The Amalfi Coast Part 1
The Stunningly beautiful Isle of Capri through the
eyes of photographer Nadean Richards.
One of my favourite girls and photographers Nadean Richards takes us on a beautiful tour of of one of the most beautiful places in the world - The Amalfi Coast. Including some wonderful tips for travelling to Positano, Capri and Amalfi. I hope you enjoy this wonderful guide as much as I did walking down memory lane.
By Nadean Richards
From the soaring hilltops of Sorrento to the warm
and friendly atmosphere of Amalfi town, The Amalfi Coast is a stretch of the
Mediterranean that has to be seen to be believed. John Steinbeck says: “Positano bites deep. It is a
dream place that isn’t quite real when you are there and becomes beckoningly
real after you are gone.”
If you’re lucky enough to visit the area then
Positano is far and above the best spot to base yourself whilst touring this
region. Positano is one of the most unique places in the world, with its
topography, magical views, winding cobblestone streets filled with the most
wonderful shopfronts, colours, smells, and delicious food at every corner. It
was little wonder that I thought it was the perfect place to bring my husband
to on our first wedding anniversary!
After battling through Naples town we navigated
around the mountainous cliffs of Sorrento. The scenery is breathtaking with the
clear blue water of the Mediterranean crashing on the shores hundreds of meters
below. The heights and winding roads are not for the faint hearted.
Although it was truly stunning to take in, after adding in the stress of
whizzing vespas, mad Italian's trying to overtake you at every turn, and
questionably sloping tour busses, I was very happy to arrive in Positano in one
piece.
Positano itself is an engineering feat! This town
captivates you at every angle and the locals are engaging and charismatic. The
Moorish style architecture rises up steep slopes, which look out to the
Sireneuse Islands. Fishing is the foundation the Amalfi Coast is based upon and
the sea is what earns these men a living. It’s a skill that is passed down from
generation to generation. It is an activity that is swelled with pride and
custom and is usually the main dish in all of the restaurants.
Shopping
One of the enchanting things to do in Positano is
to walk the back streets and peruse the shops. Along with the abundance of
pizza, pasta, seafood and salads, I loved the colorful plates they were served
on. There are many factories in the area where you can purchase these
beautifully crafted pottery pieces and send them home so you can always
remember your visit. There are many beautiful shops filled with lemon products,
clothes, shoes and jewellery however my favourite find was a shop called Nadir.
This is a family owned shop bursting at the seams with beautifully handmade
products.
Restaurants
I think you’d find it hard to fault most of the
restaurants especially as ‘ We have the best shrimp in the Amalfi Coast’ was a
line we heard in each one. When in Rome’ was important to remember and it
seemed to be that shrimp was the flavour of the region. We were convinced to
eat them whole, however my taste buds didn’t quite agree! If it’s one thing you
do in Positano visiting Le Sireneuse Hotel is a must. By far my favourite
restaurant was the Michelin Starred Ristorante La Sponda at Le Sireneuse hotel.
Make sure your pockets are deep though as it is one for a special occasion. If
the budget doesn’t stretch that far you can still visit the hotels’ oyster and
champagne bar. This is just perfection- sipping on a cocktail whilst watching
the sunset with a view of Positano in the background. Other definite winners
include: Café Positano- this has an amazing view looking across the town and
the food is fresh and delicious. Da Vincenzo –this is very near CP as well and
has delicious food. Ristorante Max- This doesn’t have the view but what
it has is the Italian ambiance that you imagine Italy to be. You have Antony
sitting at the bar when you arrive and a garden terrace ambiance littered with
candlelight, beautiful Italian artifacts and an extensive food and wine list.
Day Trips
One of the best ways to see Positano is by
leaving for a day trip on a boat. There are plenty of day trips to choose from
but I would highly recommend visiting Capri and Ravello.
Ravello is the most incredible place set on top
of a hill overlooking the Mediterranean Sea. This is a sight that must be
experienced to comprehend it. My recommendation is to walk through the village,
admiring all the amazing pottery and shops whilst you head towards Villa
Cimbrone Gardens. Once you get to the amazing door don’t stop- pay that 5 euro
and keep walking. The sights are breathtaking and the atmosphere is incredible.
This is literally up there on my list of the most amazing wedding locations in
the world! Once you have finished with the gardens pop into Villa Maria restaurant
for a nice lunch afterwards. You wont be disappointed. At certain times of the
year they also have a festival in Rufolo Gardens so if you are there in July/
August be sure to enjoy the classical music in the amphitheatre whilst the sun
sets.
Capri is known as the playground for the rich and
famous. I’d highly recommend hopping on a small tour like the one we used
(Cassipoea) and enjoy the Sorrento coastline as you make your way to Capri. You
have the opportunity of visiting all the different colour grottos and enjoying
this wonder of the world. After dipping into the Mediterranean at least 2 times
on the way to Capri we finally arrived to a bustling port. With not much time
to muck around we decided to go to a private restaurant called Bagni Tiberio.
There is a free boat that takes you there from the port, near where you buy
ferry tickets from. We had a relaxing few hours enjoying the food, view and
beach. It was perfect.
So that’s my recap on the Amalfi coast. You may
ask why I left out Sorrento and Amalfi? Well each to their own but I far prefer
Positano, Ravello and Capri as places to visit, and if you’re going to stay in
one place and actually have a holiday- the streets of Positano are the place to
be.
References:
Positano
Transport
Hotels
Restaurants
Ravello
Capri
Restaurants
Tours