Amalfi Coast - Beauty Beyond!

I had the opportunity to visit the Amalfi Coast in March, which is just when the stores, hotels and restaurants are beginning to open for “the season.” The Amalfi Coast’s season typically runs from April to October with the busiest months being from June through August. The best times to visit are April - May and September - October, these are considered the shoulder seasons. For me, I was visiting a child studying abroad and I wanted to take advantage of the fact that I was already in Italy.

On our way to the Amalfi Coast, we took advantage of a private driver from Naples to Positano and stopped in Pompeii. Although I had visited Pompeii 30 years ago in my 20s, so much has changed since it is an ongoing archeological site. I highly recommend a privately guided tour of this massive, wonderful treasure. The centuries old, preserved mosaics are worth it alone. We then stopped at Cantina del Vesuvio Winery at the base of Mount Vesuvius for a private winery tour, wine tasting and delicious late lunch. What a treat! We then stopped at several scenic overlooks on the way to Positano for the beginning of days of breathtaking views of the Amalfi Coast.

We were supposed to have a boat tour to Capri the next day, but Mother Nature did not cooperate, and it was cancelled. If given the chance, I highly recommend that you take a boat tour to Capri and see the famed Blue Grotto, walk around the main square, the Piazzetta, take the chairlift to the top of Mount Solaro and do some shopping and have a seaside lunch. Although we were sad, the towns of Rafello and Amalfi did not disappoint! The cathedral in Amalfi is worth a visit, along with the beautiful ceramic and linen shops throughout. And do not leave without having a lemon sorbet. In Rafello, we toured the magnificent, Villa Rufolo, a historic landmark, with magnificent views and gardens.

On our last day, we saw how they terrace farm in the amazing hillsides of the cliffs and had the most amazing farm to table lunch at La Tagliata in Positano where you can also take cooking classes if you have the time!

Day Trips:

An option I recommend to my clients who want to go to the Amalfi Coast during the summer is to stay in Sorrento and do day trips to the Amalfi Coast. Sorrento is a beautiful city with wonderful hotels, restaurants and shops. During the “season”, there is a ferry that runs to the Amalfi coast making it very easy.

• La Tagliata - Do not miss this wonderful farm-to-table experience like none other; high up in the hills of Positano. Not easy to get to but worth every minute.

• Ristorante Raffaele dell Hotel Parsifal - beautiful views in Ravelo! We went for lunch.

• Most of the restaurants are seafood related and it was some of the best seafood I ever had! That being said, it was also some of the most expensive restaurants that we ate in all of Italy, so please be prepared!

• La Taverna del Leone - Beautiful and delicious dinner in Positano.