Neapolitan Riviera

Food and Drink
The Amalfi Coast offers a wealth of gastronomic delights, with Frutti di Mare or seafood a speciality! Served with spaghetti or risotto, the ingredients are fresh from the day’s catch and usually made up from all different kinds of seafood. In Amalfi, try Spaghetti alla Vongole, the local pasta with capers, olives and clams which is a real delight, or join the celebrities tucking into the famed spaghetti alle zucchini at Lo Scoglio in the small resort of Marina del Cantone, just west of Positano.
The local white wine, Lacrime di cristo, is the perfect accompaniment to the Mediterranean style cuisine found in this part of Italy, or for drinking chilled on its own. Capri is the ancestral home of Limoncello, the luscious, lemony liqueur enjoyed as a post-meal tipple. Invented about 100 years ago due to Capri’s abundance of lemons, this sweet liqueur is readily available and a perfect end to a lovely meal.
Shopping
Capri town’s cobbled streets are crammed full with designer shops and boutiques, from the famous names of Prada and Fendi to the interesting shops in Via Le Botteghe offering something a little different. You can also witness the making of traditional products, as the artisans open their studio doors.
This region is famous for the ceramics it produces; a great place to pick some up is the town of Vierti sul Mare, although you will also find them in many shops along the coast. In Positano you can find small boutiques and stalls selling Murano glass, designer dressed and made-while-you-wait clothes.
Where To Stay

• The first town that you reach along the coast is alluring Positano, one of the most picturesque, with coloured villas built into the cliffs and endless steep alleys leading up towards the vibrant centre with its many bars and restaurants. The quaint village of Praiano, just a short drive further along from Positano, is a smaller seaside resort with romantic little coves and great views over to Capri.
• The traditional fishing village of Amalfi lies nestled in the Valle dei Mulini, with whitewashed houses clinging onto the cliff face and its impressive 10th century cathedral, which dominates the main square. This unspoilt resort boasts a superb choice of restaurants, cafés and bars and an attractive harbour area. Next to Amalfi is the small village of Conca dei Marini, home to the famous Grotto Smeralda.
• Serene Ravello sits perched high above Amalfi and the coastline and offers spectacular views, majestic scented gardens and a pretty centre, perfect for a relaxing holiday. Villa Rufolo, in the centre, is a spectacular venue for music concerts throughout the summer months, including the highlight, the Ravello Music Festival.
• Renowned as a fabulous spa centre thanks to its natural volcanic hot springs, the island of Ischia is a great choice for a rejuvenating and relaxing holiday. The island is strewn with pine forests, vineyards and citrus groves and along the coasts lie beautiful sandy beaches.
• Needing little introduction, the enchanting island of Capri with its impressive cliffs and streets crammed with designer shops has attracted many famous visitors over the years and is still a popular destination. Capri town is a bustling and elegant resort and its famous piazetta is perfect for people watching, whilst the elevated Anacapri enjoys some of the most spectacular panoramic views.

Things To Do

• Visit the Hellenistic ruins of Paestrum, founded by the Greeks in the 6th century BC, where you will find three of Europe’s best preserved golden-stoned temples and a splendid museum.
• Hire a car and travel along the legendary ‘Amalfi Drive’ where the road is cut precariously into the cliffs and every bend provides another jaw-dropping panorama.
• If you are keen on walking, there are great walking trails from Amalfi, Positano and Ravello amongst others, or for a stunning sunset view, hike the Sentiero degli Dei (Path of the Gods), starting from Praiano in the afternoon, up to the monastry of San Domenico.
• Visit the famous Blue Grotto on Capri, where the sunlight passes through an underwater cavity to produce an awe-inspiring blue reflection which illuminates the cavern.

Insider Tip
The best month to sample the famous Amalfi Coast drive is May, when the flowers are out in bloom, and we recommend hiring a small car that will cope better with the narrow and winding roads. Celebration
For a special occasion charter a boat for a day. There are many deserted beaches along the coastline and the views from the sea provide a new perspective on the wonderful scenery.