the most enchanting and most visited route in campania is that skirting the southern flank of sorrento's peninsula: the costiera amalfitana (amalfi coast).
among the popular pleasures here are dining on locally caught grilled fish and sipping icy lacrima cristi from the vineyards on the slopes of vesuvious, interspersed with beach-hopping and trips to coastal summits to admire the breathtaking views.
from sorrento, a well developed holiday resort, the road winds down to positano, a village clambering down a vertigious slope to the sea.
expensive, it is nonetheless a good place to swim, or to catch the hydrofoil or ferry to capri.
further on, praiano is just as fashionable.
amalfi is the coast's largest town. its chief glory is a lovely 10th century duomo fronted by a rich, coloured facade.
amalfi was a maritime power before it was subdued in 1131 by king roger of naples. amalfi is a tremendously popular resort.
ravello has the best views on the coast.
poised on a shelf above amalfi, the best vantage points are the gardens of villa cimbrone and villa rufolo.
views from the latter provided inspiration for wagner's parsifal.