Amalfi Coast: Piacere di Viaggiare
Sipping coffee and enjoying the amazing view from the balcony of the hotel San Pietro Positano. The sea is so blue and calm. In the distance a cruise ship is approaching to spend the day at the Amalfi Coast. I ask for more coffee and my omelet is also served.
Looking out to the sea, I imagine that the small cruise ship has anchored and lowered the first tender boat. It is a short ride to the tender pier in Amalfi. Once the guest arrive ashore , the town of Amalfi is right there, it is literally coming off the boat, cross the street and walk through the entrance gate of the town. At this early your, it is now 8am, is perfect to come ashore and see the locals getting delivered the goods for their stores, setting up the vitrines with the local products like limoncello. If you keep walking a bit up the street, to the right, a bakery: Panificio Apicella is awaiting you with fresh baked breads. A good idea, if you hungry, is just to cross the main square, walk in direction to the sea, to the right, at the corner of the block, you find Pasticceria Savoia, a great selection of pastries to go with your coffee. It is a traditional place where you find also the locals.
By now the scene of the street has changed, the cruise passengers are around, exploring the street, small shops and going up the steps to visit the cathedral which reminds us of the past of Amalfi. The commerce with the East during the middle ages is reflected in the architecture of the Cathedral. The exterior of the cathedral reflects Arab influences. Once up the staircase, turn around and enjoy the view from this vantage point down to Piazza Duomo. Great spot to take some pictures and observe the people wandering around the Piazza.
Keep then walking up the street Via Lorenzo D'Amalfi along which you will find the local ceramic shops which offer shipping so that tourist are able to purchase this beautiful peaces of art. I love the decoration with lemon motives. There are also small boutiques with beautiful linen shirts and dresses, ideal for this hot summer. Keep walking and keep an eye to the left of the street until you find the Museo Della Carta. You may have heard of “Carta di Amalfi” and it is still made hear for the Vatican for example. Inside the Museum you will learn about the art of making paper from cotton. Another Arab influence. In the heyday of the production is said that the Republic of Amalfi had more than 17 paper mills. The museo is amazing and the machinery still works and you see the demonstration during the guided walking tour.
I get interrupted in my thoughts of how the tourist can explore Amalfi by the waiter that has come to let me know that the yacht Morgan 44 is ready. I have chartered it to take me to the Island of Capri. We take the elevator down to the private beach of the hotel. I board and the captain starts the journey. I do accept a glass of champagne to toast to this beautiful sunny day. It is a very smooth ride and soon we are at the Marina Piccola. There I meet with my friend Paolo that will show me the Island. Our plan is to go up to Anacapri, take the lift chair up Mt Solare. Thereafter, we will the Villa San Michele and enjoy lunch at L'Olivo restaurant. The terrace of the restaurant gives you the essence of the Mediterranean lifestyle.
Paolo will also join me on the next day to the archeological site of Pompeii and Herculaneum. Both cities have been destroyed by the eruption of the volcano Vesuvius in the year of 79AD. Besides reading about It, I have seen the movie Pompeii to prepare myself for it.
According to Paolo, during my stay at the Amalfi Coast, we need to reserve one day to visit the Archeological Museum in Naples where the findings of Pompeii are displayed. Of course, it is the city where the Margherita Pizza was created and it will be on our menu for lunch.
We have arrived at the Liftchair and it is time to enjoy it, to experience "la Dolce Vita" of the Amalfi Coast! Arriverderci.
Nenhum comentário:
Postar um comentário