How do you vacation on one of the most stunning, but treacherous coastlines in the world? Carefully buckle up. We’re going to the Amalfi Coast. Choosing your home base is important. So, let’s start by getting oriented with the area. My favorite towns are Amalfi, Positano, Ravello and cop Creek. Amalfi is charming. It’s loaded with shops restaurants and narrow alleyways that open up to a beautiful Piazza with the majestic Duomo Cathedral and there are beach clubs right on the marina. One of the best things to do when you visit the Amalfi Coast is to actually make a Amalfi your home base, because it’s easy to pick up the ferry from the Amalfi port here and then you can go to Positano. You can go to Praiano. You can go to Sorrento or you can go to, of course, the island of Capri, but Amalfi is perfectly located between all of these towns as well as one of my favorites, Ravello.
There are several ways to get to the Amalfi Coast. From Naples you can drive, take a ferry, hop a bus or take a taxi. If you want to drive it’s definitely an experience if you’re brave. Take the coast If you want a less stressful route coming through a fellow and down to Amalfi, you’ll thank me later. As for parking, It’s not easy. So be sure to ask your hotel about this in advance and make sure you time your arrival, because of certain times of the day. No cars are permitted in or out of town usually from 11:00 to 1:00. I found that out the hard way. You can also take the ferry from Naples to Capri or Sorrento and then to Amalfi. Taking a taxi by far the easiest and least stressful way of getting there from Naples. It will cost around 120 US dollars and my best piece of advice, travel lightly as in carry-on and backpack. It is stressful enough getting around down here. You do not need the headache of schlepping luggage for me. The Amalfi Coast is all about soaking up the sun and indulging in a food scene. That is all about freshness and simplicity. The Amalfi Coast is a lifestyle and I’m going to show you how to do it starting with Positano.
The best way to travel between some of the cities like Positano and Amalfi and Sorrento is by ferry and you can see the view isn’t too bad either, and the best part about the ferry is that if you’re in the mood exactly the bartender and the cocktails. I think I will have something to drink. I Will have a wine. White please. So, it may be in a little Dixie cup, but it’s going to go down smooth. When you get off the ferry and walk towards the beach, you’ll see several small speed boats that will take you to some private beach clubs and that is exactly where I’m headed. My favorite boggy daddy Enzo and you must call ahead for reservation. These beach clubs are so much fun, because they’re private. They take you away from all of the tourists and crowds and you can have lunch there as well. This is why you come to the Amalfi Coast. After a day on the beach at Vagnie Lenzo, you come up to the bar restaurant area to have a lunch. I have Prosciutto Mozzarella, which is one of my favorite things to eat when I go to the beach clubs and I’m laying out all day and you want to keep it light because you’ve been baking in the sun and then if you’re a little bit hungry or as I am today, I ordered the house specialty which is the Mochi with the clams and cherry tomatoes. Again, all fresh ingredients straight from the sea… Mmm…The clam is tender. It’s the perfect lunch.
When you get back to Positano wine through the narrow streets and shops you’ll find a ton of places to explore and yes, there are people everywhere.
After a quick wardrobe change it was back to Positano on the ferry for dinner. Tonight, I’m headed to La Tagliata, so grab a taxi enjoy the ride and don’t drive there yourself. The town and restaurant sit high above Positano overlooking what seems like the world. Do not drive there yourself. The drive is death-defying. What I won’t do for a meal!? Take the elevator down and get ready to meet the family. Wanna say ciao Wanna say it, huh?
Look at those charcoals. Look at the girls. Look at this meet. After meeting the family, it was time for a walk through LA Tagliatas’s amazing hillside farm. And the Raffaello started me out in the wine cellar, he’s all the rats the other party we have the white Powerfully and the other are parties’ friends, okay This is just fascinating. Look at us. From the cellar we headed to the farm. Look at the view. This is incredible. This Impressive hillside farm is where La Tagliata sources their ingredients from for some seriously fresh farm-to-table menu. It’s right. So sweet these are the kind of cherry tomatoes. Yes, In the morning we make all the with the limoncello with these. Is that a wild boar in the back? Yes. He wants to come out. These are love queens, these are the regular. closer look at the eggs Exactly. How often do they do the eggs?
We make some frittata Depends how often do they produce the egg. Every day. One every day!? Holy smokes.
So if you’re on the Amalfi Coast La Tagliata is not to be missed. Today I’m headed to Ravello for a little shopping and some killer views. I am in Ravello Italy the hidden gem of the Amalfi Coast. If you thought the Amalfi Coast couldn’t be more spectacular think again, because Ravello is one seriously beautiful spot. My advice is to start the morning with a cappuccino in the Piazza, take in the views and then wander the alleyways lined with shops and don’t throw away your empty water bottle because you’re never too far from a water fountain and you definitely want to stay hydrated. That is so cool.
One of the things you have to do when you’re on the Amalfi Coast is come to Ravello and buy ceramics, this is the capital of ceramics. Elena is a great shop I was here a few years ago and met with margarita de Palma and I can’t wait to come back in and see her. If you’d like to buy some of the most beautiful ceramics in the world this is the place. It’s a must stop for me when I visit Ravello and it’s always a treat to chat with owner Margarita de Palma. She and her store are over the top. This business started in 1957. My mom and my father started very little. She kept telling me that when she started, she had a little store. The things were only in the front, because they had no money to fill the back and the business is more or less 61 years old, because from 1957 till now we have four stores with the big showing showroom and factories. In addition to the landscape and bright colors of the coast ceramics in Ravello also reflect the influence of many cultures have had on the area throughout history that shows in every piece we make with passion. The passion for the art and the passion for the beauty and we combine earth, wind and fire with the human touch and that gives you the idea of any piece we make and it’s inspired about the beauty of the view. All the colors will show you the sun, the sea, and the flowers because they’re all bright colors and there’s some pretty cool modern history here, too. When Jackie Kennedy was in Ravello she was in the store. What great history it was in 1962, because they’re supposed to come back the year after when the president was shot. She’s been here three times and she was sent here by Oprah. Really?
Yes, and in the meantime, we got many movie stars, like Dustin Hoffman. Sure, Susan Sarandon, Bob Saget Marvin. Come in for a closer look, it’s time to shop. What is this? That’s a barbecue. Oh wow! That to get puts a different look and fee. Wow, this is really interesting. If you’re worried about getting your ceramics home in one piece don’t. The dish is going to the dishwasher and you can see I’ll sturdy there. Wow, that’s great. I can use some of these for dinner.
It was back to Amalfi and at night this place lights up. Cousy atmosphere is electric. I am headed to da Gemma trattoria in Amalfi. This restaurant is really a treat, because the best part is it has a beautiful terrace overlooking the beautiful alleyway in Amalfi and very authentic food from Campania and flavors and of course very heavy in seafood. The terrace at de Gemma is romantic and dimly lit. I love everything about what is on the table tonight. It is a color wheel. Wow, okay, where do we begin with some selection overall fish?
The flavor of this fish, which I have never had before! it is light. It is juicy. It is a bit oily. It is fabulous This has my name all over it. I love meat and look at how beautiful that is. The fat, the ham. This is going down easy. Beautiful fresh linguini pasta with, of course, the Cherry tomatoes and fresh local Langostino or the Lobster. Wow, Cherry tomato, black truffle. It’s like an explosion of garlic taste in my mouth. It is outstanding. It is all the other pieces of the meat, except the filet. So, this is the rest of the cow Sweet, super.
If I could be shipwrecked on any island, it would have the most jaw-dropping beach club and a town center with the most incredible Italian fashion. Welcome to the Isle of Capri If you like the vacation where Roman emperors soaked up the sun you’ve come to the right place. When you arrive at the marina, you’ll see a mob of people lining up to take the funicular to the town center. The funicular drops you off right outside Piazza Umberto. In the heart of town center, you’ll find everything here. From shops to cafes. I’m on Capri and going to the absolute best beach club, da Luigi. It’s a walk, it’s hot, it is so gonna be worth it. Let’s go. If you have a hard time with stairs, this is not the place for you. After descending what seems like hundreds of stairs, oh and with the most spectacular views of the Farag Leone. Those are the big rocks jutting out of the water. You’ll eventually get to de Luigi. You’ll need to make a reservation ahead of time and be sure to request a chaise lounge. So, here’s how you do this. No, not after soaking up the sun and yes, we had to go back up all of those stairs. We decided to skip the ferry back and instead spend the night on the island and that means shopping for some new threads.
I could literally spend all afternoon shopping in these stores. I made my way to one of my favorite stores for Italian fashion on Capri, Enzo Coppola. At Enzo Coppola, you will meet Papa Enzo the owner who isn’t far from his tape measure. The staff is incredible. It will totally make you feel at home and you’ll pick up the best and most unique clothing. No one will have these items back home. So buy something. One of my favorite Italian brands is Ganesh. The selection was incredible. So, of course, I had to do some damage.
So, tell me Valentina, about the outfit I bought tonight. So, what is this? An amazing jacket from a futon which means future. Okay and your favorite. Yes, I love it. This outfit is a killer and the colors scream Capri and when you are vacationing and when you’re in Europe to take in everything that these beautiful people have to offer, from the passion to the culture. Try buying some clothes. Try putting yourself right in the moment as if you are living here. It is absolutely something that you have to do when you come to the island of Capri. Embody it 100%.
After a little shopping it was off to dinner. No specific recommendations. Everything’s a little pricey and just, yeah, but let’s face it. You’re not here for the food. A vintage taxi ride back to our room and then time to head back up to the mainland in the morning. This is totally worth the experience. Fiat convertible taxi. Stepping outside the Amalfi Coast for a true taste of Italian life. I made my way about two hours south to Cassava Leno on the coast. Dona the chilling tacos. I am in Costa Chile Donna and there is all kinds of crazy going on. I have lost my credit card in a parking machine and we are racing to catch a boat to sail alongside the coast for lunch with my friend Sandra, let’s go for a boat ride. Coming on board I was welcomed by Giorgio, Alicia, Valaria and the rest of the da Vecchio family. This was so cool. Party on the Mediterranean, champagne, dancing and boats I’m saying. The boat ride was awesome and a little bit scary. Though I had no idea just how scary things are about to get, especially when Giorgio turned over the wheel. About half way to Ainuro we met up with Georgio’s brother. It was time for a little swimm.
Getting tossed from the tube I immediately felt something wrong with my finger. Not sure whether it was bruised or broken. We made a splint and kept on going. Arriving to Palinuro is breathtaking. Coming to the cove we joined up with the rest of the boats, took a dip and poped some Prosecco. So, if you haven’t done this yet with two fingers taped together as a splint and open a bottle of Prosecco do it now.
What I especially loved was learning about Italians and like not just because I am Italian, but to really get a feel of what the Italian life is all about. So, I learned what this weekend is about and what this boatride was all about.
From learning how to play Napolitano cards. Which I did not understand, to a little crazy dancing. This was the perfect way to spend the day, with family Italians, who most definitely know what to do on the weekend and this was it. Grazie Mille to the Delvecchio family for showing me what life is truly about.
Thank you for sharing your boat and your hospitality.
From there it was time to get a taste of life on the mainland and what better way to taste silento than by visiting the home of Buffalo Mozzarella. I’m headed to Tenuta Chirico for a cheese tasting and tour of the farm. Muradha is made with cows milk, Buffalo Mozzarella is made with buffalo milk and Buffalo mozzarella comes only from here, from this region in Chilento. This is a dream come true for me. This is like everything I’ve ever wanted. Owner Silvia sat us down for the most amazing and delicious cheese tasting ever and truly there was nothing like it. It was so fresh and so different than anything I’ve ever had and certainly anything I’ve had that’s been called Buffalo Mozzarella back home and there’s a reason for that. The buffalo mozzarella we get in the States must be pasteurized.
For safety, which basically means it doesn’t taste that good. Mozzarella with myrtle leaves. It’s very light. It’s very fragrant It’s really delicious. I mean I don’t even know how to describe it, because I haven’t had something like this. The difference is the flavor and it’s a pop of juiciness in my mouth and then a sweeter ricotta. Wow, it’s like whipped cream. It’s so light. Come to Tenuta Chirico for the best cheese experience you will ever have here in Chilento, Italy. For a sweet breakfast in Chilento you must try Bar Pasticceria Franco which has some gorgeous desserts. From the cappuccino, to the authentic Italian bakery, you do not get more fresh and more local than this.
The pastry was literally a work of art. I Met up again with Sandra who introduced me to owner and pastry chef Gaetano Capello. The desserts are incredible and just like Naples. I got a quick education on the pastry. Well normally, we don’t need to salte breakfast. We normally have a sweet breakfast. Do I need to go home? Yep, it’s broken And that means this is a wrap. So, it was time to head back to Naples and as they say que sera sera.
