We set off bright and early to get the SITA bus from Circumvesuviana station to take us to Positano and Amalfi for the day. We made sure we were early to ensure a seat on the bus. Once again it was the sardine special with people standing. We now understand why the Italians are world class motorbike and formula one drivers. The practise and experience they get on Italian roads defies description. The coastal road up the Amalfi coast is narrow and winding with little room for 2 cars or error! Added to that is the sheer drop in many parts into the beautiful blue Mediterranean. It was cosy in the bus as once again it was warm.
After a while the bus pulled into Positano but due to a mix-up we missed the stop and before we knew it we were leaving Positano! Oh well, you need to be flexible and stress less so we carried on regardless, or should I say the bus did. We arrived in Amalfi one and a half hours from the time we left Sorrento. By the time we arrived in Amalfi it was very hot. The place was abuzz with tourists. We sauntered up the viales looking at shops and yes we even got gelati. After checking out the Cathedral of San Andrew who is buried there, we decided to leave Amalfi and take a bus up to Ravello approximately 9 kilometres further up into the hills.
Ravello is well known for the classical music concerts it holds there each year. The performances are held in Villa Rufolo, a very old villa now owned by the government. Once Richard Wagner stayed there and was inspired and overwhelmed by the beauty of the place. The concerts are held in Wagner's memory. There are performances from May to August and we had hoped to attend one but transportation was a problem so alas we missed out. The orchestra performs on a stage overlooking the Mediterranean. It would have been magical but perhaps another time.
Ravello is a smaller less touristy place and very pretty. We went into the gardens of Villa Rufolo and enjoyed the refreshing cooler green gardens flowers and old buildings. We saw the stage and seats organised in preparation for the concert that night. The village has its piazza as does all good villages and we sat and watched the passing parade, saw cats and took a rest. There were viale to investigate so we started to walk. Up and up past small shops, a convent connected to Saint Francis of Assisi, a very friendly cat that decided to lick my leg, past old high walls hiding lush green gardens and mini vineyards. We finally stopped for a break and panini in a beautifully set terrace with tall shady trees and more cats!
Reluctantly we left Ravello, a beautiful place and headed back down to Amalfi in an open top bus which was refreshing given the heat. We decided to have one more walk around and a gelati before we caught the ferry back to Sorrento. While we were wandering we came across a wedding party and a bride who looked magnificent as she walked up the many steps of San Andrew's church.
In an attempt to stay cool we sat in the shade under an umbrella and sipped Limoncello. This part of Italy is famous for its lemon based alcohol drink.
Taking the ferry back from Amalfi is an ideal way to get the best view of that magnificent coastline. Many people were shooting photos during the ride and so were we.
Did I mention that Sorrento is on top of a cliff? Well naturally a boat can't drop you off near your hotel, so you have to climb. After walking from the harbour down the man-made gorge there are 126 stone steps to reach the town square at the top. It can be quite a workout on a hot day after a full day's sight seeing.
Click here for pictures of Amalfi coast.
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