Amalfi Coast

The second part of our first day was filled with visiting the town Amalfi on the eponymouos coast and Ravello, a bit further away from the shore, but still part of the famous coastline. We joined our driver again, who drove the windy and treacherous coastal road between Positano and Amalfi, while we took the ferry to enjoy the coastline.

Interesting Entrance Decoration – Villa Rufolo – Ravello, Italy

Getting There

To get to Amalfi, we took the ferry from Positano. It is a thirty minute boat ride along the coast, which when the weather cooperates provides beautiful scenery and a great occasion to take photographs.

Ferry Ride from Positano to Amalfi – Amalfi, Italy

To get to Ravello from Amalfi, you probably should use or hire a car. Since we were had hired a private tour guide for all day, we used the car to ascend the five kilometers up the coast to the town.

Our Tour Guides Having Typical Italian Discussion While Driving – Pasqual and Federica – Ravello, Italy

Ravello Next Stop – Leaving Amalfi – Amalfi, Italy

The Coast Up To Our Next Stop – Ravello, Italy

When we arrived, we took a photograph to remember the occasion.

Our Private Tour Group – Driver Pasqual, Tour Guide Federica, Patti and Erick – Ravello, Italy

Amalfi

Perhaps fourth best of all the towns along the coast is Amalfi. Some may be surprised, but that is based on our experience of most of the towns. There are many factors for this, including the terrible idea of using part of the waterfront as a parking area, instead of a boardwalk, or even another beach. Therefore, it comes after Positano, Vietri sul Mare^[1]this town also has coastal parking, but here it works because it is part of a boardwalk and beach complex. and Ravello.

It does have a beautiful cathedral, which unfortunately was closed at the time of our visit.

Cathedral of Saint Andrew the Apostle – Amalfi, Italy

The town has the customary narrow stairs, stairways, alleyways and tunnels, providing a reprieve from the hot summer days for travelers. There are also some interesting fountains in Amalfi, one actually has a cute little diorama built into it of little character, shepards and animals, along with the customary goldfish swimming below.

Narrow stairs that go up, up – Amalfi, Italy

Ravello

Unlike most other towns along the coast, Ravello kind of stood out. Not only is it more relaxing, since it is obviously visited by fewer people, it is quieter and more laid back. This is most likely due to its smaller size, its elevation and distance from the coast.

Some find it a better alternative than Amalfi. For one, there are better views from the town, from where visitors can see Amalfi’s classic rocky coastline. Plus the relaxed atmosphere adds to the pleasure, especially if you have time to sit and enjoy a drink, or have a gelato at one of the many artigianale gelaterias in the town.

The Narrow Town Streets – Ravello, Italy

Ceramics And Glass From Coast – Ravello, Italy

Duomo di Revallo

The main church in town is the Duomo di Ravello, which was unfortunately closed while we were visiting, so the interior remains a mystery to us.

Duomo Ravello – Piazza Centrale – Ravello, Italy

Villa Rufolo

For a small entrance fee you can visit Villa Rufolo in Ravello. The entrance shows some interesting designs and details, that continue in deeper parts of the villa.

Cupola At Entrance – Villa Rufolo – Ravello, Italy

Details By Entrance – Villa Rufolo – Ravello, Italy

Looking Back Out Of Entrance – Villa Rufolo – Ravello, Italy

In Between The Rooms By Entrance – Villa Rufolo – Ravello, Italy

One Of The Towers – Villa Rufolo – Ravello, Italy

Old Baking And Cooking Ovens – Villa Rufolo – Ravello, Italy

Inside And Some Old Portal Lintel – Villa Rufolo – Ravello, Italy

Ornate Design Of Villa Vaulted Areas – Villa Rufolo – Ravello, Italy

Vaulted Area To Gardens – Villa Rufolo – Ravello, Italy

The Gardens – Villa Rufolo – Ravello, Italy

Double Columed Vaulted Area – Villa Rufolo – Ravello, Italy

The villa is rather simple, but has some interesting items, like an old stove and a tower. It is kept in relatively fine shape and is a pleasure to walk through.

Richard Wagner The Composer Was Here – Villa Rufolo – Ravello, Italy

Ornate Lintel And Rooms – Villa Rufolo – Ravello, Italy

Old Vaulted Ceilings – Villa Rufolo – Ravello, Italy

Simple Beautiful With Murano Glass Chandelier – Villa Rufolo – Ravello, Italy

Another Room With Chandelier – Villa Rufolo – Ravello, Italy

Old Iron Stove – Villa Rufolo – Ravello, Italy

Some of the external structures include a tower, a vaulted building that appears to have been an old chapel and some other old structures near the gardens.

Outer Building – Villa Rufolo – Ravello, Italy

The Tower – Villa Rufolo – Ravello, Italy

Old Stone Walls – Villa Rufolo – Ravello, Italy

It has a magnificent garden with a beautiful view of the sea. They actually hold concerts from the garden, by extending a stage over the side of the hill, providing a wonderful backdrop for music and other performances.

The Coast Looking Toward Vietri sul Mare – Villa Rufolo – Ravello, Italy

Church of Saint Mary of Grace – Villa Rufolo – Ravello, Italy

Coastline From The Gardens – Villa Rufolo – Ravello, Italy

Restaurants

As part of our first day at the coast, we stopped in Amalfi for lunch some time after one in the afternoon.

Taverna Buonvicino

A very nice restaurant with a beautiful terrace outside, which is off the beaten path, so no worries about hordes of tourist bothering you while eating.

Linguini with anchovy sauce – Taverna Buonvicino – Amalfi, Italy

They also have a very good wine list which is stocked with local favorites. I can commend one varietal, Taurasi Lo Scudiero (DOCG), which was exceptionally good.

Taurasi Wine – Taverna Buonvicino – Amalfi, Italy

References[+]

References
↑1	this town also has coastal parking, but here it works because it is part of a boardwalk and beach complex.

Needing to get out of Naples, if only for a day, we took the train south to Salerno in discovery of yet another ancient city along the Italian Mediterranean Sea. A short train ride of only a half an hour puts you there, three blocks in from from its coastal port and jetties that border the bright blue Tyrrhenian Sea.

We spent a leisurely Monday walking the streets of this nicely kept secret. It is definitely not a tourist destination and you will see few if any here, those preferring Capri, Almalfi Coast and other must-see places on someone else’s list.

Benedictine Aqueducts

The city has one of the most impressive examples of the architecture of the Ogival Arch, which in the ninth century was innovative and rare. It was so uncommon, that superstition around the arches and their use built up over the years, to the point where the town’s people were convinced it was the work of the devil, or at the very least, demons from hell. In any case, the aqueducts were built by and supplied water to the local Benedictine Monastery, and later to a convent in Piantanova.

The Basilica of Salerno is not far from the aqueducts and the Benedictine Monastery. Its most striking feature is the tower, which was built in the Arab-Norman style. The palazzo inside contains a small fountain and its archways are reminiscent of the Florentine style.

Tower – Basilica of Salerno – Salerno, Italy

Basilica of Salerno – Salerno, Italy

Courtyard and Tower – Basilica of Salerno – Salerno, Italy

Basilica of Salerno – Salerno, Italy

A quintessential thing to do, is to walk along Salerno’s Lungomare Trieste and enjoy the beautiful weather and seaside. This exceptional boardwalk continues straight for about five miles and has numerous places to sit and relax among the beautiful palm trees that were planted there long ago.

Restaurants

Taverna Santa Maria De Domno

Perhaps one of the best places I have ever eaten. The Pasta Genovese here is absolutely to die for, I have found none better in Naples and the surrounding area, and I have tried many. The wine list is also very good and you will have no problem selecting a delicious local varietal that grows on the slopes of Vesuvius for your gastronomic pleasure.