Paradise in Ravello: An Amalfi Coast Luxury Tour

Ravello sits atop a hillside at nearly 1,150 feet above sea level to overlook the Amalfi Coast with panoramic views of the Mediterranean Sea. The town came to prominence in the 9th-century after noble families from Amalfi rebelled against the local Doge. Wealth abounded in the 11th-century with the region’s production of wool from the sheep easily farmed along the lush forests that overtake the coastal hills. Your private transfer will await your arrival at Naples International Airport. After you land, you will travel along the Bay of Naples and beneath the looming peak of Mt. Vesuvius, and over the hills that separate the bay from the Gulf of Salerno.

The Amalfi Coast stretches more than 25 miles from the towns of Positano in the west and Vietri sul Mare in the east. The sapphire waters of the Mediterranean Sea brush against the boulders that support the cliffs and as you reach the town of Ravello, you will immediately notice the view. The scent of pine, oak, and lemon emanates from the mixture of trees that sweep across the landscape. Settle into the luxuries of your hotel, situated in a refurbished paper mill, and with a stunning view of the coastline, along with private access to the water below. Take the time to wander the quiet streets of Ravello to find the 11th-century cathedral that crowns the main square of Piazza del Vescovado with the triple arched marble portal that frames the 12th-century bronze door.

In the morning, the sunlight will wash over the Mediterranean Sea and bring the azure hues of the water that spread to the horizon. Before breakfast, wander along the pathways of Villa Cimbrone to witness the colors of the coast. Lord William Beckett transformed an abandoned farmhouse in the early 20th-century to create a magnificent villa filed with elegant architectural styles, graceful fountains, and stunning artificial grottos. After breakfast, embrace the scenic drive along the narrow road that hugs the coastal cliffs heading to the town of Positano.

Peach and pink pastel houses ascend the terraced hillside as the cobbled streets wind upwards to the cliff tops. Sailboats glide across the sapphire waters as their sails catch the refreshing breeze. Beachgoers lounge on chairs beneath bright parasols at Spiaggia Grande as the vertical town creates a dramatic vista of color, from the architecture to the emerald trees that outline the homes. Walking along the streets brings an incredibly zesty aroma of lemons that emanate from the vibrant trees around the town in which the fruit flourishes.

The sunlight glints off of the majolica-tiled dome atop the Collegiate Church of Santa Maria Assunta. For a unique experience, board a small boat to the reach the secluded beach club of Remmese. The bleached white parasols and towels act as a beacon to the boats that run up to the shore. The scent of grilled octopus spiced with fresh squeezed lemon juice and cracked pepper overtakes the scent of the sea. You can spend hours here just to bask in the sun on the unique hidden beach.

Cafes set their tables out along the quiet cobblestone roads of Piazza del Vescovado in the morning. Locals and visitors sit beneath the umbrella’s shade and sip frothy cappuccinos to start their day. The aroma of freshly baked brioche drifts along the streets to accentuate the slightly bitter aroma of the ground coffee beans. After breakfast, make your way to Amalfi and board the ferry to the island of Capri. The hydrofoil speeds across the water to spray mist along its sides. In the distance, the cliffs of Capri come into view and loom larger as you move closer to them across the water.

The cliffs reach a height of 200 feet above sea level for a fantastic first impression. The ferry docks at Marina Grande as pastel homes wind around the arching promenade of the shoreline that watches over the small fishing boats that wade in the water. You will take the funicular up the hillside to the enchanting Piazzetta, also referred to as Piazza Umberto I, the heart of Capri Town. Cafes and bars line the square to offer espresso, wine, and beer to people who wish to enjoy the sunlight and atmosphere.

The narrow streets spread from the bustling piazza that showcases chic shops such as Dolce & Gabbana and Prada. A gorgeous fragrance emanates from the perfume maker’s shop, filled with citrus and jasmine. Reach Villa Jovis, the grandest of Roman Emperor Tiberius’s residences and the ruins contain imperial quarters and dense leisure gardens that equal nearly 32,300 square feet. The stairway in the back of the villa leads to a cliff with a panorama of the water at more than 1,000 feet above sea level. The view is more than enchanting; it is unforgettable.

The interior of Ravello’s cathedral contains the remarkable Chapel of San Pantaleone, famous for its round two-handled flask known as an ampulla. When the natural sunlight filters through the windows the glass, gold, and silver of the ampulla glow. Today you will reach deeper into the history of the region to pass the medieval cathedrals and homes on the coast to find the ancient preserved cities of Pompeii and Herculaneum. The latter city was destroyed and conserved by the same eruption that engulfed Pompeii in 79 AD.

However, while ash and pumice covered Pompeii, molten lava swallowed Herculaneum. The old city was encased in a depth of earth reaching 100 feet, which formed an airtight seal against the elements. The scent of aged, dry earth continues to rise from the streets and buildings of the ancient city. Your guide will lead you to the south end to Casa del Albergo. Lines of columns mark the ground’s former atrium to provide an outline of the structures original size. Across the street stands the House of Aristides, a lavish villa.

Down the street, your guide will point out the square shrine of Sacello degli Augustali, once dedicated to Hercules, the city’s patron. Bright frescoes continue to decorate the walls and include a piece that depicts Hercules in Olympus alongside Juno and Minerva. After discovering the former grandeur of the ancient cities, your guide will lead you to a historical vineyard on the slopes of Mt. Vesuvius to sample the flavorful wines produced from grapes grown in the volcanic soil. Archeologists claim that the wine made along volcano’s hills are the closest to the wine consumed by ancient Romans.

After breakfast, your guide will meet you at the hotel and escort you along the Amalfi Coast roadway to the town of Conca dei Marini, located in a valley that slopes into the Mediterranean. Old houses cluster together along a ridge 1,300 feet above sea level as the small beach touches the rugged bases of the bordering cliffs. A 16th-century watchtower crowns the plateau at Capo di Conca, built to protect the town from naval and pirate attacks. Majolica-tiles create a colorful texture to the spire of the church of St. Anthony of Padua. You will make your way down to the rowboats along the sand and step aboard.

The boat wades in the water en route to the mouth of the Emerald Grotto. You will duck beneath the dangling craggy opening to reach the magnificent interior. The enclosed limestone accentuates the aroma of the sea as the grotto reaches a height of more than 80 feet. The refracted sunlight makes the water glow an emerald hue and spread across the limestone to turn the entire grotto into a precious stone. Following the colors inside the cave, make your way to the town of Vietri sul Mare to enjoy the colors of the town’s outdoor ceramics display. The town has crafted marvelous ceramic works since the 17th-century, and stunning yellow and green majolica tiles decorate the dome of the parish church of St. John the Baptist.

Naples is a vibrant city of music, history, and cuisine. It is the third largest city in Italy and displays as much history of the Mediterranean as Rome. Your private transfer will meet you in the hotel lobby after breakfast and whisk you away to the historical center of Naples at the Piazza del Plebiscito. The Royal Palace borders the piazza to the west with the colonnades of the church of San Francesco di Paola that line the sides. The dome of the Saint Francis of Paola church towers above the square at a height of more than 170 feet. Simply walk along the cobbled ground that illuminates Naples’s rich past as the center of the House of Savoy, and even to Greek settlement before the rise of Rome.

Inside the Cappella Sansevero, you will find a Baroque chapel decorated with Giuseppe Sanmartino’s sculpture of Veiled Christ. The artist has lent such a delicate character to the veil that you are tempted to lift the fabric from the statue to glance at the detailed figure beneath. The bright colors of the 18th-century frescoes add another patterned layer to the church’s captivating interior. The Palazzo Reale di Capodimonte stands atop the central hill that overlooks the cityscape. The 18th-century palace now contains the National Museum to highlight the rich history of art in Naples, including 12th-century altarpieces and works by Botticelli and Caravaggio. Galleries overtake all three floors and incorporate 160 rooms.

The Moorish architecture in the garden of Villa Rufolo reflects the character of the town during its days a coastal powerhouse of international trade. Fragrant hydrangeas blossom alongside the footpaths as the palm trees open to a stunning view of the coastline. After breakfast, the day is yours to indulge in the beauty of Ravello or venture out into the countryside to explore the Campania Region. Visit the Greek ruins at Paestum or partake in a sumptuous cooking class to perfect traditional homemade pasta.

Make your way along the Amalfi Coast to the town of Minori as the sapphire water turns a translucent emerald along the pebbled beach, and the homes become shades of faded gold and sun-drenched pink. The bustling streets of Positano and Amalfi disappear behind the more traditional cobbled lanes and relaxed pace of Minori. A marvelous Roman villa built in the 1st-century creates an air of mystery and extravagance to provide a brief insight into the Roman aristocracy. The nearby stream once fed into the swimming pool and baths nearly two millennia ago. In the 18th-century, Minori became famous in the region for its watermills and pasta factories.

The tradition of elegant pasta continues with restaurants and home cooks that produce scialatielli, thick ribbons of pasta similar to fettuccini, inside the kitchens of the colored buildings. For a unique experience, you will meet a local chef to learn the art of making pasta in Minori, a town deeply connected to its roots. The soft flour clings to your fingers as you make a volcano of the ingredients before you add eggs to the center. Slowly mix the flour with the eggs until dough begins to form and your instructor will guide you along the way to help you create a savory and elegant dish from a simple recipe.

Your morning in Ravello is almost synonymous with relaxation. The cool air sweeps over the mountain ridges, but your view of the coastline reminds you that the beach is never far away. The familiar aromas of espresso and freshly baked brioche return with the morning light. Soon your private transfer will meet you in the hotel lobby and escort you to Naples International Airport. You could extend your vacation in Italy and spend more time to relax on the coastline or indulge in the luxuries of ancient history at your fingertips. You could also make your way to the hilltop town of Tramonti, located above Minori. The town is famous for its rich cuisine, including their magnificent cheese making.