling up to marvellous Ravello by bike (quite a climb! – recommended in case you stay only 1 night in Amalfi), or continuing to Amalfi. After Castiglione you will cycle through marvellous little Atrani with its whitewashed houses and arrive in Amalfi itself, where you settle for the night.

N.B. Today is a relatively short ride, which allows you to spend more time in the villages. You have the time to see not only Vietri, but can also cycle up to the beautiful small hamlets of Raito and Albori, and perhaps make the detour to the stunning abbey of Cava dei Tirreni, one of the most important abbeys of southern Italy, set in an idyllic location.

Day 3: Mountain Villages of the Amalfi Coast: cycling inland to the stunning hamlets of Pontone, Minuta, Scala and Tramonti, with an extensive visit of Ravello

(approx. 35 - 60 km)

As during the first cycling day you mainly cycle along the coast, today will be dedicated to the lesser known, but equally beautiful inland area. You will head from Amalfi to Ravello and Tramonti, up in the mountains, and then back to Amalfi along the coast again. After leaving from Amalfi, you turn inland at Castiglione and start climbing up the steep winding road along the narrow valley of the ‘Dragone’ torrent and underneath the rock cliffs of Ravello. This is quite a climb, but a relatively easy ride with your E-Bike! You’ll take lots of pictures here! After an optional detour to the beautiful small medieval hamlets of Pontone, Minuta and Scala, you arrive in Ravello, where you park your bike for a stroll through the village. Ravello, one of the main highlights of the Amalfi Coast, boasts many medieval monuments, but is above all famous for its great villas with stupendous gardens, and stunning views over the Amalfi Coast. After an extensive visit, you continue inland through some surprising wild scenery in the direction of Tramonti, where you can find a place for lunch. From Tramonti you then descend along a winding road towards the Amalfi Coast again. You arrive at Maiori with its wide seaside boulevard. After a short stop for a drink, or perhaps a swim, you then head back to Amalfi. Perhaps you’ll have also the time now to enjoy a lemon cake in Minori or a beer on the square in Atrani.

Day 4: Amalfi – Sant´Agata sui Due Golfi

(approx. 35 - 40 km)

Today you leave Amalfi. Take your time for a last look at the Duomo of Amalfi, and then start cycling the second half of the dramatic ‘Strada Amalfitana’: from Amalfi along Positano to the town of Sant’Agata sui Due Golfi, located on the very ridge of the peninsula and offering wide views both on the Amalfitan and Sorrentine coasts. You start with the short ride from Amalfi, through Praiano, to Positano, easily the most scenic – and mundane – of the towns on the coast. Shortly after Amalfi you will pass by the scenic ‘Grotta Azzurra’ sea cave which is open to the public and the spectacular ‘fjord’ of Furore, a deep canyon opening up to the sea in which a small fishermen’s villages clings to the rocky cliffs. When arriving at Positano, make sure you cycle down into the town towards its beach from where you can explore its scenic and colourful alley ways. Park your bike – most of Positano can only be done on foot –most of the small back streets you will explore consist of stairways! After Positano the coast becomes wilder and more rugged, with great views over the ‘Islands of the Sirens’ and it is a good climb to arrive at the Colli di San Pietro, beautifully situated on the ridge that separates the Amalfi Coast from the rest of the Sorrento Peninsula. A short relatively flat stretch then brings you to the Colli di Fontanelle, and from there after a few very scenic hairpin bends, up to your accommodation at Sant’Agata sui Due Golfi (your choice between a beautiful agriturismo and a nice hotel). After settling in your room, you can relax in the garden or go for a stroll. In case you are based at the agriturismo, you will dine on beautiful organic food, locally produced, sprinkled with local olive oil. Of course you can opt to have a good bottle of local wine.

Day 5: Cycling through ‘Siren’s Land’ – from Sant’Agata sui Due Golfi along Termini to Sorrento – with a view on Capri and Mount Vesuvius

(approx. 40 - 50 km)

Today you’ll cycle to the very tip of the Sorrento Peninsula. On the first stretch of the road after leaving Sant’Agata this morning you will fully understand why its full name is Sant’Agata sui Due Golfi: you can admire not only the wonderful panorama over the southern coast towards Capri, but also enjoy the view of Sorrento and the Bay of Naples dominated by Mount Vesuvius. You now cycle on the plateau high above the coast towards the very end of the peninsula, Punta Campanella. From the last village (indeed: called ‘Termini’) you have a great view on Capri. You should cycle up to the small chapel of San Costanzo, just above the village, from where you can enjoy the views at 360 degrees! For those who feel like it there is also the possibility to descend towards the delightful beach of Marina del Cantone (and back up again), perhaps with a short visit to the nature reserve of Baia di Ieranto. You then return along the northern coast, with wonderful views of the Bay of Naples again, through the charming village of Massa Lubrense. It is recommended cycling down to the seaside resort of Sorrento, perched on high vertical limestone cliffs above the sea, and visit its old town centre with its wonderful gardens and villas. After the visit you turn inland again and climb slowly up to Sant’Agata sui Due Golfi, back to your hotel or agriturismo. Tonight you are free to have dinner on the premises of your accommodation again, or walk or ride into town to dine at a local restaurant.

Day 6: Sant'Agata sui Due Golfi

Individual departure from Salerno or Cetara or possibility to extend your stay.

2x 3** hotels, 1 x typical agriturismo
Please note: Tourist tax – if any – to be paid on spot.

Depending on the start hotel, on request

Good train connection: Napoli -Salerno (info at www.trenitalia.com); good bus connection between Salerno and Cetara.

E- bike (unisex bike, on request) - included in the package price