Guide me to paradise through the Amalfi coast
- At March 23, 2015
- By Zia Lucy
- In Paths
- 0
Visiting the Amalfi Coast could be one of the best experiences in your life.
This beautiful peace of paradise whas chosen by artists and writers who decidedto have their great escape after visiting the most popular cities of Italy.
The Amalfi Coast infact, offers a series od incredible paths with breathtaking views.
Every path is different from the other, due to the position of the coast but also to the miscro climate which changes from one place to the other.
it is possible to do some half-day or full-day hikes along the coast and to combine them with other activities and tours.
Hiking along the coast offers you a different point of view and if you do it with a local guide, it improves the quality of your holiday.
With a local guide, infact, you are able to connect with locals and discover the hidden secrets of a place.
A guide on the Amalfi Coast can tell you about flowers and places but above all tells you stories you can’t find in books because they belong to the everyday life. A guide suggests you the best viewpoint where to stop and take pictures and also the best time to avoid the crowd.
Hiking along the Amalfi Coast with a local guide could change your holiday from “nice” to “paradisiac”… so why not to try?
My walk to the beach of Crapolla
- At March 21, 2015
- By Zia Lucy
- In Paths
- 0
Few weeks ago I decided to walk into a path where I generally don’t go.
I started my walk from the hamlet of Torca, nearby Sant’Agata sui due Golfi, and took a slippery paved path because I wanted to go to the beach of Crapolla. After walking for about 20 minutes I went on a beautiful path surrounded by plants of Myrtle, Lentiscus and Asphodels. I was not alone as a funny and friendly dog, that generally follows me when I do the Sirenuse trail, was with me.
The views from there are breathtaking, you can see the archipelago of Li Galli and the small islands of Vetara and Isca (where the artistic family de Filippo has built a beautiful Villa). It was so quiet and relaxing that I decided to stop and enjoy the silence which was only broken by the sound of a small goiter boat.
I then took more than 500 steps down to the small chapel dedicated to Saint Peter (in medieval times, the chapel was a side of an important Benedictine Monastery).
While walking down to the beach, I noticed some ancient ruins of roman cisterns.
There was no one on the beach except me and a dog, so I decided to have a swim.
The sea water was very cold but I loved it!
The Roman Villa in Positano
- At March 17, 2015
- By Zia Lucy
- In lifestyle in Positano, Positano, Positano Art
- 0
In Roman times, many villas were built along the Amalfi Coast.
Those villas were called “maritimae” as they were accessible by the sea.
Positano and the archipelago of Li Galli were chosen by rich romans or freedmen to build their luxury villas between the 1st BC and the beginning of the 1st AD.
Unfortunately, nowadays the two villas are difficult to visit.
The ruins of the Villa in Gallo Lungo (Li Galli) have been covered by the modern Villa of Leonide Massine and only when the sea water is really clear it is possible to see the small roman pier of the islands.
Regarding the Villa in Positano, it is situated into the center of the town, between Mulini Square and the Parish Church of Santa Maria Assunta.
The villa was probably covered and half destroyed by lapilli and mud during the Vesuvius Eruption of the 79 AD. It was discovered during the 17th century and then explored by Carl Weber during the 18th century.
According to some scholars (Della Corte), the villa was probably property of a gladiator, called Posides Claudi Cesaris libertus (a freedman to whom the emperor Claudius gave the “pure sword”, a trophy for victories on Britons). If this theory is right, the name of Positano could derive from Posides as the villa can be considered the “praedium posidetanum” (property of Posides).
For now, only one section of the villa has been explored and with a new structural restoration it will be possible to visit it.
photo by Francesco Fusco Positano
(courtesy of Francesco Fusco Positano)
10 things to do on the Amalfi Coast
- At March 12, 2015
- By Zia Lucy
- In lifestyle in Positano, Positano
- 0
First time on the Amalfi Coast?
Never tired of it?
Here you can find a list created by a local (me) of the 10 things to do when in Positano and the Amalfi Coast.
1. Path of the Gods: The path of the gods has been declared one of the most beautiful walks in Italy. There are several ways to do the hike but as a guide I suggest you to do it East to West, above all for the spectacular views.
2. Amalfi-Mills Valley, Paper Museum and pastries: The “Valle delle Ferriere” is one of the most interesting walks on the Amalfi Coast. Amalfi was a great Republic during medieval time and it was famous for the production of a luxury paper which is still produced nowadays. In the Valley it is possible to admire the old papermills surrounded by an incredible nature. Starting the hike from the village of Pontone could be the easiest way to walk in the Valley. The path could be slippery in some places so always remember to wear the right shoes and… don’t forget to bring your swimming suit and have a real refreshing bath into the River Canneto. Ending your walk into the paper Museum could be a good idea to discover how paper was created during the past and if you’re luky, you can personally create a sheet of paper. 1O minutes walking down from the museum you will reach the centre of Amalfi where an iscream or a pastry (I like eating sfogliatella at Bar Pansa) is waiting for you.
3. Ravello-Villa Cimbrone: maybe the most romantic place above the Amalfi Coast. Villa Cimbrone and its incredible gardens are considered the best example of the English botany culture in the South of Italy. Here, between roses and exotic plants, you can find beautiful decorative elements such as fountains, statues and small temples.
The most amazing view from the Villa is the Infinity Terrace, not recommended to those who are scared of heights. During the spring it is possible to admire amazing wild orchids.
4. Have a drink at la Brezza: After a boat tour and a day spent on the beach of Positano is nice to have an “aperitivo” at la Brezza. Their special 6 pm drink is with lots of delicious snacks. My favourite drink there is “Brezzito”… their special mojito variation, but korean love their lemon beer.
5.Positano: Lunch at Adolfo! Local people (and not only) love eating at Adolfo’s. The Restaurant is located in Lautiro beach, 10 minutes boating from the pier of Positano. You can arrive there with Adolfo’s boat (a “gozzo” with a sign of a red fish painted on wood) or by many steps from the district of Laurito (between Positano and Praiano). Adolfo is a place where you can have lots of fun and very good food. The waiters are nice, friendly and fast. My favourites at Adolfo: Grilled Mozzarella on lemon leaf, Zuppa di Cozze (mussels soup with tomato and garlic), Tuna Carpaccio, Grilled Mangialici (local fish) and Nino’s cakes (all good even if the best are croccantino and caprese). And…don’t forget to order their special Sangria!
6. Praiano: Sunbathing, dancing and drinking a spritz at the One fire. The One Fire Beach club is located in Praiano, on La Gavitella Beach. You can arrive there by lots (lots) of steps from the centre of Praiano or by a water taxi. From Positano it is possible to go there by a boat service twice a day. Here you have sun until 8pm so it is suggested to go after 2pm. The view is incredible: all along the coast until Capri Island! But the best thing is the welcoming of Piccoletto and all the One Fire staff: music, drinks, good food and lots of fun… it looks like Greece but you’re on the Amalfi Coast! That’s great! I love having a spritz at sunset here!
7.Shopping in Positano and a romantic walk : during the 60s Positano became popular for its fashion. The red and blue patchwork bandanas and hand painted the dresses with sunny colors which reminded the houses and the lemons of the coast became a must to have for fashionistas. Nowadays the local shops offer a great production of linen and cotton silk dresses which can be combined with a 30 minutes hand made pair of sandals. And after all that shopping… why not having a romantic walk to Fornillo beach trough via Positanesi d’America? The small path has been dedicated to locals who moved to the USA and it’s one of the most romantic walks in Positano, especially at 8pm.
8. Kayaking from Praiano to Positano: if you think spending a full day on the beach is boring and you would like to have a funny experience, I suggest you to contact Luca and Alberto from windsurf Praiano (http://www.windsurfpraiano.it/). You will love their friendly way to show you the hidden sites of the coast while kayaking to Positano.
9 .Boating and driving: do you know why the Amalfi Coast is so beautiful? Because you can admire it through different points of view. If you have enough time to do more than one excursion, I suggest you to do both a driving or a boat tour as you will love discovering new places.
10 .Counting the steps: do you have nothing to do? Why don’t you try to count all the steps you find around you? This was our favourite sport while kids… trust me! Walking up and down the steps is a sport!!!! and, guess what? Every time we counted the steps there was a different amount, so we never knew how many steps there were into a stair.
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