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Speaking of Italy

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 the 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 Amalfi coastline has made very difficult and interesting the construction of the main road (named Statale 163) that connects/passing all the villages of the coast. This incredible road was built around 1840 and completed in 1852, and it wings around the mountains, on cliffs varying from 50ft to 400ft above the sea, offering each corner a breathtaking sea view.

The Amalfi Coast makes also 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 our resorts. On the coast, temperatures are more moderate, refreshed by breezes.
Spring and autumn are the seasons that allow to enjoy the most of the Amalfi Coast : spring for the infinity of wild flowers in the countryside, autumn for the colour of trees in the hills. Milder temperatures and fewer crowds make for much pleasanter touring.
From December to March you can enjoy the quiteness at reasonable temperaures 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 the ninth century, but the church was completely rebuilt in 1203 in Arab – Norman style. The cathedral’s front is rich with many golden mosics and the facade and the atrium were rebuilt in 1889-91 after the collapse of the olden 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 & Pietro.

The crypt, built in 1253, is really worth visit and it is possible only through the Cloister of Paradise.

The Bell Tower, located to the left of the cathedral, it has kept 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 reachble only 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 you be careful and avoid sunburn.
Amalfi Coast Walking
The Amalfi Coast and the Sorrentine Peninsula have always been know 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 metres and comprise of high cliffs and deep gorges.
Mule paths and footpaths were the only way via land to get around the Amalfi Coast before the car, therefore there are several small paths and stairways connecting the coastal towns with mountainside villages. The wealth of nature trails criss-crossing the entire area, allowing you to enjoy views that cannot even be imagined by tourists on wheels.
Most of the trails are quite well marked, free walkers maps are available in Tourist offices. The 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.Other is God’s path ( sentiero degli Dei ) starting from Agerola to Positano, where a long the way you can see both 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 little toys.
The high windswept routes above the ravines and dramatic rock faces takes into some little known area with rare wild flowers and birds of prey. The area has specialised 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 pleasure 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 their 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 speciality 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).
Salame Napoletano : Usually quite tough, hard and spicy, highly seasoned with salt, pepper and sometimes chillies.

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 : is 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), Uva (grapes) 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 flavours of the world’s famous Italian ice cream! 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
Coffee

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 This is sweet almond flavoured 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 colour 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 flavoured with other fruits.
LIMONCELLO Typical local lemon liqueur very strong!!
AND 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 ).