Amalfi and Ravello

On our final day on the Amalfi Coast, we had planned to go to the Isle of Capri.  Sadly, we were there in the off-season, so there was only boat to Capri each day and we just missed it.  So, instead we decided to explore Amalfi and Ravello, other cities on the Coast.  I really liked Amalfi.  It was small, but busy.  It just had a nice feel to it.  We explored the basilica and had a tasty lunch at Il Tari.  It was so funny to us to see school chaperones splitting a bottle of wine at lunch while watching the children.  We took a crowded bus up to Ravello and spoke with another American couple on their honeymoon.  Ravello has great views and is a very quiet city.  It would be a great place to get away from everything.  We explored Villa Cimbrone and had more gelato and then headed back to Positano.

Honestly, I thought the Amalfi Coast leg of the trip would be relaxing and it was the total opposite and tiring.  The traveling between the cities was exhausting and the weather wasn't nice enough for us to go in the pool.  Everywhere was gorgeous and I still had a good time, but I don't think we will be going back.

Where We Ate:

Il Tari - Amalfi

Amalfi:

Ravello:

The Ancient City of Pompei

One of the things I was most excited to do on the Amalfi Coast was go to Pompei.  I have always wanted to go there.  As a child, I remember having a photo book with the history of Mount Vesuvius and the ruins.  Pompei did not disappoint and brought the history to life.  Jesse and I were both so excited to see everything we had heard and read about in person. We spent the day exploring with the audio guide, which we loved. On our way back to Positano, we also stopped at Herculaneum.  It is a smaller city that was destroyed in the same eruption, but is even better preserved than Pompei.  I would recommend it. There is a lot of walking though, so be prepared.

Picturesque Positano

I really need to get these Italy photos up from our honeymoon last April!  The best ones are still to come too.

After spending one night in Naples, we headed to our next base of Positano on the Amalfi Coast.  The travel to get here takes forever.  You have to take the local 70 minute Circumvesuviana train from Naples to Sorrento.  Then you take the scariest bus ride ever, on a tiny two-lane (barely) road cut out of the cliffs.  But, this beautiful city is utterly breathtaking.  I mean, just look!  This was the one part of the trip where I wish I had a camera other than my iPhone with me.  The only downside is we did not like our hotel.  The first thing we did was go to the beach and touch the Sea.  It was cold, but the color of the water is the prettiest I have ever seen.  On our first night here, we had the most amazing meal at La Tagliata.  This is a must do!  Say hi to Pepino and his family for me when you do!  I would also recommend having a drink at Le Sirenuse.  We spent three nights here as a base for exploring the Amalfi Coast, which I have split up into their own posts.

Where We Ate:
La Tagliata
Ristorante Max