Positano, Amalfi & Ravello: Private Amalfi Coast Tour

It is considered to be the pearl of the divine coast for its vertical architecture developed on the slopes of a steep cliff overlooking a magnificent emerald colour sea. Steps and steps everywhere round the small centre full of colourful shops selling all the most different local products: clothes, ceramics and the delicious local cakes. Its parish church dominates the whole village with a magnificent majolica tiles paved dome. The drive starts with the most impressive view over the Bay of Salerno, the winding road is full of delightful corners for photo stops and charming outlook over the most splendid emerald coloured sea. 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. Its houses climb a hill so steep it would be a cliff except that stairs are cut in it. I believe that whereas most house foundations are vertical, in Positano they are horizontal.

Certainly the most famous town of the coast for its glorious past having been the oldest maritime republic and still preserving monuments proving it, like the Duomo, the remains of the arsenal and one of the oldest Italian paper factory. Also considered the mother land of Flavio Gioia the presumed inventor of the sea compass. The town centre is worth of a visit also for shopping purposes.

The town of Ravello is for sure the best place where to leave the crowds and where to enjoy the quiet of a village, where most of the historical centre is still untamed, and still recalling the magnificence of the grand private residences once belonging to the most important local noble families. The most famous of them is opened to the public “villa Rufolo”, dating back to 11th century, belonged to the family with the same name and in the 19th century sheltered Richard Wagner, who was inspired by the beauty of its gardens and the views for the composition of the 2nd act of its Parsifal. One more too, is worth of visiting, though 15 min. walk from the main square, Villa Cimbrone*.