Tuesday, March 23, 2010

Part 2, The Amalfi Coast of Italy

Vacation Heaven

this place is not for the shy, retiring types, it's for
people who are in love with life, who love good food,
wonderful people, driving for hours along the most
scenic roads in the world, and for people
who enjoy being stunned by beauty, nature
and the splendor that is Italy.




The roads along the Amalfi Coast are famously winding, narrow, and challenging to drive.

Add in drop-dead views and daring Italian drivers,
known for their behind-the-wheel bravado,
and this road trip offers one of the more exciting driving experiences in Europe.
The popular Amalfi Coast route follows the shoreline from Sorrento south to Salerno.
Locals recommend planning a drive of the Amalfi Coast during the shoulder
tourist seasons, mid-September to October  (thus begins the rainy season)
and May, when the road is less crowded and lumbering tour buses are fewer.




an ancient structure overgrown with vines & foliage
as seen from the road above.
as one sees these places you have to wonder who lived there,
what did they do?



this tiny little flower stand is on a tiny turn-out just off the road,
what you see here is part off the coast highway which is only 2 lanes.
each one is so enchanting you just have to stop the car, but a soda and
talk to the shopkeepers...directly across the way is the Mediterranean Sea.



my son's take while shooting from the car window



can you see the coast road?  that's it, cut into the mountain.


exiting a tunnel to find a charming little town sitting on the edge of the mountain
overlooking the sea



taken from the coast highway



road to Positano taken from above



road to Amalfi from Positano, note the hairpin u-turn of the little road,
and the luxury sailing craft at anchor,
just another day in paradise, ladies





again, shot from car window...a rather ordinary occurance





lots of bikers, bicycles - not Harley's



see all the lovely boats on the sea?



roadside pepper & vegetable market



the makings of Limoncello, which one must experience after
driving the coast roads all day



bottle of beautiful nectar Limoncello
native to the Amalfi Coast,
whose recipe has been secret
since the beginning.


who could resist buying a basket of these lovely bottles to take home
to your friends?



Bracelet of Aquamarine, Kyanite, Freshwater Pearls, Iolite
Chalcedony with 14K Gold



Earrings Freshwater Pearls, Aquamarine, Kyanite
with Sterling Silver




Chunky Necklace with Pale Green Freshwater Coin Pearls
& Large Aquamarine Nuggets





me, leaving the house to go shopping, wearing Zoran all white, linen pants,
heavy cotton big sweater, this can roll up in your luggage & come out
looking chic & clean, relaxed, yet still "dressed."

that black box beside is a big speaker for the music we had on
constantly outside on the terrace which overlooked the pool
and lovely blooming garden - a place so typical of the way
the Europeans live, plants growing up 20' feet all around so
no one can see inside to your home, but you can see this amazing view
out to the sea.

Like I said, heaven...

more tomorrow



look for a giveaway coming up soon,
a piece of my jewelry, don't know which piece yet,
but it will be very very nice for my blogging world.

send your friends over to check it out & register.








8 comments:

  1. Heaven indeed Marsha...I'm honestly thinking that perhaps we should be heading for the Amalfi coast this summer rather than the south of France!!

    These photos are fabulous....I love the photo of the overgrown uninhabited building....I wonder who did live there and how they reached their home?! When we were in northern Italy last summer, we saw many homes which looked unreachable except by helicopter, I have no idea how people lived in them!

    Those roads look pretty scary though, I might have to be sedated to drive along that coast!! It is so beautiful but I think it might be a bit of a white knuckle ride for me, I am not good next to those sheer drops. I know you and I have talked about the French Riviera and the roads there, these look even scarier....so narrow!

    I just love that first photo....look at that beautiful water......bliss.

    Am so enjoying this Italian Riviera Week.....e bellisima!

    Ciao! xoxo

    ReplyDelete
  2. Simone, I think this is where one could find the limoncello very useful & calming. It's vodka, zest of lemons, sugar & water...very medicinal.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Bonjour Marsha,
    I agree with you and SImone, this is Heaven indeed. I can sse why some of that Limoncello is needed at the end of the driving day - note I said the end.
    Love that chunky aquamarine necklace. I know you design your pieces do you actually create them as well? So lovely.

    Mimi

    ReplyDelete
  4. Marsha

    Utterly stunning scenery, I have never been to Italy -- but I have changed my mind it is on my radar,,,,from the movie 'Under the Tuscan Sun" I wondered about Limoncello -- nice to know you can buy it and it taste good.

    And I must say thanks for the tip about the adorable white outfit -- I was wondering about wearable's staying and looking fresh. the outfit looks so chic and easy care and with your jewelry gives it that sparkle or completes it.

    Enjoy your trip and keep sending those fab pic and tips on life on the Italian coast,
    Joanny

    ReplyDelete
  5. wow. even more amazing than the one before! the jewelry and the photo's! I love your outfit too!

    ReplyDelete
  6. Italy is such a beautiful place I would love to go there someday! Also I'm so in love with that chunky necklace!

    ReplyDelete
  7. Oh how wonderful
    brings back memories of my favourite travel destination.. Amalfi and all of Italia really.. ... The Amalfi coast is stunning.. and so are your photos... just fabulous.. I'm getting travel envy.. haha..

    ReplyDelete
  8. Sigh, I ache for Italy!! Beautiful photo's...I can't believe I didn't sample the Limoncella when I was there. Just another reason to return. Looking forward to more of Amalfi..Lisexx

    ReplyDelete


Please know how much I value your comments. I read every single one and do hope you will take the time to leave your thoughts. I think InstaGram with the Emojis have taken a lot away from blogging, but I love IG too.