Destination: Amalfi Coast

Amalfi Coast

The Amalfi Coast or Costiera Amalfitana in Italian, is a stretch of coastline in the Southern Italian province of Salermo, it’s an area of breathtaking beauty and has even been included by UNESCO in its World Heritage List as a location “of great physical beauty and natural diversity”. Due to its relatively close proximity to Rome and Naples it is also a popular tourist destination.

Lonely Planet has this to say about the Amalfi Coast area:

Deemed by UNESCO as an outstanding example of a Mediterranean landscape, the Amalfi Coast is a beguiling combination of great beauty and gripping drama: coastal mountains plunge into the sea in a stunning vertical scene of precipitous crags, picturesque towns and lush forests.

Among the glittering string of coastal gems, legendary Positano and Amalfi sparkle the brightest, while mountaintop Ravello has the glossy fame of its grandiose villas and Wagnerian connection. Sorrento and Salerno are the two main entry points to the coast. The former, a cliff-top resort, has miraculously survived the onslaught of package tourism while Salerno is a workaday port with an unhurried charm and vibrant historic centre.

Aside from its sheer beauty, the Amalfi Coast is home to some superb restaurants and hotels. It is also one of Italy’s top regions for hiking, with well-marked trails providing a great way of getting away from the clamour on the coast.