Amalfi (Campania, Italy)

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From a paper map, Amalfi looks a complete nonstarter: a fat thumb of precipitous limestone sticking rudely into the Mediterranean just south of Naples, with barely a beach or decent road to its name.

However the spectacular scenery of the Amalfi coast and local islands, with its vineyards, citrus and olive groves, almond trees, oleanders, camellias and bougainvillea, have proved irresistible to tourists and consequently has proved one of the most popular tourist destinations in Italy. Amalfi offers a temperate climate, impressive coastal scenery and a compact, picturesque centre of narrow, sloping streets, gracefully ageing white-render houses and lots of steps. A very busy coast road runs through the town, which measures ¼ ml from N to S and E to W and whose centre is dominated by the Cathedral (or duomo) of St Andrews.

Bustling cafes and concessions line the modern seafront promenade, which overlooks the narrow beach and moored boats in the small harbour. At the SE point stands the tower of Amalfi, an ancient look-out point can be found. Cars need special passes to enter the historic centre; otherwise they are limited to the coast road.

Locality:

Located almost a third of the way up the boot of Italy, on the Gulf of Salerno. 16 mls SW of Salerno, 21 mls NE of Sorrento, 5 mls SW of Ravello. 170 mls SE of Rome. 39 mls SE of Naples and its airport. Amalfi faces south on the mountainous peninsula separating the gulfs of Salerno and Naples. The town straggles up a steep, terraced valley dominated by rugged, wooded mountains.

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Amalfi is a big hit with scenery and culture lovers. Walkers are presented with a system of footpaths (some steep) lacing the Sorrento/Amalfi peninsula and the mountains. Some of the resort's gradients may not be suited to those with mobility difficulties.

Accommodation here consists mostly of hotels, some with real character ranging from 5-star luxury to homely 2-star B&Bs. There are also a variety of holiday rental apartments and villas located mainly outside the historic centre, in outstandingly scenic situations.

For beach lovers there is a highly organised beach with light grey sand with safe swimming and a relaxed atmosphere all around.

Shoppers are graced with a lovely range of small shops selling food, gifts, ceramics, beachwear, leather goods and typical Italian handicrafts most of which located around quaint cobbled streets.

Popular entertainment here is centred around lazing on the beach, water sports or watching the world go by from one of the numerous cafes on the sea front or the cathedral square. Exploring the town is also popular, including the 11th-century cathedral, the associated "Cloister of Paradise" with its arches and palm-tree-inspired decoration, a museum housing medieval and ecclesiastical treasures, and an old Gothic arsenal. There are a number of religious celebrations throughout the year; art exhibitions, concerts and folk celebrations in July and Aug.

Local excursions consist of half day trips to Grotta dello Smeraldo, with its amazing stalactites; Ravello, with its churches, villas and glorious coastal views; spectacular coastal drive from Castellamare to Minori, taking in picturesque villages. Full day options consist of shopping in Naples; visiting nearby Vesuvius and ancient Roman ruins at Pompeii and Herculaneum; ancient site of Paestum; islands of Capri and Ischia.

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Population: 58.103.000
Languages: Italian (official); German-, French-, and Slovene-
Currency: euro
Currency code: EUR
Local Times:
Italy - Rome

Italy - Rome

Country Dialling Code: +39
Voltage: 127/220V 50Hz
Electrical plugs:
'Schuko' type with two earth connectors on the sides

'Schuko' type with two earth connectors on the sides

2 circular prongs aligned with earth connector

Italy is often described as an open-air art gallery - every town and village seems to have a beautiful little church to wander round or a historic square where you can sit and enjoy a cappuccino. You will stumble over theatres and other buildings dating back to ancient Greek and Roman times. Visit Roman ruins, gawk at Renaissance art, stay in tiny medieval hill towns, go skiing in the Alps, explore the canals of Venice and gaze at beautiful churches. Naturally you can also indulge in the pleasures of la dolce vita : good food, good wine and improving your wardrobe.

Italy dips down out of Europe and into the Mediterranean like a women's leg firmly planted in a sleek stiletto, so it's hardly surprising that Italians are known for their impeccable style and fashionable dress sense. They're also known for once having an empire that stretched across the globe, and for having the most spectacular churches, frescos, sculptures and Renaissance paintings in all of Europe.

The Italy of today is littered with the relics of more than 3,000 years of history, and an atmosphere that ranges from the Armani-wearing-scooter-driving-espresso-drinking buzz of its cities to the quiet, pastoral existence of its hillside olive farms and seaside fishing villages.

From the depths of the canals in Venice, which floats on a series of islands in an Adriatic lagoon, and the bleached sands of San Remo on the Riviera, to the rocky crags of the Alps, Dolomites and Apennines, Italy has everything from beach holidays to luxury mountain ski resorts.

Italy's cities reveal awe-inspiring architecture from the curved arches of the Ponte Vecchio in Florence to the crumbling magnificence of the Colisseum in Rome. Home of da Vinci, Michelangelo, Carvaggio and Botticelli, its artworks are a visual delight to all visitors.

Nestled into the outskirts of Rome is the independent Vatican City, the seat of the Pope and home to the famous St Peter's Basilica and the Sistine Chapel. The influence of the Holy Catholic Church on the people of Italy is still evident today in a series of holy festivals, carnivals, and parades involving young and old alike in almost every city, town and village.