Our Italian Adventure – The Amalfi Coast!!

On our last full day in Italy, we hired Monetti Tours to take us down the Amalfi Coast.  We thought about renting a car but we had read about how narrow and windy the roads were and thought we better not risk it.  Again, after reading suggestions from Rick Steves, we chose a company that he recommended.  Not once were we ever disappointed in a company he suggested.  Monetti Tours picked us up at our hotel and then we headed down the coast.  Our driver was amazing!  He was so personable and funny and knew exactly where to take us and how long to leave us there.  I thought it was funny that he actually said, “Mama mia!” several times!  I didn’t think Italians actually said that!

As we drove down the coast we stopped at little turnouts so that we could get a glimpse of the amazing views.  It definitely did not disappoint!

The main reason I wanted to travel down the coast was to see the town of Positano.  One of my all-time favorite movies is “Under the Tuscan Sun,” and this town is featured in it.  I just had to see it!  Of course, our guide noted that this is very common when people come to the south of Italy.  Women in particular really want to see this town.  We only had a little over an hour in this adorable little town.  We were dropped off at the top of the town and then we walked down to the sea.  We stopped for a tasty treat and then meandered in and out of shops.  They had a beautiful little church (as does EVERY Italian town) and everything was so colorful!  I would love to come back here and spend a night or two.  An hour was nowhere near enough time.

We passed through the town of Amalfi but didn’t stop.  Just to look at the view from the side of the road.  Our real destination was Ravello, a hilltop town with a view that blew our minds.  Our guide was friends with the owner of Ristorante Salvatore so he dropped us off here so we could have lunch and enjoy the scenery.  The food was spectacular!  Of course they added limoncello to the meal.

After lunch we wandered around the town a little.  Super cute.  However, I think I would rather stay the night in Positano if given the choice.  Closer to the water.

When we drove back to Sorrento, we had to stop in the middle of the road because a herd of goats was crossing!  You don’t see that in San Diego!  We also took a different route back that took us down the mountain where we could see the volcano Vesuvius.  This is the volcano that exploded and destroyed Pompeii.

Back “home” in Sorrento.  We adored our guide and our trip was incredibly memorable!  The next day we took the train back to Naples, then jumped on another train to Rome…and then a VERY long flight back to San Diego.  What a trip!!