About Laura Thayer

Writing, photography & tales from daily life on Italy’s Amalfi Coast, through the eyes of an American writer and art historian. Currently co-writing a novel with my mother, Sandra Thayer, set on the Amalfi Coast.

Contact Me

I invite you to explore the pages of Ciao Amalfi to enjoy the beauty, history and traditions of the Amalfi Coast. Can't get enough of the Amalfi Coast? Me either! You can find Ciao Amalfi on Facebook and follow me on Twitter, too. Please email me directly for writing requests or just to say "Ciao!" While I love hearing from readers, please keep in mind that I may not be able to respond to all requests for information or travel planning help for the Amalfi Coast. Explore the archives of Ciao Amalfi for more travel tips and inspiration!
Follow Me on Pinterest

Currently Reading

Enjoying the Twists & Turns of Life on the Amalfi Coast

Amalfi Coast Scooter Adventures

Reflection of the buildings and mountains in Atrani

It’s been a rainy spring on the Amalfi Coast, but yesterday was the perfect day to take my scooter out for a ride. While I have been out for some short trips, this was the first time I enjoyed a ride with the spring scents in the air, the sun shining and the trees all leafed out. As soon as I rounded the first turn, it all came right back and I fell in love all over again with the feel of the curves in the road and the fresh air. I zigzagged my way down the road to Atrani and parked the motorino near the beach. As I was taking off my helmet I caught a pretty view reflected in my rear view mirror. What a gorgeous day!

Amalfi Coast Beach Atrani

Summer sun and spring breezes on the beach in Atrani

The sun said summer but the cool breezes blowing in off the sea made it a bit chilly if you stepped out of the sun. The colors were stunning yesterday evening, the deep blue of the sea, the brightly colored boats on the beach and the green, white and red of the flag flipping in the wind.

Fishing Boat on the Beach in Atrani Amalfi Coast Italy

Don't mind me. I'll just stand here and stare at the colors for awhile.

Brilliant doesn’t even begin to describe the colors on the beach. I took off my sunglasses to soak in as much of it unfiltered as I could. I took two photos while I was standing there, which is a record minimum for me. (And my husband wasn’t even there to appreciate it!) That’s how stunning it was. I must go back on another sunny and clear evening, but with my wits about me to take more photos.

Riding a scooter on the Amalfi Coast

One last glimpse of Atrani before putting on the helmet

As I opened the storage container behind the scooter to pull out my helmet and ride over to Amalfi, I caught one last glimpse of Atrani. Beautiful, beautiful, beautiful. My first spring ride on the scooter was very well timed, as yesterday I received in the mail the June issue of Italia! Magazine with my latest article about my experiences learning to ride a scooter on the Amalfi Coast. Couldn’t think of a more appropriate way to celebrate! (And they even selected my photo of Atrani to use in the article – perfect!)

Italia Magazine Column on the Amalfi Coast June 2012

My latest article in Italia! Magazine about learning to write a scooter on the Amalfi Coast

If you haven’t yet picked up a copy of Italia! Magazine, it’s a lovely publication filled with gorgeous photos, interesting articles and lots of great Italian recipes. For those of you who love the Amalfi Coast and Campania, don’t miss the June issue with articles about Naples, climbing Mt. Vesuvius and, of course, more about the twists and turns of riding a scooter on the Amalfi Coast!

10 comments to Enjoying the Twists & Turns of Life on the Amalfi Coast

  • you are very courageous to drive a scooter along those roads. complimenti…

    • It took a long time last year going very piano piano to feel comfortable, Mary Jane. Now I feel like I’m starting to get the hang of it pretty good, but I’m glad I took it slow!

  • Denise Givens

    Laura, your photos are creative and beautiful as always!

  • Kay

    I was proud of myself driving a car (with my visiting and rather nervous New Zealand tourists in it) around those roads this time last year, but I am envious of your scooter :-) such freedom!

    • Ciao Kay! The scooter really has offered me quite a bit of freedom, because I haven’t braved up to your experience of driving on the Amalfi Coast. While I love driving and have crisscrossed America by car (and moving truck), I’ve never enjoyed or gotten comfortable driving a manual transmission car. I just hate it! Our old Fiat Punto hasn’t been easy to learn on either. Later this year I’m probably just going to have to bite the bullet and take lessons from the local driving school so that I learn how to drive manual transmission cars here on the Amalfi Coast. I’d pay anyone who could make me love it though as I doubt that will ever be the case. We’ve also talked about just trying to track down an automatic car here in Italy! :-)

  • Congrats on your article. Loved your post.

  • Outstanding photographs! I love the reflections you captured. A wonderful way to share your day.

Leave a Reply

 

 

 

You can use these HTML tags

<a href="" title=""> <abbr title=""> <acronym title=""> <b> <blockquote cite=""> <cite> <code> <del datetime=""> <em> <i> <q cite=""> <strike> <strong>