Amalfi coast small group hiking vacation

Planet and people

Our leaders are trained in responsible tourism matters and work to our detailed Responsible Tourism Policy. On the Amalfi Coast, an increasingly popular area for hikers, they brief groups carefully to ensure that we have a minimal impact on the countryside as well as providing tips on how to avoid generating waste, such as using refillable water bottles. A lot of us think we ‘know’ Europe but it can be surprising what a wealth of cultural differences there are and our leaders are there to explain the culture and customs.

To help leave a low a carbon footprint, this trip has been designed to use some public transport, including local buses, to and from the start and end of walks and the local ferry to Capri Island.

This vacation stays at an agriturismo - a small family farm that also takes in guests and which is a very sustainable form of tourism. Started in the 1950s as an initiative to reverse the abandonment of small non-profitable farms and depopulation of the countryside, Italy's agriturismo movement encourages farmers to redevelop their properties for paying guests by converting parts of the farm, such as old barns and outhouses, into guest accommodation to supplement their agricultural income. Since developing a close relationship with the Acampora family and sending our customers to their farm, they have been able to grow it from a simple small farmhouse into comfortable vacation accommodation with a beautiful restaurant, securing economic stability for future generations of their family.

The farm is organic and the family engage in traditional practices, working in harmony with nature to produce organic vegetables such as the grapes for their homemade wine and olives for their oil. By supporting the farm, this vacation helps to support organic farming practices and preserve rural traditions. Staying here is a wonderful opportunity to engage with this local family and see how three generations of one family, from 88 year old 'Mama' Maria down to 11 year old Giuseppe, work as a team.

Located on the cliffs above the main tourist centers of the Amalfi Coast, many of our walks take us through rural communities, helping to spread some of the economic benefits from tourism outside of Amalfi's traditional seaside centers.

In addition to the above, we are continually looking for ways to improve and are proud to be ‘Responsible in everything we do’. Education is key and so all staff, Tour leaders and partnering suppliers are trained in responsible and sustainable tourism. At our Head Office, we continually strive towards a sustainable and planet-friendly working environment, including having solar panels installed and a company commitment to reducing our plastic usage. As well as this, we have valuable and longstanding partnerships with UK charities Toilet Twinning and Send a Cow, plus many smaller initiatives and projects around the world. We’re members of UK travel industry bodies Tourism Concern and AITO because we believe it’s important to share our knowledge and experience, as well as learn from other operators.

As a company we support Cool Earth. Protecting rainforest is one of the most effective actions to tackle climate breakdown. Cool Earth work with indigenous communities empowering them to conserve their forest; keeping CO2 locked in.