Wish You Were Here: Amalfi Coast, Italy

Sandra Erath
Aug 28, 2017 · 8 min read

It seems like everyone is visiting the Amalfi Coast this summer. Since so many of my friends and Instagram followers asked what all I recommend for their future itineraries as they are planning their next holiday in Italy, I was inspired to finally start a blog to begin sharing my thoughts not just on Italy, but everything that I love… Now that I have been back home in the Carolina’s for a few days, I absolutely cannot stop reminiscing on my time in Italy — I have truly left my heart there and cannot wait to return next summer. Here are some great suggestions for anyone planning their time in the Amalfi Coast area along with some random facts I felt were important to know as your are planning. Happy Traveling!

FOOD & WINE

Ice cream (Gelato) is 1000% better in Italy than in the US. Why? Google says: Because it has a lower percentage of fat than ice cream, the main flavor ingredient really shines through. I take that as — Gelato every day and no weight gain!

Pizza, sadly not so great on the Amalfi Coast. Slightly disappointed. (It is not the thin style I am used to from German pizza that I was hoping to find here — but rest assured, if you visit other places in Italy, you should experience excellent pizzas). The Pasta on the other hand, is exceptional. (But don’t look for Spaghetti Bolognese or Meatballs on the menu). Highly recommend the Ravioli Caprese (a speciality from Capri). Or if you like seafood, lots of terrific fresh-sea food options on the menu wherever you go.

I recommend indulging in lots and lots of vino — and if possible visiting a local vineyard for a tour of how their wine is produced and end with a private dinner and wine tasting! I highly recommend Le Vigne di Raito in Vietri Sul Mare. (And take some home with you or have it delivered). I hadn’t yet jumped on this whole “Rosé all day” bandwagon everyone seems to be so obsessed with, but after trying THIS Rosé I’m all for it! (Follow them on Instagram: @le_vigne_di_raito) For more information on booking a group or private tour visit their website here For a better idea of pricing — for $95.00/per person you can book a 4-hour tour which included a 3-course dinner/wine tasting or for $195/per person you can schedule a private tour and dinner. We got lucky and had no one else join our reservation so it ended up being a private tour for two for $95.00 each and well-worth the money. The view is breathtaking and the food and wine was delicious and home-made with ingredients grown on-site. Patricia, the owner of the vineyard makes you feel so welcome in her home as she hosts you on her patio — the view and the hospitality is exceptional.

WHERE TO STAY, HOW TO GET AROUND, AND WHAT TO DO

There are so many small cities you can chose to stay in around the coast. I chose the city: Vietri Sul Mare for the pure fact that it is not a high tourist area like Positano, so it is more quiet and relaxing but close enough to visit all of the other cities. It is also a little less pricey to stay here than it is in Capri or Positano. (Next time, however, I plan on staying in Positano where all of the action is happening — more restaurant options/nightlife/shops, etc.).

If you have any intentions of swimming in the Mediterranean Sea (which is a must), there really is no point in bothering to get a mani/pedi prior to your trip. The water is so salty and abrasive it wipes the nail polish right off…

If you DO plan on getting around on the Med Sea — take a ferry to whichever city/island you plan to visit for the day (very inexpensive and you see such beautiful sights of all the various cities, which apparently you do not experience as much of when driving). Click here for the ferry schedule. When leaving from Salerno, you pass by — Maiori, Minori, Vietri Sul Mare, Amalfi, Positano, all the way to Capri where it ends). Bellisimo. (If you easily experience motion sickness, bring some medicine with you — if you forgot like me, or catch a cold like I did, there are pharmacies easily accessible in each city). Ferry rides per person cost anywhere from $8.00 to $24.00 one way depending on which city you travel to, price of course varies based on distance).

Next, I highly recommend renting a private boat tour in Capri. A 3–4 hour private boat ride that takes you all around the island of Capri is only $200-$300 (total for up to four people, I believe). Your boat driver will take you to the Blue Grotto and point out all other secret caves that are absolutely gorgeous which you can swim inside — true natural wonders. I booked with Gianni’s Boats (Follow them on Instagram here: @gianni_s_boats_capri) Here is their website for additional booking information. I booked our private boat tour in advance and had an excellent experience — very relaxing. A three-hour rental is sufficient time to explore the entire island, swim in the ocean, sunbathe, and explore the caves. For an additional price of $25.00 per person, you can request a packed lunch, you can even request a 30/60 minute massage on-board. When your ferry arrives in Capri, local businesses will bombard you with boat rental offers, but I am glad I had mine booked in advance through a source I had done plenty of research on in advance.

Your hotel can be very helpful in making your reservations all around Italy. Utilize your hotel concierge to book your taxis in advance. They will even reserve taxis to come pick you up and be waiting for you when you get off the ferry in the evening. Very helpful to have a taxi ready and waiting when you’re exhausted from a long, and fun day trip. One of the days that we did not pre-schedule our taxi we learned the hard way that taxis are not standing around at each street corner like we are used to here in the States — it is much more challenging to find a vacant taxi driving around; and of course Uber is not a thing in Amalfi. You are looking at taxis, bus, or renting a car and driving around yourself — which I also don’t recommend as (not to offend anyone) most American’s probably can’t handle the craziness of Italian drivers on small roads without many traffic lights… At least, I couldn’t. 🙂

Speaking of hotels — while I would have loved to stay in Positano, it is quite expensive. Staying in Vietri Sul Mare was a fabulous experience as it is not overcrowded by tourists, but more or less a spot for locals. We stayed at Hotel Raito, a lovely five star hotel nestled way up high in the beautiful city of Vietri overlooking all of its beauty with the most gorgeous panoramic views. Very helpful and friendly staff. (Follow them on Instagram here: @hotelraito_amalficoast) Here is their website for booking. Their rooms range from approximately $200–450/night. Check Expedia for great hotel/flight bundle deals!

While we’re on the topic of escaping the crazy tourist crowds — there are several places to go enjoy the beach without being overcrowded. (But it may cost you a bit — all dependent on your travel budget). While you can rent a lounge chair on a beach in any of the cities for an average of $14 for the day — there are some fabulous private beach clubs that are well worth the money for a more quiet and private beach experience. In Positano: La Scogliera, Beach Resort is my first recommendation. Here you are looking at spending up to $75/per person for a lounge chair (they have the couples-style lounge beds available also for $75/person). This fee gets you a lounge chair for the day with access to the private beach area. All food and drinks are of course extra. In Capri the recommended private beach club spot is: La Fontelina. If you want to live lavishly, these are the places to go!

Positano, Positano, Positano. If I hadn’t waited until one of the last days to visit it for the first time, then I would’ve gone to Positano every day. It is the most beautiful town I have ever seen. Between the many, many shops, restaurants, beaches, hiking, and overall scenery to take in, one day is NOT enough. I highly recommend spending some time here or staying here for a night or two.

FINAL LAST TIPS

Heels on cobblestone = not the greatest idea. I guess SOMETIMES practicality beats fashion……

Speak with your wireless phone carrier in advance and sign up for the daily International package. If you have unlimited data in the US — you will have it in Italy (or anywhere else) also. This is very useful when using Google Maps while walking around, or making calls, etc. (With ATT this was only an additional $10/ea day).

Like I said, choose wisely where to splurge and indulge and where to be more conservative. There are tons of amazing casual restaurants where two meals and a bottle of wine still comes out to a lower tab than most casual restaurants in the US.

Last, but not least as I’m sure there are many things I’ve forgotten — take in all the views and culture. It is one of those rare places that truly overwhelms you with its beauty, with scenery that takes your breath away!


Originally published at liveandlovelavishly.com on August 28, 2017.

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Sandra Erath

Written by

Fashion and Lifestyle Blogger — Follow my Blog www.liveandlovelavishly.com or Follow me on Instagram @erathsandra

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