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TRAVEL · January 6, 2015

The Golden Hour

Amalfi Coast Travel Sunset Winter in Amalfi

Amalfi glows in the evening light. This is true all year long, but it’s especially so during the golden hour just before sunset in the winter. Looking east, the cascade of buildings above the Hotel Luna watchtower take on a gorgeous hue. If I could paint, I would sit up here in the evenings and paint the view just to feel a little bit more a part of it than taking a photograph. The beach is empty except a few people drawn to take a closer look at the irresistible scene. Not far from the edge of the sea, rows of fishing boats take a rest pulled up on the beach while waiting for a new coat of paint in the spring. They look like they’ve had a busy season and need a break, but before long the stones will be dotted with drops of paint and the boats will be gone, back to work for another year.

Amalfi Coast Travel Beach Boats Fishing

I do so love the rows of brightly colored sun umbrellas during the summer months that look like candies scattered across the beach. Yet there’s something I love even more about the beach in the winter. It’s so quiet and beckons to be devoured in a slow and lingering way, like following the long shadow of a lone beach walker crunching along the pebbles near the water’s edge. While the summer beach scene in Amalfi clamors for your attention with a riot of colors, people of all shapes and sizes and waves crashing to the sounds of kids playing, the winter scene simply waits. You can stop and look if you’d like, but it’s not going flail about in the water or hit you in the head accidentally with a beach ball. Its indifference makes it even more alluring. If you stop and look, there are moments to witness that you’ll never forget.

Amalfi Coast Travel Winter Beach

Meanwhile, in Piazza Duomo, the mosaics designed by Neapolitan artist Domenico Morelli on the facade of the Cathedral of Sant’Andrea begin to glow in the evening light. I sometimes wonder if Morelli sat in the piazza while working on his designs. He would have been in his late 60s when the new facade of the Duomo was completed in 1891. I also wonder when I look at at the Apostles and scene in the tympanum if he got to see the way the sunset made his designs glimmer. The scene at the top depicts the Triumph of Christ, and it surely is a triumph.

Amalfi Coast Travel Cathedral of St Andrew

While life is busy all year round, there’s something a little easier about slowing down in the winter to notice details, to wonder and to really get to know a place – on its own terms and without the distractions. But those distractions of the busy beaches, relaxing in the warm sun, watching new faces light up when they see the Duomo of Amalfi for the first time, sitting on the steps of the church enjoying a gelato, hopping on a ferry to Positano or Capri, these are just as much part of Amalfi that I miss during the winter months.

Getting to know Amalfi over the years has been like watching the change of seasons. There’s beauty in every season – even the frigid days of winter and the long, hot days of summer. During the winter we miss the warmth and the joy of diving into the clear blue sea and during the summer we miss these quiet, intensely beautiful winter days. Taking photographs is a mindfulness practice for me since it makes me stop and notice little moments like the ones I’ve shared here today.

How do you capture or enjoy beautiful moments in your life?

Posted In: TRAVEL · Tagged: Amalfi, Amalfi Coast Seasons, Winter on the Amalfi Coast

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Comments

  1. Rashmi says

    January 6, 2015 at 15:43

    Ciao Laura,

    I have started peeking at your blog first thing every day now! I feel like I am right there in Amalfi. The picture of the boats is superb. The tourism department there needs to hire you as their ambassador!!! Your pictures are stunning and they have the added bonus of your love for the place. Glad I found your blog.

    Rashmi

    Reply
  2. Rebekah DeLibro says

    January 6, 2015 at 16:44

    Buon Anno Laura! I found your wonderful blog last year upon researching our trip to Italy. This time last year we were making reservations and skyping our friends whom we would be visiting in the town of Ferrara. We loved Ferrara very much and also got to see Verona and of course Venezia. However our trip to the Amalfi coast stole our hearts and we have vowed to return soon. My husband and I were there in the beginning of June and made our home base in Praiano, which we still now keep in touch with the owners of the pensione where we stayed. We took a bus to Amalfi and up to Ravello. More amazing beauty and people! We came back down to Amalfi and piazza duomo and were excited to go into Cathedral Saint’ Andrea and were so impressed by it’s history and architecture. We sat on the duomo steps and as the sun was beginning to get lower in the sky and we saw the glimmering mosaics. It is a memory my husband and I will never forget. I love the way your words help me recapture those special moments in time. Grazie mille!

    Reply
  3. Sandra says

    January 7, 2015 at 15:47

    What a gorgeous overview of beautiful Amalfi. I miss it so much and feel almost there with you through your expressive and descriptive words and photos. Thanks for sharing !

    Reply
  4. Eleonora says

    January 19, 2015 at 10:09

    I really need to plan a visit soon…
    Come sta il marito?

    Hugs
    E xx

    Reply
    • Laura Thayer says

      January 30, 2015 at 21:34

      Ciao Eleonora, Oh, yes, please do come visit! I really need some good conversation and I miss chatting more. L is doing better … it’s a very slow recovery … thanks for asking! Un grande abbraccio, Laura

      Reply

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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!

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