Day Tripping the Amalfi Coast
Magically suspended between the blue sky and the iridescent colored sea, the Amalfi coast seems to be born from the palette of a painter who wanted to use the warmer color gradients for creating a landscape that enchants the visitor at the first shot, giving thrilling experience and such evocative view to doubt, for a moment, it is real. It is the land where the sweet scent of lemon blossoms harmonizes itself with the most aromatic one of the Mediterranean vegetation and the acrid aroma of saltiness; where the brilliant colors of the majolica domes, bougainvillea and carnations pergolas give an evident colored touch to the typical whitewashed houses, clinging to the last offshoots of the Lattari Mounts that plunge dramatically into the sea. A vertical landscape, in short, characterized by a picturesque labyrinth of stairways and narrow alleys, connecting the two main elements of this landscape: the mountains and the sea. A continuous succession of headlands and inlets, bays and fjords, interspersed with pebbled beaches and rocks on which you can still see the ancient viceregal towers, the first bulwark of the local population against the Saracen attacks. The shift from the sea to the mountain is seamless, the mountain
sides were terraced over the centuries, shaped by human labor to create flaps of arable land and already compared, during the Renaissance period, to the legendary Hesperides by the Italian writer and naturalist Giambattista Della Porta. All the towns of the Amalfi coast are connected by the scenic SS. 163 road, built in the first half of the XIX century during the Bourbon period and always considered one of the most beautiful roads in Italy. Following the natural course of the coastline, the route is full of curves, nestled between the rock and the sea cliffs, giving new and spectacular shots at the exit of every tunnel or hairpin bend. Before the construction of the coastal road, locals reached all the towns via mule tracks and footpaths, still existing and particularly appreciated by trekking lovers for the stunning views that can be enjoyed.
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RAVELLO
Situated above the town of Amalfi is the charming mountaintop village Ravello. It is known as the City of Music and home to amazing gardens Villa Cimbrone and Villa Rufolo. Wandering this village feels like walking in the clouds and the views of the Amalfi Coast are breathtaking. Ravello is a great day trip from Capri.
AMALFI
Amalfi is the main town of the coast of Costiera Amalfitana (Amalfi Coast). The city and its cluster of white buildings start at the waters edge with a pretty promenade along the Mediterranean sea with a marina full of colorful boats and international flags. The focal point is the historical center Piazza del Duomo clustered with sidewalk cafes and elegant shops.
POSITANO
Seen from the sea, Positano is set in a dramatic vertical panorama of colors; the green of the Monti Lattari, the white, pink and yellow of the Mediterranean houses, the silvery grey of its pebble beaches and the blue of the sea. Arrive by one of the boats from Capri and wander up the paths filled with shops and cafes to the top of the village.
SORRENTO
Sorrento is a coastal town in southwestern Italy, facing the Bay of Naples on the Sorrentine Peninsula. Perched atop cliffs that separate the town from its busy marinas, it’s known for sweeping water views and Piazza Tasso, a cafe-lined square. The historic center is a warren of narrow alleys that's home to the Chiesa di San Francesco, a 14th-century church with a tranquil cloister.
NAPLES
Naples is a city often overlooked by tourists. But sometimes, when it comes to travel, you should take the road less traveled. Naples will give you a true taste of Italy — thanks to its winding cobblestone streets, authentic pizza and real Italian flavor. It is also a great place for fashion as its shops range from Luxury Designer to up-and-coming boutiques. Naples is raw, high-octane energy, a place of soul-stirring art and panoramas, spontaneous conversations and unexpected, inimitable elegance. Welcome to Italy's most unlikely masterpiece.
MOUNT VESUVIUS & POMPEII
Mount Vesuvius, on the west coast of Italy, is the only active volcano on mainland Europe. It is best known because of the eruption in A.D. 79 that destroyed the cities of Pompeii in about 25 hours. The Vesuvius National Park is a world of biodiversity to explore step by step. Plan your visit to the Park and choose whether to hike through the trails surrounded by the green or visit the Gran Cono of Mount Vesuvius for an unforgettable experience.
