AMALFI COAST

NATURAL STATE.

The Amalfi Coast and Sorrentine Peninsula were once fragile coastline, home to fisherman and locals who harvested the land and sea; protecting it from sieges of pirates, Saracens and Ottomans. Deemed a Unesco World Heritage Site in 1977, this coastline was one of history's most important Maritime Republics and the inspiration for many artists and lovers alike. Today, it is visited each year by people from all over the world, due to its salty water, great local shopping, hand crushed limoncello and such fresh food splendor as uni spaghetti. I visited here for the first time for a dear friend's wedding. We stayed in Ravello, and Praiano, two smaller coastal towns less crowded than Positano and took boats to visit Capri or just float under the shadow of the stellar cliffs. I jumped a cliff here, literally and figuratively and I was alone when I did it. Well maybe not entirely alone, the Spirito Santo was with me.

DO. ONE IF BY LAND TWO IF BY SEA OR WHATEVER

Keep to towns like Ravello and Praiano, which although have tourist are less so than Positano and Capri which are overloaded with loud Americans with or without loaded ideals from the Talented Mr. Ripley.

For Boat Excursions, rentals for the day and explore the coast via Plaghia Charter

Relax on the beach (most hotels provide elevated beach access as there are no sandy beaches

Jump off the Cliff at Casa Privata, if you stay there, just saying I did.

Visit the ruins of Pompeii

Trek the Path of the Gods aka Sentiero Degli Dei

On a boat trip to Capri, sailing under the Faraglioni Arch look up, not out, it is between you and the sky, and no one else.

STAY. PUBLIC OR PRIVATA

There are a number of beautiful hotels to stay in, for hotels I would try Ravello but in Praiano, closer to Positano is Casa Privata where you can rent rooms or the entire home for a slice of heaven.

Belmond Hotel Caruso, Piazza S. Giovanni del Toro, 2, 84010 Ravello SA, Italy (images below, ask for the garden rooms)

Palazzo Avino, Via S. Giovanni del Toro, 28, 84010 Ravello SA, Italy

Casa Privata, Via Rezzola, 41, 84010 Praiano SA, Italy (images above)

La Sirenuse , Via Cristoforo Colombo, 30, 84017 Positano SA, Italy

SHOP. LINEN's N THING's

Wander Ravello town for the small corridor shops where you can even find decently priced Murano glass, don't forget to negotiate!

La Bottega di Brunella, Via Pasitea 72, 84017, Positano, Italy to this day my favorite linen shirt

Filo D'Autore Ravello, Via SS.Trinità 8, 84010 Ravello SA, Italy

Ceramiche D'Arte Pascal, Via Roma 22, 84010, Ravello, Italy

Nana' Positano, Viale Pasitea, 164, 84017 Positano SA, Italy

Elena Aurea Jewels, Piazza Duomo, 8, 84010 Ravello SA, Italy bought raw stones and fine jewelry, bought a raw chrysoprase necklace here, use cash and get a discount!

Emporio le Sirenuse, Via Cristoforo Colombo, 107, 84017 Positano SA, Italy overpriced but some nice stuff, go here LAST

Footage of my new necklace as well as the room at the Caruso