HEAVEN ON EARTH

Meet your private driver outside your accommodation and enjoy a full-day exploration of the celebrated Amalfi Coast. You will take in some of Campania’s most marvellous sights and plunge into the history and myths that surround its popular summer resorts.

Nestled between steep slopes and the sea, along an enchanting stretch of coastline, Positano strikes visitors with its magical allure and picture perfect hues. John Steinbeck captured its fascination with these famous lines: “Positano bites deep. It is a dream place that isn’t quite real when you are there and becomes beckoningly real after you have gone”. A jumble of pink, amber and white houses encircles the multi-coloured majolica-tiled dome of the cathedral and stands out against the lush green background of the Monti Lattari; in the foreground pebbled beaches and the crystalline waters lend touches of silver-grey and turquoise. Cheerfully patterned and exquisitely hand-painted ceramic pieces on display outside the shops and set into the walls of the buildings provide additional splashes of red, cobalt-blue, yellow and jade… Positano is a divine experiment with colour. According to a local myth the town was founded by Poseidon, the Greek god of the sea, as a gift to his beloved nymph Pasitea. A glamorous resort, offering enticing cuisine, wonderful sea views and a tranquil respite, Positano keeps attracting “willing prisoners of a legendary landscape” – as early 20th century spellbound holiday-goers used to define themselves. Explore the town’s narrow alleys filled with boutiques, pottery stores and tempting eateries, before moving on to Amalfi.

Set at the foot of Monte Cerreto, the small town of Amalfi is, nonetheless, the largest on the coast. It may be hard to believe that in its 10th and 11th century heyday this tiny jewel of a town was a maritime superpower that successfully dominated Mediterranean trade routes, rivalling Genoa, Pisa and Venice. Folklore claims that Amalfi owes its name to a beautiful nymph with whom Hercules had fallen in love. After her premature and tragic death, the Roman hero searched the world over to locate a place that could match her splendour and decided to bury her on this very spot. Above her tomb he built a town in her honour ensuring her name and charm would live for eternity. A plaque welcomes visitors to Amalfi with the following poetic statement: “The day of judgment, for Amalfitans that go to Heaven will be a day like any other”. A treasure trove of artistic and architectural wonders, the town is sure to impress. Enjoy a leisurely stroll through Amalfi’s lively streets, revel in breathtaking views from the waterfront and take a peek inside the medieval Cathedral of Sant’Andrea, sitting proudly atop a steep flight of steps on the main square. The mortal remains of Saint Andrew, stolen from Constantinople in 1206, lie under the altar in the lavishly decorated crypt. The adjoining Cloister of Paradise, with its interlaced Moorish-style arches enclosing a garden, is well worth a visit. Originally built in 1266 as a burial place for the local aristocracy, today this peaceful corner offers a shady retreat to visitors basking in the beauty of sunny coastal sights.

The last stop on this excursion will bring you to Ravello. With its beguiling hilltop location, unparalleled panoramas and splendid gardens, this pocket-size town has captivated countless artists, writers and musicians throughout the centuries. Founded in the 5th century as a refuge from the Barbarian invasions, Ravello flourished under the rule of Amalfi when wealthy merchants built its most famous villas. Highlights include the Church of San Giovanni del Toro, home to the pulpit mosaics that prompted M.C. Escher to create his interlocking patterns; Villa Rufolo, whose atmospheric setting inspired the enchanted Garden of Klingsor of Wagner’s Parsifal; Villa Cimbrone, world-known for its belvedere poetically named Terrace of Infinity.

Return to your accommodation in the late afternoon with the sights and sounds of the Amalfi Coast still reverberating around you.