The Trip That Keeps Growing: 2 September 2023 Amalfi Coast

2 September 2023 Amalfi Coast

Today we had scheduled a private car tour along the Amalfi Coast, a scenic drive along southern Italy’s western coast just below the city of Sorrento and the Sorrento Peninsula. It overlooks the Tyrrhenian Sea and the Gulf of Salerno. Here the mountains plunge into the turquoise sea in a vista of precipitous crags, cliff-clings homes, and lush green woodlands. In addition to the magnificent scenery, there is the ever-present scent of the lemon trees that grow in this area.

Unfortunately, I was still not able to do much, so Bill went by himself. He had a woman driver and was very impressed by the way she handled all the twists and turns on this road as they traveled through the Appennine Mountains, the backbone of the Amalfi Coast. He was picked up at our hotel for this full day of exploring one of Italy’s most beautiful areas. From Naples, they drove through the picturesque town of Sorrento before reaching the Amalfi Coast. There, he visited the towns of Positano, a favorite of the jet-set crowd, Amalfi, with its Arabic-Norman cathedral, and Ravello, a mountaintop city that overlooks the waters below. In addition, there were numerous photographic stops along the way of the magnificent views of not only the coastline but also some of the smaller towns that dot the Amalfi coast. On a clear day Mt. Vesuvius can be seen in the background.

The first town he visited was Positano, a very popular Italian vacation destination. It is also known as the vertical city as it was built on a cliff of a mountain. Although it has its roots as a fishing village, it has since morphed into a conclave of artists, writers, and musicians and a bustling resort town, with its vivid pastel-colored shops and boutiques.

A 45-minute drive later they were in the ancient city (and namesake of the coastline) of Amalfi. It is known as one of the four ancient “Maritime Republics” of Italy – the other 3 are Pisa, Genova and Venice. They were Italy’s most important ports along the commercial shipping routes with the east. Most of the houses in the town are painted white with narrow alleys and archways between them. Bill had lunch at Pesco d’Ora, a seafood restaurant where he had red snapper (the whole fish) and two glasses of WHITE Wine! I will not comment on the cost other than to say that for one person, it was probably his most expensive lunch ever!

The last town was Ravello founded soon after the fall of the Roman Empire. Located on the top of the mountain, this resort town is also known as the City of Music, as many of Italy’s famous composers, especially Richard Wagner, and artists frequented the town. Here they drove by the Moorish Vialla Rufolo which sits opposite the Duomo of Ravello. It is here that the Ravello Classical Music Festival takes place every year.

It was a long day of traveling, but the views and sights are unforgettable. I wish I had been able to take part, but I will just have the enjoy the pictures along with the rest of you.