Amalfi Coast: Inn-to-Inn Sea Kayaking

Naples, Italy: Weather

Ahhh...Amalfi. Think Italian hospitality, fabulous cuisine, grapes and wine. You are heading in the right direction. Add to it azure blue seas, fabulous and rugged coastlines, the magic of Capri, and a classical Roman landscape, and you are beginning to feel the heartbeat of our newest sea kayaking adventure. Already been to Crete and Corfu on our classics? Please join us in "La Dolce Vita" Amalfi style. View Photos

- Activities: Sea Kayaking
- Accommodations: Family Owned Inns
- Van Supported: Yes
- From: Naples, Italy
- Skill Rating: 1 (more about skill ratings)
- 2010 Price: $4,995.00
- Fact Sheet -

Registration Forms Here!

- Fact Sheet - Itinerary - Common Questions - Top of Page

Q: What makes this trip so special?
 A:Capri, Amalfi, Sorrento a deluge of images that alert every sense to the magic and history of this Mediterranean treasure. Fine wine, fresh food highlight this amazing journey along the world’s most romantic coastline. Our journey takes us along the AmalfiCoast exploring like so few the dramatic limestone hillsides from the seat of our sea kayak. Spending our evenings in luxury melting into the culture of Capri, Positano and Amalfi. Listen to our guests “Amalfi is a dream place in our life. Now we have left the roads and experienced the coast from the water under our own power. This time under the limestone cliffs with inquisitive paddle mates has been satisfying and reinforcing the most simple pleasures in life are the ones we retain as memories….” Carol P Amalfi 2004 

Q: How do I get there?
A: Naples is a complex, urban, city center offering the traveler numerous options including air, rail and bus. Most popular methods of travel include flight into Rome and flight transfer to Naples. Flight time from Chicago to Rome approximately 10 hours.  Rome has one major airport for scheduled flights, Leonardo da Vinci(FCO) - still frequently known by its old name, Fiumicino. Leonardo da Vinci is serviced by many of the larger international air carriers. Find more flight schedule information on the Leonardo da Vinci web site at http://www.adr.it/default.asp. Naples airport is Aeroporto Capodichino (NAP). Flights arrive from Rome and other major Italian hubs throughout the day. Flight time from Rome approximately 45 minutes.  The rail system throughout Italy is convenient, generally on-time, clean and user friendly. There are trains every hour between Rome and Naples. The Naples station is Stazione Centrale(Piazza Garibaldi) on the web at http://www.trenitalia.com/home/en/index.html. The Northwest Passage is more then happy to help aid you in your travel plans. We have the experience.

Q:  What papers do I need for travel to Italy?
A:  All US citizens require a valid passport to enter Italy and the EU.  A visa is not required for citizens of the United States, Canada, and the European Union.  If you are a citizen of another country, please check with your nearest Italian embassy for visa requirements.

Q:  Do I need to get any shots before traveling to Italy?
A:  No inoculations are required when entering or leaving Italy.

Q: How and where will you meet me?
A: We will ask for a copy of your travel itinerary prior to your departure.  We will meet the morning of the first day of the trip at the Naples Train Station Stazione Centrale(Piazza Garibaldi) on the web at http://www.trenitalia.com/home/en/index.html, or otherwise by arrangement. Exact meeting time will be determined once arrival schedules from participants to Naples are finalized. The train station is large so keep your eyes peeled as we will be wearing Northwest Passage shirts and carrying an NWP sign.  We will meet in the arrivals area of the Train Station.

Q: How long will it take me to get there?
A: The flight to Italy is usually an overnight flight, leaving the U.S. in the late morning or afternoon and arriving mid-day in Rome.  Depending on the carrier and connection, you may transfer en-route.  There are flights out of Rome to Naples morning through evening. An alternative option is to travel via reliable rail from a major Italian city hub Rome, Milan, Florence to Naples. Rail options can melt away travel fatigue and provide an economical alternative.
Returning from Rome, most flights back to the U.S. are in the early afternoon, you should be able to make connections from Naples to major travel hubs the afternoon on the final day of your trip.  

Q: What’s the currency? Exchange rate?  Where can I exchange money?
A: The Lira was the Italian currency.  However, Italy converted to the Euro in January, 2000.  For the most current exchange rate, there are several helpful websites. Oanda (www.oanda.com) will give you a handy conversion cheat sheet to take with you.  You can exchange money throughout Italy.  Exchange rates throughout may not be the most favorable as they often have higher commission rates and/or minimum commissions.  There are ATM’s at the airports train stations which can be handy as there is not a commission, just the ATM service charge.  There are also ATM’s in Capri, Positanio, Naples and Amalfi.   Some of the hotels where we stay will also exchange. Shops do exchange money but their rates are often high.

Q: How much money should I take?  What will I spend money on? How much is a typical meal? Drinks? Souvenirs?
A: The trip fee covers most of your costs.  The only things you will be responsible for are lunches, drinks, one dinner, personal purchases, and gratuities.  Lunches generally range 10-25 Euros.  Dinner ranges 20-40 Euros.  Personal purchases again vary- one can buy unique souvenirs made by the local Amalfi residents for 15 Euros or get fine jewelry for significantly more… it’s up to you.

Q: When in town, who do I tip?  How much?
A:  Tipping is optional and not expected in the same way it is in the U.S.  However, it is most appreciated and 10 % is typical.

Q: Do they take plastic in Italy?   Are there Cash Stations?
A: Cash stations are located in all of the major cities.  Many of the more upscale shops will take credit cards.  You can sometimes negotiate a better price on goods if you pay cash.  Many smaller shops do not accept credit cards.

Q: What’s the weather like?
A: The weather in fall and spring is generally around 80° with lots of sunshine.  Be sure to pack plenty of sunscreen, including lip protection.  A broad-brimmed hat that secures on your head can also be very helpful.  Water temperatures in fall tend to be in the mid to upper 70’s.  Spring water temperatures are significantly cooler (high 60’s).  Air temperatures cool off at night to the point you may want a light jacket.  Rain is unusual but does occur.  A light rain jacket can be handy.

Q: What are the accommodations like?
A: Three and Four Star includes balconies, private baths and all the Italian amenities.

Q: Can I plug in my hair dryer? What about my electric razor?
A:  If you bring any items requiring electricity, be sure to bring both a converter and adapter plugs.  These can be purchased at Radio Shack®, other electronics stores, travel stores etc.  Let the salesperson know you are traveling to Italy and they can help you select the appropriate converter and adapter plugs for your equipment.  Note that hair dryers, irons, and any other heat producing devices require a stronger converter than other devices.  It is helpful to know the wattage of your particular equipment when purchasing the appropriate converter.

Q: What do I need to bring?
A: Upon registering, we will provide you with a detailed clothing and equipment list to guide you in your packing. Comfortable, casual and cosmopolitan define the Amalfi coast.
While paddling, your needs in the boat will be minimal.  A small dry bag with a carabiner clip to keep it attached to the boat is very handy.  Clear bags are helpful to be able to find what you need.  During the day, you will want to have sunscreen, some Euros for lunch and the cappuccino stop, sunglasses with something to keep them tied on with (Croakies®, Chums®,  etc.)  waterbottle (most folks will buy cold bottled water in the morning, eliminating the need to bring a water bottle), camera, mask/fins/snorkel (if you enjoy snorkeling), small binoculars if you already have some, and a small pack towel.  If your hands are sensitive, a pair of gloves can be helpful to prevent blisters.  You do not need neoprene paddling gloves- these will be much too warm.  Any open fingered glove (including bike gloves, sailing gloves, golfing gloves) can work well (just figure that they will get quite wet).  The key is to protect your palm between your thumb and index finger as that tends to receive the most friction.

Q: Can I drink the water?
A: The water is safe to drink in all the areas we visit.  Bottled water is readily available everywhere and quite inexpensive so most folks choose to drink bottled water.

Q: What’s the food like?
A: Italian gastronomy is not in strange, unusual food combinations, but in the careful attention given to the taste and freshness of the basic ingredients. Your choices include an array of anti-pasta, pasta, seafood, various poultry, meats and homemade pastries and desserts.  Italian culture is defined around the dinner table. We can only encourage you to join us and leave room for dessert!

Q: What time zone will we be in?
A: Italy is one hour ahead of Greenwich Time, which makes it 6 hours ahead of US Eastern Time, 7 hours ahead of Central Time, and 9 hours ahead of Pacific Time. 

Q: How can people reach me in an emergency?  Can I call home?
A: We will provide you with a list of our hotels including phone and fax numbers.  You should also provide family/friends with The Northwest Passage number (800-RECREATE, 732-7328) as NWP staff will always be notified of any changes in the itinerary.  You can call home using a calling card.  All of the hotels will have phones in the rooms.  Keep in mind the time difference listed above.  It can be helpful to remind family and friends about this also.  Italy country code: 39.

Q:  How can I prepare physically for the trip?  How much prior experience is needed?
A:  We have had participants on this trip who have never been in a kayak before and others who have been paddling for years. We have found that all levels of kayakers have enjoyed this adventure.  A good level of personal fitness makes the journey more enjoyable. For kayaking, upper body exercises that strengthen your shoulders, back and arms are recommended. Strengthening exercises with free weights can be very beneficial.  Upper body stretches and exercises such as rowing are also useful.  Keep in mind that we have had folks at all different levels of physical conditioning thoroughly enjoy this trip and the van is always an option!  It is extremely important that you know how to swim and are comfortable in the water.  Please don’t hesitate to contact our office if you have any questions or concerns about your physical capabilities for this trip.

Q: How much time do we spend kayaking each day?  How many miles do we travel?  Do I have free time?
A: We will generally kayak 3-5 hours per day.  The paddling is broken into multiple sections with plenty of time to explore the coastline, paddle in and out of sea caves and jump in and out of the water to cool off.  We generally begin paddling at 8:30 each morning, and then take a cappuccino break after an hour or so.  We stop again for lunch after another hour or so and generally reach our next hotel between 2:30 and 3:30 in the afternoon. 
Distance traveled varies each day, ranging from 4 -15 miles.  Once we reach our destination, you will have some free time to shower, relax, and/or explore the town.  We will generally offer some additional skill training for folks who are interested at the end of the day.  Some participants have wanted to work on Eskimo rolling, paddling techniques, etc.
Each day, the van will be following our route, meeting us at the cappuccino stops and lunch stops, offering multiple options.  You can paddle to the cappuccino break, then hop in the van to the lunch stop, and then paddle again in the afternoon.  Or start with a van ride and paddle later in the day.  The choices are endless!

Q: What kind of equipment do you use?
A: We have a combination of hard shell plastic doubles, singles and folding doubles.  Some participants prefer to paddle in the doubles the whole time (paddling is a bit easier with two people powering the boat and the doubles tend to be more stable) and some prefer to trade on and off with the singles.  We will provide kayaks, paddles, spray skirts and PFD’s (personal flotation devices) for all participants.  If you prefer to bring your own paddle and/or PFD, you are most welcome to.  Please let us know in advance so that we can pack the appropriate gear, especially if you have a particular need or unusual size. 

Q: How many people are on this trip?  How many guides?  Who are the guides/what are their qualifications?
A:  Your guides will be knowledgeable Northwest Passage staff members who are highly skilled in all aspects of sea kayaking and wilderness travel and have years of experience leading groups.  They all have training and/or certification in Wilderness First Aid.

- Fact Sheet - Itinerary - Common Questions - Top of Page

© The Northwest Passage | Contact Us | 1-800-732-7328

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Home | Contact Us | About Us | Our Guides | Press Room | E-News

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

All content and photography within this website is copyrighted and
may not be reproduced without the express permission of The Northwest Passage.