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The Trip

This tour across Campania, Basilicata, and Pulgia introduces you to the "mezzogiorno" or happy land where the Italians themselves vacation because of the beauty of the land and tasty delicious food. You simply don’t know Italy if you haven’t experienced its deep south. We walk along parts of Europe’s most picturesque coast, the Amalfi, winding around the cliffs that stretch into the sea, with opportunities to talk to the locals about their farming methods and vineyards as we sample some of Italy’s best pastas and sauces. Capri and Naples, which have some of the most inspiring views, are known for their tasty pizza and gelato. The trails follow ancient farmers’ paths through quiet countryside and cover three to five miles each day with gains of 1,000 feet at the most -- a moderately easy trip.

From spectacular but lesser known wine to hidden artistic treasures and mystical, unforgettable landscapes, Southern Italy is full of surprises. Highlights include a stroll on the edge of Vesuvius, a meandering walk high above the Bay of Sorrento, a visit to the gardens of Ravello (where the locals believe the devil tempted Christ), a visit to the Greek/Roman ruins of Paestum, an urban adventure in the stone city of Matera, rural walks in verdant Puglia and two nights in Lecce – the "Florence of Southern Italy."

Itinerary

This is our planned itinerary and sequence of events, but it could be subject to change due to weather conditions or circumstances beyond our control. We might change our daily plan to another day to take advantage of an opportunity to see a local festival or special event.

Day 1: Naples to St. Agata
We begin our journey this morning with a scenic drive from Naples to Sant’Agata, a quaint village perched high in the hills above the Bay of Sorrento. The view from our hotel has inspired many artists. After a memorable afternoon stroll, we will gather for a welcome feast of locally sourced foods. We'll sleep in Saint’Agata.

Day 2: Pompeii and Vesuvius
No visit to Southern Italy would be complete without a stop in Pompeii. Today we walk through this ancient Roman settlement that was destroyed in A.D. 79 by the explosion of Mt. Vesuvius. Pompeii remained covered in thick protective ash until its excavation began at the end of the 1700s. In the afternoon, we head toward the ash-maker itself: Mount Vesuvius. A volcanologist will accompany us on a hike across the black sand that encircles the crater. Along the way we learn how the legends of Vesuvius dominate local folklore. We'll sleep in Sant’Agata.

Day 3: Capri
We enjoy a short cruise to the fabled island of Capri. The early-morning light will invite us up the winding road to Anacapri, a small town of 5,000 residents. A short walk brings us to Migliara where we enjoy a view of the Punta Carena lighthouse and neighboring Ischia and Procida Islands. Those who want to hike further can climb to Capri’s highest point, Monte Solaro (1,926 feet above sea level). But don’t worry, there is a chairlift option as well! After enjoying this world-class view, we will return to the base of Monte Solaro to enjoy free time and lunch in the village of Anacapri. Later we visit San Michele, an 18th-century church with one of the finest examples of Neapolitan Baroque artwork. We'll sleep in Sant’Agata.

Day 4: Ravello and Amalfi
We walk along the valley between the towns of Ravello and Amalfi. We tour Villa Cimbrone, an original 19th-century estate that boasts a wild garden that hangs over the sea. From there, we'll depart along an ancient mule path to the tiny village of Pontone, where we chat with locals about their ancient farming techniques, which they believe will resist the steamroller of globalization. We tour the Torre dello Ziro, a medieval tower perched on a crag. We'll sleep in Paestum.

Day 5: Paestum
We tour the Greek-Roman city of Paestum. The ancient temple of Hera, built in 550 BC, has been painstakingly preserved through the ages. In the museum, we'll view unique frescoes before going to a countryside estate, where we learn to cook a southern Italian meal. Buon appetito! We'll sleep in Paestum.

Day 6: Matera
We stop en route from the Campania region to visit the incredible Crypt of the Original Sin, a frescoed piece that was painted with unbelievable colors and technique 1,300 years ago. The Middle Eastern appearance of the area served as the setting for Mel Gibson’s movie "Passion." The labyrinthine streets combine ancient stone sassi structures with buildings of later eras -- a fascinating blend of old and new. We'll sleep in Matera.

Day 7: Matera
We hike into Parco Regionale delle Chiese Rupestri, "Park of the Rock Churches." Once home to ancient civilizations, this area today is a nature sanctuary that provides protection to more than 923 plant species, including rare orchids and wild herbs. Our trail leads us through deep gorges with prehistoric caves. We'll sleep in Matera.

Day 8: Alberobello, Locorotundo and Ostuni
We travel into the famed Trulli area of Apulia and the lush Valle d’Itria. Blanketed with vineyards and olive groves, this valley is dotted with hundreds of trulli, curious stone structures used by Apulian farmers. We take a tour of the UNESCO World Heritage village of Alberobello. We'll sleep near Ostuni.

Day 9: Ostuni and the countryside
Known for its whitewashed walls, Ostuni overlooks the Adriatic with a medieval center that features a dramatic 15th century cathedral. We explore Ostuni before following an ancient farmer’s path along sturdy stone walls through olive trees, an abundance of oak, cork, and carob trees. We'll sleep near Ostuni.

Day 10: Polignano and Lecce
We enjoy an unforgettable olive oil tasting on our way to the seaside town of Polignano a Mare where we tour the ancient city’s walled historic center. We can feel the water of the Adriatic in the Cove of the Saracenes before we continue down the coastal highway to Leece, a city long associated with traders that has a Greek flavor. Nearby, tiny sun-blasted villages grow out of stony red earth, with flat-roofed houses painted in pastel colors. We'll sleep near Lecce.

Day 11: Santa Maria di Leuca/Lecce
We make our way south on a scenic drive to the ancient seaside village of Santa Maria di Leuca to visit a Basilica and lighthouse at Finibus Terrae "end of the land." The Basilica lies on the site of a pre-Christian temple that was dedicated to Minerva by the Romans. The edifice is a fortified structurethat repelled several assaults by Turk pirates in the past. Tonight we will return to Lecce where we will feast on a farewell dinner of local specialties. We'll sleep near Lecce.

Day 12: Transfer to airport
This morning after breakfast, we transfer by bus to Brindisi Airport for your flight home or on to other adventures.

Getting There

Flights from the United States are often direct to larger cities -- Amsterdam, London, Frankfurt, Milan, Rome. From there you can purchase a shorter flight directly to Naples. It is also easy to take a train from Rome to Naples, where we will meet mid-morning on September 28. If you are flying from the west coast of the USA, you will lose a day in flight, so you must leave one day earlier than the day that you want to arrive. If you experience jet lag (in Italian "fuso orario"), I suggest arriving a day or two before the trip starts to adjust to the time change.

Accommodations and Food

We will be staying in five different small hotels, villas, and countryside inns. These are peaceful home bases for exploring nearby regions. They are usually family-run accommodations and provide breakfasts each day. They have garden grounds and ideal terraces with views -- the perfect setting for comfortable relaxation after a walk or tour. Rooms are double-occupancy; a roommate will be provided for solo travelers. In all rooms, there will be a bathroom. All meals will be provided in the trip price except for one dinner, so you can sample a café, restaurant, or trattoria of your choice. The cooking lesson will be our opportunity to prepare some regional specialties with a chef for our "cena" dinner. Many restaurants offer some vegetarian dishes and will attempt to satisfy special dietary needs. We can buy corn or rice pasta and bring it to the restaurant for the chef to cook. There may be an occasion when vegan or a special dietary meal is not available. Please inform the leader of dietary preferences when completing your application. The foods of Southern Italy are usually the foods that most participants really enjoy.

Trip Difficulty

This trip is easy to moderate and suitable for the active and those seeking a more relaxed vacation. It is open to all adults, as long as you are in reasonably good health, get regular exercise, enjoy nature, and want to learn about Italian culture and history. We are transported by private minibus to towns, historic sites, and trailheads for walks. Our walks or hikes will be one to six miles at a leisurely pace on established trails and paths. However, the trails may be narrow and there are sometimes irregular steps to climb. Streets in historic towns are made of cobblestones and are often uneven. It is essential to have comfortable and supportive shoes. As always, the better physical shape you are in, the more you will enjoy the trip. Before the trip, plan some walks and hikes on paths and pavement going up and down hills.

Equipment and Clothing

The climate in Southern Italy in September and October is usually pleasant, with temperatures in the 70s during the day. Dress will be casual and comfortable. Raingear or an umbrella is always a good idea. A small day pack for water, camera, and a light jacket is handy. If you find it difficult to walk on an uneven surface, a walking stick or trekking poles might be helpful. Your leader will provide additional pre-trip information, including a comprehensive packing list, to registered participants.

References

Books about Southern Italy:

• Astarita, Tommaso, Between Salt Water and Holy Water: A History of Southern Italy.
• Morton, H. V., Traveler in Southern Italy.
• Richards, Charles, The New Italians.

Videos and DVDs:

• Cinema Paradiso, directed by Giuseppe Tornatore (155 min.)
• Johnny Stecchino, directed by Roberto Benigni (102 min.)
• Zampogna: The Soul of Southern Italy, directed by David Marker (80 min.)

Conservation

Sierra Club is an environmentally focused entity. We are concerned about conservation and sustainability of resources, both locally and globally. Our work is accomplished by volunteers and aided by a salaried staff, encouraging grassroots involvement. Our outings seek to empower participants toward environmental understanding and parallel concerns at home and abroad. Environmental topics on this outing are observing alternative, clean energy sources, preserving natural lands, and recycling. We can observe the practice of "0 kilometer cibo" which is practiced everywhere in So. Italy -- using food grown locally means delicious and fresh foods. The small nearby growers deliver produce daily to the restaurants. They do not use pesticides, GMO foods, or hormones for animals. We will observe alternative energy sources: wind turbines and solar panels. By bringing our Sierra Club groups to Italy nature reserves, we encourage the Italians to see the value of preserving natural areas of beauty and enlarging parks. We have donated money on past trips to bird sanctuaries so that they can develop more programs to guide field trips for students to learn about saving habitat for birds. Our presence has made a difference as we see more trails, more land put into reserves, reserve areas connected with natural corridors, and new national parks being developed in the areas we visit.

Trip Price

This trip requires a $200 per-person deposit. An additional payment of $300 per person is due six months prior to trip departure. International trip prices are subject to change and are based on double-occupancy or group accommodations as described above. Single rooms may not be available or may cost more than the listed price. If you have any questions regarding double occupancy, please contact the trip leader.

See the How to Apply for an Outing section for more details on registering for this trip and details about our Reservation and Cancellation Policy.

The payment of a deposit does not confirm you as a member on the trip. Participants must be approved by the trip leader. After signing up for this trip, you will be sent a confirmation packet containing approval materials (Participant Approval Questionnaire, Medical Form, Liability Release Form). Each applicant (including those on the waitlist) must fill out these forms and promptly mail them to the trip leader. The leader will review the approval materials and notify you of your acceptance in a timely manner.

The Sierra Club accurately and fairly budgets and prices our trips. However, unforeseen costs such as devaluation of the dollar compared to other currencies and fuel surcharges assessed by our international providers may necessitate adjustment in trip price. We will make every effort to mitigate and absorb these fees. If a price increase is necessary, however, you will have 14 days after announcement to cancel without penalty.

Staff

Diane Cornell's love of nature has led her to an adventure-filled life. She is happiest when outdoors hiking. Besides leading day hikes for the Ventana Chapter, Diane also frequently hikes in the Italian Dolomites, Alps, and Apennines. One of her recent challenges was teaching a lesson on solar energy to 4th graders in Loreto, Italy. Diane also started a non-profit educational foundation to teach science to chidren outdoors. Diane looks forward to sharing her appreciation of life on this journey.

E-mail: info@osefun.com

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General Notes About Sierra Club Trips

• Carbon Offsets
• Electronic Devices
• Equipment
• How to Apply for a Trip
• Leader Gratuities
• Liability Release and Assumption of Risk
• Medical Issues
• Non-discrimination Statement
• Participant Approval
• Reservation and Cancellation Policy
• Seller of Travel Disclosure
• Travel Insurance
• Trip Feedback