An Enchanting 14-Day Journey Through the Amalfi Coast & Ischia: Food, Romance and Adventure in Italy

We arrived in Naples and checked into a cozy hotel near the train station. In the afternoon, we took some time to relax and settle in. Later, we enjoyed a leisurely stroll around Naples, wandering down Spaccanapoli. For dinner, we savored delicious pizza at a local spot on the strip — honestly, you can’t go wrong with any of them!

In the morning, we embarked on a tour of Mount Vesuvius and Pompeii. While it’s possible to explore on your own, I highly recommend booking a guided tour to save time and gain deeper insights. After the tour, we took a private car to Ravello and spent the afternoon unwinding by the pool. We ended the day with a delightful seafood dinner at Da Salvatore, enjoying breathtaking views.

We dedicated the day to exploring Ravello, starting with the stunning Villa Cimbrone. Our next stop was Palazzo Avino, where we had lunch at their hotel — the views were absolutely incredible. We then visited Villa Rufolo and did some shopping in the charming town of Ravello. For dinner, we dined at the lovely Garden restaurant.

Our day began with a hike from Ravello to Minori and back. The hike was beautiful but challenging due to the steep elevation and heat. After the hike, we relaxed at the beach, enjoyed a cocktail and grabbed a quick bite to eat. Upon returning to Ravello, we took a car service to our hotel in Praiano. We ended the day with an amazing dinner at Il Pino, where the owner sang to the guests. Don’t miss the truffle pasta — it was to die for.

In the morning, we explored Praiano and did some shopping. For lunch, we ate at Km0, a fantastic, family-owned restaurant with fresh ingredients from their own garden. In the afternoon, we took the bus to Positano, where we walked around and did more shopping. Pre-dinner drinks at Franco’s Bar were worth the wait for the view. For dinner, we enjoyed a romantic meal at Ristorante O’ Guarracino, right on the water.

We began the day with the Path of the Gods hike from Praiano to Positano. The 6-mile hike took us around three hours, with the most challenging part being finding the right path! After the hike, we walked around Positano and had lunch at Chez Black. We then took a water taxi back to Praiano, enjoying the stunning coastal views. Dinner at Il Pirata, located right on the water, was a perfect end to the day.

We spent the day lounging around as I wasn’t feeling great. Originally, we had planned a day trip to Capri, which I heard is amazing. If you go, be sure to check out Da Paolino. For lunch, we had the best pizza ever at Che Bontà in Praiano. For dinner, we ate at the hotel restaurant M’ama, a Michelin-starred spot. The food was fantastic, and the views were even better. I enjoyed a drink in their lounge area beforehand.

In the morning, we took a ferry to Ischia, which took about 2.5 hours. We checked into the San Montano Resort, which is spectacular with insane views. We spent the day relaxing and having dinner at the hotel restaurant, enjoying sunset drinks at their sunset bar.

We decided to spend the day lounging by the pool and checking out the thermal baths at the resort, which has over 10 pools/thermal baths! In the afternoon, we headed to San Montano Beach using the free shuttle from the resort. We went to Forio in the late afternoon to walk around the town. We then had dinner at La Romantica in Forio, a traditional Italian restaurant where the owner entertained us with trivia about US state capitals.

We began the day exploring Sant'Angelo, known as “Little Capri.” We did some shopping and walking around. For lunch, we ate at Ristorante La Conchiglia, right on the water with excellent fish dishes. After lunch, we returned to the hotel to relax by the pool. For dinner, we went to Da Taverna, a local pizza place known for its authentic atmosphere and delicious pizza.

In the morning, we relaxed by the pool. For lunch, we went to the Mezzatorre Hotel, where I had an amazing red sauce pasta. We spent the afternoon walking down the main shopping street in Ischia Port, doing some more shopping. For dinner, we went to Coco’s in Ischia Ponte, right in front of the castle.

In the morning, we took the ferry to Naples and then a train from Naples to Rome. We spent the afternoon resting at the hotel after a long travel day. For dinner, we went to a restaurant right next to the hotel.

We spent our last full day exploring Rome, starting with a tour of the Colosseum, Roman Forum and Palatine Hill. For lunch, we ate at Roscioli, where we had the best Carbonara of my life. We also got the truffle mozzarella, which was amazing. They are known for their meats and cheeses, so I recommend getting a sampling. After lunch, we visited the Pantheon, which has free entry. We then strolled through Piazza Navona, admiring the fountains and enjoying gelato from Gelateria del Teatro. Next, we visited the Trevi Fountain and made a wish. Although it was crowded, it was worth the visit. We also climbed the Spanish Steps for a view of the bustling Piazza di Spagna below and did some high-end shopping nearby. After returning to the hotel to relax, we had dinner at another nearby restaurant.

After an incredible journey filled with unforgettable experiences, we bid farewell to Italy and headed home, already dreaming of our next adventure.