You'll Never Forget the Amalfi Coast

I've traveled a fair bit and seen five continents. The world is indeed full of wonders, yet only a handful remain indelibly imprinted on my mind...the Amalfi Coast and the Cinque Terre (read our guide here) are two such places.

I'm not sure why, but the combination of ancient villages tumbling down cliffsides above azure seas is achingly romantic. 

If you've ever been blessed enough to visit this coastline, and particularly if you've stayed at the Hotel Santa Caterina, you'll know what I mean.

Never been to Amalfi?

Then browse through the gorgeous photos of this coast, its villages, and nearby Sorrento and Capri too. I'll bet you'll be adding them to your bucket list... if you haven't already. On the other hand, for those who know and love this coast, I hope the photos will bring back some wonderful memories.

All the photos were shared with me by Jim DeLutes, a really talented photographer who has traveled the length and breadth of Italy in a quest to document all of Italy's unique splendor.

Ravello

Wandering through Ravello's labyrinthine streets, you'll feel as though you've stepped into a painting, with pastel-hued buildings cascading down the cliffside and vibrant bougainvillea spilling over stone walls. At every turn, there's a new vista to behold, from the azure expanse of the sea to the verdant slopes of the Amalfi Coast.

But it's not just the scenery that makes Ravello so special,  it's the palpable sense of history and culture that permeates every corner of the town. From the ancient ruins of Villa Rufolo to the grandeur of the Duomo, Ravello is a city that makes you gasp in wonder pretty much around every corner.

And then there are the gardens—oh, the gardens! Ravello is famous for these gardens that are more botanical wonders than mere gardens, including the iconic Villa Cimbrone and Villa Rufolo. In both of these gardens fragrant blooms mingle with statuesque cypress trees, statues, and trickling fountains. Paths take you through color-filled journeys that open out into the most beautiful sea views on the planet. 

In Ravello, time seems to slow down; you get to savor each moment and drink in the beauty that surrounds you in slow sips.

There is also a walk; they call it Heaven's Way. that leads all the way down from Ravello into Minori. It is one of the loveliest walks you'll find anywhere on earth. Here are the details.

Atrani

This is a place for getting lost. You wander through a tunnel from the main road and—wow!—you're in another time. The houses are a brilliant white, piled on top of one another like they're sharing gossip, with lines of laundry dancing in the sea breeze. And the sound! It’s not traffic, just the hum of conversations from a café table, the clinking of glasses, and that deep, blue silence of the sea.

This is the real Italy, the one your nonna remembers. The main piazza is the living room of the town, where life just… happens. You sip a limoncello, you watch the fishermen mend their nets, and you realize you haven't thought about your email inbox for hours.

Don't be fooled by its size. This tiny giant has a heart that beats for centuries. Look up and you'll see its ancient watchtower, standing guard like a grumpy, proud old nonno. And down by the water, that little church, Santa Maria del Bando? It’s not just beautiful—it’s soaked in legends of pirates and miracles.

You eat here; you eat like a king. The seafood? It wasn't delivered on a truck this morning; it was practically winking at you from the net a few hours ago. This is where you understand what "spaghetti alle vongole" is supposed to taste like.

Here's more about the town.

Positano

One of the most famous of all the Amalfi towns is Positano.  A lot of the town, restaurants, shops, and hotels are expensive, but there are some rather lovely places to stay if you know where to look; one of these is the affordable and lovely Liparlati. 

Despite the crowds and the high prices, you definitely must see Positano. Here's why.

Sorrento

Forget your quiet museums—the main piazza is the show. Old men arguing about football, Vespas zipping by, and the smell of lemon groves and espresso hitting you all at once. You’ll get lost in the vicoli, those narrow cobblestone streets, but who cares? Every doorway leads to an artisan hammering gold, a nonna rolling pasta by hand, or a gelateria with flavors that will make you cry happy tears.

And the food? Mamma mia! Let's talk about the food. This is where you have your first real pizza—the crust charred just right, the mozzarella so fresh it sighs when you cut it. You'll eat spaghetti with clams that were in the sea that morning and taste lemons so bright and sunny you'll wonder what you've been eating your whole life. And you must try the limoncello! It’s not just a drink, it's a shot of Sorrentine sunshine.

But the real secret ingredient? The people. The fisherman who winks as he offers you the catch of the day, the shopkeeper who insists you try a slice of provolone del monaco before you buy, the barista who already knows you want a caffè ristretto. They aren't just serving you; they're inviting you into their home.

This is Sorrento. It’s not a place you visit. It’s a place you feel.

Isle of Capri

Included as one of the top 4 bucket-list islands in the world, Capri is absolutely super special. Discover its secrets here.