Amalfi, Campania, Italy
The sunrise from the terrace of the Hotel San Michele was wonderful. After breakfast we were driven down to the waterfront to catch a ferry to Sorrento. Once there we were transferred to the Hotel Ascot were we dropped off our hand luggage, had a toilet stop, and then boarded our large Cosmos bus and headed for the Amalfi Coast.
Here the mountains plunge into the sea in a nail biting vertical scene of precipitous crags, clinging abodes and verdant woodland We sat on the right hand side of the bus to get the best views. The views were spectacular and the road was narrow. Maybe we are getting used to these roads but it wasn't as scary as the Mama Mia road on Capri. Positarno was 7 Km's away and we had a short stop there for pictures and to swap seats with those opposite so they could get a chance to take photographs. Just before arriving at the town of Amalfi we stopped again for another toilet stop and swapped back to our original seats.
We had an hour and a half free time in Amalfi. We visited the cathedral which is dedicated to the Apostle St Andrew whose relics are kept here. The cathedral includes the
adjoining 9th-century Basilica of the Crucifix. Leading from the Basilica are
steps into the Crypt of St. Andrew. In the 13th century the Cloister of Paradise was constructed in the Arab-Norman style. The main cathedral was large and richly decorated. Returning to the Piazza De Duomo we had lunch on the run. I had a slice of pizza and Edie had a cherry ice cream. The central area was smaller than I imagined and we spent the rest of our time wandering around.At 2.45 we got back on the bus and headed back to Sorrento.
The tourist buses are not allowed to go back the same way so we had to climb up and over the mountains.Now this was a road - narrow and very windy. It has been used as a motor car racing route, and is still part of a major cycling race. There were terraces everywhere growing grapes, lemons etc. Once on top we travelled through some large rural villages which were noted for making mozzarella and sausages. Back on the coast and Mt Vesuvius was still dominating the Bay of Naples. We arrived back at the hotel at 4.45 and finally met up with all our luggage in our room.
2025-05-23