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Sorrento & Amalfi Coast
Spectacular coastline, sun-baked buildings and timeless villages
The Neapolitan Riviera has been an area of fascination for the British from Victorian times. The coastline is spectacular, with craggy cliffs dropping down to tiny beaches, harbours and fishing villages, now interspersed with resorts, such as Sorrento and Amalfi, which have been fashionable for more than a century. The views all along the peninsula are breathtaking, especially of the famous islands of Capri and Ischia and the imposing volcano, Vesuvius, while the hilltop towns offer glimpses of history dating back over a thousand years. This mix of culture and pleasure, relaxation and sightseeing, fashion and history all combine to make this area a truly timeless holiday destination.
time when Vesuvius erupted and painting a vivid picture of life in the days of ancient Rome. Nearby Vesuvius is also worth a visit and a leisurely stroll through the streets of any hilltop town, especially medieval Ravello with its 11th century cathedral, brings the fascinating history of this beautiful area to life.
Cuisine
Italian cuisine is probably the most popular in the world and there is no better area to try it. Apart from the widely available authentic pasta and pizza dishes, the Neapolitan Riviera is deservedly renowned for its wonderful fresh fish and there can be no better setting than one of the many restaurants in the area, overlooking the sea itself. This region produces its own wine, such Lacrimacristi, but wines from all over Italy, from Chianti in the north to Sicily in the south are widely available and don't miss out on the local limoncello' liqueur on offer in every bar and restaurant!
Places to visit
However long your first visit, one thing is sure it won't be long enough! The most famous resort is Sorrento, perched high on a cliff overlooking the Bay of Naples. The town is cosmopolitan, but with a distinctive Italian flair and crammed with interesting curio shops, restaurants and lively bars. Its equally famous counterpart, Amalfi, retains its original fishing village charm with narrow streets and excellent fish restaurants and boasts the Grotto della Smerelda the Emerald Grotto. Celebrities head for Positano, with its smart boutiques and restaurants and best enjoyed using the local resort bus rather than your own car. Or head for the tiny fishing village of Atrani, where it is a delight to wander through the steep alleyways with their houses seemingly clinging to the cliffs. No visit to this area is complete without a boat trip across to the island of Capri, holiday home to many stars. All this and you've hardly started to explore!
Naples
How to get there
All resorts of the Neapolitan Riviera are within 90 minutes drive of Naples Airport, where car hire is readily available. Transfers can be arranged instead of car hire for those properties where car hire is not recommended. Naples Airport is served by daily scheduled flights from the London airports and by several charter services and low-cost carriers on a weekly basis. As an alternative, Rome Airport, with its much wider network of flights from the UK is approximately 3 hours drive.
Positano Ï Ï S. Agata s. Due Golfi
Sorrento & the Amalfi Coast
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History
You just won't be able to escape the history of this area, as virtually every town and village boasts a church or cathedral dating back over a thousand years! However, if you think that's too recent, then head for Pompeii, frozen in
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Average days of sunshine
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