This is the best message board so I know I will get great replies to my question. We are planning a walking tour to the Amalfi Coast this summer/fall. Would appreciate any input about tour companies you have used and if you would recommend them. What you most liked about them - what you least liked about them. We have used Backroads and Country Walkers in the past - they are great - but am wondering if there are others we should know about. Thanks!

Lynn, Have you encountered single people traveling solo on these walking tours, or is it generally couples? I'm contemplating my first trip to Europe and will have to go solo. Would a walking tour be a good choice for a single man in my mid 30's?

Hi, John. On every walking/biking trip we have been on, there have been singles. It is not a problem at all and you will make instant friends there. I actually signed up solo once - and said I would be willing to room with someone if there was a single woman going. There was and it turned out that we got along fabulously and still are in touch with each other. Go for it!

To add to what Lynn said, many of these companies, such as Backroads and Mt. Travel Sobek, have trips that are geared specifically for singles (and they have trips that cater more to families). I was on a bike trip as a single, and there were other singles as well. It's a great way to travel with a group.

It isn't necessary to use a tour company for hiking on the Amalfi Coast, as it's easy to get around and the limited number of paths lessens the likelihood of getting lost (similar to Cinque Terre). Much of Amalfi Coast hiking is actually walking on stone steps that for centuries were the only way people could get from one town to another. Along the multitude flights of steps are scattered houses with extensive terraced vegetable plots and orchards of lemon and olive trees — a really pleasant and fragrant experience.<BR><BR>Last May my husband and I did our own walking tour of the Amalfi Coast with the help of an excellent book: "Landscapes of Sorrento and the Amalfi Coast" by Julian Tippett (can be ordered through www.amazon.com.uk). We stayed at La Fenice B&B in Positano and spent the first day walking around Positano and along the coast to the next town. The next day we took the local bus up-up-up to the town of Montepertuso high atop the cliff and walked beyond Nocelle to sample Sentiero degli Dei (Pathway of the Gods), then returned to Nocelle and hiked down to Positano.<BR><BR>The other two days we rode the coastal SITA bus to Amalfi, about 50 minutes away, and did hikes from there. For the first hike, we took a local bus from Amalfi to the mountain-top village of Ravello, visiting the church and Villa Cimbrone. From there we hiked down to Atrani and over to Amalfi.<BR><BR>The second day we did a large circuit through the wooded Valle dei Mulini (Valley of the Mills), past waterfalls and abandoned paper mills, then up to the tiny town of Pontone and back down to Amalfi by a different route.

Lorraine-your walks sound wonderful! Did you have a favorite? I will be in Italy at the end of May this year and staying at La fenice. How did you like the hotel and how was the weather at this time of year? Anything else you really enjoyed?<BR><BR>

Dorrie, I liked the Valley of the Mills hike the most, but that may be because I love wooded valleys. But you shouldn't miss visiting Amalfi and then taking the local bus to visit Ravello (be sure to tour the churches in both places), so if you have time for only one hike, perhaps that one would be best. On the third hand, walking all the way down from Nocelle and winding up just down the road from La Fenice was a fun surprise. <BR><BR>La Fenice's great--a magnificent and convenient location. Breakfast is skimpy, so feel free to bring fruit and other provisions with you to accompany the coffee or hot chocolate and rolls provided.<BR><BR>I've got a travelog and photos of La Fenice, Positano, Amalfi, Ravello and the various walks at http://www.correctedenglish.com/S-Italy/Italyframeset.html<BR> (scroll about halfway down the column on the right, past Rome and Pompeii, to get to the Amalfi coast info. Click on highlighted words to see photos.)<BR><BR>The weather in late May is perfect. Most days I wore pants and a polo shirt. It rained only one day, while we were in Rome. La Fenice does not fill its pool until June 1, so if you want to swim from the beach, I recommend bringing boat shoes as the entry is pebbles.<BR><BR>You're going to have a GREAT time!

Lorraine-Thanks for the information! Your site is wonderful-I have saved it so I can refer to it as my trip gets closer. I can tell you had a wonderful time.

I agree with Lorraine that it's easy to walk the Amalfi Coast on your own. However, for those who like the company of group walks, I can recommend HF Holidays (http://www.hfholidays.co.uk/) Sorrento trip. My wife and I have done a number of HF walks, and we took the Sorrento walk this past October. HF always draws a friendly group of mostly British but other Europeans and Americans as well. And the groups usually include a mix of couples and singles. In fact, I think they have some walks targeted specifically at singles.

A Couple Of Questions Regarding ITALY:<BR><BR>1) My Girlfriend & I Are Taking A 9 Day Tour With Trafalgar Tours Leaving On March 17th, Anyone Have Any Tips?<BR>2) What Kind Of Weather Should We Expect?<BR>3) Any Special Things We Should Pack?<BR>4) Anyone Fly To Italy via US AIRWAYS? Our Travel Agent Originally Told Us We Would Be On Continental & I Felt Much Better. Now He Sent Us The Confirmation Telling Us We Are Flying US AIRWAYS!<BR>5) How Is The Food?<BR><BR>Thanks 4 Help & Time...

A Couple Of Questions Regarding ITALY:<BR><BR>1) My Girlfriend & I Are Taking A 9 Day Tour With Trafalgar Tours Leaving On March 17th, Anyone Have Any Tips?<BR>2) What Kind Of Weather Should We Expect?<BR>3) Any Special Things We Should Pack?<BR>4) Anyone Fly To Italy via US AIRWAYS? Our Travel Agent Originally Told Us We Would Be On Continental & I Felt Much Better. Now He Sent Us The Confirmation Telling Us We Are Flying US AIRWAYS!<BR>5) How Is The Food?<BR><BR>Thanks 4 Your Help & Time...

I flew to Rome a month ago on USAirways and to Frankfurt with them in May. They use the Airbus 330 on these routes. This is a fairly new widebody with individual entertainment systems. The seating is 2-4-2. The trips were fine. As far as I'm concerned, there's not that much difference among the airlines. Enjoy your trip.

We flew USAirways to Rome last May. We're taking them to London and home from Paris in April this year. Good flight. The Airbus 330 is fairly comfortable even in tourist.

Diane & Ellen,<BR> Thanks For Your Responses Regarding US Airways. I Must Admit I Am Very Nervous When It Comes To Flying & Am Very Particuliar Right Down To My Seat Location On The Flight. I Guess My Thing Is I Feel Rather Mislead By The Travel Agent Regarding The Flight Mixup. I Guess That Anxiety Accompanied With US Airways Recent Finiancial Woes & Refusal To Take Government Grants/Loans To Help Them Rebuild I Have Issues.<BR> In Regards To The Flight, Is It A Fairly Smooth Flight To ROME? Do They Have Good InFlight Service? We Are Leaving @ 5:30EST So I Am Hoping I Can Maybe Sleep. <BR> Also Can Anyone Help Me With Some Of My Other Questions???? THANKS!

We have used Alternative Travel company for self quided hikes in Spain. They offer both guided and self guided through out Europe. On the self guided tours they make all the arrangements for you and then give you a map and you find your way from place to place. There is a route manager that can be called if necessary. They also transport your luggage every day. I know that they do have a trip to the Amalfi Coast. We have really liked using them and find them reasonably priced. You can find information about their trips at www.alternative-travel.co.uk/.

Joey, you'll want to pack light, but take clothes you can layer in order to adjust for whatever weather you happen to get: black walking shoes and black pants (wear one and bring one), black turtleneck, one sweater, a few shirts, a couple nice Tshirts, waterproof jacket with hood. USAirways is fine; whether one can sleep depends on the individual. I bring earplugs and eye mask, some people bring neck pillows. I also bring saline nasal spray, toothbrush, water bottle and some food (fruit, nuts) in case I don't like the airline meals.

We have gone on two Butterfield and Robinson European walking tours, one in the Veneto region of Italy and one last year in Austria [the Danube River outside of Vienna]. Both were super. B&R is pricey, but does an excellent job. In fact we are going on tour with them on the Almalfi Coast this spring.

Thanks for the info. Has anyone used Wayfarers? We have gone on a B&R trip (great) - also Country Walkers (also great) - and have also used Backroads (ditto!). Wayfarers goes where we want and when we want - at a more reasonable price. Would appreciate your input - and how you might compare them to other walking tour companies. Thanks.

Lorriane, your website is really nice, and you and your husband are so cute, does he have a single brother?

Tori, you made our day! <BR><BR>No single brothers, however.