Sunshine on the Amalfi Coast

This past spring I had the opportunity to take a trip back to one of my most favorite countries in the world, Italy! My adventure did not consist of many plans and in fact we ended up flying by the seat of our pants for most of the trip. One location I did not expect to visit was the Amalfi Coast, but when my travel companions suggested it, I of course was all-in! I had made two other trips around the country in years past and had always dreamed of traveling to the Amalfi Coast. We only went for a few days, and it was a big adventure to get there after a quick stop in Rome, but so worth it to finally see this beautiful region of Italy.

One of the highlights of our trip was exploring Amalfi, a tiny little town that can easily be seen in just a few hours. During the off-season you can spend a bit of time at one of the waterfront restaurants or bars for a caffe or aperitivo and a gorgeous view of the ocean. Be sure to walk out on the pier and down to the harbor where all the boats are docked.

The Duomo, or Cattedrale di Sant’Andrea, was another highlight of Amalfi. It sits on the main piazza as soon as you walk into town and is most recognizable by both its long steps up to the front doors and its bell-tower with a brightly tiled cupola.

We traveled through the area in April, which was not quite high-season and meant a quiet and uncrowded visit. Typically this area is a big summer destination for its beautiful weather and beaches. I definitely recommend making a point of visiting the Amalfi Coast if you’re traveling to Italy as it’s absolutely wonderful!

Transportation to the Amalfi Coast can be a little tricky. I recommend taking the Trenitalia from Rome (or Naples) to Salerno, which is the main city on the southern end of the Amalfi Coast. It is much quicker to get to Salerno than Sorrento and you do not have to transfer trains or bus stations. Once in Salerno, at the main station grab a Sita Bus ticket right outside and wait for the blue Sita Bus that says Amalfi. This was about a 45 minute ride and the bus only stopped a few times.

Melissa Schollaert is a photographer, dreamer and travel fanatic who feels most at ‘home’ on the road. A true artist at heart, she has a degree in Interior Design which influences her photography as well as other artistic endeavors. You will find her criss-crossing the US taking photos for her new blog, A Wandering Heart, or somewhere in Italy. If you need her, she’ll be on a plane.