Tuscany and the Amalfi Coast

Tuscany and the Amalfi Coast
September 18-26, 2008
9 Day Tour       
12-18 Travelers $2695 pp dbl occy    
1-11 Travelers $3095 pp dbl occy
Single Supplement $595

Click on any of these images to get a bigger view of the Amalfi Trip

Explore the two vastly different regions of what many travelers consider to be the best Italy has to offer in scenery, culture, food and wine.
Classic Tuscany...birthplace of the Renaissance, home to some of the world's best cuisine, wine, and picture-postcard landscapes. Our walks through the Tuscan countryside offer marvelous views of ancient castles, vineyard covered hillsides, and tiny walled towns that date to Roman times. After one of our best Tuscan walks through the vineyards of the Chianti region we’ll enjoy a picnic lunch in a stunning medieval castle on the Brolio Estate.  A fascinating visit to a town that predates the Romans is the beginning of a path once trod by the ancient Etruscans.  An elusive trail once used by the pilgrims of the Middle Ages will lead us to one of the prettiest walled towns in all of Italy.
After Tuscany we walk into a completely different world as we journey to the Amalfi Coast, one of the most beautiful coastlines on the planet. Tiny pastel villages perched precariously on impossibly steep hillsides that plunge into the blue water of the Mediterranean. Trails that wind over the cliffs and offer views that are as unbelievable as they are breathtaking. We’ll wander the amazing city of Pompeii, preserved by a volcanic eruption and covered in ash for almost 2000 years.  Beautiful valleys cut into the coastal mountains provide excellent access to explore towns and villages not seen by the bus tourists.  We’ll visit a local farm and see how the best mozzarella in Italy is produced, (of course we’ll eat and drink lots of the farm’s produce, too) and get a chance to roll up our sleeves and make pizza at a wood-fired oven.   The highlight of this trip is the incredible trail named “Pathway of the Gods” for its godlike views of the coastline.  Once you've walked the "Pathway of the Gods" you'll understand why this area is one of our most popular places to visit...and re-visit! 
True to our "get lost" philosophy, we'll ease into the pulse of the Italian experience and find the real Italy...we'll walk the walks, feast on the food, meet the people, and live the life.

Benvenuti in Italia!

Day 1- Thursday, September 18
Magical Siena.

You should plan to arrive in the enchanting medieval city of Siena by midday at the latest. Most of our travelers arrive a day early in order to be here in plenty of time to relax and meet the others at the "get-acquainted" party and dinner which starts in the late afternoon. (When you book your tour, your guides can help you make arrangements for transferring from your arrival airport to the hotel in Siena.)
After our orientation party/meeting we'll take a nighttime stroll through Siena's winding streets to one of our favorite local restaurants where you can relax and recharge at our group "get-acquainted dinner". Plate after plate of incredible food will magically appear in front of you, all you have to do is make it disappear! Sienese cuisine reflects the best of classical Tuscan dishes. Robust and flavorful, a wide variety of pastas, meats and cheeses are present in a staggering variety of dishes. Along with the food, the wines of Tuscany need no introduction, their reputation as some of the world's finest vintages are well deserved. Experiment and enjoy!
To top off your first night in Italy we'll join the locals for the traditional after-dinner passagiatta (stroll) and perhaps visit our favorite gelato bar! All of the great food and wine combined with a little jet lag will ensure that you sleep well tonight!

Day 2 - Friday, September 19
Siena and the Palio, Piccolomini Walk.

With an endless supply of winding cobblestone streets and squares, soaring medieval towers, and one of the loveliest squares in all of Italy, Siena is arguably the most beautiful city in all of Tuscany. This morning a local guide will lead us on a fascinating walk through some of the 17 contrade (neighborhoods) of Siena while explaining the history and magic of this ancient city's most important landmarks such as the Duomo, one of the most beautiful cathedrals in Italy. Completed in the 14th century, at the height of Sienese power and prestige, the amazingly detailed multicolored marble interior and exterior is a sight that has inspired the faithful for over six centuries. We will also visit one of the neighborhood museums, (every contrada has one), to learn the history of the spectacular Palio horserace, held every summer since 1310. “The Days of the Palio” is the religious/cultural/political event that truly defines Sienese life. To understand the Palio is to understand Siena. Our tour will end in the Piazza del Campo, one of Italy's most famous (and photographed) squares.
This afternoon’s walk will take us west of Siena, across the Val d'Elsa, to the hilly, thickly wooded region known as the Montagnola Senese. Sparsely populated and not often visited by tourists, it retains a certain medieval flavour. The ancient pilgrim route of the Via Francigena, which connected Rome with northern Europe, crisscrossed this area and even today you will occasionally find yourself walking on paths lined with the hand-hewn stonework of the period. The landscape is dominated by the three peaks of Monte Maggio, and is essentially a forest broken by occasional abandoned quarries, farms, and dazzling crops of sunflowers. Deer and boar roam the dark woodland paths that we'll tread today as we explore an unknown and forgotten corner of Tuscany.

As a reward for our trekking, we’ll have a trailside wine tasting at a most picturesque spot to introduce you to some of Tuscany’s best vintages. 

Day 3 - Saturday, September 20
Castello di Brolio.

The massive, turreted Castello di Brolio was bought from the monks of Vallombrosa by the Ricasoli family in 1067, and since then has been the focal point for innumerable battles between Florence and Siena during the medieval period. Today it sits in the delicate Chianti landscape, surrounded by forests and vineyards, with a glorious and highly photogenic aura of permanence. It was here that the formula for the modern Chianti wine was born.
Our path today will meander down cypress shaded lanes, alongside grape arbors, across shallow streams and past abandoned farmhouses and hamlets. The surrounding Chianti countryside is nothing short of stunning. Picture postcard views abound, and your biggest concern will be whether you brought enough film! At a picturesque spot we'll stop for a trailside picnic featuring local cheeses, fresh bread from Siena's bakeries, salami from the farm, and lots of other assorted Tuscan delicacies. A wine tasting during lunch featuring the excellent vintages of the Brolio Estate will make this an unforgettable afternoon! After stuffing ourselves we'll continue on and meander back to the Castello.
A relaxing ride through the gorgeous countryside back to Siena will give us a chance to plan tomorrow's adventures.
The rest of the evening is free to discover yet another of Siena's wonderful restaurants for dinner. As always, your tour guides will be heading for their favorite out-of-the-way dining establishments, and everyone is always welcome to join them! After dinner, the traditional evening passagiatta along the lively Banchi di Sopra with gelato in hand ends another exciting day in Italia.

Dear Jeff,  We are home and back at work telling everyone about "Lost in Italy". In fact I had my yearly physical, all we talked about was my trip. He and his group are going in 08.  

Take care and be safe,  
Sue Reid
Illinois

For more testimonials, click here

Day 4 - Sunday, September 21
Volterra, Voltrona.

After breakfast this morning we head north to one of the most ancient cities in Italy, Volterra. Perched on a lofty rock platform Volterra is an imposing fortified hill city with a dramatic, dominating view of the rugged countryside below. Built by the Etruscan civilization that pre-dated the Romans, Volterra in fact claims a history that goes back at least 3000 years. In Etruscan times it was Velithri, one of the twelve great cities of the Etruscan Confederation, with a domain that reached from the seacoast to the mountains.
Volterra still retains much of its ancient flavour, and of particular interest are the many alabaster work shops where local artisans can often be seen carefully working the delicate translucent stone into vases and ornaments. Mined in the area since Etruscan times, Volterran alabaster has been prized by the nobility for nearly 3000 years. We'll have the opportunity to tour one of the shops and learn how the ancient art is still alive.
We'll also have an opportunity to tour the world famous Etruscan Museum with the largest collection of Etruscan artifacts in the world. After having spent the morning getting lost in Volterra, we'll leave the city in the ancient style, on foot of course! Passing through the 2000 year old Porta Diana, our unique walk will showcase a variety of landscapes, from ancient mule tracks to open Tuscan countryside, but always with the brooding city of alabaster overlooking us. A number of caves and excavations of Etruscan tombs are scattered along our route, luckily the Etruscans left ample evidence of their funeral ceremonies!

This afternoon we'll stop in to one of our favorite farms in the area, Fattoria Voltrona, where, after a short tour, the Leanza family will have a sumptuous Tuscan feast prepared for us! Sebastiano and Malcolm's farm covers 100 rolling acres of olive groves, vineyards, fields and forest. The farm's vineyards produce delicate white Vernaccia wine, a local specialty, along with a robust Chianti. Olive oil, jams, honey and sunflower seeds are among it's other products, and will figure prominently in our meal. The rule at Voltrona is you eat as much as you want, and then a little more!
With the active schedule we've maintained for the past week, (and since this is our last evening in wonderful Siena), this evening is the perfect time to slow down, explore the town, and make any last minute gift purchases for folks back home. Whether its jewelry, wine, Italian fashions, or local souvenirs, your guides can direct you to their favorite shops.

Day 5 - Monday, September 22
Pompeii, Sorrento
After an early breakfast this morning, we board our private motorcoach and head south toward the coast. The scenery changes throughout the morning as we leave Tuscany behind us. We’ll wind our way through the rolling hills of Umbria and then into the Lazio region, heart of the ancient Roman Empire. This is a great chance to relax and enjoy the scenery after the previous week's adventures. Lazio soon gives way to the sunny south of Italy as we enter the Campania region.
After a brief stop for lunch, we arrive this afternoon at the fascinating archaeological site of Pompeii, situated on the lower slopes of the still active volcano Vesuvius. On August 23, 79 AD, the eruption of Vesuvius buried the city of 20,000 inhabitants and entombed their culture for nearly 2000 years. Here, like nowhere else in the world, it's possible to see how the people of ancient times lived their daily lives. We will have our own private guide while exploring Pompeii, and if time permits we can wander the huge town on our own as we try to imagine what life was like 20 centuries ago.

"The doors we entered were sometimes not even doors that resident Italians could enter, but because Jeff and Amber have previously established relationships and trust, we were allowed to walk through and learn all about what was inside.

The days were full and rich. I loved the trip and would go again in a minute."

Andi Elliot
Bellingham WA

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From Pompeii it's just a short but breathtaking drive to the beautiful seaside town of Sorrento, situated on the cliffs overlooking the Bay of Naples. Across the bay the lights of Naples illuminate the horizon while the enormous looming bulk of Vesuvius dominates the skyline.
This evening your guides will have a pre-dinner wine tasting party to introduce you to some of the excellent but little-known local vintages.  Tonight you’re free for dinner, but the guides can lead you to one of their favorite local "off-the-beaten-path" trattorias for your first meal in Southern Italy! Be prepared for a totally different taste experience from Tuscany, as southern Italy has always been considered a separate country, both politically and gastronomically. Sorrentine cuisine is famous for fresh Mediterranean seafood prepared as only the Italians can. Seafood, buffalo mozzarella, red peppers, olives and lemons all figure prominently in regional dishes which are best washed down with the silky white Falanghina wine. The rich volcanic soil of the region produces fruits and vegetables of incomparable flavor. The best hazelnuts, almonds, and walnuts are grown here and find their way into many local pasta dishes and desserts. The extravagant pastries, gelatos, and ices of Sicily are also much in evidence. The crowning achievement of local culinary talent, however, is pizza, which was perfected here, along with the use of the tomato that was refined to an art by the local chefs. Not to be outdone, the local vintners produce Taurasi, one of the best red wines in Italy, and Lacrima Christi, (Tears of Christ), one of the most famous red and white wines in Campania.

Day 6 - Tuesday, September 23
Costiera Amalfitana, Valley of the Mills.

This morning we'll meet our motorcoach and get settled by the windows for a drive on one of the most breathtakingly beautiful roads in the world, the Amalfi Drive. Hewn from the cliffs hundreds of feet above the blue Mediterranean, the road winds along the coastline from Sorrento to Amalfi, our starting point for today’s walk. Amalfi, built in a tiny picturesque valley overlooking the sea, was a maritime power in the middle ages but today is just a small town nestled in one of the most stunning coastlines imaginable.
Our walk begins in the town square in front of the cathedral of Sant' Andrea. After a tour of the local paper museum to learn the history of this fascinating tradition, we'll leave the town behind us as we head inland. Soon we are walking on a picturesque path winding up the valley and into the Lattari Mountains. Here is a different world from the coastal scenery; woodland glades, tumbling streams, and magnificent mountain views abound. We pass the ruins of several abandoned mills as we make our way through the forest. Eventually the path climbs out of the valley, meanders through lemon groves and grape arbors, and then into the hilltop town of Pontone, the perfect spot for a picnic lunch.
A short walk along the spine of the ridge brings us to the stunning views of the ruins of Torre dello Ziro. This ancient lookout tower provided an early warning system for the once powerful Amalfi Republic to guard against raids from their rivals Genoa and Pisa. Today the ruins provide dramatic views of the seaside towns of Amalfi and Atrani, along with the always photogenic coastline. After snapping as many photos as possible, we'll head back down into Amalfi. The rest of the afternoon is free to explore the town and its many shops and cafés. Our coach will return us to Sorrento later in the day, and this evening is free to explore the town to discover a new ristorante. An after-dinner limoncello or cappuccino on your hotel balcony recapping your day's adventures will be the end of another perfect Italian day.

We first hear about “Lost in Italy” from friends who had gone on a previous trip.  They came back with lots of great stories of beautiful scenery and great food and wine.  So when they asked us to go to Sicily, we said “Why not?”  It has to be one of the best decisions we have ever made.  Not only did we have great scenery, food, and wine, but we met and played with wonderful people from across the country.  We got more than our money’s worth.  We got to see and experience things that we would never have found on our own – who would have thought that we would be raving to our friends back home about the fabulous water buffalo farm!  The walking excursions were outstanding and we only wish we had trained on a few more steps!  We can’t wait until the next adventure with Steve and Jeff.

Life is too short to NOT Get Lost in Italy!

Carmen and Jack Pfeiffer
Illinois
Carjack36@aol.com

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Day 7 - Get Lost Day, La Sorgente
Today it’s all about freedom, exploration, and getting lost on your own! Your guides will offer some popular options for the day’s activities and you can choose to do as little or as much as you want. This would be a perfect opportunity to explore the town of Sorrento, which has several interesting historical sites, dozens of fascinating nooks and streets, and literally hundreds of shops and boutiques to "get lost" in! This is a great place to shop for gifts for the folks back home. You'll find no shortage of jewelry stores, designer fashion boutiques, and shops featuring local produce and wines in Sorrento's world-class shopping district! A stroll through the neighborhoods, gardens, and streets of this lovely coastal town will be just the thing to experience real Italian life. Tucked into a small cove under the shadow of Sorrento, the fishing village of Marina Grande is a time capsule worth exploring. Colorful fishing boats parked in the narrow streets, nets drying in the sun, and Italian grandmothers selling handmade lace provide a glimpse of a typical working fishing village.
If you’re in a nautical mood today, you can take a ferry to the nearby Isle of Capri. This delightful island has been the playground of the rich and famous ever since Emperor Tiberius built his villa here two thousand years ago. While on Capri there are a couple of easy self-guided walks, like the well-marked path alongside the towering Arco Naturale, a huge stone arch that plummets into the sea, with a great vantage point for photos of the Faragliones, striking stone cliffs rising from the water just offshore. The path here winds along the coastline, sometimes hundreds of feet above the pounding surf. (Take lots of film)! Although the scenery along the coast in Capri can be picture-postcard perfect, some of you may feel that the best part is the shopping district in the towns of Anacapri and Capri. Along stretches of shaded cobblestone roads are boutiques from every major fashion house, clothing designer, and jewelry store in the world. Fendi, Gucci, Ferragamo, Armani, Versace, Prada, Cerruti, Magli, etc. Truly a shopper's paradise!
Another option for your day’s exploration might be to take the local Circumetnea train and re-visit Pompeii. One could easily spend an entire day tramping through the streets and squares of this enormous archaeological ruin and still not see it all! On your own you can explore at your own pace, take the time to photograph the mysterious buildings and streets, and spend as much time as you want contemplating the timeless tragedy that is Pompeii. After Pompeii a visit to the lesser known ruins at nearby Herculaneum would cap a great day.
If you don’t want to take a day off from walking, the guides may be able to take you on a walk in the hills or along the coast. The Sorrentine Peninsula is laced with ancient trails and pathways, your guides will know just the one for you.

For those of you who are interested, late this afternoon your guides will take you for a visit to an actual working family farm overlooking Sorrento and the Gulf of Naples. La Sorgente, the Marciano family farm, is typical of farms in the area in that they still use methods that have been handed down from generation to generation for hundreds and sometimes thousands of years! Oranges, lemons, grapes, olives, and milk cows for mozzarella cheese are the staples of the farm. We'll have a chance to learn about how the farm operates, and then we'll sample some of the farm's produce that the family is so understandably proud of!
To top it off, we'll roll up our sleeves and join Maria at the wood-fired pizza oven to learn how to make a "real" pizza, Napolitano style! Fashioning our own creations and then enjoying our culinary "masterpieces" will round out another lively Italian pizza party! This evening the bustling and vibrant nightlife of Sorrento's streets and squares invites you to find a cozy wineshop and laugh about the day's adventures with your friends over a bottle of the local vino. Finish your day with a late night gelato and a romantic stroll through the squares and cobblestone streets of town.

Day 8 - Thursday, September 25
Pathway of the Gods

Today's journey is along one of the most famous walkways in the world, the "Sentieri dei Degli", or Pathway of the Gods. So named for its godlike views of the dreamy coastline below and the misty islands far in the distance. Our coach will climb up the zigzag coastal road threading its way through tiny communities clinging to the mountainside, eventually arriving at the village of Bomerano where our walk begins.
Soon we find ourselves faced with breathtaking views in all directions as the easy, mostly level path winds through rugged terrein along the shoulder of the mountains, cutting through olive groves, vineyards, and abandoned stone farmhouses. Often we share our route with goats, donkeys, and the occasional circling hawk. Outdoor publications often list the "Pathway of the Gods" as one of the "10 Most Spectacular Walks in The World". You'll understand why as you gaze in awe at the combination of rugged mountains, tiny hillside farms, sun-drenched cliffs, endless blue mediterranean, and our tiny flower-lined path picking its way through all of this splendid scenery. By midday our stroll will find us winding through the incredibly tiny streets of the tiny hillside hamlet of Nocelle. Here we’ll relax and enjoy a typical Italian pasta and vino lunch at “the” local café overlooking the Med nearly a thousand feet below us! After ample time to recharge, we soon find ourselves back out in the countryside and enjoying more stunning views as we slowly descend into the beautiful but bizarre town of Positano, literally built on the side of the mountain!
Positano is said to be the only town in the world organized on a vertical rather than horizontal plan! Pastel houses, hundreds of balconies and flower bedecked patios, and the golden dome of the town church make Positano a memorable sight. We’ll have some time to wander the through the lanes, (and stairs), and shops of Positano as we wind our way down to the beach. A barefoot stroll in the surf with the multi-hued town of Positano towering over you is something you won’t soon forget.
As this is our final evening in magical Sorrento, we have a special farewell dinner planned. Adventures, (and misadventures), from the trip are re-lived and laughed about, everyone and everything is toasted, addresses and e-mails are copied, and heartfelt goodbyes are exchanged with all your new lifelong friends that you "Got Lost" in Italy with.

Day 9 - Friday, September 26

Arrivederci Sorrento Our tour ends this morning at the hotel after breakfast. If you are planning on exploring more of Italy on your own, the nearby city of Naples can provide easy access to rail and air connections. The town of Sorrento also has a regional bus hub. Your guides can arrange a private group coach transfer to Rome if you desire, or help you with whatever arrangements you have made for your departure.

Trip Rating:

This trip has 3 days of EASY walks
and 4 days of MODERATE walks

What's Included On This Tour?

• 8 Nights, Double Occupancy Accommodations at Listed Hotels or similar (All Hotels with Private Bathrooms)
  
• Meals as Specified, 8 Breakfasts, 2 Trailside Picnics, 2 Lunches, 3 Dinners
  
• Picnic Lunch at Brolio featuring local Tuscan specialties
  
• Picnic Lunch in Pontone featuring local Campanian specialties
  
• Lunch in Nocelle ristorante
  
• Italian Family Style Farm Lunch at Fattoria Voltrona
  
• Welcome Dinner in Siena
  
• Dinner at La Sorgente Family Farm in Sorrento
  
• Farewell Dinner in Sorrento
  
• Piccolomini Walk
• Castello di Brolio Walk
  
• Volterra-Etruscan Tomb Walk
  
• Valley of the Mills Walk
  
• Pathway of the Gods Walk
  
• Walking tour of Pompeii with Local Guide
• Trailside Wine Tasting in Siena
  
• Wine Tasting at Castello di Brolio
  
• Guide's Wine Tasting in Sorrento
  
• Entrance and Guided Tour of a Siena Contrade Museum
  
• Entrance and Guided Tour of Medieval Paper Mill and Museum
  
• Walking tour of Siena with Local Guide
  
• Pizza Making Party
  
• Visit to Etruscan/Medieval Town of Volterra
  
• Visits to Lots of Unique Villages; Monteriggioni, Cetinale, Montepertuso, Abbadia a Isola, Amalfi, Positano, Nocelle, Pontone, etc.
  
• Transportation once the tour has begun. The motorcoaches and vans we use are modern, air conditioned and roomy. Our tour groups are usually between 8-18 people so we always have lots of room on our coaches to get comfortable.
  
• All train, ferry, hydrofoil, coach and taxi transfers as specified in itinerary.
  
• Sightseeing and entrance fees as specified in itinerary
  
• Completely escorted by an American Lost in Italy Tour Leader with local guides at specified sites throughout the itinerary
  
• Lost in Italy trip shirt and wine glass
  
  A lifetime of unforgettable memories!
  

What's Not Included On This Tour?

• Airfare package
• Departure taxes
• Arrival and departure transfers, tour begins at the hotel in Siena in the afternoon of Day 1, and the tour ends at the hotel in Sorrento on the morning of day 9.
• Gratuities for meals, porterage, local guides, coach drivers, etc.
• Any costs associated with options on Get Lost Day.
• Visa fees, if applicable
• Meals not specified in itinerary
• Beverages at meals unless specified in itinerary
• Trip Cancellation/Interruption and Medical Insurance (strongly recommended), call for details
• Single supplement charge
• Items of a personal nature; phone calls, laundry, etc.