Tuesday, March 20, 2018

The Amalfi Coast and More


The Bay of Naples, the Amalfi Coast and More

(Naples, Sorrento, Positano, Ravello, Amalfi, Praiano, Pompeii, Islands of Capri & Ischia, and much, much more!).

Everyone has heard about, read about, or seen, via movies and photos, Sorrento and the Amalfi Coast, but seeing this area first hand is an experience you will never forget. In a few words, "it is breathtaking".
It is everything and more than depicted in photos and movies. The entire area is a series of picture post cards. It takes some time to see and immerse yourself nto the beautiful surroundings. No matter where you look there are spectacular vistas of the sea, mountains, cliffs, hillside towns, picturesque painted villages, etc. 
The best way to start a trip to this area, is to take an auto tour with a driver in a private car. (never drive it yourself if you want to enjoy the scenery) After you take in the breathtaking views you will want to go back and spend time in any number of the seaside and hillside towns and villages.  Savor some of the best seafood in Italy as part of your adventure. The area is famous for its pizza, pasta, tomatoes, olives, olive oil, and very good wine. Those of you that know me understand why I mention wine!!!
Don't miss Sorrento, Naples, Ravello, Positano and the islands of Capri and/or Ischia, easily reachable by fast or slow ferry boats, and don't forget Pompeii for an amazing historical and awesome experience. Also do not be afraid of Naples. It is too interesting to ignore. It is a big city so I recommend a guided private walking tour.


One of many amazing sites and
 sights of the ruins of Pompeii, a 


A victim of the volcano that buried Pompeii,
the playground of the Romans

The entire area is famous for a number of food items such as flavorful San Marzano tomatoes, mozzarella and burrata cheeses, semolina pastas, and of course, the best pizzas in the world! A visit to Naples to taste the original Neapolitan pizza is a must. The quality of the local wine may surprise you. Of course great Limoncello is native to the area because of the excellent lemons grown here.

As you can see by the photos below, the area has spectacular views and picturesque villages for miles. This is clearly an area of Italy in which "a picture is worth more than a thousand words!!"Take your time and spend at least a week in this area. You will be glasd you did.

You will never regret having spent time in this romantic and beautiful area of Southern Italy and you will want to "Ritorno a Sorrento" as the song says.

Venturing further to the South, if you have time, you can see the small village of Atrani, Salerno, the Calabria area and even Basilicata. Some of the areas as you travel along the lower leg of the boot, are still somewhat untouched by tourists, and have some of the most beautiful beaches and vistas to see.

So maybe you need two weeks to see this area or to move on to Sicily, which I will write about in the next issue.

Buon Viaggi Amici.


The picturesque town of Amalfi and its coastline is a postcard
as seen form the Bay of Naples


The beautiful and spectacular Amalfi Coastline,
for viewing as a passenger!









Unbelievable view from high above the town of Ravello
as you look upon the beautiful coastline of Amalfi

A magnificent Sorrento sunset taken from my hotel room balcony
in the city of Sorrento.