My fiancé and I hiked with Franco during our recent trip to Rome and Amalfi, and this was one of the most memorable vacation experiences ever, not just in Italy! The hike itself is only moderately challenging (though on a hot summer day you’ll sweat a lot!), the food you’ll try is abundant and delicious, and Franco and his assistant, Angela, are absolute gems!
Going in, you’ll see lots of signs warning about the equipment and condition you need to be in to do the hike, but I wouldn’t recommend taking that too literally. My fiancé and I are reasonably fit, but we’re not athletes. We still were able to move through the path at a good clip in normal sneakers while battling hangovers in 90+ degree heat with little difficulty. The views over the coast were stunning. The stop at the ancient shepherd’s hut was fascinating.
Franco has a wealth of knowledge about the area, including its history, vegetation, produce, and livestock. He even runs his own farm there. He’s extremely eager to share with his guests his knowledge and regional flavors. He’s also exceedingly friendly and you’ll want to be lifelong friends by the end! (Not to mention, he’s also a strong singer, photographer, and chef!) Likewise, Angela, who helped with food preparation and transportation, is so sweet. They do everything they can to make this experience unforgettable.
Speaking of the food, wow! During the hike we had lemon slush from a local vendor and a plate of fresh cheese and produce at the shepherd’s hut. Then we arrived at tree covered park table for our “picnic,” which turned out to be a 5-course meal prepared by Franco and Angela. Corn on the cob, two styles of meatball, salami and cheeses, pasta, and salads—these are just some of the items we ate. All fresh and much of it produced by Franco himself. And we were so full by the end we didn’t even come close to finishing the spread!
The only caveat I would offer to readers is to allow for plenty of time and a robust appetite. Traveling from Ravello, it was a 9-hour day for us from start to finish. The experience itself was about 6 hours long. You’ll be exhausted and full afterwards, so I don’t recommend any big dinner reservations that night (a mistake my fiancé and I made!). I suppose it could be a shorter and less filling day if you request it, but you should go for the full experience if you can!
Grazie mille for an incredible experience, Franco and Angela! We miss you guys already!