Like any good story, a place has multiple sides, fascinating characters that draw you in, unexpected twists, and moments that make you fall in love. You can't know a story from only reading a few pages, just like you can't know a place until you've been there turning the pages day by day – being ...
Archives for 2011
Happy Holidays from the Amalfi Coast!
This is my third Christmas on the Amalfi Coast, and each year I fall in love just a little bit more with the holiday celebrations, decorations and season in Italy. The simple beauty of Christmas and time with family seem somehow less adulterated by the commercialism of America. I was pleased to see ...
The First Snow on the Amalfi Coast
Yesterday morning we woke up to find a dusting of snow on the tops of the Lattari Mountains high above the Amalfi Coast. It was a beautiful sight in the morning sunshine. It doesn't snow often down at lower altitudes, but I do love the wintery setting of seeing it on the mountaintops. The snow ...
Book Review | Gelato Sisterhood on the Amalfi Shore by Chantal Kelly
The beautiful Amalfi Coast, travel stories, history, traditional Campania recipes and, of course, gelato – I think I fell in love with Chantal Kelly's book Gelato Sisterhood on the Amalfi Shore before I finished reading the back cover. It was a joy to dive into the story and join Chantal Kelly as ...
Festival of Sant’ Andrea in Amalfi
For years I have been wanting to share about the Festival of Sant' Andrea, Amalfi's largest religious celebration, here on Ciao Amalfi. This grand event happens twice per year in Amalfi, the summer religious festival taking place on June 27th and the winter celebration on Saint Andrew's feast day ...
Picking Mandarin Oranges in Amalfi
When they're ready, word begins to spread through the family. The mandarini—mandarin oranges—are ready! This is a moment I wait for eagerly each December, when the mandarins are ready to be picked in Vettica. If you've traveled around the Amalfi Coast, or small towns most anywhere in Italy, you've ...
On the Road Home
Earlier this week I arrived back home in Italy at Naples' Capodichino airport, the closest airport to the Amalfi Coast. Anyone who has driven on the autostrada through Naples knows that the stress of international travel is nothing compared to simply surviving the short drive from the airport to ...
Autumn Glory on the Amalfi Coast
"The pleasure of doing a thing in the same way at the same time every day, and savoring it, should be noted." — Arnold Bennett One of the joys of doing the same thing over and over again, whatever it may be, is finding the beauty in the littlest of details. While out walking, I love watching the ...
Giving Thanks
There's no better day than Thanksgiving to stop and spend a moment with my word for the year ... reflect. This has been a tremendous year, and I am grateful for so many things. I'd love to take just a moment to give my thanks to the new friends I've made this year and to my dear friends who have ...
An Autumn Walk in Ravello
Autumn is a glorious time of year to visit the Amalfi Coast. One of my favorite spots to walk during any season is the town of Ravello located high in the mountains overlooking the coastline. If you enjoyed the Autumn Walk in Scala, you're going to love coming along on a beautiful autumn walk ...
An Autumn Walk in Scala
Autumn arrives quietly on the Amalfi Coast. Slowly the grape vines take on a rich red hue and the leaves of the sycamores turn a golden brown in the evening light. It's an exercise in looking closely at first, but before long the landscape is dotted with autumn colors. This year's warm and dry ...
We are who came before us.
Today is All Souls Day in Italy, a day traditionally spent with family and visiting the cemetery to leave flowers and prayers for your family and friends. As a dear friend of mine recently said, "We are who came before us." Wise words in their simplicity. My thoughts today are with my family and ...