Oh, the People You’ll Meet on Italy’s Amalfi Coast!

Published on November 22, 2024

By Molly Waldstein, Travel Writer

The village of Ravello is a tumult of pastel-colored homes cascading gracefully towards a sunlit Mediterranean Sea. It’s also the home of Country Walkers trip leader Vincenzo Falcone—and, apparently, he knows everyone.

[gallery columns="2" link="none" size="large" ids="26063,26062"] The village of Ravello is a tumult of pastel-colored homes cascading gracefully towards a sunlit Mediterranean Sea. It’s also the home of Country Walkers trip leader Vincenzo Falcone—and, apparently, he knows everyone. “We had our first hike in Ravello,” recalls Country Walkers guest (and Tour Consultant) Carla Zucchetti. “It was funny, because we’re basically walking in the middle of nowhere, and everyone we pass on the trail is someone Vincenzo knows from town—and they would always stop and say hello. It felt just like being a local!” As the group enjoyed their walk through a peaceful chestnut forest, another friend of Vincenzo’s decided to join in the fun. “A cute little dog ran up to us on the trail, and he was so sweet and friendly,” recalls Carla. “At first, we were concerned he might be lost, but it turned out Vincenzo knew him and his family. His name was Salsiccia, which means sausage in Italian.” Little Salsiccia seemed to enjoy keeping pace with the group as the hike progressed. As Vincenzo and his co-leader, Alessandra di Castri, paused to explain the geographical features of the landscape, Salsiccia was there at the head of the pack, watching the trip leaders carefully, as if fascinated by the discussion. As the group walked on, they eventually encountered a road, where they met another of Vincenzo’s friends. A man driving a pick-up truck pulled over and greeted Vincenzo with a friendly “Ciao!” He called to Salsiccia, and the little dog ran up to him happily. “This pup would have followed Vincenzo all the way into town if I hadn’t stopped to pick him up,” the man laughed. Gathering up his Salsiccia, he waved a cheerful farewell to his friend Vincenzo and continued on his way. “It was so fun to meet the local people,” recalls Carla. “To me, it really made the difference between feeling like a tourist and feeling like an insider. Vincenzo and Alessandra introduced us to so many people along the way—and that made the experience so special.” As the group paused to enjoy a delicious picnic lunch of locally-grown vegetables, savory cheeses, and meats grilled over a wood fire, they laughed about the sweet little dog and his antics.

The Picnic of the Gods

High above the azure coast of the Tyrrhenian Sea, the rugged Path of the Gods winds past stunning rock formations and scenic ocean vistas. People travel from all over the world to see the spectacular views of the Amalfi Coast from this lofty vantage point, and there’s a sense of true international camaraderie and fun that makes it more than just a hike—it’s a cultural experience. “As you hike the Path of the Gods, you meet people from all over the world,” recalls Carla. “Vincenzo and Alessandra made it into a game. They would ask everyone we passed where they were from—and then we’d all cheer and say the country name: ‘Ireland!’ or whatever it was. Everyone was so happy—and pretty soon we were having the most wonderful little conversations with the people we met on the trail. It was a lot of fun!” There’s something about doing one of the most beautiful walks in Europe that seems to put everyone in a good mood—and the conversations with fellow hikers are always lively and entertaining. Along the way, a stop at the scenic pass at Colle Serra brings phenomenal coastal views, an exquisite picnic lunch, and a delightful pair of new friends. “It felt like we were so far away from everything,” recalls Carla. “But two of Vincenzo’s local friends had actually hiked all the way to Colle Serra with this incredible food, which was all fresh and local. We sat around a table at a gorgeous spot with stunning sea views, and the picnic was just out of this world.” As the group of walkers relaxed and enjoyed a bountiful spread of fresh mozzarella, savory sausages, ripe Amalfi tomatoes, and vibrant salads, they enjoyed lively conversation with the local farmers who had so kindly brought the delicious fare up the hill to share.

The Coast in its Quiet Moments

The Amalfi Coast is a popular destination—and for good reason. With stunning views of the Tyrrhenian Sea, lush floral gardens, colorful artwork, and exquisite cuisine, the Amalfi Coast is truly a must-see destination for any serious traveler. Fortunately, this is where certified local guides such as Vincenzo and Alessandra truly shine—because they know all the insider tips and tricks to avoid the crowds. “We had such a spectacular visit to the island of Capri,” recalls Carla. “It’s a popular destination, but Alessandra knew all the hidden trails and spots with spectacular seaside views that most people just didn’t know about.” Alessandra’s years of experience hiking Capri’s scenic paths gives you access to trails and breathtaking vistas others haven’t even discovered. To visit the most scenic spots on the Amalfi Coast without the crowds, timing is everything. The charming seaside hamlet of Minori gets plenty of local visitors during the day—but by late afternoon, most have departed. “During the day, the little towns and beaches are very active,” observes Carla. “Our trip leaders did an amazing job of bringing us to the most popular spots after the day-trippers had left. They timed it perfectly—and we really got to appreciate the sights without feeling crowded.” After a stunning hike on lesser-known trails, the late afternoon is the perfect time to clean up, relax, and then meet up for a fascinating walk along a local seaside promenade before settling into a charming restaurant serving scrumptious Amalfi specialties, exquisite vintages, and plenty of scintillating conversation.