As much as I love being out on a boat and watching the sun set along the Amalfi Coast, one of the most beautiful times to see the Amalfi Coast from the sea is early in the morning. The sun is bright and strong this time of year, but the cool evening breezes have blown away the humidity in the air. Everything seems just a bit clearer and brighter this time of year. Last week I took the boat from Salerno to Amalfi on one of those picture perfect days. Want to come along? Sure thing! I’ll be your guide and point out a few things along the way. Just make sure you bring a light jacket or sweater since the morning sea breeze can be a bit nippy. I’ll meet you at Salerno’s Porto Turistico, located in the center of teh city along the palm tree lined waterfront. In the mornings you see a mix of fishermen, locals on their way to work, and tourists heading off to Amalfi and Positano.
We’ll buy our tickets at those white tents with the pointy tops over on the left. There’s even a little bar down there if you missed your morning caffè or cappuccino and cornetto. Pretty soon we’ll board and leave the port of Salerno behind. It’s hard to look back, however, since the view ahead is so gorgeous! The first town we’ll see is Vietri sul Mare, the Amalfi Coast’s famous town of ceramics. This is where I stayed the first time I visited the Amalfi Coast with my Mom. See that big white building on the right clinging to the cliffs with the elevator down to the beach? That’s the Hotel Lloyd’s Baia where we stayed.
Next up is the fishing village of Cetara, with one of the most picturesque beaches on the Amalfi Coast. If you are looking for an authentic view of life on the Amalfi Coast, I highly recommend stopping and spending some time in this charming seaside village.
Just around the corner from Cetara is an even smaller village called Erchie. What’s that you say? You’ve never heard of Erchie on the Amalfi Coast before? That doesn’t surprise me since I know many people who have lived here their entire lives and haven’t been to Erchie. If you’re looking for a quiet spot with a beautiful beach, definitely consider giving Erchie a visit.
Coming around the cape after Erchie everyone heads to the front of the boat to take in this view. I see Ravello. Do you?
There it is! This rocky ledge is the tip of the Villa Cimbrone in Ravello, offering hands down some of the most spectacular views of the Amalfi Coast. That white villa just under the edge is known as the Villa Rondinaia, or the Swallow’s Nest, and it belonged to Gore Vidal until a number of years ago. No, I couldn’t imagine living there!
Looking to the left you can see how beautiful Atrani is in the morning sun. Do you see the way the bright colors of the buildings are reflected in the water? And just to tease you all, you can see my house from here, but I’m not going to tell you where!
Just around the corner from Atrani, we find beautiful Amalfi waiting for us. The beach umbrellas are starting to appear for another sunny day, or from Amalfi you can hop on a boat to Capri, Sorrento or Naples.
But I wouldn’t blame you if you stayed right here in Amalfi for the day! Buon divertimento! Have fun!
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What company did you travel with? They were close to the shore!
I've never heard of Erchie either.
Ciao Scintilla! Travelmar runs boats between Positano, Amalfi and Salerno regularly. It's €6 to go from Salerno to Amalfi and €10 to go to Positano. They do run close to the shore! Different boats seem to run, but I've been on the Maria Madre, the Uragano and the UFO2 between Amalfi and Salerno. The morning of these pics I think I was on the UFO2.
Ah, poor Erchie! Although the people in Erchie I imagine are happy about it. 🙂 This summer their little beach was lined with brightly colored beach umbrellas, and it looked like a lovely spot!
Now I don't need to visit…I was there right with you:) What a gorgeous home you have…hope to get a closer peek of it next time 🙂
Lovely trip 🙂
I was talking to a man (married) the other day, who mother was born in Livorno, moved to Catanzaro, his father came from Palermo and they ended up on a small island off the coast near Naples..where he comes from!! It was so much fun talking about Italy!!
Ciao Lost in Sicily! Glad you enjoyed the boat trip. I do hope you can visit here some day! 🙂
Ciao Anne! It sure is fun meeting people that come from places you love. Was he from Ischia or Procida?
Thanks for the great sail ride. These wonderful photo's give you a great feeling of the surrounding environment!! 🙂
Ciao Chuck! So glad you enjoyed the trip! 🙂
Nice tour! Can't wait to do that in person one day.
Cherrye (www.my-bellavita.com)