Chris and I decided to take a trip to Italy to get away together before we spent the summer apart as he is interning for the CDIP (Center for Public Interest Design) in Portland Oregon this summer. I have always wanted to travel to the Amalfi Coast and figured that late May would be the perfect time to go. The weather is perfect and it's just before the crazy tourist season hits. We flew into Rome and drove the 2.5 hours south to pass through Naples and then explore the Amalfi coastline. We loved driving the tiny mountainside roads that twisted in every direction. Every turn offered stunning views off the lush green mountain cliffs that mysteriously dropped into the sea.
The town featured above is stunning Positano. Most well-known for the shimmering green and gold dome of the Church of Santa Maria Assunta, Positano Positano is a sight sore eyes. The buildings hug the steep mountainside on which this town is built, and offer a welcoming glow as they reflect the bright sun by day or softly lit windows by night. You can walk through the entire town in about 2 hours and spend some time on the beach below as you watch the boats drift in and out as passengers take in the incredible views. Stay for sunset and admire the town as it lights up. For the best views drive on the main road leading towards Amalfi from Positano and stop along the side to take in the view.
We spent an entire day exploring the neighboring towns of Amalfi and Atrani. These towns are so close to each other and you can easily wander from one to the next through tiny back streets that lead you past locals’ houses with laundry hanging outside of windows and smells of incredible Italian cooking. You'll see signs painted along the way that lead you to Amalfi. It's well worth the walk, plus parking in Amalfi is nearly impossible. We packed a picnic lunch of summer red vine tomatoes, freshly baked bread, and the best parmigiana I've ever tasted, and sat along the water as we watched an afternoon storm roll in over the sea.
As you drive the coastline stop at the Fiordo di Furore. This beautiful little gorge dips down from the surrounding green cliffs with a small creek that is fed by a mountain waterfall and leads you to the sea. There is a small beach where locals and tourists alike find a quiet place to soak in the sun and enjoy a swim in the royal blue waters. There are a few small restaurants in the gorge including Al Monazeno that offer fresh seafood dishes if you decide to stay for lunch or dinner in this little oasis.
Ravello was my absolute favorite town that we were able to explore during our time in Italy. This romantic little town is perched on top of a lush green mountain just north of Amalfi and is full of secret little pathways and corners for its visitors to discover. It offers stunning views of the coastline and of the rolling vineyards and gardens that clothe the surrounding landscape below. It is most famous for its two villas which you can pay to enter and explore-- Villa Rofolo and Villa Cimbrone.
If you're going to the Amalfi Coast and you have an afternoon to spare, you have to take a trip about an hour and a half north to Naples. Stepping into Naples feels almost like you've stepped into another country. Cars whiz in every direction with absolutely no concern for traffic laws or pedestrians, laundry drapes from every balcony, Italians hang out of their windows to converse with friends below, and pizza shops are on every corner. I loved the feel of Naples and wish that we had more time to spend there, but our afternoon stop on our drive north was more than worth it. We went in search of the best pizza in Italy, which is Antice Pizzerea Da Michele, in my opinion. We found an illegal parking spot nearby, sat at one of their simple marble tables, and each ordered our own pizza margarita. The fresh ingredients were tossed together and baked in their brick oven and within minutes we found ourselves enjoying the best pizza either of us have ever tasted.
We stayed in a beautiful Airbnb run by the cutest Italian family in the little town of Tovere. We had our own place right up the road from their house and spent many mornings visiting with them over lemon coffee that they prepared with freshly picked lemons from their terraced garden. Their four beautiful children loved to show us all their toys and play with us as we sat on their back patio that overlooked the beautiful sea below. The Amalfi coast is well known for its lemon groves, which were in full bloom while we were there. Lemons were everywhere and were used in soap, cooking, limoncello, perfume, and even our new favorite coffee. Amalfi exceeded all of our expectation and we are so blessed to have been able to explore it together!
Labels: Amalfi, Amalfi Coast, Amalfi Coast Italy Blog, Antice Pizzerea Da Michele, Italy, Lemons, Limoncello, Naples, Positano, Ravello, Travel Blog, Travel Photography, TRLT
