Dramatic, intense,
breathtakingly beautiful: Italy south of Naples is one of the world’s
most extraordinary areas. Mount Vesuvius looms over it all: mainland
Europe’s only active volcano, whose eruption in 79AD perfectly
preserved the town of Pompeii in an ashen time-capsule.
But even if the
volcano isn’t on fire, visitors’ hearts usually are. Because the
Amalfi coast – the few dozen kilometres of the Sorrento Peninsula
facing south into the Tyrrhenian Sea – is the sort of place people
fall in love with. We here at Flavours have fallen in love with the Amalfi region as well, and so we are proud to announce Amalfi as our latest new destination for our Flavours holidays in Italy.
Until the 19th
century, the coast was accessible only by boat or mountain paths, and
its isolated loveliness attracted writers and artists. Now it’s
available to anyone with a taste for beauty and adventure.
As you drive along
route 163, the road which snakes 40km all along the Amalfi coast,
it’s easy to see why it’s become a world traveller’s favourite.
Every corner brings another stunning view of wild coastline, sapphire
skies, creamy seas, and towns tumbling grandly down the hillside.
Painters and artists – as well as digital-camera snappers – will
be stopping to record their impressions.
Positano
is the jewel in Amalfi’s crown: a dreamy town that climbs an abrupt
hillside, whose traffic-free main street goes down to the beach
through the heart of the old town. Be prepared for some steep
walking. Its oldest houses are highest up: faded grandeur in peach
and pink, with Baroque stuccoes. Further down is a maze of narrow
stepped alleys, houses with vaulted roofs, terraces and tiny gardens.
The beach at the bottom is a picture-postcard of fishing boats, bars
and restaurants.
Amalfi
is now a small, easily walkable visitor town, though centuries ago it
was a powerful maritime republic, rivalling Venice and Genoa – a
status put paid to by an earthquake in 1343. Its cathedral is
wonderful, and the lovely seaside setting makes the place a great
spot for lunch.
Ravello
was chosen by Wagner as the ‘magic garden of Klingsor’, in his
opera Parsifal.
The refined, romantic tourist town indeed has superb gardens, and
stupendous views. It’s a popular day trip from Amalfi, accessed via
a precipitous few kilometres of road up the Valle del Dragone, but
best enjoyed through an overnight stay.
Praiano,
a ridgetop fishing village with a nice church, is worth a visit, as
is the seaside resort of Minori,
a more workaday tourist place popular with Italians. Furore
is a quiet fishing off the beaten track; less so
Cetara,
past the beach at Erchie, which is known for anchovies. Pleasant
Vietri sul Mare,
at the end of the coast road, is a ceramic centre.
No comments:
Post a Comment