Do men and women really see the world through different eyes? If they do, the romance of the Amalfi Coast is surely not to be lost on either sex once they visit this paradise on Earth.
It’s funny but when David invited me to write a post here about things to do in southern Italy, he suggested I highlight things like cliff jumping, the adventurous side of life. Uhm, David, you don’t really know me! Lux travel and beautiful scenery is what does it for this Wanderlust Woman.
However, in the true spirit of trying to “marry” the travel experience for the sexes….as much as men might not want to use that phrase, there are many things we have in common when exploring the romance of the Amalfi Coast. So, while there is so much to see and do in this region, I will try to highlight the top 5 romantic things to do in the Amalfi Coast.
This is the island of the €20 cappuccino but if you wander off the beaten path, head for Via Tragara. Adventure seeking men will love the nooks and crannies of this cliffside walk high above the sea and Faraglioni, while women will dream among the bougainvillea and mimosa. Bring a bottle of wine and a picnic basket and you’ll see why poet Pablo Neruda loved this very walk.
“Here I came to the very edge where nothing at all needs saying…and every day on the balcony of the sea wings open fire is born and everything is blue again like morning.” – Pablo Neruda
Anyone can visit this city of ancient ruins on a sunny day but go when it is raining. Take shelter from the downpour in one of the ash-marked insular, ancient apartment buildings. It is at once romantic and inspiring. The rain will stop and you can escape but imagine living inside with the terror of knowing you will never seen sunlight again as the ash cloud rains down on you.
The sunsets along the Amalfi Coast are absolutely breathtaking but rent a motorcycle or moto and head to the cliffs of Massa Lubrense. Just before sunset, stop at the top of the hill and watch as magic happens with the island of Ischia silhouetted in the distance.
Rent a boat at this little fishing borgo and explore the little cove beaches along the coast, accessible only by boat. Praiano, like most of the coast, has quite rocky beaches and was enjoyed as a summer getaway a thousand years ago by the Doges of the Duchy of Amalfi. Sail over to the Green Grotto and swim into the cave whose water is luminescent, shimmering an iridescent green with just the light of the sun.
Sorrento is, without a doubt, the most tourist-filled spot along the coast. Practically everyone speaks English and once you’ve walked down all of the side streets and eaten in every restaurant, you’ve about had your fill of Sorrento. Yet, after sunset in the summer, when the nights are balmy and the sea is warm, head down to Marina Grande after dark, long after dark. Turn left at the dock and walk along the shore, there’s a private beach where the locals go for a night-time swim and other things, if you catch my drift! There you have my top 5 romantic things to do in the Amalfi Coast.
Lisa Fantino is an award-winning journalist and New York attorney. She is the creative force and Amalfi Coast specialist behind Wanderlust Women Travel Ltd., and the recently launched Wanderlust Weddings, for the perfect destination wedding and Amalfi Coast Honeymoon.
