Amalfi Coast

Yes, the Amalfi coast is that fabulous and just a train ride away from Rome. The 50-kilometer stretch of coastline along the southern edge of Italy’s Sorrentine Peninsula, has always been a popular holiday destination, with sheer cliffs and a rugged shoreline dotted with small beaches and pastel-colored fishing villages. The coastal road between the port city of Salerno and clifftop Sorrento winds past grand villas, terraced vineyards and cliffside lemon groves.

However, when summer season hits, the influencers descend from everywhere, and in the Twitter words of one of my favorite journos: I see it’s “models go to the Amalfi Coast and pretend to eat pasta” season. High season for tourism in Sorrento is usually from Easter through October. This is the time of year when all the shops, hotels, and restaurants are bustling and the ferries to and from the islands and Italy's Amalfi Coast run all day. However, where the Amalfi Coast and the island of Capri have a very quiet low season come winter, Sorrento is a popular destination all year round and you can find cafès, restaurants, and shops open even in January and February when the rest of the Italian coastline is shuttered for the season. As a rule, you can swim in the Mediterranean Sea from the beginning of May to mid-October.

You can drive, take a bus or train to Sorrento as the entry point. Personally, I took the train to Naples and then hopped a different train company that was recommended to me - Campania Express - which is more comfortable, has fewer stops, and takes about 30 minutes less than the commuter trains to complete the trip. These trains have guaranteed seating, air conditioning, and space to store baggage. Hotels are pricey all over this region, but there are plenty of Airbnbs and apartments to choose from, as well as day tours (again, see Airbnb Experiences) all over the place. And don’t forget about day trips to capri by ferry or private boat - arriving by ferry will give you incredible views of the cities. Amalfi, Capri (of course, it’s an island), Sorrento, and Positano are all connected by ferry.

Another option when you are en route to the area, is to visit Pompeii and Herculaneum on the way, it is easy to make a quick stop as you arrive or depart the coast. Unless, of course, you have a lot of baggage, then it would be worth getting to your hotel first. These archeological sites also make an easy day trip from Sorrento or Naples.

Eat: Be sure to taste the limoncello (or anything citrus flavored) as the region is famous for its citrus. You will see lots of lemon trees and giant citrons in every city. Eat the seafood obviously, it is fresh and delicious! Also, save money and picnic on the beach - grab some panini, prosecco, fresh fruit, and snacks, everything you need for a picnic.

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