To say that the Amalfi Coast of Italy is beautiful is something of an understatement. Stay here if: You want a no-frills atmosphere that is as unchanged by tourism as you are going to get on the Amalfi Coast; you are a die-hard seafood lover; you're fascinated by ancient Greek history; you want to relax without the tourists; you're looking for a good value along the coast.
In addition, those visiting the regions of Naples and Sorrento should research the Circumvesuviana trains. There are buses and ferries along the Amalfi Coast. But most people visit Positano tourist guide Ravello for its two famous villas, the Villa Rufolo (open 9am-1pm and 2pm-7pm, June-September; 9am-1pm and 2pm-5pm, rest of year) and the Villa Cimbrone, which is now a hotel.
Sorrento is a great town for shopping - the tiny streets just off Piazza Tasso are full of small stores and stalls selling all kinds of local products, from enormous fruit and vegetables to artisan gelato - but one of the most common sights you'll see is a workshop selling the wooden boxes that the town is so well known for.
Like the Cinque Terre , the Amalfi Coast is a region that's thought of as a single unit - people say they're vacationing on the Amalfi Coast, because although they'll be based in one town they'll hop from town to town (and beach to beach) during their trip.
Here we suggest the prettiest villages, the typical dishes of each town, the best local produce, the ideal wines to sample; we explain a little about the coast's natural beauty, provide information on local culture and history, and keep you up to date with events on the Amalfi Coast that shouldn't be missed.
Ravello is situated in a more elevated position than the other pearls of the Amalfi Coast and it can boast exceptional landscapes that have earned Villa Cimbrone's terrace the name of ”Terrace of infinity.” The beautiful Villa Rufolo stands to the right of the dome.
Unico Costiera bus tickets cover all the various buses that run through the Amalfi Coast towns - including SITA , EAVBUS , and even the Circumvesuviana trains - and you can buy them in tobacco shops and bars throughout the region, as well as in the train stations of Sorrento and Salerno.
If you're looking to experience all the beauty of the Amalfi Coast, without the expensive price tag, buckle up because we're about to dish out all the budget travel hacks that will leave both your heart and your wallet as giddy as a toddler with a lollipop.
Salerno became the seat of the Fascist government during World War II. Subsequent bombing and the allied invasion in 1943 left only the partially ruined Castello di Arechi on the hill northwest of town; a few arches of a Roman aqueduct; and the cathedral, the only sight of any particular interest to tourists.
Franco's , the rooftop bar at hotel Le Sirenuse in Positano (Via Cristoforo Colombo 30; 00 39 089 875066), is enjoying its second season as one of the most desirable cocktail spots on the Costiera; ogle the contemporary art works and the in-crowd while you sip on an Old Fashioned and glory in the jaw-dropping views.
Vietri has a tradition that dates back to Roman times, which is documented in the small but well laid-out Museo della Ceramica Vietrese, in the tower of the Villa Guariglia in Raito, just off the Amalfi road (open 9am-1pm and 3pm-6pm; closed Mondays).
Imagine life here in the days of Caesar (retain these images as you visit Pompeii) with streetside shop fronts that close up to form private homes after dark. Sorrento is a small town wonderfully located over white steep cliffs and offers a fantastic view over the Bay of Naples.