Luxury Travel to the
You dive off the back of the elegant wooden yacht, then climb back up the ladder, only to jump off again. The water is refreshing. It’s so nice to be able to swim freely from the boat, far away from the crowded beaches. You look across the water, at the
lovely port with fishing boats, then up the rugged cliffs and see the picturesque village perched atop.
And here you are, anchored off the coast, soaking in all this beauty.
Tailor my trip5 things you don’t know
about the Amalfi Coast
The Amalfi Coast is a stretch of coastline in southern Italy overlooking the Tyrrhenian Sea and the Gulf of Salerno. It is home to 13 cities and towns; Amalfi, Positano, Ravello, Sorrento, Nerano, Sant’Agati sui Due Golfi, Maiori, Atrani, Cetara, Furore, Priano, and Tramonti are scattered like jewels along the cliffs and shoreline.
Glamorous. Romantic. Simply amazing.
A few facts you might not know about the Amalfi Coast:
After the fall of Rome, the Town of Amalfi became an independent Republic and competed with the city states of Genoa and Venice.
The ancient towers you will see all along the coast were used to warn inhabitants that the Saracen pirates were coming and give villagers time to flee.
The Vila Cimbrone in Ravello has extravagant gardens. Author Gore Vidal called it the most beautiful place he had ever visited.
The tiny village of Cetera fishes so much tuna that it exports it to Japan for sushi. Cetera also exports colatura di alici (anchovy drippings) worldwide.
Buffalo mozzarella cheese is produced in the mountains in this region. Be sure to taste when visiting—it’s not as good after it’s been refrigerated.
Amalfi Coast travel guide
Where to stay on the Amalfi Coast?
The Amalfi Coast is so beautiful, you might think no hotel could be worthy of such a setting. Not so. AAV has found some exquisite hotels just right for your luxury vacation.
Le Sireneuse was originally home to the Sersale family, who transformed it into a lovely hotel with an intimate, sophisticated, and extremely welcoming atmosphere. Le Sireneuse overlooks the bay of Positano, and almost all the rooms and suites have private terraces or balconies with exquisite views of the bay. The restaurant La Sponda is amazingly romantic.
The Caroso Hotel in Ravello is an 11th century palace, with original frescoes and vaulted ceilings, set into the cliff edge and overlooking lemon groves, olive trees, and the beautiful sea. You will love the elegant rooms and suites which are exquisitely decorated with hand-picked antique furniture.
The Hotel Santa Saterina, minutes away from Amalfi’s city center, is another luxurious gem. The rooms and suites are gorgeous—spacious and
bright, with hand-painted floors. The Glicine Restaurant has received a Michelin star three years in a row. The cuisine is truly extraordinary, a mixture of classic Amalfi cuisine and modern interpretations.
As the name implies, the Monastero Santa Rosa is built in a monastery—17th century Dominican, perched on the cliffs overlooking the sea in the fishing village of Conca dei Marini. There are only twenty rooms and suites here, so everything is intimate and exclusive. Enjoy the spa/sanctuary, and be sure to save an evening for a meal at the Il Refettorio restaurant.
Mediterranean-style gardens, scenic terraces, views of an enchanting, historic fishing village, a private beach—the Borgo Santandrea is a destination in and of itself. Each room and suite is unique, an ode to Italian craftsmanship and design with handmade tiles, bespoke furniture, and burnished brass. Your sanctuary for an amazing, memorable vacation.
Tailor my tripBest luxury experiences in the Amalfi Coast
Beautiful Capri
Capri is a glitzy Italian island in the Tyrrhenian sea where you’ll be delighted by gorgeous celebrity villas, breathtaking natural vistas, and great beaches. Aboard a private yacht, your skipper will take you to the Blue Grotto, the Faraglioni, and the Punta Carena and treat you to a gourmet picnic with local specialties.
The natural caves of Conca Dei Marini
Geology lovers will adore the enchanting Grotto at Conca Dei Marini. Over the centuries, limestone secretions created stalactites and stalagmites, some forming columns up to 10 meters high. Light filtering in from crevasses in the rocky walls turns the water cobalt, crystalline blue and emerald green. An enchantment!
Cloister of Paradise
Be sure to visit the Chiostro del Paradisio (Cloister of Paradise), attached to the cathedral in Amalfi. Originally built as the cemetery for noble families, it contains an Arabian style garden full of palm trees. The cloister itself has mauresque columns and design— exquisitely serene.
Master the Pizza Di Amalfitina
Discover the secrets of a “real pizza”. Prepare the dough from scratch, learn to choose the right ingredients for toppings, then how to cook it in a wood-burning oven. At the end of the class, you’ll savor your creations along with a glass of local wine, charcuterie, and cheese.
When is the best time to visit the Amalfi Coast?
The Amalfi Coast is so beautiful, we’re tempted to say that any time is the best time to visit. However, a lot depends on your tastes and interests.
the Amalfi Coast in winter:
Even with the cooler, rainier weather of winter, the Amalfi Coast remains an interesting destination. Because it’s close to the sea, temperatures are never actually cold, so you’ll never have to battle snow. Without the tourists, the villages feel laid-back and easy-going. Particularly enchanting– in December, the coastal towns are lit with fairy lights, which reflect on the waves after sunset.
the Amalfi Coast in spring:
With the warmer weather, it seems as if the entire region is in bloom; the lemon groves, orange trees, and jasmine release their perfume and give your hiking and explorations a certain sensuality. At Easter, religious processions take over the streets in Sorrento on Holy Thursday and Good Friday. In Minori, locals sing religious hymns from the 1300s. It’s a wonderful glimpse into local heritage.
the Amalfi Coast in summer:
This is when Italian families take their vacation, so visiting the Amalfi Coast in summer is actually “going local.” The weather can be hot, with refreshing sea breezes, perfect for enjoying the many gorgeous beaches in the region. And, if the crowds are too much for you, take a private yacht to explore the enchanting coastline.
the Amalfi Coast in autumn:
In September, the temperatures are milder, yet the sea is still warm enough for swimming, snorkeling, kayaking and stand-up paddle. There are fewer people, so you’ll feel almost as if the Amalfi Coast is yours alone. With the fall harvest season, Foodies will enjoy chestnuts, truffles, and other local specialities.
Travel tips about
the Amalfi Coast
Only 30 miles long, the Amalfi Coast is a condensed version of everything that is wonderful about Italy: beautiful sunshine, lush vegetation, brilliantly blue sea, long history, picturesque villages, extraordinary cathedrals, amazing seafood, pasta and pizzas, and, with all the lemons, artisanal limoncello.
This glamorous coast is where celebrities come to play, where the jet set summers, and so you will enjoy an abundance of gastronomic restaurants, luxurious hotels, and private, exclusive experiences.
As you prepare for this unique vacation, here are a few ideas:
Read Steinbeck
“It is a dream place that isn’t quite real,” wrote American author John Steinbeck. In 1953, Steinbeck visited the Amalfi Coast with his wife. The result is a beautiful travel article, “Positano,” which was published in Harper’s Bazaar the same year and depicts the city wonderfully.
Road trip
The beautiful “Amalfi drive” which runs from Sorrento to Amalfi was constructed by the Romans and took over 150 years to complete. It was well worth it. With each bend of this twisty road, you’ll see the beautiful blue waters of the Tyrrhenian Sea, emerald hillsides, or terraces of lemon trees. One amazing panorama after another.
The path of the gods
The Sentiero degli Dei, the path of the Gods, runs from Agerola to Positano and offers some of the most spectacular views of the Amalfi Coast. You’ll hike the 7 km at 630 m above sea level, through terraces of lemon trees, olive groves, down stairs, and through rough terrain. Heavenly!
Pure romance
Spend the day visiting the Villa Cimbrone, a historic villa in Ravello, where you’ll enjoy seeing the villa itself and then wandering around the beautiful gardens. If you time it right, you can reach the Terrace of Infinity in time to see the sun set. Perhaps the best views of the entire coastline.
Italian fjord
Explore the Fiordo di Furore, between Praiano and Ravello. This beautiful little beach is set at the bottom of a steep gorge, and so you’ll have to climb down 200 steps to reach it. Tiny fishermen’s cottages dot the cliff, an arched bridge connects on side of the gorge to another… very picturesque!
Plan
your trip
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