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Ciao Amalfi

BOOKS · February 14, 2021

Book Review | The Chocolatier by Jan Moran

The Amalfi Coast and chocolate ... what a winning combination! I was in the mood for something fun and sweet to read this month leading up to Valentine's Day, so I pulled The Chocolatier by Jan Moran off my bookshelf and enjoyed a long distance mini book club reading it together with my Mom. ...

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BOOKS, WRITING · December 19, 2020

Interview with Author Lucy Knott

One of the best parts of Ciao Amalfi has been the way it's brought so many incredible people into my life. Some of them have even become my closest friends over the years. A decade ago that happened via blog post comments and connections with other bloggers. These days it seems most likely to happen ...

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BOOKS · August 30, 2020

Book Review | Always Italy by Frances Mayes & Ondine Cohane

There's never been a moment quite like the present when we all need a way to hold the beauty of Italy in our hands. COVID-19 has changed the landscape of travel and left so many people canceling long-awaited vacations, destination weddings, and family holidays. Or maybe just left that dream of ...

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WRITING · December 11, 2016

Book Review | The Amalfi Coast Up Close & Personal by Chantal Kelly

The Amalfi Coast seduces everyone who sets eyes on it. It is a rare destination guaranteed to give you a rush - the giddy kind you get when you can't believe you are standing there. From the sea to the hills, from Positano to Vietri, it is a spectacular subject to photograph.   - Chantal ...

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WRITING · September 10, 2016

Book Review | Only in Naples by Katherine Wilson

Given my passion for reading and great love of the Amalfi Coast, as soon as I saw the title of Katherine Wilson's book Only in Naples: Lessons in Food and Famiglia from my Italian Mother-in-Law I knew it would be a book I would enjoy. And I certainly did! With Katherine's engaging writing style and ...

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The Italians John Hooper

WRITING · April 20, 2015

Book Review | The Italians by John Hooper

As the time period for my Italian citizenship application to be processed comes to an end, I've found myself drawn more often to thoughts about what it means to be Italian. As a foreigner, sometimes it just seems like a jumbled up pile of puzzle pieces - where you're pretty sure at least a handful ...

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Dream of Venice

WRITING · February 21, 2015

Book Review | Dream of Venice

Very few readers of Ciao Amalfi will know that the first spot I visited in Italy was Venice. After dreaming of traveling to Italy for years, my first big trip to Europe and to Italy took me to Venice - and only Venice. With just a side visit to the Ferrari Museum in Maranello. (What did you expect ...

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WRITING · October 5, 2013

Book Review | Dreaming of Laughing Hawk by Linda Katmarian

While my reading time has been quite limited since the summer, I've had the pleasure of dipping into a wonderful story every moment I could with Linda Katmarian's debut novel Dreaming of Laughing Hawk. With deep and fascinating characters and a storyline that drew me into the novel more and more ...

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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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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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