Amalfi and Capri

The Maritime Republic of Amalfi established a powerful fleet and controlled trade routes throughout the region. The wealth accumulated from trade allowed the towns along the coast to flourish culturally and architecturally. Magnificent cathedrals, palaces, and villas were constructed, showcasing a unique blend of Byzantine, Arab, and Norman architectural styles.

Today, the Amalfi Coast is a favourite among tourists wanting to experience the local southern way of life. Despite the challenging terrain, the locals have ingeniously terraced the hillsides for agriculture creating picturesque landscapes of vineyards, lemon groves, and olive orchards clinging to the steep slopes.

A paradise for food lovers, there is an abundance of fresh seafood, locally grown fruits and vegetables, and regional specialties such as limoncello, sfogliatelle pastries, and buffalo mozzarella. You can dine in quaint seaside trattorias and savour authentic Mediterranean cuisine while enjoying panoramic views of the sea.

We can take a drive along the peninsula to or from Sorrento and Amalfi with panoramic views to Mt. Vesuvius and the Bay of Naples, providing an exotic backdrop for the old Italian films or Hollywood movies.

Pass by the quaint little towns of Praiano, Furore and Conca dei Marini tucked in coves between the cliffs, see the panorama from Ravello, visit the stupendous Duomo of Amalfi, and be enchanted by Positano with its pastel-coloured buildings that cascade down the cliffsides in a jumble of narrow streets and staircases, creating a harmonious blend of colours against the blue backdrop of the Tyrrhenian.

We can choose to tour the archaeological sites of Herculaneum or Pompeii, two Roman cities that were buried under volcanic ash and pumice by the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in the year 79 AD, and frozen in history until their discovery more than 1500 years later.

A magical island with enthralling steep rocky cliffs set in a deep blue sea, was a favourite amongst intellectuals, artists and writers. A resort since Roman times, with the Emperor Tiberius choosing to live a life of luxury and transgression on this paradise on earth, its charm and beauty continued to captivate the Who’s Who from the mid-19th century, such as Audrey Hepburn and the like.

Another island worth visiting in the Gulf of Naples is Ischia which offers crystal clear waters, picturesque coves, sandy beaches and numerous thermal spas. The volcanic island is still famous today for its very high concentration of thermal springs that were already extensively used by the Greeks and Romans for healing wounds and their regenerative properties.