Tuscany:

The group is made of Carl and Heather, Carol and Jack, Elisa and Walter.

Price includes: 

1. room and half board for 3 nights and 4 days (2 glasses of wine included in the dinner)

2. lunch of the first day 

3. Everyday a big afternoon snack, made of sweets, desserts, teas, water, and fruits 

4. Bike rental to go to Vitaleta Church

5. Bike tour personal guide to Vitaleta church

Positano:

The group is made of  Carl and Heather, Kim and Joe, Carol and Jack, Karen and Mike, Marlo and Jason, Claire and Clare, Elisa.

Price includes:

1. room and full board for 5 nights and 6 days (wine and alcohol not included)

Adds-on:

1 Capri boat tour

2 Amalfi coast boat tour 

3 Internal transportation to the Hike "The paths of Gods" 

4 Taxi Rome to Positano

5 Taxi Naples to Positano

Packing for the Amalfi Coast: toiletries and personal items

• Shower gel - if you have one your prefer 
• Shampoo - if you have one your prefer 
• Conditioner - if you have one your prefer 
• Deodorant
• Hydrating cream (body and face)
• Sun screen and after sun lotions
• Shaving kit
• Feminine products
• Fragrance
• Brush and comb
• Hair ties
• After sun hair lotion
• ToothbrushThe Amalfi Coast has 4 seasons: it is cold in winter, very hot in summer and has mild to hot temperatures in spring and autumn, following a similar pattern to the rest of Southern Italy.

Unlike many other areas of Italy however, the Amalfi Coast really comes to life for tourism only in the good seasons, from about April to the end of October.

How to dress on the Amalfi Coast

The best way to dress on the Amalfi Coast is to opt for clothing that is both comfortable and stylish.

To blend in with the locals, good style items to pack are:

Linen trousers: they are a great day to night option, they come in many colors and are very popular with local women, so you won’t feel out of place in them

Flat, decorated sandals: sandals are the ideal footwear for the Amalfi Coast in summer.

For daytime, good walking sandals like Teva are ideal but for the evening, you may want to opt for more stylish options.

Just make sure you opt for flats or wedges at most (the roads are really uneven here) and select rubber soles whenever possible.

Necklaces and scarves: Italian women adore necklaces and scarves and they are perfect for visitors too as they can dress up a simple outfit in no time.

A large scarf that can double up as shawl can also be handy for chilly nights and as a quick way to cover your shoulders when entering a church

Maxi dresses are also a good option when packing for the Amalfi Coast however, don’t let Instagram make you believe people here are all flowery dresses and straw hats!

The style is much more varied than that and often includes much more fitted options so if a maxi dress doesn’t do it for you, you most definitely do not need one!

Amalfi Coast packing list tech and travel gear

• Camera / Phone
• Charger
• Extra power bank for charging your phone on the go
• Italy (or Europe) travel adapter
• Laptop and laptop back if using
• Kindle for reading
• Go pro for underwater shots
• Italian phrasebook (but you have me for immediate translations)

Best luggage for visiting the Amalfi Coast

The Amalfi Coast is a place of narrow alleys and uneven terrain so I always recommend bringing small luggage and opting for a rucksack rather than a large wheelie bag whenever possible.

Luggage I like is:

• Carry on backpack by Osprey, perfect for a short stay
• Super lightweight wheelie bag, so you can easily lift it for the occasional step
• Deuter or Osprey day bags 

A good cross-body bag that can go day to night: I adore Gabs bags as they look stylish and are super versatile, some of them going from shopped to satchel in no time. Plus, they are made in Italy so you know you will blend in with the locals!

• Toothpaste
• Floss
• Mosquito repellent

DInners at the villa

The villa does not have any dress code

It would be nice to have a dress up dinner, when we can shoot nice photos (done from me, and not fro a professional photographer)

Basically all mentioned above for Amalfi Coats will also work for Tuscany. 

In addition, for our bike tour, please bring comfy socks, shoes, wind gear, comfortable pants and a change. Helmets and bikes (eBike too) will be provided on site. 

The resort in Tuscany is a bit upscale. I would encourage to bring a nice dress for a dress up dinner!!! 

Outbound flight:

Quarantine: not required

Covid 19 Test: not required 

Forms and applications: required (Passengers Locator Form dPLF) 

Return flight:

Quarantine: not required 

Covid 19 Test: required 

Forms and applications: required (Contact tracing form and Attestation Form) 

Please check carefully your flight reservation with Delta, as they list ALL requirements and they link ALL useful links. 

Here a few useful links: 

Passenger Locator Form dPLF: ://app.euplf.eu/#/ (you can also find it in your Delta flight, under requirements)

Delta website: ning-center/find-your-destination/explore-top-destinations

Contact Tracing Form: .com/us/en/travel-planning-center/know-before-you-go/contact-tracing

Attestation Form:  ww.delta.com/us/en/travel-planning-center/know-before-you-go/attestation

COVID-19 Testing Requirement for International Travel to the United States: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/travelers/testing-international-air-travelers.html

Italy has dropped its pre-arrival testing requirement for vaccinated travelers, becoming the latest European country to ease entry protocols.

The new rules, which went into effect on March 1, allow international travelers to enter the country by simply showing they have been fully vaccinated within nine months or received a booster shot, according to the National Tourist Board. Alternatively, unvaccinated travelers can show they have either recovered from COVID-19 within six months, or choose to enter with proof of a negative COVID-19 PCR test taken within 72 hours of their trip.

Unvaccinated travelers can also show proof of a negative rapid test taken within 48 hours of their trip.

All travelers will also have to fill out a Passenger Locator Form before arriving in the country. Travelers who enter without one of the required documents will have to undergo a five-day quarantine before testing out of it.

Super Green Pass:

In Italy, proof of vaccination or proof someone has contracted COVID-19 and recovered is required in order to obtain a digital "super green pass," which is necessary to stay at hotels, fly on a domestic plane, take a domestic train, eat at a restaurant, and more. Masks are also required to be worn indoors.

The above is NOT always applicable. Please, call your hotel in Rome and check if they require a Super Green Pass. I am sure they DO NOT. But please, double check with them. 

The Super Green Pass is NOT required to attend our retreat and to go to our planned excursions. 

Walter lands on Friday April 29th

He will sleep near the airport and pick up the mini van

He will pick us up on Saturday morning at when we land 

Elisa, Heather, Carl, Jack and Carol are on the same Delta flight

Landing at 7.15am in Rome Fiumicino

Meet Walter at 8am (estimate and depending on custom clearance and suitcases pick up time)

Transfer to Pienza - 3 hours 

Estimated arrival 11.30am

Check in at the resort 

1 pm Lunch at the resort 

Afternoon: pool time, relax time, massage time. This is a great time to book your SPA treatment 

Afternoon snack at the resort (A selection of cakes, tea, coffee and desserts)

Dinner: at the resort 

Breakfast at the resort 

9am Gladiator E-bike:

- Pick up at our resort 

- Reaching Cappella di Vitaleta cycling through panoramic roads 

- Getting to Bagno Vignoni biking through Val D’Orcia countryside 

- Light lunch followed by Bagno Vignoni’s village sightseeing 

- Biking along the Orcia river to reach Terrapille, the Elysian fields of “Gladiator” 

- Visiting Pieve of Corsignano 

- Back to your accommodation

4pm Return to the resort and relax

Afternoon snack at the resort (A selection of cakes, tea, coffee and desserts)

Dinner: at the resort 

Breakfast at the resort 

8.30am Transfer to Siena (1.5 hours)

Half day excursion in Siena (lunch free, everyone decides to grab a bit and still explore or to sit in the main square and eat what's best for them)

5pm Return back to the resort

Time to have some SPA treatment

Afternoon snack at the resort (A selection of cakes, tea, coffee and desserts), this snack depends at what time we will be back from Siena.

Dinner: at the resort 

8am Breakfast at Spa Resort in Tuscany 

Walter drives Heather, Carl, Elisa, Carol and Jack back to Rome airport 

A private driver will meet them and then drive them to Positano

Marlo, Jason, Claire, Clare, Karen and Mike will all land within one hour difference. A private minivan will pick them up and drive them to Positano. 

Joe and Kim Vig will land in Naples and a private driver will pick them up and drive them to Positano. 

3.40pm - Check in at the villa 

Room assignment

Rest and relax

Dinner at the villa (dinner will be early, as jet lag will hit)

Wednesday May 4:

8 am Breakfast 

Capri tour 

Private tour of Capri with Gozzo Itinerary

• Departure from our private pier at the Spiaggia Grande in Positano.
• When we reach the island of Li Galli, the breathtaking panorama that this wild island offers will open up before us.
• We continue our navigation to Capri, where we can admire the Grotta Bianca, a hidden cave imbued with primitive beauty. 
• We won't be late for the unmissable appointment with the majestic Faraglioni, which jut out from the blue sea of Capri.
• The navigation continues and takes us to the bay  of Marina Piccola, protected by its rocky arch that plunges into the  clear waters below.
• We then continue towards the Grotta Verde (Green  Cave), which will bewitch you with its waters of a thousand colours,  ready for the palette of a painter.
• From our boat, we salute the lighthouse of Punta  Carena, perched along the jagged coast that hides small coves lapped by  turquoise waters.
• We reach the famous Blue Grotto, a sapphire-blue cave. To visit it you will need to use another, smaller boat at an extra cost.
• Back on board, we sail towards Marina Grande,  where we dock. Capri, with its history, colours and flavours is waiting  for us. We can stop here to explore the island and have lunch. 
• Alternatively we can continue to Nerano and go ashore for lunch there.
• Return to Positano.

Included:

• Skipper
• Water and beverages
• Snacks
• Beach towels
• Taxes and fuel
• Docking and mooring
• Lunch
• Grotta Azzurra (Blue Grotto) entrance ticket

8 am Breakfast 

Private transfer to Bomerano (the start of the Path of God)

Meet our guide 

Packet lunch - provided from our chef

Return to the villa 

PIZZA NIGHT! Learn how to make pizza with our chef

The Path of the Gods Hike (Sentiero degli Dei) on the Amalfi Coast is an incredible 3 hour hike with breathtaking views that cannot be missed. Follow this guide to help you get the most out of this cliffside hike from Bomerano to Nocelle (and continue to Positano).

Where Does the Path of the Gods Hike Start?

The best way to hike the Path of the Gods is to start in Bomerano and hike to Nocelle/Positano. The reason is that you will be hiking down more than up so it will be easier, yet still a workout.
The Path of the Gods hike starts in the center of Bomerano, where you will see a sign labeled “Sentiero degli Dei” right beside Hotel Gentile.

How Difficult is the Path of the Gods, Amalfi Coast?

The Path of the Gods is a moderate hike. There are some steep parts but if you hike from Bomerano to Nocelle it is mostly downhill. I do not recommend hiking the Path of the Gods from Nocelle to Bomerano as it will be mostly uphill and many steps going up. 

How Long is the Path of the Gods, Amalfi Coast?

The Path of the Gods is about 7 km which will take about 2-3 hours from Bomerano to Positano. 

Tips for Hiking the Path of the Gods, Amalfi Coast

• The Path of the Gods technically ends in Nocelle which is located before Positano. I highly recommend continuing to walk all the way down to Positano to get more amazing views of this town. In order to get to Positano you would continue following the steps down and eventually get to a road that will lead you to Positano.
• Start the hike early when it is less busy and cooler out
• Wear sneakers or hiking boots

Packing List for the Path of the Gods, Amalfi Coast

• A lot of water, especially if hiking when it is hot in the summer
• Sunscreen: Don’t get burnt! Make sure you bring sunscreen with you as a lot of the trail is not covered.
• Hat: Always helpful to stay cooler and keep the sun out of your face.
• Sunglasses: If it’s a sunny day make sure you remember your sunglasses.
• Snacks: Bring some high protein snacks like peanuts for the hike.
• Change of clothes or shoes for Positano
• Daypack: This daypack is perfect to hike with since it is comfortable and big enough to hold all your stuff for the day.

Friday May 6

8 am Breakfast 

Boat trip of 4 hours to see the costiera amalfitana from the coast (Amalfi and Ravello) - See ADD ON for boat trip cost

Dinner at the villa 

Amalfi Coast speedboat tour (6 hours) 

The Amalfi Coast provides endless possibility in its  spectacular array of sights for an exceptional outing. Set sail with us  and discover them all. Every stop reveals beautiful wonders that only this land and its sea can offer.

Itinerary

• Departure from our private pier at the Spiaggia Grande in Positano.
• We set sail on a speedboat while one of the most  sublime landscapes on earth unfolds.⁠ Plenty of opportunities for photos  as we bid goodbye to Positano. 
• Many villas of famous stars dot the coast, will you spot them all? 
• Take in a glorious view of the Faraglioni as we reach Vettica di Praiano, where the famous One Fire Beach is located. 
• On the edge of the sea, ensconced in a cave, the  Africana club looks across the still waters of a tiny bay, the perfect  setting for the first swim of the day.
• Millenary rocks jut out onto turquoise waters  near Borgo di Praiano and Praia beach, a beautiful view we collect while  we glide on the water to our next stop. 
• The magnificent Furore Fjord awaits us, with its stone arch and the serene sea beyond. 
• Experience a real-life caleidoscope when entering  the Smeraldo caves. We can stop here for a visit (at an additional cost  and on a different boat).
• Back on board we set sail for Conca dei Marini, home to Sophia Loren’s villa and a great spot for a dip. 
• We then reach the fascinating Amalfi, with its  beautiful cathedral and sunset-colored homes. Here we can disembark to  explore the town on foot. 
• Lunch stop at a restaurant along the coast (extra). 
• Back on board we glide past Atrani, lifted from the sea by a series of impressive stone arches. 
• Near Ravello, we will then see the Marmorata Falls, built by the ancient Romans.
• From our boat we can admire the quaint town of Minori, the last stop on our itinerary, before returning to Positano.

Included:

• Skipper
• Water and beverages
• Snacks
• Beach towels
• Taxes and fuel
• Docking and mooring
• Lunch

Breakfast at the villa 

A day to enjoy, rest and relax

Lunch at the villa or wherever you want to stop at

Claire and Clare check out at 2pm - Arrive at Rome at 6pm (please confirm your hotel)

Dinner at the villa

9 am Breakfast

Pack and check out 

Check out by 10.30am

Depart to Rome (3 hr 30 mns drive)

Arrive in Rome

Sleep in Rome (hotels booked individually)

Elisa, Marlo, Jason fly back to USA