A winter stroll through Ravello’s Villa Cimbrone

Laura Thayer
Nature, Ravello, Walking

 

One of the pleasures of visiting the Amalfi Coast in the winter is the rare chance to visit some of the most beautiful spots without having to wonder how many tourist photograph albums you might have ended up  in around the world. Sunny winter afternoons are one of my favorite times to stroll through Ravello and enjoy the views from the Villa Rufolo and the Villa Cimbrone.  This coming summer when the gardens are in full bloom I promise I’ll take you all on a proper tour through the Villa Cimbrone. But in the meantime, grab your cameras, wrap a scarf around your neck, and let’s head down the Avenue of Immensity . . .

 

Ciao Amalfi Coast Blog Ravello Winter Villa Cimbrone 1

 

At the end of the long pathway is a beautiful building with a statue of Ceres, the Roman goddess of the harvest. At sunset the view is absolutely striking. 

 

Ciao Amalfi Coast Blog Ravello Winter Villa Cimbrone 2

 

Ceres watches over the steeply terraced land surrounding Ravello where grape vines and lemon groves bask in the warm sun.

 

Ciao Amalfi Coast Blog Ravello Winter Villa Cimbrone 3 

Just steps beyond Ceres is one of the most spectacular views you’ll find on the Amalfi Coast. This terrace is very appropriately named the Terrace of Infinity. And it really feels like you can see forever . . .

 

Ciao Amalfi Coast Blog Ravello Winter Villa Cimbrone 4

 

Ciao Amalfi Coast Blog Ravello Winter Villa Cimbrone 6

 

Returning back in the gardens, you’ll soon find this charming Temple of Bacchus.

 

Ciao Amalfi Coast Blog Ravello Winter Villa Cimbrone 8

 

While the gardens in January pale in comparison to their splendor during the spring and summer months, there were still a few bursts of color dotting the landscape.

 

Ciao Amalfi Coast Blog Ravello Winter Villa Cimbrone 7

 

Ciao Amalfi Coast Blog Ravello Winter Villa Cimbrone 9

 

Ciao Amalfi Coast Blog Ravello Winter Villa Cimbrone 10

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Little reminders that spring is coming soon to the Amalfi Coast!

 

 

Related Posts

Winter Afternoons in Ravello

Tempting Tuesday: Ravello’s Villa Rufolo

Ravello Travel Articles on ItalyItalia.com

Out & About: Rainbow over Ravello

Ceramic Shopping in Ravello

Tempting Tuesday: Torello

The Churches of Ravello

Winter afternoons in Ravello

Laura Thayer
Ravello

 

The other day it was sunny so we went to Ravello to enjoy a walk and poke our noses around the Villa Rufolo gardens to see how they trimmed their hydrangea. The gardener there does wonderful things, so I try to learn as much as I can by observing the beautiful gardens. The hydrangea in my garden now look a lot like this:

 

Ciao Amalfi Coast Blog Winter Ravello hydrangea 

Not far from the Piazza Duomo in Ravello is the Church of San Francesco. Following the walkway that leads to the Villa Cimbrone you first see the campanile, or bell tower, of the church.

 

Ciao Amalfi Coast Blog Winter Ravello Campanile

 

Then you reach a beautiful atrium with the entrance to the church. I’ve walked through here many times, but the church has never been open to visit.

 

Ciao Amalfi Coast Blog Winter Ravello Atrium

 

Although Ravello was practically deserted this winter afternoon, we did find the church door open and ducked inside to take a look. It was a beautiful and very well-preserved interior. The church was empty, so we walked around for awhile looking at all the paintings and the architectural details.

 

Ciao Amalfi Coast Blog Winter Ravello chiesa san francesco 

On either side of the apse above the altar there are beautiful paintings showing scenes from the life of San Francesco. Between these paintings there is a grate that likely served as a window for cloistered monks. I’m  not sure about the story for these particular windows, but they were interesting to see.

 

Ciao Amalfi Coast Blog Winter Ravello San Francecso

 

You never know when you’re traveling in Italy when you’ll stumble across an open door and find little treasures like this church. Continuing along toward the Villa Cimbrone, next to peaceful terraces of sleeping vines, we hardly met a soul while enjoying the quiet beauty of Ravello in the winter.

 

Ciao Amalfi Coast Blog Winter Ravello vines 

I did say that we hardly met a soul.

 

Ciao Amalfi Coast Blog Winter Ravello chickens 

Today it’s raining again, but when the rain stops wintertime on the Amalfi Coast is truly magical!

 

 

Related Posts

Tempting Tuesday: Ravello’s Villa Rufolo

Ravello Travel Articles on ItalyItalia.com

Out & About: Rainbow over Ravello

Ceramic Shopping in Ravello

Tempting Tuesday: Torello

The Churches of Ravello

Paris is always a good idea.

Laura Thayer
Europe, My Menu, Paris

I know you movie fans will remember that scene in Sabrina where she says “Paris is always a good idea.” (Or at least you will if you’ve seen it as many times as I have!) Well, last week I went to Paris for the first time, and now I can agree with Sabrina. Paris is always a good idea. Here’s what I’ve been up to while I’ve been away from the blog:

January in Paris is wonderful! We even had a light dusting of snow, which only added to the romance. I will share more stories here in the coming weeks. In the meantime, enjoy the slide show of photos from my trip above, and please do leave a comment with your favorite Paris memories. I would love to hear them!

À bientôt!

Sea Green

Laura Thayer
Amalfi, Amalfi Coast, Seasons, Weather

 

Ciao Amalfi Coast Blog Sea Green 1

 

Last week we left the rain and clouds of the Amalfi Coast for a little vacation in Paris. (Pictures and stories coming soon!) While we were disappointed to return to still more rain Sunday evening, Monday morning greeted us with glorious sunshine. In Amalfi, the water shimmers in beautiful shades of sea green and bright turquoise during these cold and clear days of January and February.

 

Ciao Amalfi Coast Blog Sea Green 2

 

This is certainly one of the treats of being on the Amalfi Coast during the winter months!

 

Ciao Amalfi Coast Blog Sea Green 3

 

Today we’re enjoying another day of sun (I’m getting caught up on vacation laundry!), and I’m ignoring the news that more rain is in store for us this week. Today it’s all sun!

Can I Complain About the Rain?

Laura Thayer
Amalfi, Amalfi Coast, Weather

I know with all the terrible snow, flooding and bad storms around Europe and American these days that I don’t really have any right to complain about the near constant rain we’ve been having here on the Amalfi Coast. While winter weather on the Amalfi Coast can be a bit, well, glum, the winter storms do bring with them some rough seas that can be quite exciting. The shot above is looking toward the Hotel Luna in Amalfi. Let’s just hope no one was walking by when that wave crashed against the rocks!

Over by the port the rough seas have already damaged some of the railings. I think these have to be fixed just about every year. And here’s why:


The power of the sea is always impressive to me. It is there so calm and clear some days, but in the back of my mind I remember just what it is capable of. Hope the weather for all you reading will improve soon!