Consistently in the top 10 of the world’s most stunning coastlines and most scenic drives. The area around Naples, Italy’s third largest city, is widely considered to be Europe’s most scenic coastline. It represents a landscape of towering, green-swathed mountains, pastel-hued villages with cobblestone streets, palatial renaissance mansions, and expansive vistas over the turquoise waters of the Tyrrhenian Sea. Because of its amazing scenery and historic value, the Amalfi Coast on Naples’ Sorrento Peninsula was rightfully awarded a coveted spot on UNESCO’s World Heritage list in 1997. A short 20 minute boat ride from the Sorrento mainland is the fabled island of Capri, whose dramatic coastal scenery has been known for at least 2000 years as Emperor Augustus and Emperor Tiberius both had homes here.

I booked Emiliana from ShowAround.com to take me for a tour of the coast line — specifically the “Path of the Gods”. Running for 8km (5mi) along ancient mule routes, through hillside villages, and serving up heart-stopping views of the Amalfi Coast, the Path of the Gods is Italy’s ultimate hiking route. Winding along crumbling cliff sides, not only do you get some of the best views of the Amalfi Coast, you get them free from the usual tourist crowds. Follow our guide and you’ll be set for this once-in-a-lifetime hiking excursion. Suddenly, your surroundings will open up like grand curtains to reveal numerous cliff faces and hillsides with dazzling views of the ocean and beaches below.