Feb 07 2016

The Amalfi Coast in Perillo Traveler Magazine

Laura Thayer
Writing

Perillo Traveler The Amalfi Coast

The last few months have been a bit of a whirlwind, but in many good ways. In the middle of multiple writing projects, the end result can sometimes seem so far away. But when the final product arrives, all the extra work is worthwhile. It was a joy to get the Winter 2016 issue of Perillo Traveler magazine recently and see my feature article on the Amalfi Coast. This was an especially fun project because it included all of my own photos. (Except the cover below – that’s not my shot.) When I write about the Amalfi Coast, the words are intimately connected to the landscape here and the photographs that I love taking while out exploring. To have the two of them together is a dream!

Perillo Traveler The Amalfi Coast

The article takes a broad tour of the Amalfi Coast, with stops in Amalfi, Positano and Ravello. I also share some of my favorite walks, beaches and day trips along with the best restaurants, hotels and shopping spots on the Amalfi Coast. Planning a trip to the Amalfi Coast? You won’t want to miss this article and the Insider’s Guide section! Even better, you can download it for free at the Perillo Traveler website. Or click here.

Perillo Traveler Amalfi Coast Winter 2016

In this issue you’ll also have the chance to win a 5 day trip to Rome for two! (Make sure you enter before March 24, 2016.)

Amalfi Coast Travel November Walk
Nov 23 2015

Home Again

Laura Thayer
Amalfi Coast Lifestyle, Amalfi Coast Seasons

Amalfi Coast Travel Welcome Home

Last week I landed back in Italy after nearly a month spent traveling in America for work and to visit my family in Nebraska. (Helloooo early Thanksgiving gatherings!) It was a whirlwind trip with stops in New Orleans and New York City before heading to Nebraska. I found there’s still a wee bit of jazz on Bourbon Street if you know where to go and spent an incredible day wandering through Central Park surrounded by autumnal splendor. But there’s nothing quite like arriving back home on the Amalfi Coast.

Amalfi Coast Travel San Biagio

My husband had been regaling me with tales about how beautiful the weather had been all of November. Sunshine, unseasonably warm temperatures and crisp colors. So when we saw that the weather was going to change at the end of last week, we took the chance – jet lag and a head cold and all – to enjoy lunch out by the water in Amalfi.

Amalfi Coast Travel November

And of course my favorite winter pastime – a stroll long the long pier that juts out into the port of Amalfi. From there you have an incredible view back to Amalfi and the surrounding mountain valley. What I love best about this walk in the winter? Non c’è nessuno. There is no one. Sure you’ll pass a few locals out for a healthy walk, but that’s about it. But it’s basically just you, the water on both sides and Amalfi as the backdrop. Perfection.

Amalfi Coast Travel November Walk

After lunch the clouds started to arrive, which was the first sign of the change of weather to come. But there were still a few people scattered across the beach. The temperatures have dropped and it has been windy and rainy since Friday. Forget about making hay, you have to go to the beach when the sun shines.

Amalfi Coast Travel November Beach

With the Festival of Sant’ Andrea next week, soon Amalfi will take on a festive holiday atmosphere. It felt like I arrived back home just in time to catch the last glimpse of summer before it slips away into winter.

10 Amalfi Coast Instagrammers to Follow
Apr 28 2015

10 Amalfi Coast Instagrammers To Follow Now

Laura Thayer
Amalfi Coast Lifestyle

10 Amalfi Coast Instagrammers to Follow

When I started sharing photos last summer on Instagram, little did I know I had joined such a wonderful community where I would make new friends and connect with Amalfi Coast lovers from around the world. Along the way Instagram became my favorite social media channel for sharing beautiful little doses of the Amalfi Coast throughout the year. Naturally, some of Instagram users I enjoy following the most are also devoted to the Amalfi Coast. From luxury hotels to fellow expats, these are the Instagrammers to follow for Amalfi Coast travel inspiration and daydreaming – wherever you may be!

 

Villa Tre Ville

#Villatreville #positano #amalficoast #villabianca #biancabar #ottomanterrace #viewtodiefor #luxury #boutique #hotel #panoramic (2 of 3)

A photo posted by Villa Treville, Positano (@villatreville) on

The most beautiful spot on the Amalfi Coast been found. No need to look any further. Have you heard of the Villa Tre Ville? Once the private villa of acclaimed Italian film director and producer Franco Zeffirelli, the villa boasts an exclusive setting with postcard perfect views of Positano and the most remarkable décor and setting. It’s the place for a romantic Amalfi Coast getaway. If you can’t get there soon, then head over to @villatreville to settle in for a good dream. Just save me a spot on that sofa!    

Ravello

An unforgettable view of the Mediterranean #VillaCimbrone #Ravello #AmalfiCoast #Italy A photo posted by Ravello (@ravello) on

If your Amalfi Coast crush is the mountain village of Ravello, then let me introduce you to the @ravello Instagram feed. (You’re welcome.) The daily doses of Ravello beauty will brighten any day and give you plenty of travel inspiration for your next Amalfi Coast trip.

 

Exclusive Cruises

Quiet #inspiration #exclusivecruises #positano #paradise   A photo posted by Valeria Exclusive Cruises (@exclusivecruises) on

It’s easy to imagine sailing off into the Amalfi Coast sunset following the @exclusivecruises Instagram feed as they share photos of their private boat tours and charters. While the dreamy photos make me wish I spent more time out boating, what I particularly enjoy is the mix of photos, great dining spots and lifestyle experiences on the Amalfi Coast.    
 

Le Sirenuse

I would expect nothing less than spectacular from the luxury hotel Le Sirenuse in Positano, and their Instagram account @lesirenuse constantly has me dreaming of Positano. I love seeing the photos they share from guests and reading the comments from previous guests and travelers counting down the days until their arrival at Le Sirenuse. They’ve built a great community!

 

Nicki in Positano

#positano #amalficoast #hiking #seaview #italy

A photo posted by nicki (@nickiposi) on

For a glimpse of daily life in Positano, follow @nickiposi to see beautiful views from Nicki’s walks high up in the mountains, kayaking on the sea with the ever so cute Holly and Positano charm throughout the year.

 

Hotel Caruso


Zipping back down the coast to Ravello, follow @hotelcaruso to escape to a dreamy world of luxury Ravello-style. That infinity pool. Oh that infinity pool. There’s so much more, but that infinity pool is enough to stop my Instagram feed scrolling to a grinding halt every single time.

 

Instagram Amalfi Coast Community

One of the best spots for daily does of Amalfi Coast beauty in your Instagram feed is to follow @ig_amalficoast. They share images all along the Amalfi Coast from users around the world, and I look forward to seeing what they’ll share every day. If you’re fond of a particular village, you’ll find Instagram communities for most of them, including ig_atrani, ig_ravello and ig_positano. (Yay … bonus Amalfi Coast Instagrammers to follow!)  
 

Bell’Avventura in Positano

Don’t you just want to join Rosa Bella at that table and chat about life in Positano as the wisteria petals flutter to the ground? Follow her on Instagram at @bellavventura for beautiful moments of daily life from one of the prettiest terraces in Positano.

 

La Selva, Positano

High in the mountains above Positano with an enviable view, La Selva shares everything good about life that I love: fresh food, yoga and the Amalfi Coast. Follow them @la_selva_positano to share the goodness.  
 

Ciao Amalfi

Buon giorno from a sunny and windy Amalfi Coast!

A photo posted by Laura Thayer (@ciaoamalfi) on


To wrap up this Amalfi Coast Instagram love letter, I’d like to invite you to join me on Instagram to discover the authentic Amalfi Coast throughout the year. You can find me @ciaoamalfi. See you on Instagram!

Amalfi Coast Travel Spring Blossoms Bees
Apr 22 2015

Beautiful Spring Blossoms on the Amalfi Coast

Laura Thayer
See & Do

Amalfi Coast Travel Ravello Through Blossoms

My heart soars when the trees burst into bloom and the air is full of the sweet scent of wisteria on the Amalfi Coast. Spring has officially arrived and brought with it all the excitement of a new season. Tiny leaves are the brightest shades of green and the valleys glow with a vibrant new tint. You can smell the wisteria before you turn a corner and see it climbing up a wall or draped across a pergola. The almond, cherry, peach and apple trees are decorated with white and pink blossoms that simply make life better. Want to test that out? Here you go:

Amalfi Coast Travel Spring Blossoms Bees

How’s that? I hope it brings a burst of joy and sunshine to your day! The trees are alive and the bees are buzz buzz buzzing around happy as, well, bees. Do you see the one in the photo above? I stood and watched the bees landing on one blossom and then another, always seeming to find the ones with a bit a sunshine on them.

Amalfi Coast Travel Bee on Spring Blossoms

The view across the valley to Ravello from under this beautiful tree was also quite the sight. I may or may not have stood under this tree for an embarrassing amount of time. Only the bees know the truth.

Amalfi Coast Travel Ravello April Blossoms

If you have time to explore during your stay on the Amalfi Coast, be sure to visit Ravello. Its setting high in the mountains means it has a completely different atmosphere than the villages right along the sea. The views are also remarkable! If you feel like exploring a little more, be sure to head across the valley to the neighboring village of Scala where you’ll find a sleepy and very authentic lifestyle and panoramic views looking across to Ravello. Both Scala and Ravello are excellent for hiking, so lace up your shoes and head out to explore. Don’t forget to stop and look at the blossoms along the way!

Amalfi Coast Travel Spring Blossoms

Amalfi Coast
Mar 19 2015

Ready for Spring

Laura Thayer
Amalfi Coast Lifestyle

Amalfi Coast

The first signs of spring are starting to arrive on the Amalfi Coast, and yet even more visible is the yearning for the spring everywhere you look. After the cold, humid winter months there’s a physical need for warmth. When the sun shines it’s almost too much to resist. The locals in Amalfi are “street people,” as my husband describes them, and even in the middle of winter you’ll find people out and about walking and talking. However, there’s a palpable sense of joy this time of year when the sun shines, especially on a weekend morning.

Spring on the Amalfi Coast

Everyone seems to find a way to enjoy the sunshine, whether it be taking the grand kids for a walk along the harbor, walking and talking with friends, having a picnic on the beach or a bit of fishing. My favorite way is a leisurely walk from the center of Amalfi along the port to the very end of the pier looking back on the village. With my husband (and camera) of course!

Spring Swimming Amalfi Coast

There are some people a little more eager than I am to go swimming. I must admit the water is so clear and tempting this time of year. There’s no need to rush though. The beach days of summer are sure to come, and for now I’m content with the spring sunshine, soft colors and time to watch the reflections in the sea.

Amalfi Coast Travel Spring Reflections