Ciao! I'm Laura.
  • Journal
  • About
  • Writing
  • Contact
  • Home
  • Journal
  • Books
  • Podcast
  • About
    • Writing
  • Contact

Ciao Amalfi

TRAVEL · October 2, 2011

The First of October in Positano

While clearing the breakfast dishes from the kitchen table yesterday morning, I heard on the news that this September was the warmest recorded in Italy in last 150 years. Looking out the window at a slice of vivid blue sea sparkling in the sunshine, I thought that was just about the nicest way to celebrate the 150th anniversary of Italy that I’d heard of so far this year. By the first of October, we’ve usually changed to our autumn wardrobe and are waking up to a chilly house in the mornings. Fortunately, this year the warmest September in 150 years has decided to spill over into the beginning of October. Yesterday with the sun shining and summer-like temperatures, it was the perfect day to take the ferry to Positano to enjoy this lovely gift – one last taste of summer before autumn arrives!

Church of San Biagio, Amalfi
Beautiful October morning in Amalfi

Amalfi was busy and crowded like a summer day with groups of tourists arriving by boat and bus. I squeezed through a large group of visitors that the Tour Guide was showing around Amalfi and made by way down to the end of the pier to catch the ferry to Positano.

Amalfi from the Sea
View looking back toward Amalfi

While the top of the ferry filled up with tourists, I found my favorite spot on the lower level next to an open window. The same fabulous view without the wind and being baked in the hot sun! I like to watch the rainbows dance on the waves created by the boat. I caught it a little bit in this video, which also shows the pamorama from Praiano on the left to Capo di Conca on the right.

Once around Capo Sottile in Praiano the view opens to Positano in the distance. Set in a steep valley, the town sprawls out in all directions fitting into every knook and cranny of the mountainside.  Always a beautiful sight to see!

Positano from the Sea
View of Positano in the distance

If Amalfi felt like July on the first of October, it was fully August in all its glory in Positano! It is always warmer in Positano than Amalfi, but yesterday the difference was really striking. The beach was filled with sunbathers when I arrived at noon, and the colors throughout town made it feel every bit like summer was holding on strong in Positano.

Positano in October
Hibiscus flowers in Positano

I walked around town just a bit mesmerized by the colors and the beauty of Positano. It always gets me! Even though it’s only a 25 minute ferry ride away from Amalfi, I feel like I can still go on vacation, so to speak, in Positano. The town has such a different feel from Amalfi and Ravello, and a day there away from the cars and traffic is such a treat.

Romantic balcony in Positano
A charming balcony in Positano

I was filled with a bit of nostalgia as I stopped to take photos and enjoy the colors of Positano, because I know that winter will be here very soon. While I love the change of seasons, it is hard to let go of these colors and the warmth until next spring! Pushing thoughts of the cold and damp winter out of my mind, I wandered back through town in the direction of the pier in Positano.

Spiagga Grande in Positano
The Spiagga Grande in Positano on a beautiful October day

The large beach was very tempting in the sunshine, but I had even more alluring plans for the afternoon to visit a tiny beach near Positano where I had never been before. Stop by later this week and I’ll share with you a little secret that a good friend shared with me in Positano. You’ll love it!

Posted In: TRAVEL · Tagged: Amalfi Coast Seasons, Amalfi Coast Videos, Autumn, Fall, October, Postitano, Praiano, Seasons, Weather

You’ll Also Love

ciao-amalfi-estate-san-martino-1“L’Estate di San Martino” in Amalfi
Last of the October Beach Days
ciao-amalfi-positano-wisteria-1Italy Roundtable: The Rush of the Strange and Unfamiliar

Comments

  1. Erica says

    October 2, 2011 at 14:44

    I visited the Amalfi Coast a few years ago and your photos and videos always bring me back! Enjoy the beautiful weather 🙂

    Reply
    • Laura says

      October 2, 2011 at 17:05

      Ciao Erica! I’m so happy to read your comment and hear that you enjoy Ciao Amalfi. Thanks for stopping by! Always happy to share the beauty of the Amalfi Coast … and bring back happy memories!

      Reply
  2. Rd522 says

    October 2, 2011 at 19:57

    Grazie! Your blogs are great! Looking forward to my sorrento / amalfi trips next week.

    Reply
    • Laura says

      October 2, 2011 at 21:58

      Ciao Rita! I wish you a fabulous trip to Sorrento and the Amalfi Coast next week!! 🙂

      Reply
  3. Eleonora says

    October 2, 2011 at 22:49

    😉

    Reply
    • Laura says

      October 6, 2011 at 18:31

      Hee hee! 🙂

      Reply
  4. James says

    October 4, 2011 at 15:32

    I dont know what it is about positano that draws you in. But once there you can never forget it. I cant wait to come back next year.

    Reply
    • Laura says

      October 6, 2011 at 18:31

      That’s so true, James! 🙂

      Reply
  5. nicki says

    October 5, 2011 at 18:32

    I love this weather. I went to Laurito on Sunday, missed you by a day! It was so hot that I gave up and went home at 4! See you this weekend hopefully…text me if you come!

    Reply
    • Laura says

      October 6, 2011 at 18:30

      Ciao Nicki! I’m loving this weather, too. Hang on summer!! I’m so sorry that I missed you last weekend. Hope we can meet up soon! 🙂

      Reply
  6. Lorrie says

    October 29, 2011 at 02:39

    Love your photos! Now they have more meaning since I’ve been there!
    Have a couple of questions for you… None of my photos turned out that great, do you have any recommendations of where I could buy a poster of the Amalfi Coast? I’m also looking for a good cookbook so I can try to make some of the great food I had during my trip.

    Grazie mille, Laura! 🙂

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Next Post >

La Marinella Beach in Amalfi

Trending Now

  • ciao-amalfi-winter-things-to-do Visiting the Amalfi Coast in the Winter – 5 Things You Need to Know
  • Amalfi Coast Webcams New Live Streaming Webcams of Amalfi!
  • Amalfi Coast Travel Positano Beach Spiagga Grande A Guide to the Beaches of Positano
  • Amalfi Coast Beaches Colourful Sun Umbrellas at the Marina Grande Beach in Amalfi - Horizontal A Guide to the Beaches of Amalfi

Ciao!

My name is Laura and the Amalfi Coast is my passion and my home. I’m a writer and photographer who is endlessly inspired by the incredible beauty of the Amalfi Coast. Welcome to Ciao Amalfi!

Ciao Amalfi

  • Journal
  • Moon Amalfi Coast
  • Newsletter
  • Contact

Amalfi Coast

  • Amalfi
  • Positano
  • Ravello
  • Amalfi Coast

Explore

  • Travel
  • History & Culture
  • Food & Drink
  • Shopping

Laura Thayer

  • About
  • Writing
  • Book Reviews
  • Work with Me

Latest on Instagram

The 66th Regata delle Antiche Repubbliche Marinare The 66th Regata delle Antiche Repubbliche Marinare is here! This weekend is full of exciting events as the Regatta of the Ancient Maritime Republics returns to Amalfi after 6 years. This event sees teams from Amalfi, Pisa, Genoa, and Venice compete in a boat race in historic galleons as well as a historic parade. Stay tuned for photos and videos from the parade today and the boat race tomorrow. Forza Amalfi! 💙

#amalfi #amalficoast #ciaoamalfi #visitamalfi #italyhistory #italytravel
Last month I did a mini staycation in Positano and Last month I did a mini staycation in Positano and I loved it! Even though it’s just down the coast from Amalfi, I enjoyed the quiet of the early morning and breakfast with those famous Positano views. And a relaxed dinner without a long (and twisty!) drive home. This view from above Arienzo beach is one of my favorites of Positano.

#positano #amalficoast #positanoitaly #amalficoastitaly #costieraamalfitana #italytravel #positanoview #arienzo #amalficoastview #ciaoamalfi
That this place is just down the coastline is stil That this place is just down the coastline is still a marvel to me. Yesterday morning the colors in Positano were brilliant. 💙

#Positano #AmalfiCoast #ciaoamalfi #amalficoastitaly #positanoitaly #amalficoastbeaches #positanobeach #positanoview #positanoamalficoast #expatlife #italyexpat #italyexpatlife #italytravel #italyiloveyou
You know that feeling when you’re walking around You know that feeling when you’re walking around with something weighing on your mind? I didn’t even realize that’s what I’ve been doing until I had a follow up exam yesterday and got the all clear. At the same office in Amalfi where this whole journey with breast cancer began last June. I took a different sort of walk afterwards and that cloud over Amalfi made me laugh a bit. All clear! Float away little cloud of worry that has been following me around. Vattene! 🌬
After Flavio Gioia, the next natural stop for the After Flavio Gioia, the next natural stop for the #AmalfiCoastCompass series is the Arsenale, where the galleys and ships were built and repaired during the Republic of Amalfi. Just a few steps from Piazza Flavio Gioia, the Arsenale is the only medieval shipyard in Italy to have survived intact. Dating back to the 11th century, its two long aisles with stone cross vaults and pointed arches creates an evocative space.

Today the beautifully restored Arsenale is the setting for art exhibitions and cultural events. Yesterday was the opening for Kerameikos (April 8 - May 10, 2022), an exhibition of contemporary Vietri ceramic arts curated by professor and art critic Massimo Bignardi and organized by @agarte_fucinadellearti. The show brings together 160 works by four master ceramicists from the Amalfi Coast: Salvatore Autuori, Vincenzo Caruso, Giuseppe Di Muro, and Ferdinando Vassallo.

Take a look through the photos to see a glimpse of the exhibit. Second photo: I loved the bright colors and geometric shapes of Salvatore Autuori's work. Third photo: beautiful historical elements in pieces by Giuseppe Di Muro. Fourth photo: look closely at the textures from nature in Ferdinando Vassallo's ceramic series. Fifth photo: the mix of colors in this vase by Enzo Caruso was stunning in person.

The exhibit is free to visit and is open from 10am-1pm/ 4pm-4pm Wednesday to Sunday. For more information check out www.arsenalediamalfi.it.
It’s already back to rainy in Amalfi, but yester It’s already back to rainy in Amalfi, but yesterday was something splendid when the sun came out. Colors quite like this don’t come along with the storms. I’ll take it all!
One of the first things I noticed about the Amalfi One of the first things I noticed about the Amalfi Coast was that I had a lot of questions. It was unlike any place I had ever been. Just over 15 years later, I still have plenty of questions and am constantly seeing new things. This place really has taught me to slow down and look closer.

With that spirit, I’m starting a new series called #AmalfiCoastCompass where I’ll show you places you might have missed, things you might have wondered about, and ideas for your next trip to the Amalfi Coast.

There’s no better place to start the Compass Series than with this statue in Amalfi. Have you noticed it before in the middle of Piazza Flavio Gioia? It’s a statue of Flavio Gioia, a figure from the 13th century credited with inventing the compass for sailing. He stands holding a bussola, or compass, gazing intently downward at the instrument in his left hand while his right points forward. 

While the existence of this particular mariner is questionable, what is sure is that Amalfi was Italy’s first maritime republic and its sailors not only crisscrossed the Mediterranean and traveled as far east as Constantinople but also created maritime codes that were used for centuries. So while the exact creator or individuals behind the perfection of the compass for navigational use will likely never be known, the statue represents Amalfi’s contribution to travel as we know it today. 

This statue was created by Alfonso Balzico, an Italian sculptor born in 1825 in Cava de' Tirreni - not far from Vietri sul Mare on the Amalfi Coast. He studied in Naples and created many important statues around Italy. His statue of Flavio Gioia was created in 1892 and won a gold medal at the 1900 World Exposition in Paris. (Flavio Gioia was still getting around the world!) It was on display in Rome after Balzico's death in 1901 until the city of Amalfi acquired the statue and it was placed in Piazza Flavio Gioia in 1926. It’s been moved a couple of times (at least) but now it’s located in the center of the traffic circle surrounded by a fountain and little landscaped garden. And one last little curiosity: the statue of Flavio Gioia is oriented facing north.
  • Privacy Policy
  • Site Disclosure

Copyright © 2022 Ciao Amalfi · Theme by 17th Avenue