The Amalfi coast

– A breathtaking journey of scent and taste

The Amalfi Coast is a coastline  just below the Gulf of Naples. The coast draws dramatically into the azure sea and the pastel-colored houses in the villages climb high up the mountain wall. High on a cobbled square it's  apure pleasure to enjoy the qualities of life; to enjoy a limoncello overlooking the ocean and the smell of lemon and mimosa. It is said that the world's oldest perfume originated on the island of Capri and many perfume makers still collect their inspiration here, where the smell of sun-warmed sea is mixed with all the herbs and flowers of the coast.

On the Italian west coast just where the boot crosses, the Amalfi Coast begins. The scene has always attracted filmmakers, cultural personalities and epicureans through its unusually dramatic landscape and it is easy to understand that it is located on the UNESCO World Heritage Site.

The genuine city of Sorrento
Many choose to start the trip in Sorrento, a genuine Italian city on the verge of the Gulf of Naples. The L'Antica Trattoria restaurant is well worth a visit for its fantastic seafood and seafood dishes. From here you are close to Pompeiji and Vesuvio, which is just above it, or you'll take the twenty-one ferry to Capri - the legendary island where the Roman emperors built their summer palace.

Fico di Amalfi was created under a walk in this area with it's fantastic citrus scent that blends with notes of fig and cedar wood in the base.

Perfume production at Capri
Capri is a magic place that should be experienced. On the outskirts of Capri city you can visit the small factory of Carthusia, where they produce perfumes based on recipes of monks from the 1300s, with about a hundred ingredients still being picked up on the island. You can also explore the famous blue cave by boat, and take the cable car up from the smaller village of Anacapri up to Mount Solaro with stunning views of the island. At the foot of Capri's highest mountain lies the idyllic bay of Piccola, where you can enjoy swimming and good food at any of the restaurants.

Positano incarnates the Amalfi Coast
Back on the mainland, the first stop on the east bound travel is Positano, a city that many says incarnatet he Amalfi Coast's atmosphere with its spectacular slopes, winding cobbled streets, pastel-colored houses and magnificent views. Everyone who saw the film "The talented Mr. Ripley" understands what it's all about. Filmmakers who have been here are Fellini, Polanski and Marciani. A bit outside the village up in the mountains, starts a hiking trail that offers a stunning view of the sea. It is called The God's path, and offers a three-hour long natural experience beyond the usual. Lemon trees often edge the roads and the whole of the Sorrento Peninsula has a rich variety of different orchids and herbs.

Beautiful hand made paper in Amalfi
Next stop is Amalfi, the resort that has given name to the region. Here is one of the first places in Europe to start producing paper and you can buy thick, beautifully crafted old-fashioned papers and visit some of the paper mills in the area called The Mill Valley. There are several beaches in Amalfi, the largest is Spiaggia Grande, and also small caves to visit, if you do not want to take the boat to Capri which takes an hour from here. If you want to have dinner, Eolo is a good choice, a sophisticated restaurant by the water in a city that becomes a favorite of many.

Follow the Lemon Path from Minori to Maiori
From Amalfi it is walking distance to Maiori and Minori and between the two villages it is great to walk the so-called lemon path. It's not a long-awaited guess that Acqua di Parmas perfume Fico di Amalfi occurred under a walk here, with its amazing citrus scent mixed with notes of fig and cedar woods in the base.

Minori is a genuine little town that many experience as one of the best at the Amalfi coast. Here is Italy's most famous patisserie, De Riso, which has been blessed by the Pope several times. Try their specialty pearricotta cake, and enjoy a limoncello - it's here in Minori that the divine lemon liqueur is said to originate. It is also the village from which the English chef Jamie Olivers mentor Gennaro comes frome, and it was here Oliver cooked during his television trip in Italy. The food along the Amalfi coast is of top class - fresh fish, sweet Neapolitan tomatoes and mozzarella produced in the region, which is said to be one of Italy's best. Here is something for all the senses.


Half an hour up the mountain slope, you will find Villa Maria, embedded in a large lemon grove overlooking Minori. If you follow the road for another half an hour up the mountain, you arrive in Ravello, a mountain village full of beautiful gardens, breathtaking views and winding cobbled alleyways. Amongst other, you'll find Greta Garbo's Villa Cimbrone, now converted into a luxury hotel. In the same area you'll find the 1200's villa Rufolo where you can enjoy a magic outdoor concert overlooking the sea. Composer Richard Wagner, Presidential wife Jackie Kennedy and - until recently - writer Gore Vidal are other celebrities who found a hideaway in Ravello village.

End the journey in Cetara and Vietri sul Mare
On the last route you'll pass Cetara, the home port of Italy's largest tuna fleet in Italy. Here Colatura is also produced, a kind of fish sauce made on anchovies that is best enjoyed in a pasta or on a piece of freshly baked bread. And furthest out in the east is Vietri sul Mare, where you can watch and buy the colorful porcelain that made the village famous. With miles of hiking trails of herbs and flowers, it's not for nothing as the Amalfi coast is a mecca for perfume manufacturers. The breathtaking scenery combined with tasty food makes it the perfect destination for the modern man. «

must-see places

The food along the Amalfi Coast is top notch. below you'll find some restaurants you shouldn't miss!

L’Antica Trattoria
Via Padre Reginaldo Giuliani 33, 80067, Sorrento, Italien
Terrazza Marziale
Piazza Francesco Saverio Gargiulo 2, 80067, Sorrento, Italien

Terrazza Brunella
Via Tragara 24, 80073 Capri, Capri, Italien
Chiosco Tizzano di Natalia e Antonio Tizzano S.N.C.
Viale Giacomo Matteotti 2, 80073 Capri, Capri, Italien

Ristorante Casa Mele
Via Guglielmo Marconi 76, 84017, Positano, Italien
Rada Restaurant
Via Grotte dell’incanto 51, 84017, Positano, Italien

Restaurant Marina Grande
Viale della Regione, 4, 84011, Amalfi, Italien G.A.S. Bar
Via Mauro Comite
47/49 | Lone di Amalfi, 84011, Amalfi, Italien