The rugged Lattari mountains drop steeply into the sea along the Amalfi Coast between Positano and Vietri sul Mare, making this region an area of outstanding natural beauty. Ironically these imposing heights, which are characterized by deep ravines and rocky spurs, have caused this area to be virtually inaccessible to travellers for years. Only in 1853 was the Amalfitana road constructed along 40 km of the coast, encouraging a flood of visitors from around the world at the beginning of the nineteenth century. The impressive yet charming beauty of this coastline has inspired writers, musicians and artists to visit or settle here over the last century.

The rugged Lattari mountains drop steeply into the sea along the Amalfi Coast between Positano and Vietri sul Mare, making this region an area of outstanding natural beauty. Ironically these imposing heights, which are characterized by deep ravines and rocky spurs, have caused this area to be virtually inaccessible to travellers for years. Only in 1853 was the Amalfitana road constructed along 40 km of the coast, encouraging a flood of visitors from around the world at the beginning of the nineteenth century. The impressive yet charming beauty of this coastline has inspired writers, musicians and artists to visit or settle here over the last century.

Minori derives its name from the river Reginna Minor that crosses this town. It has been inhabited since Roman times, as some of the remains of the splendid Villa Romana testify. Minori is only a 15-minute drive south from Pontone along the coast road, so is a convenient shopping town with many narrow streets and a wide variety of small shops to choose from. It has a beautiful promenade along the beach, and is a hive of activity in the summer. Boats can be hired from here to explore the coastline or sunbeds and umbrellas are available on the beach. Some of the best views of the towns along the Amalfi coast are from the sea.

Sorrento was originally built by the Greeks atop dramatic 150-foot cliffs. It has spectacular views of the bay of Naples to the north and 2 busy marinas to the west, the Marina Grande and the Marina Piccola. According to legend, the women of this area called the Sirens tempted passing sailors with their seductive songs, beckoning them to crash on the rocks and lose their lives. Today visitors are made extremely welcome and may choose between exploring the interesting markets, craft shops, museums or the cathedral. Alternatively, one can take a day trip out to the island of Capri.

Capri is located about 5 km off the coast of Italy, and can be reached by boat from Sorrento or Naples. It was once the home of the ancient Roman Emperor Tiberius, and has always been a famous holiday destination for the rich and famous. Its coast is surrounded by steep limestone cliffs that plunge straight into the sea. It has white sand beaches, charming villas, olive groves and various ‘must sees’ such as Villa Jovis, the Blue Grotto and the Gardens of Augustus.

Positano is aptly named because it literally means the ‘pearl of the Amalfi coast’. No visitors to this sheltered, vertical village would dispute its beauty and unique characteristics, along with its friendly and hospitable inhabitants. One regular visitor to Positano in the 50’s wrote: ‘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.’ The writer was John Steinbeck.

Mount Vesuvius is one of the main reasons to visit Naples. When it erupted in 79 AD it buried the Roman city of Herculaneum (Ercolano) in mud and its neighbour Pompeii was buried in ashes. The excavations of these sites began in 1784 and now serve to illustrate the typical Roman life of that era. At the archeological site of Pompeii one can find the colonnaded Forum, the Forum Baths, frescoed houses, the basilica or law court, an Amphitheatre, the House of Vetti, small brothels and the wide city streets. In Herculaneum one will see typical Roman houses that are better preserved than at Pompeii .

Naples is a beautiful city on the edge of a bay with lovely views of Capri and the Ischia Islands. The city was founded by the Greeks in the 7 th century AD. The old part of the city still preserves its ancient charms with very narrow streets, open markets and traditional shops. There are numerous places of interest in Naples including famous churches, palaces, piazzas and a castle. The Museo Nazionale has a display of some of the finest Roman ruins from the excavations of Pompeii and Herculaneum. A superior collection of Italian art can be seen at the Museo e Galleria Nazionale di Capodimonte. There are paintings by Botticelli, Raphael, Michelangelo and many others.