Uncover the Secrets of Italy’s Amalfi Coast on a Private Guided Tour

by Michele | Feb 6, 2024 | Uncategorized

The UNESCO-listed Amalfi Coast sits along the southern edge of the Sorrentine Peninsula in Italy, offering visitors a captivating blend of ancient history, spectacular coastal scenery, and vibrant culture. Once a powerful maritime republic wielding influence across the Mediterranean, today the region’s ancient streets wind through picturesque towns like Positano, Ravello, and Amalfi itself – attracting eager visitors from around the world.

Colorful houses peer out from the cliffsides to the azure blue Tyrrhenian Sea beyond, and olive groves, vineyards, and lemon orchards dot the rugged landscape. Amalfi’s rich cultural heritage can be clearly seen in its striking architecture – with elegant cathedrals, bustling piazzas, and historic villas to explore – and world-class cuisine. These factors combine to make the Amalfi Coast a gem of a destination on the Mediterranean.

Within our latest blog, we’d like to share a few of the challenges associated with visiting the Amalfi Coast, and key reasons why our tours allow visitors to make the very most of their time in this breathtakingly beautiful corner of Italy.

The Challenges of Independent Travel

Traveling around the Amalfi Coast independently brings with it a unique set of challenges. Mastering the local public transport network or navigating the winding roads by rental car can be tricky, and the local buses and ferries may not always stick to the schedules. Organizing your trip independently can take up valuable vacation time, too. The Amalfi Coast offers a wealth of stunning sights and activities,so prioritizing what you want to see and do can be difficult. And without a guide to share local knowledge and favorite vantage points, you risk missing out on the region’s hidden secrets.

Explore the Amalfi Coast on a Private Guide Tour with Askos Tours

Askos Tours specialize in guided tours across Italy, and the Amalfi Coast is one of our most popular and appealing destinations. Our private full-day Amalfi Coast tours include pickup and drop-off at your Amalfi accommodation (or closest travel hub near Naples, Salerno, Sorrento or the Amalfi Coast.) You’ll also enjoy the services of your expert local guide, whose unrivalled historical knowledge brings the sites and scenery to life.

Within our carefully planned itineraries, we try to fit in free time, too, for relaxing with a drink, soaking up the sunshine, or cooling off with a swim in the clear coastal waters.

Hear the Hidden Secrets of Positano, Amalfi, and Ravello

Nestled along the rugged cliffs of the Amalfi Coast, Positano enchants visitors with its picturesque beauty and Li Galli archipelago scenery. A notable highlight is La Madonnina, a pretty little church perched high above the gentle waves. From here, the panoramic coastal and Tyrrhenian Sea views are nothing short of breathtaking.

Amalfi is a town of rich maritime heritage and timeless charm, and also features on our guided Amalfi Coast tours. The centerpiece is Saint Andrea Cathedral, a masterpiece of Arab-Norman architecture. Its grand façade and ornate interior stand in homage to centuries of cultural exchange in this ancient coastal enclave. The historic alleys beckon, with their narrow passageways and colorful façades providing a glimpse into the town’s storied past. Meanwhile, visitors and locals alike soak up the sunshine in historic Flavio Gioia Square.

Lastly, no visit to the Amalfi Coast is complete without spending time among the manicured gardens and pretty villas of Ravello. The Duomo di Ravello, or the Basilica di Santa Maria Assunta e San Pantaleone, is the town’s striking Romanesque cathedral, and the main place of Catholic worship in Ravello. Equally notable are the villas Rufolo and Cimbrone – each with spectacular gardens and sweeping coastal views.

If you’re planning a trip to the Amalfi Coast, browse our Amalfi tours and experiences page for information on the itineraries available. If you have anything more specific in mind, please contact us and share details on our Custom Tours page – we’d be delighted to put together a bespoke itinerary for you to hit the Amalfi highlights of most interest.

The Benefits of a Customized Sightseeing Tour in Italy

by Michele | Feb 6, 2024 | Uncategorized

At Askos Tours, we’re very proud to share insight into the dazzling range of travel destinations we serve in Italy. From the ancient ruins of Pompeii and Herculaneum to the UNESCO-listed treasures of Rome, the stunning art and architecture of Naples, and the sun-soaked Amalfi coastline, our Custom Tours offer you the freedom to plan your tour to hit the highlights you most want to see.

We offer guided tours both walking tours or with transport included, and welcome small groups and private clients alike. We also organize tailor-made custom tours in Italy offering a little extra flexibility around travel plans and itinerary, and that’s the subject of our blog today.

Customized Group Travel in Italy among Friends, Family, or Colleagues

As a global holiday destination, Italy is deserving of a spot on anyone’s list of must-visit countries. Travelers here can experience delicious cuisine, spectacular scenery, beautiful language, masterpieces of art and sculpture, the latest catwalk trends, rich Roman history, and some of the world’s finest wines. And traveling in Italy as a larger group with friends, family, or colleagues is a joy, as you share those wonderful experiences and make memories together.

Askos’ custom tours can accommodate group sizes of up to 20 people. With our experts assisting with recommendations and activities throughout your trip, you’re free to relax and soak up the culture. For families with young children in tow, tours such as our private child-friendly Pompei tour allow you to explore Italy’s Roman history in a way that appeals to younger travelers. And for new parents with babes-in-arms, our vehicles can fit baby seats if needed.

Create Your Personalized Italian Tour Itinerary

Travelers exploring the delights of Italy on one of Askos’ custom tours can enjoy a freedom that the traditional small-group or private tours don’t offer – the ability to create your own itinerary in advance of your trip. By working hand in hand with our helpful and knowledgeable experts, we invite you to share your preferences and ideal routes with us through our dedicated Custom Tour page, and plan your Italian sightseeing adventure your way.

You can select the tour departure and ending points to make the best use of your time, and enjoy a flexibility around tour timings that standard guided experiences can’t offer.

Added Flexibility for Cruise Ship Customers

Sightseeing tours are a huge part of the cruise holiday experience, and Askos Tours are pleased to be able to extend this same flexibility to cruise passengers on shore excursions. If the customized start and end times match the visitor timings and opening times of attractions, we’re happy to help you customize your journey from the start of your shore excursion to your return to your ship.

Our guided sightseeing tours are also available with a private vehicle, where your hand luggage can be stored safely. So you’re free to relax and soak up the scenery, knowing your valuables are safely locked away. When pre-arranged in advance, our custom service helps you make the very most of your cruise holiday shore excursion.

Our Staff and Guides

From your initial phone call or custom tour request, through to your sightseeing tour, and return home, you’ll find the dedicated and knowledgeable Askos team a joy to plan and travel with. Our office team works diligently to deliver to the highest expectations of customer care, and our guides on the ground are carefully selected for their reliable nature and comprehensive subject knowledge.

If you’re looking for a more bespoke approach to your sightseeing holiday in Italy, leave it to the experts at Askos to help you plan and deliver an itinerary you’ll never forget.