Amalfi

Amalfi is the main town of the Amalfi Coast and is an important tourist destination together with other towns on the same coast, such as Positano and Ravello. Its particular location at the mouth of the Valley of the Mills and its white houses clinging to the rocks overlooking the sea make it one of the most beautiful places in the world. It is designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

The history of Amalfi is strictly connected to its past as the first of the four Maritime Republics in Italy. Its activity was mainly concentrated on an intense trade and cultural exchanges with the Byzantine and Arab world. The town of Amalfi was renowned for its trade and diplomatic relations throughout the Mediterranean. It was during this time that the mills started to produce paper.

Among the most important monuments we find Il Duomo di Amalfi (The Cathedral of St. Andrew). It sits above the main square at the top of an imposing staircase made by 57 steps. It was built in the 11^th century with a combination of late Baroque and Oriental styles with bronze doors and mosaics. Next to the church we find Il Chiostro del Paradiso (the Cloister of Paradise) which was built in the 13th century with a clear Arab influence. The cloister holds important sarcophagi, marble sculptures and mosaics.

Amalfi is well known for being a worldwide producer of lemons and of Limoncello liquor: "It is the country where the lemons bloom". The lemons of Amalfi were already known at the time of the Romans but they were initially interesting only for their smell and aesthetic qualities.
In order to protect these fruits from atmospheric adversities, lemons were covered by straw-made mats tied with pieces of chestnut tree, known in Italian as pagliarelle. The lemon cultivated here is called "sfusato amalfitano".

Atrani

Atrani is the smallest municipality in southern Italy. Located right beside Amalfi, on the fabulous Amalfi Coast, Atrani has shared its history and shares many of its features, but is more isolated and quieter.

This little town is like a beautiful painting: white houses hugging the cliff, colored flowers hanging on the balconies, azure sky and blue sea.
From an architectural point of view, Atrani can be defined as a medieval town due to the narrow streets and alleys, mostly covered by arches and vaults, which wedge among the houses and intersect in a square.
Atrani, like most of the towns on the Amalfi coast, was the residence of noble Roman patricians who built luxurious villas.

Among the most important monuments we find: The Church of Santa Maria Maddalena,  built in the 13^th century by the people of Atrani to thank the Virgin Mary for liberating them from the Saracens; The Church of Madonna del Carmine built in the early 17^th century, which is known for its 15^th century fresco depicting the Madonna on the main altar which during Christmas time features an 18^th century nativity scene whose shepherds are faithful reproductions of the residents of Atrani at that time.

Ravello

Ravello is situated about 5 km from Amalfi and it is located at the top of the Dragone valley. The stunning views from its beautiful position up on the mountain overlooking the sea from Maiori to Amalfi have been charming travelers, and especially artists, from every country for centuries.

The history of Ravello is strictly connected to the history of the Maritime Republic of Amalfi even though Ravello obtained its independence while Amalfi was still at war.

Ravello was an important trading power between the 10^th and 13th centuries. Its wealth and prosperity was concentrated on the textile industry (wool and cotton) and extensive commerce throughout the Mediterranean.

The places to visit here are Villa Rufolo and Villa Cimbrone with amazing gardens and the typical architectural design of the Amalfi coast.
An important event which occurs every year is the Ravello Festival which is an annual musical event held in Villa Rufolo. Also known as the "Wagner Festival", in honour of the German composer Richard Wagner who visited Ravello, the event features a wide variety of music, art shows, dance, photography exhibits, discussion groups and chances to meet and talk to popular artists.

Vietri sul Mare

The Amalfi Coast opens its doors at the threshold of Vietri sul Mare, the first town after Salerno.
You will be enchanted by the blue water and the always sunny skies. Vietri sul Mare (Vietri on the sea) was the old town of Marcina built by Etruscans and later conquered by the Romans. A Roman thermae complex was recently discovered by the seaside.
Vietri sul Mare has been an important centre for the production of ceramics since the 15th century. Ceramica vietrese is truly something unique, sought-after by tourists and exported everywhere. Handcrafted pottery and tiles can be found in small shops all over the town. The Museum of Ceramics, set up in the tower of Villa Guardiglia on a mountain overlooking the sea and Vietri itself, is in the hamlet of Raito.

Vietri sul Mare is also famous for its beaches and for the two big rocks called I Due Fratelli (the two brothers) that emerge from the water and are connected to various legends.

The Amalfi Coast

The Amalfi Coast, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is a mountainous coastline that stretches from Vietri sul Mare on the east to Positano on the west. The municipalities belonging to the coast are Vietri sul Mare, Cetara, Maiori, Minori, Ravello, Scala, Atrani, Amalfi, Conca dei Marini, Furore, Praiano and Positano. This divine coast is sometimes described as a pearl necklace, each town being a beautiful pearl.

Its beauty is known worldwide and people come from everywhere to enjoy l`atmosfera della costa, the unique ambience of the Amalfi Coast.
The Amalfi Coast is well known for its tortuous roads which lead you through towns clinging to cliffs and surrounded by beautiful terraces of grapevines, citrus and olive trees with breathtaking sea views.

The people who live here have a strong affinity and relation with the nature of the coast. They live a tranquil life enjoying the simple pleasures of the sea and the sun.

You will definitely fall in love with the colours of this amazing place: green hills and valleys, the blue sky and sea, and the pink flowers of oleanders, and bougainvillea hanging over stone walls as you walk through narrow paved streets. The buildings are colourful too, as are the ceramics and fashions found in the lovely shops.

Salerno

Salerno is a small town in the Campania region. It has a population of over 140,000 inhabitants and it is one of the most important cultural centres in the Campania region.

The town is mostly known for its Scuola Medica Salernitana (the first University of Medicine in the world) and for the beauty of its monuments and churches, and landscape.

The main monument in Salerno is Il Duomo, the Cathedral, a medieval building with Romanesque, Baroque, and Byzantine elements, dedicated to the apostle St. Matthew who is the patron saint of the town. The Cathedral contains the tomb of St. Matthew in a Baroque crypt and the tomb of Pope Gregory VII.

Il Castello di Arechi (also Castello Longobardo) is a Byzantine castle which was enlarged by the Lombards and fortified by the Normans. You can enjoy a fabulous view over the town and the sea from the castle.
The climate in Salerno is Mediterranean with a beautiful warm spring and a hot humid summer. The position of the mountains makes Salerno a very windy place, however, this position also gives the town the advantage of being one of the most sunny towns of Italy.

Salerno is well known for its food, simple and tasty food which reflects the nature of this region. You will enjoy the best pizza and pasta you will ever have. The Campania region is popular for its production of tomatoes and mozzarella cheese. The combination of the two makes a famous dish called Caprese which is something delightful.

The Salernitani call the night life of the town "movida", because you will notice people chatting, drinking, and eating from 9 pm to late night. People mostly gather in a street called Via Roma which is located downtown and there are lots of bars and restaurants. The first stop is Via Roma and then they will enter to the alleys of the old town to reach Largo Campo, an old square full with young and not-so-young people hanging around.

If you want to enjoy the sea by night and just take a relaxing walk, you will surely love Il Lungomare (promenade along the sea) and make a stop at any gelateria for a delicious ice cream or granita (sorbet).