Tramonti: between lemons and vines
- At January 09, 2021
- By Zia Lucy
- In walking tour
- 0
I made this article a few years ago and I completely forgot to post it.
So, here you can find a little description of my first hike to Tramonti and the reason why I decided to include a wine tasting in my Amalfi Coast Driving and Guided Tours (http://en.zialucy.com/amalfi-ravello-wine/).
2006. Although the weather was uncertain we went to the Valley of Tramonti, driving along the Amalfi Coast and began the hiking from Maiori. We did a loop trail, we passed through many villages with medieval churches and chapels, surrounded by “peschiere” (stone basins used for rainwater harvesting) and lemon groves, in the lush Mediterranean nature crossed by streams and springs.
Along the way we had two pleasant meetings: the first, a boy from Gete (one of the little towns in Tramonti) who kindly accompanied us along the way, showing the beautiful hidden corners of his village; second, during a lunch break, (well, it was a picnic with some local Provolone del Monaco cheese, salami and bread) a gentleman offered us homemade wine and other cold cuts.Nowadays, this way of interacting with locals is rare, quite extinct, and thanks to these little-big gestures our walk was even more enjoyable.
The name Tramonti means “between the Mountains”, a small valley on the Amalfi Coast sited between the sea and our incredible Monti Lattari. Here you can find 13 small towns where the population lives on agriculture and tourism.
Although uncertain, some historians believe the origins of the first village can be dated to the Third Century. During middle ages, Tramonti was linked to the Maritime Republic of Amalfi.
2008. Later in the years, when I became an official tour guide and thanks to my brother who arranges Shore excursions for Positano Drivers (http://www.positanodrivers.com)I discovered an incredible vineyard called Tenuta San Francesco (http://www.vinitenutasanfrancesco.com) and soon one of their wines, called é iss, became my favorite.
About Tenuta San Francesco: in 2004 four winemakers founded a unique wine estate in order to relive the ancient tradition of grape growing. All the vineyards are characterized by high density plant and situated on steep sloped terraced lands between 200 and 600 meters above sea-level. Between all the indigenous grape varieties, which all produce great wines, it’s worth to mention Tintore, a vine that survived grape phylloxera diseases during the 19th century. The wine produced from Tintore grapes in Tenuta San Francesco is called “é iss” and in our dialect means “it’s him”or “this is it”, indicating the uniqueness in grapes, production and taste of this incredible red.
I love arranging a lunch/ wine tasting at Tenuta San Francesco during my Amalfi Coast Drive and Guided excursions as I believe you can’t leave the Amalfi Coast without having experienced it all!
For any extra info, feel free to contact me: [email protected]
Hike with me to Paradise through the Amalfi Coast
- At November 25, 2020
- By Zia Lucy
- In Paths, walking tour
- 0
Visiting the Amalfi Coast could be one of the best experiences in your life, especially if you add some hiking in your holiday!
A beautiful piece of paradise was chosen by artists and writers, they decided to have a great escape after visiting the most popular cities of Italy. Later in 1960’s the Amalfi Coast became a really popular place for ceramics, lemons, great fresh food and the warm climate.
People come here not only to enjoy the sun and the marvellous beaches but also to discover our culture, admire the amazing nature surrounding us and enjoy our “too Italian lifestyle”. Classic Tours you can do here are: getting a Ferry or a private boat to Capri, visit ancient vineyards, stopping to the archaelogical Site of Pompeii on the way to the airport.
But, have you ever thought about hiking?
There’s a great selection of trails you can take on the Amalfi Coast: Every path is different due to the geographical position of the Coast and its micro climate which changes from one place to the other. You can do half or full day hikes, combining your walks other activities and tours.
Hiking on the Amalfi Coast can be a great holiday for the entire family, a “once in a lifetime adventure”. If you are looking for a longer adventure, you can do one week trekking between Amalfi and Sorrento or vice versa, enjoying off the beaten path and later relax into the beautiful small towns, go to the beach or do some shopping.
Hiking on the Amalfi Coast offers you a different point of view and if you do it with a guide, it improves the quality of your holiday. With a native guide In fact, you are able to connect with locals and discover the hidden secrets of a place. A guide not only points out flowers and places, but also tells you stories you can’t find in books because they belong to the everyday life and to popular traditions. A guide can suggest you the best viewpoint where you can stop and take a selfie and always try to skip the crowds.
Hiking along the Amalfi Coast with a local guide could change your holiday from nice to Paradisiac.
So why not try?
Here’s there’s a list of my favorite hikes (… yes, local guides have favorite places too):
1. Ravello to Atrani via Sambuco
Start hiking from Ravello, one of the most beautiful towns in the Amalfi Coast. Before walking, I suggest to visit Villa Rufolo and then have a pastry at Caffè Calce (my favorite bar for gelato and brioche, they also have a pizzeria for lunch). The hike brings you to San Nicola Convent through a path surrounded by ancient dry-walls, small rivers and chestnut trees. After crossing the Convent, you can take a path to get to Minori or Maiori and walk through a pine forest with some coastal views and lemon gardens at its end. I like going to Minori.
2. Papermills Valley
You can read a description of this hike in this post: http://en.zialucy.com/2020/04/18/paper-mills-valley-hike-amalfi/
3. Path of the Gods
Considered the most beautiful trail in Italy, this hike is suitable for many people (not for those who have knee, legs, heart or balance problems). I’ve done this hike more than 1000 times and I never get tire of it. Me and my guides will be happy to show you the best spots and talk about local legends.
4. Positano to Colli di Fontanelle (path of the 2 provinces) or Le Tese
One of the most challenging hike for length and elevation gain. It’s my favorite for the challenge and the views: Once above Monte Comune, weather permitting, you are able to enjoy the spectacular views on the two bays (Salerno and Naples) divided by the Isle of Capri and the best part of our mountains! If you can’t hike for 13 km with 1000 meter of elevation, I recommend to go for a walk to Santa Maria del Castello through Le Tese Hike (the path where I do a big workout before starting the hiking season).
5. Sirenuse Trail
Considered the alternative hike to path of the gods, This trail is more beautiful and with a bigger variety of views. It’s recommended for people who stay in Sorrento as its start is only 30 minutes driving.
6. Athena Trail
Once upon a time, there was a path getting the Sanctuary of Athena. Nowadays it’s not possible to get to the Sanctuary but the hike is amazing and it looks like you touch Capri with your hands!
Find more info Here: Athena Trail
7. Villa Jovis and Arco Naturale
Emperor Tiberius in 27 AD decided to live in Capri. Here an amazing Villa was built, on the highest side of Capri, far away from the dangers of Rome. Here he reigned and here, according to Suetonius, Tiberius engaged in wild debauchery. Nowadays, it is possible to admire some ruins of this Villa and later you can walk back to Capri, taking a path that leads you to a Natural Arch and above the Faraglioni Rocks. Great spots and incredible vegetation will let you feel the real energy of Capri and you will understand why, from The Romans to Romantic Painters, people choose to have their great escape in this amazing Isle!
Are you ready to hike with Zia Lucy? Feel free to contact Us: [email protected]
Hiking on The Amalfi Coast
- At January 07, 2018
- By Zia Lucy
- In walking tour
- 0
Hiking The Amalfi Coast
The majority of tourists visit Italy to see the famous historical buildings, museums, and architecture but lots of them don’t know that Italy can be a great place for hiking tours and outdoors activities. While Venice, Florence, Rome and Naples are great places for art, Italy also offers some of the most beautiful coastlines in Europe. Asides from the roman ruins, churches filled with medieval and baroque art, sculptures, and fancy art museums, perhaps the best place to seek the sun, drink some of the best wine in the country and do some hiking tours, there is no better place than the Amalfi Coast.
Over the years, this incredible place has become a paradise for people who love nature and the outdoors.
The Amalfi coastline is legendary and its beauty has inspired many movies, writers, and musicians. There are hiking trails of differing difficulty connecting hilltop villages and coastal communities. The hiking trails are often steep and weave through the dense forest and suddenly you will come across olive groves, vivid colorful whitewashed villages, and the turquoise azure waters.
You can walk along the fragrant gardens of Ravello watching the scary but dramatic plunging off the cliffs and around the fishing villages that lie in the lush green valleys.
Today the entire Amalfi coast has been recognized by UNESCO as a world heritage area because of its natural beauty, steep coastal mountains which plunge hundreds of feet into the sea. You will get to see stunning hillside views of lush forests, picturesque towns and exotic views of the pristine blue waters. And all this seen on foot.
Read more»Fashion in Positano
- At March 18, 2017
- By Zia Lucy
- In Positano, walking tour
- 0
During my walking tours of Positano I use to stop into small boutiques to show fashion in Positano, the so called Moda Positano.
When you think of centers of fashion, Positano may not be your first choice, but trust me, it should definitely be high on your list. You may want to visit Positano anyway because it is a picturesque cliffside village on the southern Italian Amalfi Coast with a pebble beach and ancient winding streets, but it is also a mecca of boutiques and eateries.
The fashion in Positano, or Moda Positano, is made here by extremely talented tailors and artisan shoemakers who have passed their secrets down through generations. One of the first dressmakers in Positano was my grandmother who also worked for The Fontana Sisters and taught to many people how to make beautiful dresses with natural fabrics. Between all the students who learned the art of sewing I cannot forget Ivan’s grandma, nonna Anna.
Ivan is one of my close friends and his family has a beautiful store in the center of Positano, Via dei Mulini. Nonna Anna started tailoring when she was 15 years old and the art of sewing was continued by her son in law Raffaele (Ivan’s father). Raffaele decided to open a fashion boutique in 1980 and they soon became popular all over Europe.
Nowadays all the family works together and the 80s style is revisited by the beautiful hands of Cristiana, the young designer as well as Ivan’s sister. Ivan and his other sister Ambra work as sellers, they are friendly and love to suggest the dress that better suits you.
I always stop in Via dei Mulini Store to meet my friend Ivan, not only because I love talking with all the family but also for buying their dresses, shirts, skirts, shorts….
Read more»Travelling the Amalfi Coast, one of the most beautiful places in the World
- At February 23, 2017
- By Zia Lucy
- In walking tour
- 0
If уоu wеrе tо mаkе a list оf thе mоѕt bеаutіful рlасеѕ to vіѕіt іn the world, thеn the Amalfi соаѕt іn Itаlу wоuld have tо be іn the tор five саtеgоrу.
The Amаlfі coast is situated in the ѕоuthеrn side оf thе Sоrrеntіnе Pеnіnѕulа of Itаlу. Amаlfі Coast hаѕ a little bіt оf everything tо ѕаtіѕfу аnу hоlіdау tаѕtе. The соаѕtаl rоаd along the rеgіоn іѕ fаmоuѕ fоr іtѕ ѕhаrр bеndѕ and amazing scenery, реrfесt fоr ѕоft tор саr (do not drive during the high season if you never drove along a curved road), as it feels аѕ іf you had just jumреd straight іntо a Jаmеѕ Bоnd mоvіе set!
The best wау tо vіѕіt thе соаѕt is tо flу to Naples, rеnt a car аnd drіvе down to Sоrrеntо or Positano, if you know how to drive. Other options are to take a taxi or to arrive by train to Salerno where you can take a ferry to Positano or Amalfi. If you make Sоrrеntо your base camp, уоu саn spend ѕеvеrаl dауѕ vіѕіtіng thе jеwеl tоwnѕ оf thе Amalfi Cоаѕt аt уоur lеіѕurе. Stаrt іn Sorrento аnd go tо Pоѕіtаnо.
Before уоu аrrіvе in Positano, уоu mіght want to stop аt a belvedere (viewpoint); a vаntаgе роіnt оn thе rоаd that аllоwѕ уоu tо ѕее the tоwn оf Pоѕіtаnо in thе dіѕtаnсе. The vіеw is brеаthtаkіng.
The ruins of Pompeii, my new guided tours to discover our history
When visiting Italy, most tourists are looking to see the sights and places and the ruins of Pompeii are considered to be one of the most astonishing archaeological places to visit in the world. Zia Lucy, as a licensed guide, is now proud to offer walking tours inside the ruins for anyone wanting to experience history, culture and archeology!
The Ruins and Their History
The origins of Pompeii are not well known, but many historians believe that the colony was established in the 7th century BC. Eventually the colony became roman after the fall of the Greeks and Samnites in that area. Years before Pompeii was covered in volcanic ash and dust, a major earthquake stuck the city forcing most of the population to evacuate to other surrounding areas of Italy.
Read more»Enchanted Towers of Positano, where dreams come true!
When you arrive to the Amalfi Coast you soon notice some towers.
Besides their historical function (lookout against invasions), some of the towers hide incredible and charming stories to be discovered.
They are also large and complex projects made on men’s dreams and hopes.
In 1909 Gilbert Clavel bought the Torre di Fornillo, inspired by the unique shape of that fortress, and had the idea (considered crazy by local people) to convert it into his private residence, into a place where he could relax and create. Clavel was a little great man, an artist, a writer, a genius who suffered from tuberculosis and had several phisical problems. He chose the Torre di Fornillo to avoid places which for him were considered crowded, for example Capri.
“Everything began with a dream: a man from Switzerland fell in love with a watching tower and decided to create his great escape there!”
After many years and difficulties, his dream was almost complete: a beautiful, mazy building where he met his guests and inspired their poems, art, music. Clavel was the connection between artists such as Prampolini, Depero, Marinetti and Norman Douglas. He was also a good friend of Leonide Massine and Pablo Picasso. He died leaving an unfinished but almost perfect work: La Torre di Fornillo.
Read more»Positano for Foodies
There are many great ways to experience the Amalfi Coast and to enjoy its food.
From boat tours to Cooking classes and Hiking to kayaking, you can really choose to experience the Amalfi coast in any way that you want. While these are all wonderful ways to spend your time on the coast, there is now another option.
Italy is known for many things and if you ask around, the most common thing people imagine when they think of Italy… is the food. Italian food is a favorite for millions of people across the world and now there is a tour specifically tailored for the foodies. The Coast Ranges about 25 miles from one end to the other, and in between are any number of the finest authentic Italian Restaurants you have ever experienced.
Walking around Positano in April and May
April and May are beautiful months here in Positano.
The weather becomes warmer but not so hot, clothes shops expose their new collections on display and the scent of linen blends with that of wisteria.
Everybody is happy for the beginning of new season and the Sirocco Wind gives to the town a magic atmosphere.
Everytime I guide my guests around Positano, I like bringing them into some neighborhoods where it’s difficult to see lots of tourists and very easy to find local people and interact with them. In this way the tour of Positano is not only a good idea to have an orientation of The town and to discover its history but it also becomes a unique experience. Local people, infact, love talking with tourists and telling them the stories of their lives.
Positano is also full of stairs and some of them are really vertical, but you don’t feel like a local if you don’t walk on (at least) 150 steps. And if you think that the stairs are just shortcuts, you are wrong: every stair hides a beautiful door, a cat on the roof, an incredible view… all good subjects for a great picture.
April is also the month to have the first gelato or the first granita of the season…
… and it’s strictly forbidden to leave Positano without having seen or tasted our lemons
or without having had a special cocktail
Are these good reasons to come to Positano in April/May?
And if you are here, are you ready to walk with me and to discover the beauties of my hometown?
Have a great day and cheers from Positano!
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