Amalfi Coasting
I love Italy’s Amalfi Coast – it is the perfect destination for admirers of the sun and the beach. And it is my favorite place to travel.
My last visit there started in Sorrento, known for its sweeping water views and the Piazza Tasso, café-lined square that is perfect for a leisurely lunch while you watch the world pass by. Nearby boutiques are ideal for an afternoon of shopping – I am always on the lookout for new trends!
We stayed at the Bellevue Syrene Hotel, one of the world’s leading hotels with many spectacular views – including of the famous volcano Mount Vesuvius. Of course, we enjoyed a taste of Limoncello. Fun fact: 60% of all Sorrento lemons harvested in Italy are used to produce the famous Italian liqueur.
Our visit coincided with the Italian holiday Ferragosto (Assumption Day) and Sorrento’s feast was magnificent and culminated in the biggest fireworks show on the Amalfi Coast.
From Sorrento we traveled by boat to Positano, where we stayed at the Hotel Marincanto right on the beach. The colorful striped umbrellas that protected the beachgoers made such a joyful scene. I had heart-shaped pizza at the famous Chez Black, the best place to people-watch in Positano.
As always when I am abroad, I took some time to check out the endless number of boutiques, meeting several shopowners and acquiring local items for my Nikki Tans shop back in New Jersey. My favorite is the Lemon Collection, which is still in stock. I also purchased several of Positano’s famous handmade ceramic pieces. As a small-business owner myself I always like to support local businesses.
We also met up with friends at the cliffside Hotel San Pietro di Positano. It’s the sister establishment of the Hotel Caesar Augustus, where we stayed when we visited Capri.
We then traveled to Amalfi, where we stayed at the Hotel Rivera Marina. The location -- within walking distance of the main plaza -- is so perfect. One day we rented lounge chairs at the beach, where the retro sun umbrellas created a timeless beauty. We topped off the visit with pistachio gelato – my favorite.
One highlight of the visit was lunch at the Hotel Santa Caterina’s Al Mare restaurant, positioned on a perched terrace above the hotel’s private beach. After enjoying the sun and food, we met the owner of the hotel, Madam Guisi. Her outgoing personality and ease with people reminded me of my own Italian heritage.
That is another reason I love the Amalfi Coast so much – everyone we met was warm and friendly, and made us feel welcome. If you have ever been there, you know what I mean. And if you haven’t been to the Amalfi
Coast, go when you can. You’ll be glad you did. I guarantee it.
