Amalfi Coast

Sooo...the romantic getaway. The Amalfi Coast is as beautiful as one should expect. All set within rocky cliffs, the beauty lies within the small stairs within mounted houses inside of rocks, green blue see, amazing hotels and of course italian food...and friendly italians.

There are beaches, pebble beaches, but it's just the same hiring an amazing sunbed on the deck of a small flat rock and spending all day jumping into the water and getting back in the bit of shade the italian sunbeds provide (a complete discovery, see picture) and read a summer book.

The best place to stay: Praiano - at Rino's place on top of Il Pirata restaurant which we got through airbnb.com

The best restaurant - so many that you can't just name one. We thought Il Pirata was amazing. Not only because Rino and his family are the friendliest people we've met but also because the food, setting, light, decoration, closeness to the sea makes it PERFECT. A bit pricey perhaps for us thirty-something who have not yet made their wealth cause we refuse to be successfull bankers, but pursue our happiness out of enjoying life. But still, affordable (25-30 euro per person)

Other restaurants we heard were good: Il Pino, in Praiano. Update: We actually went to try it as they had a pick up service. Food was really good but they were needing a nicer decor stylist to come in pronto to do something about the poor choice of lightning and furniture). A restaurant in the beach of Fiordo di Furore for lunch and if you take your time to read trip advisor there are so many others.

To dance: Africana night bar lounge. Not my style but very italian slick style and open till 5 am. Entry: 20 euros with one drink included. Its a short walk from Rino's place but people come from all over, but check if its open if its not high season.

TIPS:
Please do the following:
- Don't be a pussy and rent a motorcycle. There is a rental in the main road of praiano and I think is the cheapest. 45 Euros per day.
- Go to La Gavitella Beach (there are free boats that take you from Praiano ( Rino's part of praiano, and Positano) and if not you can always walk down from the church in Praiano and follow the signs.
- Go to Ravello by bike and try to sneak inside the Hotel Cimbrone to see the breathtaking views of both sides of Ravello and fairy tale gardens (you can pay if not but its more fun to crash). If not any of the many 5 star hotels in Ravello have amazing views so you can try them all.
- If you are a fan of Lemoncello Ravello is the place to buy or anywhere in the Amalfi coast really.
- Go with a boyfriend/girlfriend.
- If you are in search for beaches go to Capri. The best place to be in the sunset in the Amalfi Coast is Praiano. Positano is in the shade as of 5 pm.

FIVE WAYS TO DISCRIBE EACH PLACE WE VISITED:

AMALFI: Touristy, busy, pretty-ish, semi good sea area, beach full of boats, not romantic
RAVELLO: quiet, mountain, views, culture, a place to go and write a book.
PRAIANO: Quiet, romantic, no tourists, less expensive, more sun in the afternoons, especially in Gavitella Beach.
POSITANO: Romantic, expensive, breautiful.
CAPRI: It's in another blog entry.