The picturesque villages on the west coast of Italy on the Gulf of Salerno sparkle like precious jewels - on the Amalfi Coast you are on vacation in one of the most beautiful regions in Europe.
Like a string of pearls, the small, colorful houses nestle close together on the steep terraced slopes. Lemon trees bloom in between, and purple and pink flowers of the miracle flower (bougainvillea) climb up the facades. Gnarled trees provide shade in market squares. And at the bottom lies the deep blue sea, lapping gently from one romantic bay to the next. The Amalfi Coast - a dream vacation destination for all those who love the sweet life, the "Dolce Vita".
The celebrities flock to Positano
One of the most famous places for an Amalfi Coast vacation is Positano. Celebrities often spend luxury honeymoons here, but tourists on a budget will also find their place. They just need to be good walkers: Countless steps lead down to the harbor, where black-haired waiters serve pasta, pizza, mozzarella and fresh fish dishes in small pizzerias with red checkered tablecloths. Naturally with a bottle of the good red wine for which the Amalfi Coast is famous. If you continue along the coastal road to the east, you will reach the small town of Amalfi. The Cathedral of St. Andrea is a major attraction here. A magnificent building from the 11th century. A massive staircase leads to the cool interior - and also to the museum, where the remains of the apostle Andrew are on display. According to the story, he was a fisherman by trade - which makes this the perfect place for him.
Amalfi Coast: vacation in the festival town of Ravello
After getting to know the patron saint of Amalfi in this way, it's time for some refreshment: off to the lemon museum. Admission is free - and we learn how important the citrus fruit was - and still is - for the farmers of the coastal region. Museum founder Luigi Aceto (his favorite saying: "Lemon juice flows in my veins") has proudly collected photos, documents and samples of his family history. While it used to be possible to become wealthy from growing lemons, the work on the steep slopes is hardly worthwhile today. Many lemon terraces are falling into disrepair. The Aceto family therefore grows organic lemons - you can find products made from them in every Italian delicatessen, even here in Germany.
And we continue with culture - we travel along the Amalfi Coast to the famous festival town of Ravello. Legend has it that Richard Wagner found the inspiration for the opulent stage design of his opera "Parsifal" here in 1880. In a creative crisis, in search of himself, Wagner and his wife Cosima traveled to the "Amalfitana" (as Italians call the coast between Sorrento and Salerno). During a walk, they came to a rocky promontory where the wealthy Rufolo family had a palazzo built in the 13th century. The panoramic view from this part of the coast, 340 meters above the Bay of Salerno, is simply dramatic, magical and unforgettable. A postcard motif that helped Wagner to complete his opera - and that we can still feel today. The music festival has been held in Ravello every year since 1953.
Bus trips: Not for the faint-hearted
Important if you are traveling to the Amalfi Coast on vacation by car: The town center of Ravello is closed to cars. A reason for many people to use the inexpensive public bus (a journey costs from 1 euro). We also take it and admire the routine of the bus driver, who speeds along the winding roads, honks his horn cheerfully before every bend and likes to have a chat with the locals during the journey or at the bus stop. He makes up for lost time by stepping on the gas pedal. Not for cowards - and not for passengers who get sick easily. Sit as far forward as possible, then it's better.
Amalfi Coast: a vacation where time stands still
A vacation on the Amalfi Coast also means enjoying the beauty of Sorrento's white beaches. Some are made of pebbles, others of fine sand - and they are all located in small sheltered bays overlooking the open sea. It couldn't be more beautiful. The beach at Marina Piccola is just a few minutes from the center of Sorrento. We walk down a steep staircase carved out of the mountain. The view over the blue Gulf of Naples is magnificent. Once at the bottom, we rent two sun loungers with parasols - it's worth the 10 euros, after all, we want to stay the whole day. We put the towels on the loungers and then head into the water. If you swim a few meters out of the bay, you can see the rocky coast from a different, picturesque angle. The sky is blue, a few fish pass by in the water below. Time seems to stand still - this is the Amalfi Coast, this is vacation...
Capri at sunset ...
Back on the lounger, we browse. Our lounger neighbors are English. They also dive - and rave about the coral reefs near Praiano. Another jewel of the Amalfi Coast, located between the towns of Positano and Amalfi. But we have other plans for the next day. Inspired by the locals, we hire a scooter, a rattling Vespa, for two days. Traveling along the Amalfi Coast, letting the wind blow around our noses - that would be great! What we underestimate is the traffic...
No German can drive like an Amalfi Italian, it's better to accept it. So we are the only ones who close the chin strap on our helmets. And the only ones who don't honk. Nevertheless, we are greeted at every café and marketplace with a friendly nod from the village elders, who sip their espresso in comfort - an honor. And what is the first thing they talk to us about and congratulate us on? The soccer World Cup. We thank them just as warmly. In the evening, we drive to the southernmost point of the Sorrento peninsula. To marvel at the much-sung-about Capri at sunset. Oh - and we find it just as beautiful and romantic as our parents once did...