Sabrina Luxury Collection's Amalfi Coast Travel Guide
General Information Amalfi Coast is an example of a M editerranean landscape combining of great beauty and gripping drama: coastal mountains plunge into the sea in a stunning vertical scene of precipitous crags, picturesque towns and lush forests. Legendary Positano and Amalfi are among the glittering string of coastal gems, while mountaintop R avello has the glossy fame of its grandiose villas and Wagnerian connection. Amalfi Coast gateway Sorrento is a handsome and venerable cliff-top resort that has miraculously survived the onslaught of package tourism. Aside from its sheer beauty, the region is home to some superb restaurants and hotels. It is also one of Italy?s top spots for hiking, with well-marked trails providing a great means of getting away from the coastal clamour. Expect to be surprised... Expect to be enchanted... Expect to come away wanting more... T his is what Amalfi Coast does best and we hope it will do it for you!
?Positano bitesdeep. It isa dream place that isn?t quite real when you are there and becomesbeckoningly real after you have gone.? ~John Steinbeck
Introduction
The Amalfi Coast remained relatively isolated until recent times, and could only be reached by sea. It was made more accessible to visitors from the construction of the Amalfi Coast road (the Amalfi Drive) which was started in 1815 by Ferdinand II of Bourbon. It is the only road that runs along the coast, and connects all the main resorts from Positano in the west to Vietri sul Mare in the east. Today, a trip along the coastal road, now known as Highway 163 and referred to as the "Nastro Azzuro" (Blue Ribbon) because of the colour of the sea, which is always in sight, is a highlight of any visit to the Amalfi Coast. The road clings to the cliff-face, climbing past headlands and dipping down to the sea to reach tiny fishing villages. The Amalfi Coast remained the preferred haunt of explorers, artists, composers, writers, celebrities, and poets, who were still attracted by its relative remoteness, until the 1950's. It was then popularised by John Steinbeck, who wrote about Positano that "it is a dream place that isn't quite real when you are there and becomes beckoningly real after you have gone". Today it is popular with thousands of tourists each year and has become one of Italy's major tourist attractions. http://www.uniquecostiera.com/naplesAmalfiCoastHistory.html
V iew from V illa Sofia
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The Climate Amalfi Coast in the Campania region of southern Italy has the typical Mediterranean climate. The weather turns quite hot in Summer; cool and damp in the winter. It can be foggy along the coast in winter, although there will also be bright, sunny days which will be tolerable due to the usually mild evening temperatures. The best time to visit is April-June and September-October, when temperatures are the most pleasant.
Luxury Villa Rentals Amalfi Coast
December-January-February Too chilly for sunbathing, is balmier than you?d expect: Average temperatures for Amalfi in December, January and February, for example, range from a low of about 40°F to a high of 55°F. Yes, there?s more rain than usual? November is the rainiest month of the year? but there are still plenty of crisp, sunny days, too. Temperature Low 3°C / 39°F High 11°C / 53°F Why Not Try Villa Perfetta ......complete with jacuzzi, sauna, heated pool and open fire... http://www.sabrinaluxurycollection.com/villa-perfetta-italy View Villa Details
March March in Sorrento, on the Amalfi coast in southern Italy, is slightly warmer than preceding months, although nice beach weather is still a long time away. March is the first month since November that has a daily average temperature in the two digits? it is 11°C. Compared to the three winter months before, March sees an increase in both the nighttime low temperature and daytime high temperature. They average respectively 6°... Stay at our Villa Divina in Sorrento and Enjoy your time exploring historic towns and sites.... View Villa Details http://www.sabrinaluxurycollection.com/villa-divina-italy click here for more details or check http://www.sabrinaluxurycollection.com/amalfi-coast-climate
Getting to Amalfi Coast AIRPORT The nearest airport is Naples Capodichino, approximately 60km from the Amalfi coast. The airport is run by Gesac. On their website you can find all the information on flights, including live departures/arrivals: www.gesac.it You may choose to fly Alitalia to Italy? as the national flag carrier, it has the greatest number of nonstops. However, domestic and international carriers, such as Meridiana, Air Italy, EasyJet, and Air Berlin may have direct connections between Naples and destinations in other European countries and slightly cheaper flights within Italy. Meridiana connects New York's JFK Airport to Naples's Aeroporto Capodichino once a week from late June to early September (it also flies to Palermo). Alitalia (operating with Air One) offers an extensive schedule of daily flights connecting Naples with the major international hubs of Rome and Milan, as well as Bologna, Catania, Genoa, Palermo, Trieste, Turin, and Venice. It also offers nonstop flights to Italy from the United States as part of a transatlantic joint venture with Air France-KLM and Delta. Alitalia has direct flights to Boston, Chicago, Miami, New York City, and seasonal flights to Los Angeles. Domestic connections to Naples are also handled by other carriers, such as EasyJet (Milan Malpensa and Venice), Meridiana (Catania, Cagliari, Alghero, Olbia, Milan Linate, Turin, and Verona) and Lufthansa (Milan Linate). For connections from abroad, Alitalia also offers direct flights from Athens, Vueling offers a daily flight from Barcelona, and Air Berlin competes with Lufthansa on direct flights from German airports. Several other carriers link major European cities with Naples? for instance, British Airways offers a direct route from London-Gatwick, and Transavia serves connections from Amsterdam and Paris. Other connections are offered between Naples and Dublin (Are Lingus), and Budapest and Prague (WizzAir). AIRLINE CONTACTS Aer Lingus (02/43458326 from Italy; 516/6224222 from U.S. www.aerlingus.com.) Air Berlin (199/400737 within Italy. www.airberlin.com.) Alitalia (800/223?5730 in U.S.; 892/010 in Italy; 06/65640 Rome office. www.alitalia.it.) British Airways (800/247?9297 in U.S.; 02/69633602 in Italy. www.britishairways.com.) EasyJet (+44330/3655454 from outside U.K.; 199/201840 in Italy; 0330/3655000 from inside U.K. www.easyjet.com.) Meridiana (892/928 call center; 866/751?4499 from U.S.; 0871/222 9319 from U.K.www.meridiana.it.) Transavia (899/009901. www.transavia.com.) Vueling (899/399 888 within Italy. www.vueling.com.) Wizz Air (899/018874 within Italy. www.wizzair.com.) BY CAR Amalfi Cars (www.amalficar.it) is a trustworthy and reputable car service based in Amalfi that offers airport transfers as well as being on-call to drive visitors around the surrounding areas, including Pompei, Positano, Siena, Portofino and Venice, in comfortable, air conditioned cars. If your final destination are towns south of Amalfi or Salerno itself, you might consider taking a direct train from Naples to Salerno. The train ride takes less than 40 minutes. From Salerno, you have the option of taking the SITA bus to other towns on the Amalfi coast, including Vietri sul Mare, Maiori, Minori and Amalfi. Time to Salerno: 30 minutes (fastest train). One-way ticket cost to Salerno: ?15 (less if booked in advance). Operates: year-round. or a private shuttle The cost is roughly 120 euro for a luxury, air-conditioned sedan. You will be met at the airport or train station and taken directly to your villa. Two companies I recommend are: Positano Car Service Jack the Driver
Classic Amalfi Coast Recipes
Limoncello Makes approx 2 litres | Preparation 20 days in storage | Cooking 10 mins 10 unwaxed lemons 1 litre pure alcohol (or strong vodka or grappa) 600g fine sugar 700ml bottled water Wash and peel the lemons, avoiding the white pith. Place the lemon peel in a small demijohn (or a jar with a tight fitting lid) and cover with the alcohol. If you can?t find pure alcohol you can use strong unflavoured vodka or a dry grappa. Seal the jar and leave in a dark closet for 10 days. Remember to shake the contents every couple of days. Boil the water and add the sugar. Stir until completely dissolved and then set aside to cool completely. Strain the lemon mixture using a fine sieve and add to the water and sugar. Stir well and bottle. The liqueur will be ready to drink within 10 days. Serve ice cold from the freezer. more recipes at http://www.sabrinaluxurycollection.com/classic-amalfi-coast-recipes
Amalfi Coast for Children
http://www.campaniartecard.it/ The Campania ArteCard The Campania ArteCard, available for purchase at local tourist offices, bus & train stations, newsstands, and museum ticket booths, offers families an unlimited pass for local transportation as well as nice discounts on admittance to most historical sites, museums, and local attractions. Astroni Nature Reserve Cratere degli Astroni is one of the few well-preserved craters of the whole Phlegraean fields. It represents what in geology is defined as a caldera, i.e. a large depression of the Earth?s surface today occupied by deep a thick and well-preserved woodland and lakes that makes the Phlegraean fields a unique place in the world. Citta della Scienza Complete your family?s naturalistic exploration of the Campania with a visit to the Citta della Scienza science museum and planetarium in Bagnoli, also between Naples and Pozzuoli, which hosts permanent and special interactive exhibits for kids along with fun workshops and a play area. Paestum The majestic Doric temples, illuminated by sunlight and the long coastal strip, brushed by a sparkling sea, are the elements which make Paestum a charming place in which you can spend your holidays. Museo della Carta In Amalfi, kids can explore the history of paper making a regional tradition of different degrees throughout Italy, at the Museo della Carta (Paper Museum), in an ancient local paper mill. The exhibits include antique equipment used in papermaking along with documents and exhibits on the history of this important craft.
Shoppi ng i n Amal f i Coast Gastronomic delicacies, designer ceramics, and glamorous beachwear: an insider guide to shopping on the Amalfi Coast and ideas for the perfect souvenir more details at http://www.sabrinaluxurycollection.com/shopping-in-amalfi-coast
Maps of Amalfi Coast
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