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WRITING · July 29, 2012

Book Review | Todo in Tuscany

There are a lot of reasons to fall in love with a house in Tuscany. A sweeping view across the rolling Tuscan hillsides, finding a piece of Italian history going back generations or a setting in a charming Italian village. While Louise Badger and Lawrence Kershaw found all those things in ...

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WRITING · July 2, 2012

Book Review | Among the Cloud Dwellers by Giuliana Sica

Every life deserves a little magic. If you feel like yours is missing that little spark, then boy oh boy do I have the book for you! One of my favorite summer reads so far has been Among the Cloud Dwellers by Giuliana Sica (published by Gemelli Press). This book is a beautiful blend of romance, ...

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WRITING · December 16, 2011

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 ...

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WRITING · September 18, 2011

Book Review | Traveling with Pomegranates: A Mother-Daughter Story by Sue Monk Kidd and Ann Kidd Taylor

A few years back now, my mother read Traveling with Pomegranates: A Mother- Daughter Story by Sue Monk Kidd and Ann Kidd Taylor. I don't recall now just how it happened--chance, a recommendation, a gift--but I do know it was a treasure. As she read the story and shared about it with me, it became an ...

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WRITING · August 22, 2011

Book Review | The French Gardener by Santa Montefiore

I've just finished reading a delicious book, with a story so good that it lingers in my thoughts and I don't want to let it go. I picked up The French Gardener by Santa Montefiore on a whim in the Omaha airport last March, when my carry on was already loaded down with too many books. I had heard ...

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FOOD & DRINK, WRITING · October 16, 2010

Cookbook Review: “Mamma Agata – Simple and Genuine” by Chiara Lima

Sometimes you happen across a cookbook that you know you'll treasure for the rest of your life. That's how I felt when I first looked through Chiara Lima's beautiful cookbook Mamma Agata - "Simple and Genuine" Italian Family Recipes. I've written many times here on Ciao Amalfi about my adventures ...

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FOOD & DRINK, WRITING · September 6, 2010

Cookbook Review: Cooking Up an Italian Life by Sharon Sanders

I enjoy cooking throughout the year. But when the weather begins to feel cooler, and the sycamore leaves turn that light golden hue, I find myself looking forward to the evening hours and preparing dinner. The first rainy day—with a cool breeze blowing down from the mountains—has come and gone, and ...

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Ciao!

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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When I walked by this ceramic table in Praiano, it When I walked by this ceramic table in Praiano, it reminded me of one of my favorite Italian words: garbuglio. It means a tangle or a mess. But not just any mess, a conspicuous and intricate mess. I think we can all find a few of those around these days. Now you know what to call it in Italian!
Completely unplanned, I ended up getting off the b Completely unplanned, I ended up getting off the bus in Pontone this morning instead of Minuta. The steps up between these two hamlets of Scala are quite steep, but it was a perfect autumn morning. Brilliant sun but a cool north breeze and the air full of the honeyed scent of sweet alyssum (which I can spot thanks to Giacomo from @cookeatsquare!) and birdsong. As a little reward to myself for the unexpected effort, I meandered a bit to enjoy the crimson vines and some sunflowers dancing in the breeze. Autumn is coming - even on the Amalfi Coast! 🍂
You have to look close for any signs of autumn in You have to look close for any signs of autumn in Amalfi. Surrounded mostly by olive, lemon, pines, and other types of evergreen trees, we don’t have much for fall foliage right in the center of town. Oh but I look! In the golden moments of the morning just as the sun hits Amalfi for the first time, I’m out there imagining autumn colors. 🍂
This month’s newsletter continues the travels in This month’s newsletter continues the travels in Italy with American poet H.W. Longfellow in 1828 as he made his way down to Naples. Plus a look at Grand Tour volcano tourism and a bonus of 19th-century tips for now not to be a tourist. Link in bio!
Mmmhmm autumn is definitely my favorite season. 🧡 This morning I woke up a bit earlier than my alarm and looked outside somewhat perplexed. The entire sky, the town—everything—had a burnt orange hue. A hurried lacing up of the shoes and still bleary eyed, but I just had to see it better for myself. It was a glorious sunrise. Now the rain has just gently started falling and I’m in full autumn ecstasy.

Later I’ll return to the piano to pick up where I left off yesterday learning this beautiful autumn waltz by @andreavanzo_composer. 🍂
Just by chance I happened to catch the very beginn Just by chance I happened to catch the very beginning and end of season at @cantine_marisa_cuomo this year. It was fun to see the grapes on the same vines just before harvest begins. Swipe to the right to see the same grapes back in May. Happy autumn!
Huge thanks to @italia_magazine for the lovely fea Huge thanks to @italia_magazine for the lovely feature of the second edition of Moon Southern Italy in the August/ September 2025 issue. Love the great description of @moonguides as well. Grazie mille! 🇮🇹
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