The Amalfi Coast
View from my room at the Hotel Bellevue in Amalfi
I have wanted to visit the Amalfi Coast since one of my friends did a semester abroad there during college and came back with all these stories of how beautiful it was and how it was a must see. Dreams do come true. For a nifty price that is, but they do come true. After researching and returning from the vacation of a lifetime, I had to share my findings with anyone looking to visit this part of the world. Here is a short list of things to know before you plan your trip to one of Italia’s most breath taking attractions.
- Lodging and traveling to the Amalfi Coast is expensive. Unless you are used to $500 per night hotels when you travel, you will find some of these hotel costs to be astronomical. I found an awesome location (Hotel Bellevue in the town of Amalfi) for $350 a night with amazing views of the town of Amalfi and the Tyrrhenian Sea. This brings me to my next point, deciding where to stay on the Coast.
- The Amalfi Coast is broken down into smaller towns. I visited four of those towns during my stay including Amalfi (I stayed here), Positano, Capri and Sorrento. As I typically do, I compared the towns to places familiar to me in America.
Amalfi is like Cape May: peaceful, older, more mature crowds. I needed this to be where I laid my head at night.
Views from Positano
Positano is like Miami, which explains why my friend suggested I stay here, she is a through and through New Yorker who lives for the constant vibrant energy of a city. Positano was very cosmopolitan with bustling restaurants and trendy cocktails.
Sorrento was dope. It has the energy of San Francisco and I plan to stay here for a few nights when I return to the coast. Just enough going on to get my good people watching in but laid back enough to enjoy the never-ending Sea in front of us.
Capri is the Hamptons. Money drips from the time you think about visiting where you can only get there by boat so you better think about who will provide your ride over. The ferry is an option where it runs all day along the Coast to the island. We opted for the private boat and I would suggest this if you want to have the freedom of what time you leave and if you want to bring treats on the trip.
- Eating? The best food I discovered was from a little restaurant down the street from the Hotel Bellevue. The smaller the better. I tried a fancy, smancy restaurant in one of the hotels and it was a total bust. Only one or two dishes made the cut. Stick close to the mom and poppie style places and you will not lose.
Here are some picks from the many places I ate/visited during my trip:
Best Tortellini I tasted in Bologna
Super chill bar in center of Bologna “La Linea”
Pizza in Pisa
The Leaning Tower of Pisa
The cute neighborhood restaurant in Amalfi down the road from Hotel Bellevue…go!
LOL at “Local Typical Food”…found in the town of Amalfi
Of course, there was tons of limencello
Pizza from Pizzeria Aurora in Sorrento
Sorrento City Center
Margherita Pizza from La Perla in the town of Amalfi
La Perla Restaurant in the town of Amalfi owned and operated by the same man for over 30 years.
Seafood pasta from La Perla in the town of Amalfi
Such a treat in Rome. The famous La Taverna dei Fori Imperiali
La Taverna dei Fori Imperiali owners son with yours truly
La Taverna dei Fori Imperiali ravioli (half-size portion!)
At some point, I stopped here… the question is where exactly this was located?! No clue but wanted to share. #SanGiuseppe
Category: Travels
About the Author (Author Profile)
Johnna French is a Harlem NY native with deep roots in Panama, Washington, DC and North Carolina. All four places have heavily influenced her life and the foods she loves today. After graduating Howard University School of Law and beginning her life as a young professional in the city she was led to start Johnna Knows Good Food in November 2007 to keep family, friends and colleagues updated on where to go and what to eat while dining in the nation’s capitol. French, who still practices law, leads a team of three writers to cover the ever expanding Washington, DC food scene. French has been featured in print and television, appearing in Washingtonian Magazine and is a regular contributor to various local TV affiliates including WUSA 9, FOX 5 DC and WJLA (ABC Affiliate) News Channel 8. During the 2016-2017 football season, Johnna aired on Comcast Sports Mid-Atlantic (CSN) show, Redskins Life, as the weekly tailgate host. Johnna is currently a regular contributor to the FOX Baltimore Weekend morning show.Subscribe
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Really enjoyed the blog on Amafi, as I have visited The Isle Of Capri and did not know where to dine and it was hit and miss. I am such a Foodie, this article very helpful, especially when traveling.
When in Washington, DC, some years ago, I believe the late ninety’s, I stayed at the SheRton Hotel, not far from. The Zoo, dined at an Italian Restaurant in a two story. Holding in vicinity of the hotel, cannot remember the name of it, was the best lobster pasta I have ever had, wanted to go back there but did not remember the name, I was told that quite a few celebrities go there ad well., would love to know if this restaurant still exist and the name of it.
Serious Foodie
Thank you for reading Betty!!! I cannot think of the restaurant that you are referring to, that neighborhood has changed so much. Next time you are in D.C. definitely let me know so I can send you the newest spots to try. ?