A heady cocktail of limoncello, pastel-hued villas and sun-drenched Mediterranean vistas, the Amalfi Coast is the pinnacle of the Italian dream
28 May, 2020
Positano bites deep. It is a dream place that isn’t quite real when you are there and becomes beckoningly real after you have gone.
John Steinbeck
The
Amalfi Coast is the pinnacle of the Italian dream, a line of
thirteen towns tucked among lemon blossom and bougainvillea. Known
for its cascading landscape, these settlements are only accessible
via the Strada Statale 163, more commonly known as the Amalfi
Drive. Forming a near-magical cliffside strip between the mountains
and the Mediterranean Sea below, it’s a narrow, winding route that,
while being unsettling to traverse, offers unparalleled views.
For decades, aesthetes from around the world – Jacqueline
Kennedy, John Steinbeck, Gore Vidal – have been lured by the Amalfi
coast’s quaint pebbled beaches, scenic hikes, perfect climate and
legendary establishments. Such attractions aren’t limited to
storied hotels and restaurants; the Amalfi Cathedral, Ravello’s
Villa Rufolo, the gardens of Villa Cimbrone all conjure the culture
and spirit of bygone centuries.
A heady cocktail of limoncello, pastel-hued villas and
sun-drenched Mediterranean vistas, the Amalfi Coast is in a class
of its own.
