Typical Excurtion

Written by cerv4ntes

Tuesday, 20 January 2009 21:55

Welcome to this section of our web site.

What follows is a typical day trip on the Amalfi coast just like one of the hundreds I’ve got driving people along this amazing coast line and always unique because, as I like to say, people I drive are different, weather is different, I fell different…depending on the feeling with my guest!!!
This mean you can have an unforgettable day and you have an active part on it as I’m very sensitive on what you look for, what are you needs, what you like more.
About 45 km south of Naples there is Sorrento, the town where I live. I like to consider this town the homebase from where one can start their tour along a breath-taking coastline where one can find trendy resort towns, ancient ruins, and enchanting islands.

The coast stretching south of Naples is filled with temptations. From our home base in Sorrento, we explore the Amalfi Coast stopping in the towns of Positano, Amalfi and Ravello.
Wedged on a ledge under the mountains and over the sea, adorned with lemon and orange groves, Sorrento is an attractive resort of 20,000 residents and — in the summer — as many tourists.
Sorrento is well-located both as a springboard for regional sightseeing and as a fine place to simply stay and stroll, and this just an hour south of wild and crazy Naples city.
The best period to come and visit is spring when weather is not too warm, the town is not too busy and above all, walking on the road you can smell the magnificent flowers of the local plants and vegetation just blooming in this period (End of April- Beginning of May).

Sorrento was founded by the Greeks about 7 hundreds years before Christ. In fact, the name Sorrento comes from the Greek word for Siren. On his legendary Odyssey, Ulysses sailed by and overcame the treacherous lure of the seductive sirens who lived here. In doing so, he opened this area up to colonization. To the ancient Greeks, places like Sorrento were the Wild West.
The town's original Greek street plan survives running east–west for the most sunlight and north–south for the prevailing and cooling breeze. While the breeze is welcome in the summer, even in ancient times, documents report of locals complaining about the cold winter wind.
From the old center, an ancient lane zigzags down to the Marina Grande — Sorrento's historic harbor. Just before reaching the harbor, you pass through an ancient Greek gate, a reminder that Marina Grande was always a separate town with its own proud residents.

Sorrentines believe that because this section of town was locked outside the fortified wall during pirate raids. Sorrentines still scare their children by saying, "Behave — or the Turks will take you away." So there were different people living in the fishing area of Marina Grande; Sorrentines central citizens use to say that people from there were different because they were a mixture of civilization made by Italian and Turkish. The port's economy is still based on its colorful fishing fleet...and more recently its many seafood restaurants.

During a balmy Sorrento evening, the streets are filled with people enjoying a friendly leisurely walks. For many, a stop at the gelateria is a regular part of the family night out.
Sorrento is the ideal home base for exploring the stunning Amalfi Coast. Tourists line up each morning, packing the buses for a memorable daytrip.
Hiring a driver is the best way to enjoy the coast line. The road is very narrow and one needs to be careful in order to concentrate on the road and the scenic views. It is more economical to hire a driver due to gas prices and parking fee’s which are very expensive on the Amalfi coast.
A local driver will show you the best restaurants, shops, and interesting places.

The Amalfi Coast can be chaotic but very scenic. With its breathtaking scenery, dramatically perched port towns, and historic ruins, the Amalfi is Italy's coast with the most. The trip south from Sorrento is one of the world's great road trips. You'll gain respect for the Italian engineers who first built the road — and even more respect for the bus drivers who drive it. Amazing hotels and villas cling to the vertical terrain. And beautiful sandy coves tease from far below. You will view the Mediterranean in its entire splendor.
Positano hangs on the most spectacular stretch of the coast. There is just one street going down to the heart of the town allowing motorized traffic — the rest are steep pedestrian lanes. Because bus access is so limited and hotels don't take large groups, the town — unlike Sorrento — has been spared the impact of big-bus tourism. There are about 4,000 residents. It's a pleasant gathering of cafés, galleries, and boutiques. There's little to do here but eat, window-shop, and enjoy the beach and views…and that's exactly the way many visitors enjoy.

The village sits in a ravine, with narrow pedestrian-only alleys that cascade down to the harbor. The "skyline" looks like it did a century ago — strict building codes prevent modern structures. The town's shallow rooftop domes are filled with sand. These provide insulation — cool in summer and warm in winter. Many of the best Amalfi Coast views are just south of Positano. You'll see several medieval watch towers built to warn of Turkish or Saracen pirate attacks.
The Amalfi Coast is named for this town. After Rome fell, Amalfi emerged as an independent republic. In the 10th century, Amalfi was a maritime power with a trading fleet that controlled the region. It competed with Genoa, Venice and Pisa.

The Republic of Amalfi minted its own coins and established the "rules of the sea" — the basics of which survive today. But in 1343, this little powerhouse was devastated by a Tsunami. The disaster compounded by a deadly plague, left Amalfi as a humble backwater.
Today the shipyards where its powerful galleys were built a thousand years ago house tourist shops and the former glory of Amalfi's pint-sized empire is remembered on this tiled map. But tourists seem oblivious to the towns illustrious past. They're here to enjoy the good life under the Amalfi sun.
These days the local economy is based on tourism. The local churches dedicated to Saint Andrew are unbelievable. Its fanciful façade is neo-Byzantine dating only from the 19th century. But the bronze door at the main entrance is a thousand years old, given to Amalfi by a wealthy local merchant who had it made in Constantinople.
The cathedral is richly decorated. Behind its fine 13th-century wooden crucifix, a painting showing St. Andrew martyred on an X-shaped cross. And St. Andrew himself is buried here. Holy relics were sources of power in the middle Ages. Like Venice, it needed the bones of St. Mark to get on the pilgrimage map; Amalfi got St. Andrew — one of the apostles who left his nets to join the original "fishers of men."
St. Andrew's remains were brought here from Constantinople in 1206 during the Crusades—that's an indication of the wealth and importance of Amalfi back then. Saint Andrew is near and dear to the people of Amalfi because he's credited with saving the town from certain pillage and plunders in the 1500s during a pirate raid. Just when a horrible attack seemed inevitable…a freak storm hit and the pirate ship was destroyed.
This plank is all that remains of that ship. This and other treasures of the cathedral are well displayed in the adjacent museum. The Angevin Mitre, with a "pavement of tiny pearls" setting off its gold and gems, has been worn by bishops since the 14th century.

The "Cloister of Paradise" is a peaceful as well as evocative place for a shady rest. Its graceful columns protect stone sarcophagi as this was the cemetery of Amalfi's nobles. The bell tower with its majolica tiles — a regional specialty — stands high above the cathedral.
From Amalfi the tour goes on to Ravello which is built up on a Mountain (about 1800 feet above the sea level). From this gorgeous tiny town you will have an amazing view of the bay of Salerno. Ravello is famous for its villas, Villa Cimbrone and Villa Rufolo. In the second one, the famous musician Richard Wagner spent much of his time there. During one of the several accommodation in Ravello, the legend says he got the inspiration to write the his famous opera “Parsifal”.
Usually I like to recommend this town for lunch. Here you can have delicious meals at a reasonable price because you are far from the very touristy places and the dangerous tourist traps. After a good lunch, you are ready to visit the magnificent villas. Nap time is eminent. And your driver won’t mind a bit!

Last Updated on Tuesday, 20 January 2009 22:32