A memoir of journeys made

My cousin and I were planning to go on a month long backpacking trip in Europe. Our list of places to visit was so long, I could feel myself getting a headache just thinking of what route we’re going to take while taking into consideration the budget. We did agree on two things: we will be going to Vienna to visit a good friend AND go to Italy’s Amalfi Coast. Unfortunately for my cousin, she wasn’t able to join me because of work. I still managed to go on a trip and do those two but with different companions.

Amalfi is beautiful!

As I’m typing this, I would have to say that Amalfi Coast is the most beautiful place I’ve seen here in Europe. To get there, you could either catch a flight to Rome then take a train to Naples then Amalfi OR fly to Naples then go to Amalfi OR you could also book a Mediterranean cruise. While over there, there were several cruise ships around the coast. But it still wasn’t as crowded with tourists as the rest of Italy. Probably since it was already early fall (mid-September)?

Breathtaking Positano!♥

Amalfi Coast is a 50km stretch of coastline along the province of Salerno in Southern Italy.  It is composed of 13 municipalities. Around 7 of which we have seen: Amalfi, Positano, Ravello, Maiori, Minori, Scala and Vietri sul Mare. The rest being Tramonti, Atrani, Conca dei Marini, Furore, Praiano, and Cetara. It’s said that Amalfi Coast is also known as “the land of the Sirens,” referring to Homer’s epic “Odysseus.” It has been declared a UNESCO World Heritage site as a cultural landscape because of its unique scenery as well as its indisputable beauty: jagged cliffs bordered by crystal clear waters of the sea; whitewashed (sometimes colorful) villas built on mountain slopes; flowers abloom and trees (mostly of lemon) abundant; and clear skies all combine for a spectacular view!

I travelled with my friend Ania in Italy for 9days. Wanting to save some money, we stayed in a hostel that’s walking distance from Salerno’s train station. After a quick change of clothes, we got on a bus bound for Amalfi. We bought the €3 day ticket. It was a very zigzaggy route but it was soooo picturesque! The one hour trip passed by quickly since I was just enchanted with what I was looking at! It is a must to ride a bus when here!

My friend got a bit of motion sickness hehe

A map of the coast painted on ceramics :)

Amalfi town used to be a maritime superpower. During the 800s it was the capital of the Duchy of Amalfi, a maritime republic which was considered an economic powerhouse and an important trading power in the Mediterranean. Built in the 11th century, you can visit the Cathedral of St. Andrew where in its crypt are buried the remains of St. Andrew, the first disciple of Jesus.

St. Andrew’s Cathedral

Wanting to make the most of our day card, we decided to catch the sunset in Ravello, a scenic town that’s perched high up in the mountains, 350meteres above sea level. To get there, we just went back to where the buses were parked in Amalfi and caught the one that’s headed to Ravello. Up there, they were producing limoncello (you can have a sip which we thought was a good way of warming us up coz it was relatively cold up there) and ceramics with beautiful designs on it. When it got too cold for us (we were just wearing very light dresses), we headed back down to Amalfi and from there got on a bus to Salerno.

Catching the sunset in Ravello’s piazza

We wanted to start early the next day but we kinda overlsept so we were in a hurry to get to Amalfi. Once in Amalfi, we again rode a bus but this time, towards Positano. It may seem that we were spending too much time in buses whilst there but it was alright with us since it allowed us to see much of the coastline. Plus riding a bus there seems to be an adventure especially if you’re seated near the driver. The road is narrow (barely enough for two vehicles side by side) that when at curves, cars have to give way to each other! It’s a bit troublesome when we’re by a curve and if the oncoming cars were driven by visitors in the area because it seems that they’re so used to wide roads that they won’t really move to the side for fear of scratching their vehicles that it doesn’t give our bus much space to get by. What’s funny though is when our driver would shout instructions to them to say… move backward, turn more to the left (or the right) and close their side view mirror so that we could pass by. I found it totally entertaining! :D

Looking up at Positano :)

Amongst the towns we’ve seen in Amalfi Coast, Positano is our hands down favorite. It is enchanting! Bellissima!!! It’s beauty earned for it the title “the pearl of the divine coast.” However, it is also probably because of this beauty that’s why it’s the most expensive place there. It is the most visited place in the coast of Amalfi. The town is also known for its clothing and shoe production. I was going to buy a handswen sandals worth €70. Alas, I thought twice about it! Oh well, guess I’ll have to come back again for one! :D

Enjoying the summer (well, early autumn) sunshine! :D

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