Luxury Vacations in Italy: Wouldn’t You Want One?

Luxury Vacations in Italy: Wouldn’t You Want One?

It has been my dream to travel to Italy in the near future, but where is the best place to live in, to dine at, to basically take in the pleasures of life in a beautiful land far away? A bit of ‘googling’ got me up to date on the beautiful places to be in Italy, specifically along the Amalfi Coast. An insanely beautiful rugged stretch of coastline winding its way from Salerno to Sorrento, the Amalfi Coast is like nowhere else in the world. Some of the nicest luxury homes in Italy can be found here as well. 

Amalfi Coast, Italy

Amalfi Coast Towns

If you drove along Italy’s Amalfi Coast from the city of Sorrento to the city of Salerno, it would take at least a couple of hours, one-way, with no traffic. During that drive, you’d pass the iconic Amalfi Coast towns of Positano, Amalfi, Ravello, and others. But which is the best? They are all beautiful places! I have taken the liberty to list down, along with some pictures detailing some of the gorgeous towns to live in should you visit the Amalfi Coast. 

A quick note, while you are in Italy, it’s best to get a map of the area. Make sure the map has Pompeii, Sorrento, Positano, Praiano, Amalfi, Ravello, Maiori, and Salerno marked on it, as it will come useful to find your bearings while being there. Let’s start shall we?

Praiano

Praiano

The perfect place for art lovers, the town’s scenic surroundings are excellent for outdoor exploration, while its strategic position – midway between Positano and Amalfi, makes it an excellent jumping-off point for day trips to neighboring villages and other major points of interests along the coast. A cascade of whitewashed houses tumbling down verdant slopes to a cobalt sea – this is Praiano, the town with the most dramatic sunsets on the Amalfi Coast.

Sorrento 

Old town of Sorrento

Perched above the Bay of Naples, Sorrento is the gateway to the Amalfi Coast, though not technically part of it. Sorrento has lots of great hotels that are also good value for money (relatively speaking). It has excellent restaurants, beautiful views, and is relatively flat. And finally, it’s small enough that you can get around on foot.

Minori Village

Minori Village

Curving around a small bay right in the heart of the Costiera, Minori is an eye-catching little town with a sunny stretch of sand, a proud pasta-making tradition, and the relics of a Roman villa dating back to the I century A.D. There is much more of a local feel in these towns. And finally, they are very convenient if you’d like to head south to the ruins of Paestum or the town of Cetara or visit the buffalo mozzarella farms.

Cetara

Cetara Fishing Village

Back to nature. If you thought the only way to get an authentic taste of this Italian paradise was to travel back in time, you couldn’t be more wrong. Accessible via a short drive, hire a car and be on your way to paradise! About 15 km from Amalfi, Cetara is a delightfully calm fishing village with a characterful little beach, an old Norman tower, a busy historic harbor, and far more marine supply stores than tourists. 

Ravello 

Ravello

Of all the wonderful towns and villages along the Amalfi Coast, perhaps none is as cultured, refined, and romantic as Ravello. An oasis of calm and beauty nestled high in the hills above the Bay of Salerno, the town is replete with art, marvelous gardens, and heart-stopping views of the dazzling landscape below.

Stroll through the palatial gardens of Villa Cimbrone and admire some of the world’s most breathtaking views from its marble busts-lined Terrace of Infinity; catch an open-air concert at stupendous Villa Rufolo, which inspired Wagner to compose Parsifal; and soak up the atmosphere in Piazza del Vescovado, dominated by one of the most beautiful cathedrals along the coast – Duomo di Ravello.

Furore

Furore

Known as the paese che non c’è, or the village that doesn’t exist, Furore is one of the Amalfi Coast’s most unusual destinations – a rugged little settlement scattered across the slopes of Lattari Mountains, amid olive groves, vineyards, and lemon trees overlooking the iridescent Mediterranean Sea.

How are you going to get around?

Trains do not run to any Amalfi Coast towns between Sorrento and Salerno. Between Naples and Sorrento, there’s a commuter-slash-tourist train called the Circumvesuviana / Campania Express. But to get between other Amalfi Coast towns, travelers must use boats, buses, taxis, rental cars, or their own two feet.

Hotels, luxury living 

The Amalfi Coast towns have some of Italy’s nicest and most expensive hotels, so if you want to splurge, this is the place to do it! Sea views, infinity pools, a private beach, and a vista of an endless coastline can be yours. For this type of hotel, expect to spend at least $1,500 per night for a double room with sea view.  The towns of Sorrento, Positano, Ravello, and Amalfi have the most number of high-end hotels.

Food, yes, it makes the world go round

Italian food

Italian food, local foods. While staying over at Italy can be nice, there’s a way to savour their good food as well, on special food tours. It’s a great introduction to the local delights. If you’re going to be based somewhere for a few days, a food tour will introduce you to the region’s local food. This food knowledge will come in handy during the rest of your stay in the area. 

Book your food tour on the first day or two that you are in a new city or region. The information you learn will be useful during the rest of your stay.

So that’s that. These are some of the most beautiful places in Amalfi Coast, Italy. If ever I do get the chance to travel and live luxuriously, these places are my targeted locations. So what are you waiting for, let’s plan our holidays soon! Big smiles.