Itinerary

Day 1, Friday

Depart US for Italy (overnight flight).

 

Day 2, Saturday

Setting down in Rome, we’ll have the day to acclimate to our new environment.  The most important day of our trip, we’ll have to discipline ourselves to step into the Italian day and resist the temptation to nap upon arrival.  Getting into the swing of things immediately will minimize the possibility of jet lag affecting us on the rest of the trip.  Once checked in and refreshed at our hotel, we’ll set off to explore Rome.  We’ll indulge in a leisurely meal, walk the streets of the city, and visit some of Rome’s most notable historical sites. A great way to immerse yourself on the first day into this country’s culture and history. After our first Italian dinner and a cup of Cappucino we’ll turn in for an early evening. (L, D)

 

Day 3, Sunday

After breakfast we’ll pack up and begin our drive down to Positano on the Amalfi Coast.  Along the way, we’ll stop for lunch in one of the many countryside villages to stretch our legs and experience life outside the city.  A few hours later we will be arriving at our evening accommodations in the quaint and very picturesque Cliffside village of Positano. Once checked in, we’ll venture off to one of Positano’s best little restaurants for a hearty evening meal. (B, L, D)

 

Day 4, Monday

Time to paddle!  After gearing up we’ll have a morning tour and a stroke refresher as we explore southwestern Italy’s jagged coastline.  A lunch of fresh fruit and antipasti will be had on a beach looking out toward the islands of the Sirens, la Sireneuses. After lunch we’ll continue our exploration discovering our own secret hideaways along this magical coastline. Dinner this evening will be at our favorite restaurant perched high on a rocky outcrop overlooking the magnificent coastline and glistening lights of the village. (B, L, D)

Day 5, Tuesday

We’ll test our skills and attempt the first H2Outfitters’ circumnavigation of the Sirens’ Islands, of course weather and skills of the group permitting.  We’ll be sure to bring plenty of rope and wax for our ears so that none of our adventurous travelers succumb to the Siren’s song.  These islands are a state preserve and sadly we will not be able to land there for lunch, all the more incentive to keep moving toward our lunch destination further up the coast. Here we’ll have the chance to relax for a while on the beach before we paddle back to our beachside starting point. Once back in Positano, you’ll have the evening free to wander the village or simply to grab a bite to eat at one of the many local restaurants.  (B, L)

 

Day 6, Wednesday

We’ll take a break from paddling today and into the ruins of Pompeii.  This full scale Roman city was destroyed, and simultaneously preserved, by the catastrophic eruption of Mt. Vesuvius in 79 AD.  The city is huge, and its state of preservation is incredible.  Ancient doors and doorways, colorful frescoes, and remarkably modern hot water systems can be admired intact, as they were back in the time of Nero.  We’ll walk on, and along, the Roman roads through the city and marvel at the feats of engineering the Romans were capable of creating.  If the Greeks were ‘innovators”, the Romans were “imitators” on the highest level.  They were able to take what came before them, improve upon it, implement it, and develop it to a degree unequaled in the ancient world.  Pompeii is a “living” example of this world from the past offering a perspective on a civilization not unlike our own.  Late in the afternoon, we’ll bid farewell to this city of the ancients and head back to Positano for another culinary feast and lively repartee. (B, L, D)

Day 7, Thursday

…Departing Positano, our group of paddlers will head up the coast to a secluded pirate’s lair set back from the shoreline on a hidden pocket beach. This cozy little cove will shelter us for the evening.  Our hotel is nestled in the cliffs, just feet above the pulsing sea.  From our rocky perch we can sip espresso and enjoy the sounds of the sea upon the cobbled beach.  Take a walk along this beach and find hundreds of glazed pottery shards, which are scattered amongst the rocks like sea glass.  Follow the rocky path along the cliffs to the village proper, who knows what adventure awaits around the bend. (B, L, D)

 

Day 8, Friday

After a morning cappuccino and pastry we’ll hop into our boats as our group of adventurers paddles to the town of Amalfi.  On the way we’ll pass castles hewn from the steep rock faces, wonder at the relief of these vertical cliffs and savor the salt and sea air of the Mediterranean.  We may even see a few celebrities sun bathing on their private beaches.  Don’t be distracted, there are plenty of natural wonders to investigate too!  Paddle into sea caves, through stone archways leading to hidden grottoes, and enjoy the essence of the experience.  As we paddle toward Amalfi each of us will gain a sense of the vastness of this panorama of which we are a part.

(B, L, D)

 

Day 9, Saturday

This morning we’ll enjoy our final paddle from Amalfi to Minori, a small coastal town only a few miles further along the coast and then catch a ride back in the van to Amalfi for a hot shower and a tasty lunch.  After a leisurely breakfast you’ll have time to explore the village, sit outside in one of the cafes, shop at the local artisans, or visit la Cattedrale di San Andrea Apostolo, with its Moorish inspired architectural style. Mid afternoon we’ll head back to Rome for our last evening together. (B, D)

 

Day 10, Sunday

Depart for US.

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