Ravello, Italy

August 01, 2016 in Honeymoon

From Amalfi, you can take a bus up to the exquisitely beautiful town of Ravello. It's not a short bus ride and the bus tends to be crowded since they don't run as often to Ravello. Also, there is one point along the way where the road is only wide enough for one vehicle (the other side is a sharp drop down the cliff.) Therefore, there's a long wait until the light changes in order to allow the other cars to go. So, if you get claustrophobic or aren't able to stand for a long period of time, I would recommend spending the extra money for a cab. However, once you get to Ravello, the views are simply captivating!

Here's the entrance to Villa Rufolo, a building that dates back to the thirteenth century.  Unassuming at this point, just wait until you get inside... — Here's the entrance to Villa Rufolo, a building that dates back to the thirteenth century. Unassuming at this point, just wait until you get inside...

One of the best views on the Amalfi Coast.  Keep walking a bit more... — One of the best views on the Amalfi Coast. Keep walking a bit more...

And you'll get this amazing view of the iconic cliffside gardens!

Despite the heat, the flowers managed to stay cheerful and bright.  As if they know they can not surrender to summer's influence.  With the deepest of blues and lush green mountains in the horizon, how disappointing would that be?? — Despite the heat, the flowers managed to stay cheerful and bright. As if they know they can not surrender to summer's influence. With the deepest of blues and lush green mountains in the horizon, how disappointing would that be??

Did I mention that the Amalfi Coast is beautiful?

Several steps like this surround the perimeter of Ravello.  If you have the time, walk as many of those steps as you can.  You'll see why... — Several steps like this surround the perimeter of Ravello. If you have the time, walk as many of those steps as you can. You'll see why...

You'll get a mix of historic architecture alongside a glimpse into the simple lifestyles of those who keep Ravello so authentic.  The terraced gardens and linen-lined clotheslines make you wonder if their lives are as romantic as you picture th… — You'll get a mix of historic architecture alongside a glimpse into the simple lifestyles of those who keep Ravello so authentic. The terraced gardens and linen-lined clotheslines make you wonder if their lives are as romantic as you picture them to be.

Without a doubt, Ravello has some of the best views on the Amalfi Coast.  It's hard to envision our honeymoon getting any better than this... — Without a doubt, Ravello has some of the best views on the Amalfi Coast. It's hard to envision our honeymoon getting any better than this...

Day Trip to Amalfi, Italy

July 25, 2016 in Honeymoon

There are so many options around the Amalfi Coast, it's hard to decide how to prioritize your time. However, whatever you decide to do, the adventure will be well worth the experience. No need to make plans ahead of time. It's better to allow the charm of the city lead you to your next destination. We wandered down to the beach, where we found several boats that will take you to various cities along the Amalfi Coast. So, we decided to take a day trip to Amalfi.

For the best view, sit on the left of the boat as you're heading from Positano to Amalfi.

The entrance to the town square.  We found Amalfi to be filled with more tourists compared to Positano. — The entrance to the town square. We found Amalfi to be filled with more tourists compared to Positano.

The center of the city is perfect for taking a mid-day break;  filled with lots of shops and restaurants. — The center of the city is perfect for taking a mid-day break; filled with lots of shops and restaurants.

The Cathedral of St. Andrew is a 9th-century Roman Catholic church, a sacred destination

The mountains tower high above the city, almost as if they're hugging it tight and protecting it's secrets.

"Rocket" (aka arugula) pizza, very simple and light with extraordinary flavors — "Rocket" (aka arugula) pizza, very simple and light with extraordinary flavors

Cacio e pepe (aka black pepper spaghetti)

Another shot of the Cathedral of St. Andrew.  Extraordinary detail in the architecture, both inside and out. — Another shot of the Cathedral of St. Andrew. Extraordinary detail in the architecture, both inside and out.

View from the top steps of the Cathedral

The Cloister of Paradise was built between 1266-1268 to house the tombs of wealthy merchants.

The ceiling features paintings of the life of St. Andrew.

These set of magnificent bronze doors feature four figures in the center; Christ and Virgin Mary at the top, St. Andrew and St. Peter below.

Several smaller towns line the coast between Amalfi and Positano.

Back to our home away from home, Positano.

Another perfect day in the Amalfi Coast.

Positano, Italy Part 1

July 20, 2016 in Honeymoon

When I think about what heaven is like, Positano comes pretty close. A cliffside town on the southern coast of Italy where multicolored balconies and cascading flowers tug you further into it's fairy land. The weather is perfect and the locals make you feel at home. It's a dream world where life is carefree and everyone is young at heart. The kind of place where time does not exist...

Don't expect to see much of the view if you're the one driving.  The road along this cliffside is narrow and windy.  Barely enough room for one car each way, let alone a bus!  But it's true what they say about the drive along the Amal… — Don't expect to see much of the view if you're the one driving. The road along this cliffside is narrow and windy. Barely enough room for one car each way, let alone a bus! But it's true what they say about the drive along the Amalfi Coast... it is the best scenic route in the world.

Our first view of Positano from the top of the hillside

The water is clean enough to drink.  Several of these fountains can be found throughout the city. — The water is clean enough to drink. Several of these fountains can be found throughout the city.

No matter where you go, you'll have a stunning view of the city

Explore the alleys.  Even if it means you climbed extra steps only to end up at a dead-end, you never know what you'll find — Explore the alleys. Even if it means you climbed extra steps only to end up at a dead-end, you never know what you'll find

Our view from breakfast every morning.  Even the sun is cheerful and welcoming! — Our view from breakfast every morning. Even the sun is cheerful and welcoming!

Our private balcony at the hotel.  Like I said, no such thing as a bad view in this town — Our private balcony at the hotel. Like I said, no such thing as a bad view in this town

The streets are lined with boutiques and cafes.  Positano specializes in linens, hand-painted ceramics, and hand-made leather shoes and sandals. — The streets are lined with boutiques and cafes. Positano specializes in linens, hand-painted ceramics, and hand-made leather shoes and sandals.

A view of one of the docks, where you can take a boat to any city along the Amalfi Coast.

The city is just as beautiful when it's lit up

One of the best meals we had in Italy. La Tagliata is at the top of the mountain overlooking Positano. A family-owned restaurant where they serve you more courses than you've ever had in your entire life and a full bottle of wine per person to start with. No menu, just fresh foods and local vegetables that are in season.

Most restaurants ended each meal with a shot of limoncello.  A sweet, but refreshing way to cap the night off. — Most restaurants ended each meal with a shot of limoncello. A sweet, but refreshing way to cap the night off.

It's easy to lose track of the tragedies of the world in a place as perfect as Positano. It's a place where one can actually stop to think, be creative, be silent, be at peace. Sometimes, everyone needs a little place to escape to when the stress of life becomes overwhelming. Positano will always be that place for me.

Pompeii, Italy

July 11, 2016 in Honeymoon

This marks the first day of our two week, bucket-list fulfilling, unbelievably picturesque, once in a lifetime-type honeymoon. It was definitely one for the books. An easy world to capture in time through a few simple clicks. Everything was so picture perfect.

Our first stop was in Naples, Italy.  However, we didn't stay very long... — Our first stop was in Naples, Italy. However, we didn't stay very long...

Just long enough to try some pizza (hello! the birthplace of pizza!)

From Naples, we took the Circumvesuviana (watch your pockets!) to Pompeii.  Luckily, they had a place for us to store our luggage while we toured the city. — From Naples, we took the Circumvesuviana (watch your pockets!) to Pompeii. Luckily, they had a place for us to store our luggage while we toured the city.

Pompeii is an ancient Roman town that was destroyed by the eruption of Mt. Vesuvius in AD 79.  From what they say, the city was preserved for hundreds of years beneath the ash due to lack of air and moisture. — Pompeii is an ancient Roman town that was destroyed by the eruption of Mt. Vesuvius in AD 79. From what they say, the city was preserved for hundreds of years beneath the ash due to lack of air and moisture.

Take good walking shoes and watch your step.  The streets are made of cobblestone and uneven the majority of the way. — Take good walking shoes and watch your step. The streets are made of cobblestone and uneven the majority of the way.

As you walk through Pompeii, you will find yourself wondering how ancestors from a very distant past could create a city so advanced for its time. Their bodies linger as a chilling reminder of the skillful hands that created the ancient walls still standing today. Would anything from our time period survive a thousand years? Let alone a volcanic eruption? Questions to ponder as we make our way through Italy and Greece. Next stop...the Amalfi Coast!