Italy: Amalfi & Ravello
Last week, I shared our time in Positano, and the week before our time in Capri. Rounding out our Amalfi Coast tour, we traveled from Capri to our next destination: Amalfi!
WHEN: JUNE 2016
WHERE: AMALFI AND RAVELLO, ITALY
STAYED: HOTEL SANTA CATARINA
In Amalfi, we stayed at Hotel Santa Caterina, which is everything a hotel should be, and more! I had originally read about this hotel through a destination bride magazine. They featured a beautiful wedding at the most incredible hotel on the Amalfi Coast. I kept the article and put this hotel on my bucket list. This hotel was the real reason that we stayed in Amalfi on our honeymoon and with my family. The moment you step inside, you are surrounded by beautiful light reflecting off of the Mediterranean. The views are spectacular! The hotel is literally built vertically up a cliff. They have a glass elevator that transports you from the top of the cliff to the beach club below.
We arrived at Hotel Santa Caterina from Capri. This time we opted for a private boat service from Capri right to the beach club of this hotel. We definitely had a Kim & Kayne moment there! Plus, the views coming in via boat were amazing.
Our room was beautiful and surrounded by ocean views. We had a balcony where we enjoyed breakfast every morning while pinching ourselves…is this real life?!
We enjoyed many glasses of Pinot Grigio on the hotel patio. This is the place to enjoy the sunset.
For dinner, the hotel restaurant was our favorite. The intimate, candlelit restaurant is all things Italy. From the food to the wine, this was a special dinner.
Another good spot for dinner in Amalfi is Da Gemma. Located on the water, they prepare beautiful fresh fish in a stunning atmosphere.
Ravello is a beautiful town located right above Amalfi. We decided to “hike” to the town from our hotel. I had read great reviews about the ease of this so-called hike, and I thought it would be a great way to earn that pizza and wine for lunch. Well, the hike was gorgeous, however, it’s definitely a hike! I would absolutely do this again, but next time I’m wearing actual atheltic shoes and some lulu lemon.
First stop in Ravello was the obvious…pizza, salad, beer, and vino at Cumpa Cosimo. A little ma and pa shop, with amazing homemade food. The owner, whom they call Mama, spoiled us with samplings of her famous lasagna, bread, and pizza…good thing we did that hike!
After lunch, we headed to Villa Cimbrone— on my this place is stunning. Overlooking the ocean, the views are unreal!
I could wander the streets of Ravello for days. They are quaint and charming. We stumbled upon a ceramic store, where we collected some great pieces for our home.
As the saying goes in Italy…”When life gives you lemons, make limoncello.”
That evening, we traveled back to Ravello via car for drinks and dinner. Our first stop for a little bubbly was The Belmond Hotel Caruso. Wow, this place is insanely gorgeous!
Next stop was Palazzo Avino for drinks at their famous martini bar and dinner at their signature restaurant, Rossellinis. The food was outstanding, and dining under the stars on top of a mountain was spectacular.
One of the best selling points for us at this particular hotel is their beach club. They have ocean swimming access right there on property, a beach bar, and a delicious beach club menu. We spent the afternoons lounging in the sun, swimming in the ocean, and indulging in pizza and Champagne .
Until next time Amalfi…
