Ravello, Amalfi and Sorrento: wonderful even in winter
A tour of the Amalfi Coast is always a good idea. If it is true that is name immediately brings to beaches bathed in light, waves lulled by the sun and carefree walks in a caftan, a holiday in Positano and its surroundings does not fit only the summer season.
The Amalfi Coast reserves very pleasant surprises in winter: the harmonious landscapes are coloured with velvety nuances, the white pebbles soften in the soft glow of the sun, the scents of the Mediterranean scrub are sharpened, tickled by the cold air.
Ravello, Amalfi and Sorrento are among the most enchanting towns in winter, embraced in an ephemeral mist flecked with gold.
Ravello and the villas of wonders
Ravello contains two pearls of unchanged beauty, despite the centuries of history accompanying them: Villa Rufolo and Villa Cimbrone.
Villa Rufolo dresses a perfect synthesis of the Arab, Sicilian and Norman cultures, embellished by the romantic details of the nineteenth-century gardens. The chapel and the beautiful dining room, divided by columns, design the main building, spread over three opulent floors. Yet the real treasure of this complex remains the Moorish kiosk, with oriental-style loggias and overlooking the ineffable panorama of the Amalfi Coast.
Villa Cimbrone, on the other hand, boasts an Anglo-Saxon-inspired genesis. It was purchased by the English lord William Beckett, who turned it in one of the most evocative and original villas of all time, the result of a composite fusion of cultures that gives it a unique museum allure. Surrounded by luxurious vegetation and populated with infinite decorative elements, the villa culminates in the panoramic Infinity Terrace, an enviable escape from the world, reaching out to the most pristine sea. Finish the tour of Ravello in winter with a visit to the Duomo, protected by a bronze door decorated with 54 tiles.
Amalfi, land of lemons and legends
Amalfi was one of the most powerful Maritime Republics, a crossroads of strategic trade in the Mediterranean and mother of countless myths, nourished by the ancient fascination of the sea. Today it is a splendid town all year around, but in winter it is possible to enjoy it calmly, without the heat wave typical of some summer days.
A visit to Amalfi should definitely include the Norman Arab-style Cathedral, guardian of the relics of Saint Andrew, protector of the city, and religious bulwark in the heart of the historic center. Another highly recommended stop is the Paper Museum, housed in a 13th-century paper mill and witness to a manufacturing rooted in Amalfi history. Here you will go back in time and will be able to admire the ancient machines used by paper producers of distant centuries.
An experience not to be missed in Amalfi in winter, for a full of sun despite the cold temperatures, is the Lemon tour: an unforgettable dip in the local lemon groves, fathers of the famous Amalfi sfusato, ended with the tasting of our homemade limoncello.
Sorrento between art and magical glimpses
Sorrento, the birthplace of the great poet Torquato Tasso, is an excellent destination for a winter holiday on the Amalfi Coast. Although it is part of the Sorrento Peninsula, in fact, it is not far from the towns of the Amalfi Coast.
The main square, Piazza Tasso, is the fulcrum of a lively and contemporary village, but intrinsically linked to atavistic traditions. The most popular shopping streets wind from the square, in particular Corso Italia, dotted with boutiques, elegant pastry shops and renowned clubs. On the side of the square, we recommend the Museum Correale di Terranuova, a treasure trove of paintings, precious 17th century furniture, archaeological finds and fine porcelain.
If you love naturalistic views, the Vallone dei Mulini is ideal for your tour in Sorrento. Abandon yourself to the sight of the ancient mill surrounded by a thick blanket of spontaneous vegetation. The feeling is that of living a spell, crystallized in a lost time.
Finally, don't forget an excursion to Marina Grande, a picturesque seaside village that can be reached through a narrow stone steps up to the ancient Greek Gate. Impregnated with a delicate and authentic atmosphere, Marina Grande returns all the essence of the ancient fishing village, with the colourful houses now in faded colours, wooden boats and woven nets.