Amalfi Coast — the adventure decade

Dreams come to reality...

along the Amalfi Coast. The day after Graduation, my grandma, mom, sister and I took a three generation girl's trip to Italy. Have you ever dreamed of those pictures of Positano? Well, that was me for over a year and it truly exceeded all expectations. From the food to the views to the weather, this week in Italy could not have been any more perfect. Usually I like to plan my own trips, but this one was a gift and booked through Perillo Tours.

Itinerary for the Perfect "Circa Napoli" Vacation:

Day 1: Arrival, push through jet lag, relax
Day 2: Amalfi Coast Driving Tour
Day 3: Capri, Anacapri, Blue Grottos
Day 4: Pompeii and Mt. Vesuvius
Day 5: Gourmet Tour
Day 6: Day Off and Beach
Day 7: Amalfi Coast by Boat

You can save all photos to Pinterest to remember this post with "pin it" at the top left of every photo.

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Orientation

Where is the Amalfi Coast?

The Amalfi Coast is in the Campania Region of Italy and one of the most famous and picturesque places in the world. The region is home to not only the Amalfi Coast, but also Naples, Sorrento, Capri, Pompeii, and many other sites you may have heard of. The Amalfi Coast on the opposite side of the Gulf of Naples.

How do I get there?

By air: you want to fly into the Naples Airport (NAP). It's then about a €45 shuttle fare to Sorrento. From there, take buses or ferries to wherever you want to go on the coast!

By train: From Rome, train fares to Naples can be as cheap as €15! Find more out here!

Where should I stay?

Staying in the cute hotels tucked in Positano are so dreamy, but for a full week, it's so expensive! We stayed in Boutique Hotel Helios in Sorrento (the Bay of Naples side of the coast) and it was perfect. Sorrento is a wonderful town itself with old cobblestone streets and lined with restaurants and shops. In that downtown area, you can book driving and boat tours to the coast, Pompeii day trips, gourmet tours, and more. It's the most centrally located and efficient place to stay.

What is normal to tip?

Tipping is not the same in Europe. You can expect to tip €2-5, or if it's stellar service, no more than €10!

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What we did...

Day 1: Arrival, push through jet lag, relax

I love overnight flights because I was somehow blessed with the gift of being able to sleep anywhere, the whole time, and wake up in a new place with the sensation that I teleported. There are a lot of suggestions for adjusting to a time change but I'm a big advocate for just pushing through the day, not taking a nap, and going to bed when it's night. Works for me every time! We arrived to Boutique Hotel Helios in Sorrento at noon, settled in, soaked up some sun, and went to the old section of Sorrento for dinner.

Day 2: Amalfi Coast Driving Tour

Right away, we wanted to see the Amalfi Coast. This can be done by car or boat and we started out with the car! Our lovely driver took us to Positano, Amalfi (it's also an actual town), Priano, and Ravello. We stopped at least an hour in each spot, but could ask to stay longer or shorter if we wanted. Having a private driver gives you lots of flexibility, but be prepared for some stressful turns! If you're easily carsick, this isn't your move...

Day 3: Capri, Anacapri, Blue Grottos

Capri is simply a must-see. From Sorrento, we booked a day trip to the island. Most companies pick you up from your hotel, drive you to the marina, put you on a ferry, provide a sandwich, and either take you around with them around the island, or let you take it at your own pace. You can expect to pay: €50 boat ride, €29 blue grotto, €22 bus fares around the island, and €11 chair lift to the top for the best views. It's a pricey day, but SO worth it. On the way back to Sorrento, we went through the famous lover's arch! Make sure you check out both Capri and Anacapri (little town on the other side of the island).

The blue grottos are so famous, and rightly so. The electric blues were unlike anything I've ever seen. Unfortunately, seeing the grottos is very weather dependent and they even open and close during the same day. You just have to cross your fingers you go on a good day!

In case you were wondering how deep it is…

Day 4: Pompeii and Mt. Vesuvius

If you're into history or ever took Latin, Pompeii is a MUST. Since it was preserved for so long in ash, it felt like I went back in time. The paintings, bathhouses, fountains, and every detail are frozen in time. After checking out the city, we climbed up to the top of Mount Vesuvius and saw inside the volcano and view of the bay.

Day 5: Gourmet Tour

You can't go anywhere in Italy without appreciating the food. We went to the rolling hills an enjoyed a private tour, amazing food, wine, cheese, and prosciutto!

Day 6: Day Off and Beach

As much as I like to explore, I love to just enjoy a day at the beach.

Day 7: Amalfi Coast by Boat

On the last day of the trip, my mom and I took a boat trip along the coast. It was amazing to take some time, just the two of us. We had amazing talks and so many laughs. There's nothing like quality time with your mom.

This trip was so dreamy. It couldn't have gone better. Headed to the Amalfi Coast soon? Let me know if there are any questions! Also, I'd be happy to plan a more in depth itinerary for you. Check out my travel planning here.