The Amalfi Coast

Long before it was acknowledged as one of the UNESCO World Heritage Sites, the ethereal Italian Amalfi coast was immortalized by Homer in his epic poem “Odysseus” as the Land of the Sirens. Even the modern day American writer John Steinbeck was so moved by the scenic beauty, rugged terrain and picturesque towns and suburbs along the Amalfi coast that he had commemorated his reminiscences in his prize winning book Positano (1953), a charming little coastal township locally known as the pearl of the Divine Coast.

Amalfi is where the mountain meets the sea, creating spectacular coves, fascinating fjords and pebbled beaches that had been mesmerizing tourists all through the ages. The magnificent coastline that embraces such delightful little towns like Positano, Ravello, Amalfi, Praiano and many more will sure make the visitor feel himself/herself going back to sunny carefree days of the sixties. In fact, some of the earlier established hotels set in the mountains and perched over the sea still carry the old world charm and may oblige the traveler if he/she really wants to taste a bit of history. For instance, a hotel located in Positano boasts of the fact that one of their rooms, before being turned into a hotel, was used by Luigi Pirandello who was fond of visiting the Amalfi coast several times in a year.

Surprisingly enough, the small but cozy Amalfi coastal hotels not only serve some of the best local dishes but also provide excursion trips to nearby places of interest by arranging cars with or without driver for the benefit of their guests. For the more enterprising type, motor-boats are provided to visit Capri or other nearby enchanting isles. However, tourists usually take conducted tours to visit some of the following places of interest

• Vietri sul Mare is the gateway to the Amalfi Coast and is known for colorful ceramic objects-de-arts.

• Cetrara is famous for its salted anchovy sauce and wide variety of sea-food.

• Maiori where stands the famous Castle of San Nicola de Thoro Plano

• Minori is where people go to taste delicious hand-made pasta

• Tramonti is noted as a cluster of villages set amidst green mountains nestling superb vineyards

• Ravello situated more than 350 meters above mean sea level commands breathtaking views of scenery down below. Notable for hosting heads of state, littérateurs, artists and movie personalities that include JF Kennedy and wife Jacqueline, DH Lawrence, Virginia Woolf, Ingrid Bergman, Greta Garbo, and Humphrey Bogart. Stories go that the legendary Italian author and poet Giovani Boccaccio had spent many memorable days at this scintillating small town at the hay day of his life.

• Scala is the oldest township at the Amalfi Coast

• Positano is known as the Pearl of the Divine Coast that forms the title of Steinbeck’s prize winning book of the same name.

The nearest airport to reach the Amalfi Coast is the International Airport of Naples. From the airport to the town one may take the transfer taxi or public transportation system