“A dive where the water is bluer” is not only the verse of a song by the great Battisti. There are in fact places that make this fantasy come true and with their colours become part of our imagination, our history, our culture and even our dreams, as in the case of the Amalfi Coast and the Sorrento Coast.
It is about 60 kilometres of breath-taking coastline, along which alternate small coves, isolated beaches and small towns teeming with life, built on rock.
In these enchanted places time seems to stand still and at the same time accelerated, for the intensity of the colours that surround each bay and for the many unforgettable experiences that can be lived. They are magical places, rich in history, cultural, natural, landscape and gastronomic beauty, which are able to conquer the heart and mind of those who visit them.
The Sorrento Coast, which overlooks the Gulf of Naples, is overlooked and guarded by the Lattari Mountains and connected to it, as an extension, is the Amalfi Coast, which overlooks the Gulf of Salerno. Two real jewels to live and safeguard.
Visiting these places. you will be fascinated by the picturesque views that you can see while walking along the paths, by the scents of the citrus groves or by the bright colours of the olive groves, which frame a blue and crystalline sea.
The wonders of these places are also accompanied by the charm of history and its myths, such as the one linked to Punta Campanella, a protected area in one of the most luxuriant stretches of the Italian coast from a naturalistic point of view, included in the WWF heritage, with its ancient Saracen watchtower, overlooking the island of Capri. Its name, according to legend, derives from a bell stolen by the Saracens, who, after having sacked the town, were stopped by a mysterious force and only managed to leave again after having left the bell in the sea. Since then every year, on February 14th, the feast of the patron saint of Sorrento, it is said that it is possible to hear the ringing of the bell underwater.
Sorrento, a wonderful town, full of shops and small artisan shops, is located right in the heart of the Sorrento peninsula. From its municipal villa overlooking the sea, you can admire an extraordinary panorama of Naples and Vesuvius. The famous village, as well as most of the territory of the Sorrento peninsula, offers a varied and wonderful landscape, with views of the sea, the mountains, the deep valleys and the extensive and fascinating terraces of citrus and olive trees.
Another very characteristic village is Sant’Agata sui Due Golfi, so called because it overlooks both the Gulf of Naples and the Gulf of Salerno.
In the southern part of the Gulf of Naples there is Vico Equense: from the top of its Mount Faito, reachable by cable car or along a path, you can enjoy the panoramic view of the entire Sorrento peninsula. It is also worth remembering that the famous multi-starred chef Antonino Cannavacciuolo was born here.
The Amalfi Coast, which has been under UNESCO protection since 1997, is a true corner of paradise, a dream destination for all lovers of the sea, nature, good food and culture. Even Boccaccio in his Decameron talks about this wonderful coast, “full of gardens, fountains and men intent on haggling”.
Amalfi is the town that best represents the Amalfi coast, with its imposing Duomo, which is one of the oldest monuments in the area, its famous paper mills and craft workshops, where paper is still produced by hand and is known worldwide for its quality. It has a rich and fascinating history. Together with Pisa, Genoa and Venice it was one of the Maritime Republics that made the history of the Mediterranean Sea. The Paper Museum is certainly a place to see. It is located inside one of the mills once used for paper processing; the whole Sorrento peninsula, in fact, for centuries was home to an excellent paper-making industry that exploited the wide availability of streams and streams coming from the Lattari Mountains. The Emerald Grotto offers a unique experience with its colours that seem to come from a painter’s canvas.
Another very interesting place to visit is certainly Ravello, which is located in an elevated position above the sea, offering a unique panorama over the whole gulf and where you can walk through the magnificent gardens of the historic Villa Rufolo and Villa Cimbrone.
These places have been the destination of international tourism since the nineteenth century, especially Northern Europeans, and this has also influenced the mentality of the population, making it even more open and welcoming.
Positano, with its three islets Li Galli, which according to legend were a refuge for mermaids, is for example an international tourist resort which is famous all over the world for the handmade production of clothes and sandals. Its colourful houses are almost clinging to the rock, which slopes gently down to the sea; strolling through its narrow streets, full of boutiques and shops is a truly unique and rewarding experience, to be done at least once in a lifetime.
The town of Cetara, on the other hand, is famous for the colatura delle colatura delle alici, a fish sauce with very ancient origins, so much so that it was even mentioned by the philosopher Pliny and is one of the most important food products of the Campania region.
Vietri, the last town on the Amalfi Coast, is famous, above all, for its centuries-old ceramic tradition. The Museo della Ceramica Vietrese, housed in Villa Guariglia in the village of Raito, is another highly recommended stop, as is the Church of San Giovanni Battista, with its majolica dome. Vietri can moreover. be considered the seaside resort of Salerno, the second largest town in Campania; in fact, the Marina beach and the “Due Fratelli” beach, named after the rocks in front of it, contribute to attracting many tourists, local and otherwise.