The stunning Amalfi Coast.

Sunday, September 27th.

If ever you have browsed European travel brochures, magazines or even artwork you have seen them, the villages and coastlines of the Amalfi area of southern Italy. Picturesque villages perched on the cliffs and hillsides overlooking a brilliant blue sea.

It is our last day in Sorrento and we have not yet been to the real Amalfi Coast, a series of little towns on the Bay of Salerno. Picturesque and popular for tourists, these towns have history, beaches, restaurants, bars, shops and breathtaking views. They spill down the hills and cliffs and tumble toward the sea. Sharp hairpin turns open to spectacular glimpses of a brilliant blue sea.

 

 

                                                                                                                                                                      Michelle and I board the bus at Sorrento heading to the villages of Positano and Amalfi. Cynthia is

taking a day off. We climb over and through the mountains. The highway is good but narrow and steep with sharp curves. Bus drivers in Italy certainly earn their pay, manoeuvering those big coaches around bends with no visibility as tourists and other buses come barrelling at them. They pass so close there are inches between as they pass.  We see countless vehicles here with great scrapes down one side or the other, its no wonder. We twist and turn. Ahead we see mountain passes and a curving highway hugging the edge of the cliffs. Down below, the cobalt waters shimmering in the sunlight. Every now and then we come around a curve and catch a glimpse of the villages dotted along the shore.
 

Although it is only a short distance it takes almost an hour. We disembark high up and walk down the steep winding streets and steps to the village below. The views are so arresting we have to stop every few minutes to take more photos. Coloured houses spill down the mountainside. Ancient churches and watchtowers mark the perimeters. Terraces and restaurants welcome visitors to sit, relax and savour the views. Far below the beach stretches, dotted with bright orange umbrellas. Sunbathers stretch out on the beach in the hot Sunday afternoon sun. Others dip in the crystal clear waters. It is so picture perfect it is as though you have stepped into a postcard or a travel magazine.

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There is a feeling of affluence here, designer shops and galleries. The homes on the hillsides are larger and more opulent than other areas I have been.

 

Reluctantly we head to the port for the ferry to Amalfi, the second town on our agenda for today. How can it be any better than this? A short 25 minute ferry ride along the coast and we arrive.






The view as we approach certainly rivals Positano, different but equally impressive. Amalfi has a very historic feel to it. Beautiful massive cathedrals and churches as cornerstones, ancient stone watchtowers standing guard along the coast. High rocky cliffs with white and creamy yellow buildings. The colorful green mosaic dome of the Amalfi Cathedral beckons, dominating the view.

We make our way along the long pier, trying to soak it up. By now our senses are almost on overload. Following the cobblestone paths we wind through squares and alleys toward the Cathedral, dedicated to San Andreas, The Apostle Andrew, whose bones are buried here in the crypt. It is stunning, equally as beautiful as any I have seen in Rome.

 

 

 

 

 We stroll through the town and along the shoreline, taking in the beauty. It is almost overwhelming,

 

 

 

 

We wander back and along the coast, upward overlooking the shoreline. Down below are rows of colorful umbrellas along the beach with the backdrop of history behind. I do not have words to adequately describe the scene, the pictures really say it all…..

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 Finally we settle on beach chairs for a cold beer and Michelle has a dip in the sea while I search for beach glass among the pebbles on the beach.,

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We board the ferry for one hour relaxing boat road back to Sorrento.  What a day!  I am truly blessed to have the chance to visit these places and have such amazing experiences.

 

 

Caio Bella Italia.......   tomorrow we head to Greece.

 

Come With Me...............