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Amalfi Coast Helpful Travel Facts
The Amalfi Coast is one of the most enchanting coastlines in Europe, for the spectacular landscape and historic heritage of the place. The vegetable patches and gardens, are all contained in terraces, where the products, like lemons, are cultivated from centuries.
Along the 50km of the wonderful Amalfi Coast there are small villages, like Positano, Amalfi, Ravello, Atrani, Scala, all located near little beaches, where deep high valleys run down to the sea, confirming the traditional interplay between sea land, trade and agriculture, so peculiar to the history of Amalfi.
The nature of the Amalfi coastline has made very difficult and interesting the construction of the main road (named Statale 163) that connects all the villages of the coast. This incredible road was built around 1840 and completed in 1852, and it winds around the mountains, on cliffs varying from 50ft to 400ft above the sea, offering breathtaking sea views.
The Amalfi Coast makes a convenient base for visiting other famous attractions: Pompei, Capri, Napoli, Paestum and Sorrento Coast.
Amalfi Coast Seasons
The temperature rarely falls below 10°C in winter, or climbs above 35°C in summer.
Southern Italy can be very hot in the height of summer although refreshing coastal breezes tend to moderate the temperatures in resorts. On the coast, temperatures are even more moderate thanks to the refreshing breezes.
Spring and autumn are seasons that allow vacationers to enjoy the most of the Amalfi Coast: spring for the infinity of wild flowers in the countryside, autumn for the color of trees in the hills. Milder temperatures and fewer crowds make for much more enjoyable touring. From December to March you can enjoy the peace and quiet and reasonable temperatures anywhere close to the coasts, though it will probably be too cold for swimming.
Amalfi Coast Historic Places
CATHEDRAL – Duomo of St Andrew (Amalfi)
The Cathedral (Duomo of St Andrew) is an impressive complex structure located in the main square of Amalfi. It has ancient origins and has been renovated a few times through the centuries. The original structure dates back to the ninth century, but the church was completely rebuilt in 1203 in Arab – Norman style. The cathedral’s front is rich with many golden mosaics and the facade and the atrium were rebuilt in 1889-91 after the collapse of the older structures.
The central Mosaic is by Domenico Morelli. The bronze doors of the Duomo were casted in Costantinopoli in 1066, at the time, the Amalfi’s town was a powerful sea-republic. The doors are decorated with figures of Christ, Mother Mary and the Saint of Andrea.
The crypt, built in 1253, is really worth a visit and it is accessible only through the Cloister of Paradise.
The Bell Tower, located to the left of the cathedral, maintains its original style and structure, in spite of many renovations. The tower is a mixture of Norman and Arabic style, with its double and triple light windows and its majolica domes. It was built between 1180 and 1276 and it was also used as a defensive tower against Angioini in 1389.
Amalfi Coast Beaches
The Amalfi Coast Beaches in this area are small patches of coarse gray sand, or just few rocks below the precipices, most of them reachable only by foothpath, stairs or by boat. As well as taking in the local sights, some of you will want to return home with a lovely Mediterranean suntan; it is important therefore, that especially on the first week of your holiday to be careful and avoid sunburn.
Amalfi Coast Walking
The Amalfi Coast and the Sorrentine Peninsula have always been known for their breathtaking scenery and famous sites such as Pompeii, Mount Vesuvius, Sorrento, the island of Capri and Ischia, Positano, Ravello, Amalfi and so on, but there is a lot more to be enjoyed. The Amalfi Coast area is made up of soaring limestone cliffs on the edge of the central mountain chain, which form the southern arm of the Bay of Naples. The spine of the peninsula is made up of the Lattari Mountains which rise to a height of nearly 1440 meters and are comprised of high cliffs and deep gorges. Before cars cart paths and footpaths were the only way via land to get around the Amalfi Coast. There still exist several small paths and stairways connecting the coastal towns with mountainside villages, allowing you to enjoy views that cannot even be imagined by tourists on wheels.
Most of the trails are quite well marked and free maps are available in Tourist offices. One famous walking path is in Valle delle Ferriere ( Amalfi’s Village). The park takes its name (ferro means iron in Italian) from the ships that used to be built here. Another trail is God’s path (sentiero degli Dei) which, starts from Agerola and runs to Positano. Along the way you can see the Bay of Naples and Salerno Gulf as well as the sinuous shape of the Sorrentine peninsula with Capri in the background. Far below, the cars on the Amalfi Coastal road look like toys.
High windswept routes above the ravines and dramatic rock faces take explorers into some less traveled areas, treating hikers to a beautiful display of rare wild flowers and birds of prey. The area has specialized micro-climates which support a wide variety of wild flowers, some of them also found in Africa and South America. The southern slopes are warmed by the Mediterranean breezes and the steepness of the valley sides, all help to produce tropical conditions.
Amalfi Coast Food & Drink
Food
One of the true pleasures of an Italian holiday is trying the local cuisine. Some local restaurants do not have a printed menu and simply tell you what is available. This does not mean that you will be charged excessively but does usually indicate that freshly prepared dishes are provided to satisfy the predominantly local clientele.
Among the many excellent “primi piatti” or first courses are: Cannelloni, Spaghetti al Pomodoro with fresh tomato sauce or Spaghetti alle Vongole with clams, Gnocchi, small potato dumplings in a tasty tomato sauce.
Fish is a specialty of the area. Try Alici, fresh anchovies marinated in wine vinegar as an antipasto (hors d’oeuvres) or mixed Frutti di Mare, shell fish including Cozze (mussels), Vongole (clams), Cannolicchi (razor shells).
Main dishes include Gamberoni (giant prawns/crayfish), Aragoste (large crayfish/lobster), Sarago, Mormora, Orata and Dentice (different kinds of bream and bass), Cernia (grouper) and Pesce Spada (sword fish). Seppie, Seppioline and Calamari (cuttlefish and squid) may be fried, grilled, stuffed or cooked in sauce.
For a light snack try Insalata Caprese – fresh, white, very mild Mozzarella Chease with sliced tomato, sprinkled with fresh basil or oregan and oil or Parmigiana di Melanzane, layers of aubergine, tomato sauce and mozzarella, and of course, Pizzas, served with a wide variety of toppings (usually only available in the evenings).
Local Cheese
Provolone: Large round sheep’s milk cheese sometimes smoked (affumicato)
Fior di latte: Mozzarella made with cow’s milk.
Mozzarella di Bufala: The most popular cheese coming from this area and used in many of the regional dishes, made with milk of the water buffalo.
Mozzarella in Carrozza: Mozzarella sandwiched between bread and deep fried. Cacioricotta: Hard, aged ricotta cheese.
Caciocavallo: Classic cheese of the South, usually made from sheep’s milk.
Locally grown Carciofi (artichokes), Finocchio (fennel) and plum tomatoes are among the excellent vegetables and salads.
Local fruit, Nespole (medlar), Ciliegie (cherries), Fragole (strawberries), Fichi (figs), Pesche (peaches), and Uva (grapes) are all superb when in season.
For dessert, try Profiteroles or Pastiera, a sweet crust pie of spiced ricotta cheese. You will be tempted by the many flavors of the world’s famous Italian ice cream, which is truly delicious in this area.
For your tea/coffee break, you will find in most bars some of the pastries that reflect the sweet tooth of the South. Try freshly baked Sfogliatelle, flaky buns filled with sweet ricotta cheese spiced with cinnamon or candied fruits. Cornetti and Cannoli – all very fattening but irresistible!!
Drink
Italians normally drink their coffee small, black and very strong – espresso. Milky coffee is only drunk at breakfast. A caffè latte is a large cup of coffee with hot milk, whilst a cappuccino is strong with foaming (frothy) hot milk and a sprinkling of grated chocolate or cocoa powder.
Caffè doppio is a double measure of espresso. Caffè ristretto is extra strong. Caffè lungo is a weaker black coffee. Caffè macchiato is black coffee with a dash of milk. Latte macchiato is a glass of milk with a splash of coffee. Caffè freddo is cold, unsweetened black coffee. Caffè corretto is coffee with a drop of brandy or grappa.
ITALIAN SPIRIT!
AMARETTO: Sweet almond flavored liqueur, first made at Saronno (near Milan) and this brand is still considered to be the best. The bottle is especially attractive.
STREGA: Bright yellow in color and slightly sweet, this drink is very potent. The name literally means “witch”.
AMARO: There is a large selection of “AMARI”, which Italians drink after a meal to help them digest the many courses. Although the digestive powers are doubtful, an Amaro can be quite pleasant after dinner. They are usually made from selections of herbs and some do taste a bit like medicine!
GRAPPA: The Italian equivalent to Ouzo or Schnapps. Very strong, it is made from the dregs left over after they have made the wine and if you like it there are many types to choose from, some are flavored with other fruits.
LIMONCELLO: Typical local lemon liqueur very strong!!
WINES: Local carafe wines are inexpensive and usually quite acceptable with your meal. Some renowned local wines:
Red: Costa d’Amalfi Furore, Gragnano, Lacrime Christi del Vesuvio (dark and rich), Aglianico del Taburno (full bodied).
White: Fior d’uva (Marisa Cuomo), Costa d’Amalfi Furore, Falanghina (fruity), Greco di Tufo (dry), Solopaca (dry).
Amalfi Coast Vacations
The Camera Doesn’t Lie, but It Sure Can Exaggerate: How to Avoid a Vacation Rental Disaster
Booking a vacation rental today is easy thanks to the internet and the ability to instantly view photographs of the vacation rental property. Detailed Google maps can show the properties exact location and confirm to vacationers if the vacation rental is actually on the beach or if the property is, as promised, a mere “flip flop walk away. “ Many vacation rental sites tend to understate the promise of being close to the beach and some downright lie. Sadly, many vacationers spend thousands of dollars on a vacation rental only to find that when they arrive, the vacation property is little or nothing like the property depicted on the web site.
My own personal experience at booking a vacation rental in Positano, Italy may provide you with how to avoid a disastrous vacation and the loss of thousands of dollars.
Last spring I booked a vacation rental by phone with an Italian company located in Amalfi. My primary objective was to stay in Positano for a month and rent a Villa, which would allow me to sit out, relax, enjoy the views of the sea and live, for a short time the “Amalfi life. “ I spent a lot of time surfing the web and looking at photos of Italian vacation rental properties all dotted around the charming seaside town of Positano. I had chosen to stay away from privately owned properties advertised on the rent by owner sites and opt for a property that was locally managed by a professional property management company. I felt that a Villa that was professionally managed would be best at providing any maintenance and repairs that may be required during my stay (having spent a lot of time in Italy I knew from experience that when the Italian repair man says he will be there tomorrow he really means sometime in the distant future-maybe!).
After weeks of searching and surfing I found my perfect Italy Vacation Rental Villa, or so I thought.
They say “The camera never lies”. Maybe not, but it sure can exaggerate!
First, it is always important to remember that in Italy every vacation property (except a high rise) is described as a Villa. Apartments are considered on the low class end of the vacation rental scale and villas are considered the vacation home of choice. That being said just because our Italian friends call it a Villa does not mean it is a Villa. Question: When is a Villa not a Villa? Answer: when it has been divided up into apartments with little if any thought to Architectural design. Let me explain further… Upon entering Villa Gabrisa (which actually sat on the road and so close to the grocery store next door that I could actually see all the items in the store without exiting my front door), I noticed that there were two doors inside the main door of the “Villa. ” It became apparent that the Vacation Villa was in fact a small house “sort of” remodeled into two apartments. Upon entering the “villa” I was led down a tiny, narrow flight of stairs to a bedroom that was smaller than my closet at home. Disappointed but still looking forward to my view I followed the housekeeper down a second, more narrow flight of stairs and entered the kitchen area that led to the patio. I gingerly stepped outside onto the patio excited at least to see the view of the sea and the place that I would spend my month sipping the local wine and reading my novels. Naively, I informed the housekeeper that this had to be the wrong Villa. My villa Gabrisa, the one I had booked on the internet, had direct sweeping views of the Sea and this terrace had a view of the sea only if you were hung over the terrace held by your ankles and stretched your neck to the left. That apparently must have been how the photographer took the photo of the sea view with his telescopic lens.
When booking a beach vacation rental or a ski vacation rental it is imperative that you speak with a company representative that has actually been inside the property. No vacation rental will be 100% perfect so focus on the things you want and make sure you get them. If the view is your number one requirement ask specifically about the view and if the view typifies the view you will see if you are lying or sitting out on the balcony or terrace. Ask your agent if anything would block your view on the right or left of the terrace such as someone else’s balcony or the building itself or another building next door. Ask the agent for multiple photos of the view from the terrace. Another good question is to check what lies directly below your terrace or balcony. You want to avoid booking a vacation rental with dumpsters or a busy parking lot below, that have been deliberately eliminated from the photographers shot.
Private vacation rentals are a terrific way of having a true family vacation. Florida rentals and Colorado rentals are available in abundance, however, it is critical to work with a reputable company that has professional agents that know the area and have personally visited the properties themselves. If the agent you are speaking with has not visited the vacation rental, ask for one who has.
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Luxurious Positano Italy Vacation Home for Rent
This stunning home is situated a half mile from the centre of Positano Italy and within walking distance to Spiggia Grande beach. The Casa Joy vacation home provides charming Italian décor, and an extraordinarily beautiful view of the sea from the private, oversized terrace.
