Elite Traveler Summer 2020

elite traveler SUMMER 2020 107

TO THE ISLAND While Capri is not technically part of the Amalfi Coast (it’s in the Bay of Naples), boating to the island is a popular activity when staying in the area. Head out early for a leisurely ride up the coast, perhaps stopping to snorkel in a cove along the way. As you get closer, don’t miss a photo op at the Faraglioni, the three towering, arched rock formations that have become a visual symbol of the island. There are plenty of signature things to do, like swimming in the Blue Grotto cave, shopping the designer boutiques along Via Camerelle in the town of Capri, hiking up to see the ruins of Emperor Tiberius’ Villa Jovis or hopping into a vintage car for an island tour. Get off the beaten path with a stroll down Via Krupp to the charming Marina Piccola Beach, head up to the less-congested town of Anacapri to catch the views from the famous gardens of the 19th-century Villa San Michele, or take the chairlift up to the summit of Monte Solaro. Back in Capri town, don’t miss an aperitivo in the Piazzetta, considered the island’s ‘living room.’ If you’ve fallen in love and can’t bear to leave, spend a night (or two) at the iconic Capri Palace hotel. capripalace.com AMALFI ACTIVITIES

FLOWERS AND FESTIVALS Evoking Spain’s Alhambra with its Moorish towers, ornate cloisters and incredible gardens, Villa Rufolo in Ravello dates back to the 13th century, when it was built for a wealthy merchant family. Daily guided tours will take you around the grounds and reveal stories of the Villa’s famous past guests, including the King of Naples and composer RichardWagner, who completed his last opera in Ravello. The connection to artists lives on in the Villa’s renowned annual Ravello Festival, a summer series during which piano, chamber and orchestral concerts take place on a stage that juts out over the Mediterranean Sea. villarufolo.com HEAVENLYHIKES There’s no shortage of breathtaking views along the Amalfi Coast — you’re sure to have plenty from your hotel room itself — but to take ‘panoramic’ to another level, head out on one of the spectacular hiking trails winding up the cliffs. A trek up Mount San Costanzo will bring you to a point overlooking the bays of Naples and Salerno and the famous Mount Vesuvius, while a hiking tour to Punta Campanella brings you face-to-face with history as you pass the remains of ancient Greek and Roman temples. Hike to Cape Sorrento, and you’ll come to the hidden Baths of Queen Giovanna, where you can take a dip surrounded by cliffs, a beach and the ruins of a Roman villa. AMALFI STYLE The spirit and colors of the Amalfi Coast have inspired countless designers and, despite the breezy, beachy location, the cobblestone streets here are often as stylish as the crowd at fashion week (this is Italy, after all.) Create your own Amalfi look with a visit to Autori Caprese, known for its chic linen clothing, or to Mario Adario, an Amalfi-born company that stocks pieces from Italian brands. In Sorrento, show your feet some love by picking up lovely leather flats at Ballerì or handmade sandals at Siniscalchi, which can be customized and engraved per your preferences. autoricapresi.it, marioadario.it, ballerisorrento.com, sandalisiniscalchi.it ITALIANART In addition to its annual festivals (which celebrate everything from food and music to patron saints), the region’s museums offer great insight into the region’s cultural traditions. Set in a historic villa surrounded by citrus groves, Museo Correale de Terranova tells the story of the area through archaeological pieces, exhibits of 17th- and 18th-century Neapolitan paintings, antique ceramics and more. Museo Muta focuses on the history of Sorrento, as well its famous craft woodworking tradition; gorgeous examples of inlaid furnishings and marquetry, some dating back centuries, abound. In Amalfi, Museo della Carta details the town’s papermaking tradition, which dates back to the 12th century, while Museo della Ceramica in Vietri Sul Mare focuses on the colorful ceramics and tiles you’ll find up and down the coast. museocorreale.it, museomuta.it, museodellacarta.it

Faraglioni, the famed arch seen as you sail from the Amalfi Coast to the island of Capri