The Amalfi Coast
Quite simply the most beautiful place in the entire world.
How to get here: So this shit is seriously complicated. Here’s what we did: Train from Rome to Salerno. Arrived in Salerno late because the train was delayed 35 minutes. At the station, we walked out, and immediately to our left was a SITA Bus kiosk, where we got two tickets and waited for the bus which ran from Salerno to Amalfi every hour on the half hour. We then sat through the 45 minute bus ride and arrived in the center of Amalfi town. We then asked to take a 15-20 minute taxi to our hotel, only to find out it would be a 40 euro taxi ride. Screw that. Thankfully, our hotel had a shuttle (as do many near Amalfi), so we waited another 30 minutes-during which we made some damage at the grocery store-for the hotel bus to take us up…6 hours after leaving Rome!
How to feel like you're walking through the clouds: Path of the Gods
Next level views make this hike one of the best in the world
View of Positano at the end of the hike
Take the bus up to Bomerano and not only will you find a cute, sleepy town full of old locals, but you will also find the entry to the 8.3 km "Path of the Gods". Easily one of the most beautiful hikes I have ever done, this route will lead you down the dramatic cliffs of the legendary Amalfi Coast providing views that are truly fit for the Gods. It may be a long hike, but the views and scenery make it go by in no time. We were able to get a guide for free through our hotel, and it is something I would definitely recommend. While it can be done on your own, having someone leading you the right way and providing fun facts here and there make it that much more enjoyable. Plus, the guide was free, so why not?
How to make Italian friends while exploring a legendary island: Take a boat tour to Capri
Capri Rooftop is the place to go if you want to spend a causal $20 on cocktails
The trip from Amalfi to Capri takes about an hour on boat over somewhat rocky seas, so if you get sea sick, make sure you come prepared. While on the boat, we were presented with the opportunity to take a tour with one of the employees on board. For 20 euros, he took our group of about 15 people around the island, which is FAR cheaper than what any other tour or taxi would have offered. At each destination, we had to pay for our own entry ticket if we wanted to do the given activity. And if I had to recommend one thing to do, it is absolutely the ski lift to the top of Anacapri. With views over the entire bay, it is simply an unbeatable spot on the Amalfi Coast, and quite frankly, arguably the world. You seriously feel like you are in a helicopter (and funny enough, this spot is higher than the choppers doing tours around the island). Other than that, have some samples of coffee, olive oil, honey, chocalte and more at the shops by the main town center of Anacapri. Walk down to the Villa San Michelle for some beautiful architecture, gardens and of course, views. Capri is just one of those islands where no matter where you find yourself, there is a beautiful bar, outstanding restaurant, or lovely beach calling your name. I've only ever visited the island on day trips, as that is what Capri has become known for, but if I were ever to visit during low season when the crowds thin out, I would absolutely stay here for a few nights.
Feeling above the clouds in the beautiful town of Anacapri (no drones necessary for this shot)
As a side note, if the waters are too rough, you won't be able to go the famous Blue Grotto, so plan accordingly. Our ferry from Amalfi gave us a pseudo tour of the coastal sights, showing us celebrity homes, going through the famous arches and giving us a quick showing of the grottos from the outside, so we figured we may as well stick to seeing the sights on the island.
And a final note, the tour guide we had, Tony from Capri Top Tours, was the absolute homie. He was knowledgeable, funny, and as flirtatious as you would expect any true Italian to be.
How to eat the same 12 euro calzone for 3.50 in John Steinbeck's favorite city: Restaurant La Pergola, Positano
After we did this casual 8.3 kilometer hike down a mountain, we were only somewhat hungry (that's a joke). Our guide recommended this place to us because it offers the same beauty of the high end restaurants at lower prices. La Pergola has a beachside dining area where the prices for each dish are what you would expect in a city with the beauty and stature that Positano has. But if you go to the counter and order your food to go, the prices are much, much more reasonable. I had a full calzone for 3.50 euros that would have been almost four times as much served on a fancy plate at a table. We found a spot to eat and were good to go. So definitely save some money and eat here rather than any of the other overpriced tourist traps.
La Pergola is on the right side of this photo, tucked right between a 5 star legendary hotel and the famous public beach of Positano
How to have a well-priced meal in the most over-priced city of the area: Garden Restaurant
If Positano is first class, Ravello is a small private jet. Finding somewhere to eat without basically planting a bomb in your wallet is a tall task, but we were able to pull it off by only causing a medium-sized hole in my poor wallet. Garden Restaurant offers great, fresh food at reasonable prices. Combine that with world-class views and some good Italian wine and you're good to go. Just remember that the last bus back down to Amalfi leaves at 10:30 PM.
Great wine, awesome food and spectacular views-just don’t miss the bus back down
The town of Amalfi itself is one of my favorite towns in Italy, with a laid back vibe, great architecture and fantastic food everywhere you go
How to do Amalfi, straight up: It's a simple lifestyle here. Go down to the beach, hop from town to town, take a boat and cruise along the coast, dive from cave to cave, get tipsy off of Limoncello, get fat off of gelato, and do it all again the next day. The lifestyle here is incredibly laid back, the tourists are a type of classy yet young enough to be fun crowd, and the Italians here are the best in the country. And it isn't hard to see why given that they live in the most beautiful place on earth.