A rough diamond transformed by man into a precious jewel, a work that has required time, labour and care, indispensable to reach such a perfect balance between natural beauty and that created by the creativity of man: this is the Costiera Amalfitana.
It is the result of an effort that is evident to everybody. It can be felt when arriving at Vietri sul Mare, entrance portal to the Divine Costiera.
The visitor is stunned by the bright and intense colours from every angle, by the light it releases from every corner as the sun had a special connection with them, by the shapes that the elements have given the cliffs, by the cobalt blue of the sea that blends with that of the sky, by the colourful houses hanging on to the rocks, by the signs of ancient civilizations, by the artwork exposed in this natural museum, by the joy of the local people, by the intense scent of the lemons and by the colour of the olive groves, the vineyards, and the blossoming gardens. This landscape can be found throughout the small villages lined up along the coast.
Amalfi, with its beautiful beachfront where streets, alleys and stairs meander through the town toward the Duomo, which is known for the magnificent mosaic façade.
Atrani, a picturesque village where the bright colours of the gardens are interspersed among the white houses.
The elegant and sophisticated Ravello, with the Duomo and the gorgeous Villa Cimbrone and Villa Rufolo, a mixture of different styles and periods surrounded by charming terraces and home of the famed Festival.
Minori, famous for the beauty of the landscape and for the 1st century Roman villa, finely decorated with stuccos, mosaics and frescos.
Praiano, which can be discovered by hiking the trails that wind through an unparalleled environment, or by visiting places such as the church of S. Luca Evangelista that displays marvellous 16th century paintings.
Positano, a gem nestled on sheer cliffs, with the three ‘Sirenuse’ islets just offshore. The colour of the houses mingles with that of the boutiques, the workshops and the elegant bars and restaurants that enliven the narrow streets. A visit to the Grotta dello Smeraldo, or Emerald Cave, is a wonderful experience thanks to the many stalactites and stalagmites and the bright colour diffused by the sunlight penetrating through the cracks of the rocks.
In the Cilento area one can find a perfect holiday, as the beauty of the landscape is dotted with charming towns and significant archeological and historical sites. There are many itineraries along trails that narrate the millennia of history, with a gorgeous sea and pristine beaches framing it.
A small gem is the famous Marina di Camerota, with its peculiar port, the coves and the wonderful caves. Also charming is the jagged coast of Palinuro, carved by the many sea caves such as the Grotta Azzurra. Crystal-water springs, lakes, streams and rivers set in a pristine environment characterize the interior of the National Park that protects the Grotte di Castelcivita and the Grotte dell’Angelo.
Paestum, known as the ‘plain of the gods’ thanks to best-preserved Greek temples, an invaluable heritage that UNESCO has titled World Heritage Site. Magnificent at night, and even more beautiful during the day when the three temples – the Temple of Hera, the oldest, the Temple of Neptune, the largest, and the Temple of Cerere, actually dedicated to Athena – acquire different shades according to the angle of the sun. Valued finds are exhibited in the Museo Archeologico Nazionale, among which the 33 metopes that once decorated the Temple of Hera and the frescos of the Tomb of the Diver from the 5th century BC.
In the park one can find the majestic complex of the Certosa di S. Lorenzo, otherwise known as Certosa di Padula, one of the largest monasteries in the world. Salerno, the seat of this wonderful land, has a modern town built around the harbour and an old, medieval town at the bottom of the Arechi Castle from which there is a spectacular view of the whole Bay. Among the main attractions the city provides, the Duomo of S. Matteo, with the bronze portal and the tall cylindrical bell tower, and the Church of S. Giorgio by the precious furnishing and paintings. Finally, one should not miss a visit to the Museo Archeologico Provinciale, which displays items from pre-history to the late Roman Empire era, and the Museo Diocesano with its work of art and a valued numismatic collection.