November Snow on the Amalfi Coast

Laura Thayer
Amalfi Coast Lifestyle
November Snow Above Scala

The first taste of winter on the Amalfi Coast!

Yesterday morning we awoke to a wintry surprise … snow! A cold front blew down from the mountains overnight and left a light dusting of snow at the highest elevations along the Amalfi Coast. Even at the top of Scala the cars were covered with a slushy white covering we don’t see all that often here. I bundled up and went out first thing in the morning for a hair cut appointment in Ravello. I forgot to grab my camera before heading out the door, but I did snap a few photos on my phone. I know some of you get serious snow in the winter, but here it’s pretty rare and photograph-worthy!

Ciao Amalfi Coast Travel November Snow Ravello

A wintry view from Ravello

Ciao Amalfi Coast Travel November Snow from Ravello

The sunshine was melting the snow quickly even with the cold wind ... brrr!

Ciao Amalfi Coast Travel November Snow Forest

Definitely a day for a fireplace if you have one on the Amalfi Coast

Ciao Amalfi Coast Travel November Snow Mountains

Looking up to the mountains above Scala

Spring Blossoms at the Villa Cimbrone

Laura Thayer
See & Do
Ciao Amalfi Coast Travel Ravello Villa Cimbrone Wisteria Walkway

Walking under the wisteria in the Villa Cimbrone

Spring came a bit late this year, but it wasn’t stingy with its beautiful colors and much needed cheeriness. One sunny day when the internet went kaput I took a ride up to Ravello and headed toward the Villa Cimbrone. I’ve shared photos of a picture perfect autumn stroll through the Villa Cimbrone and a winter walk in Ravello, but I haven’t yet covered my favorite season of the year on the Amalfi Coast. Bright bursts of yellow, electric pink blooms and, yes, there will be wisteria! I try to visit the Villa Cimbrone each spring, but I’ve never managed to time it with the blossoming of the wisteria covered walkways in the garden. This year I was in luck as the much of the wisteria was at its peak. So just sit back, enjoy a cup of tea and savor the beautiful blossoms, garden setting and all the loveliness of spring at the Villa Cimbrone in Ravello!

Ciao Amalfi Coast Travel Ravello Villa Cimbrone Wisteria Pergola

The delicious scent of spring on the Amalfi Coast

 

Ciao Amalfi Coast Travel Ravello Villa Cimbrone Pink Blossoms Tower

The Villa Cimbrone gardens are the perfect spot to enjoy spring

 

Ciao Amalfi Coast Travel Ravello Villa Cimbrone Tree Blossom

Perfect spring blossom

 

Ciao Amalfi Coast Travel Ravello Villa Cimbrone Statue View

Spring colors and marvelous views at the Villa Cimbrone

 

Ciao Amalfi Coast Travel Ravello Villa Cimbrone Terrace of Infinity

Stepping out to the Terrace of Infinity at the Villa Cimbrone

 

Ciao Amalfi Coast Travel Ravello Villa CImbrone Wisteria Buds

Hanging wisteria buds ready to bloom

 

Ciao Amalfi Coast Travel Ravello Villa Cimbrone Wisteria Steps

A wisteria pergola leading down to a replica of Verrocchio’s David

 

Ciao Amalfi Coast Travel Ravello Villa Cimbrone Cyclamen

From the infinite to tiny wild cyclamen

 

Chestnuts in August

Laura Thayer
Amalfi Coast Lifestyle
Summer on the Amalfi Coast August Tramonti

Prickly chestnuts growing in Tramonti

Weekends in August are generally a time to avoid the beach on the Amalfi Coast. Crisi or no crisi, I swear half of Italy is on the beach in Amalfi this time of year. With hotter than usual temperatures right now, unless I can nab a spot close to the edge of the water I feel like reenacting the “I’m melting … m…e…l…t…i…n…g” scene from Who Framed Roger Rabbit. Yeah, it ain’t pretty. I’m happier to head to the beach early in the morning during the week when it’s less crowded or just wait until things quiet down a little bit at the end of the August.

Since it was too hot to head to the beach yesterday, we went the other direction up into the mountains above Tramonti to one of my favorite restaurants. The drive through the pass up to Tramonti was quiet and peaceful, worlds away from the August chaos in Amalfi. After lunch I looked up at the big chestnut tree we parked under for shade and noticed the bright green chestnuts growing in their prickly burrs.

Chestnuts on the Amalfi Coast

Vibrant green of the new chestnuts growing

On such a hot day it was refreshing to have a reminder that autumn is on its way. Soon it will be time for the chestnut harvest and the Festa della Castagna in Scala. I want to hold on to the warmth of summer and the beach days as long as I can, but seeing the chestnuts growing is a nice reminder that there are many beautiful–and cooler–days ahead!

Spring Blossoms

Laura Thayer
Amalfi Coast Seasons

Spring on the Amalfi Coast Mountains

This evening I was out folding the laundry while admiring all the spring blossoms that have burst out in the last week. Just when it seems like those cold days of winter will never end, suddenly spring arrives and everything feels better in the warm sunshine. Just yesterday we were trying to remember when was the last time we turned on a heater. A week ago maybe? Windows are open most of the day now, until a chilly evening breeze makes us close them and put on a warmer sweaters. After the time change, I can dry laundry outside again for the first time since last autumn. This is a simple pleasure, but a sweet one.

White Spring Blossoms on the Amalfi Coast

Take a deep breath, the warmth of spring has arrived. It is welcome deep down in my bones. This is the season of coming to life, and I’m waiting and quietly watching to see just what will happen.

Birdwatching in Amalfi

Laura Thayer
Amalfi Coast Lifestyle

When it’s almost lunch time in Amalfi in the winter, the streets go quiet as the locals start to climb the steps that will take them back home. There aren’t many tourists around this time of year to keep the pizzerias and quick food spots busy during lunch. Yet, there’s always something to watch in Amalfi.

Bird Watching on the Amalfi Coast

Today I spotted two cormorants who had just taken a dip in the chilly water. They were preening and shaking the dampness off their feathers, likely wishing the sun would come out to warm them up just a bit.

Cormorants in Amalfi

I’ve only seen cormorants (cormorano in Italian) in Amalfi a few times before, and I’ve never been able to get a photo of them. The way they dive under the water to hunt is fascinating, and I used to love watching them fish on the Mississippi River and when I was young in Florida.

Seagulls in Amalfi

The seagulls also seemed satiated, and were lining up for an afternoon nap. I didn’t have time to do more birdwatching, because it was time for me to head home and make lunch, too!