This past weekend we took a little trip to the Amalfi Coast. And it was not NEARLY enough time. I've been obsessed with Italy almost my entire life...specifically the Amalfi Coast. So going there was a HUGE deal to me.
And it met (and surpassed!) every single expectation. I want to go back NOW.
We left bright and early Friday morning for the 8 hour drive. Here's what blows my mind. I grew up in Texas. Where you can drive 8 hours and still be in Texas.
Here you can drive across an entire country (or through multiple countries!) in that amount of time. We drove through Tuscany, Umbria, and then into Campania...the region the Amalfi coast was in.
I literally gasped out loud the entire trip!
We rented a villa (pretty much my dream home) through Airbnb. You can see it HERE. I can't recommend it highly enough.
I've talked about this briefly before...but Airbnb is awesome. And so much more financially smart for big families. In Europe, due to occupancy, we'd have to rent 2 hotel rooms per night. Which would cost a FORTUNE. We so prefer renting entire apartments/villas and have done so in every single country we've visited!
Here's what we saw when we walked in the gate...the steps up to the house. There were calla lilies, succuluents, and elephant ear ferns everywhere.
The view from the magical terrace. My favorite part of the entire home. There was a huge retractable roof, a gorgeous table and couch, candles everywhere, and an unbeatable view.
The neighbors:
The jaw-dropping view at night:
The lemons there are RIDICULOUS. Seriously the size of small Nerf footballs.
The first afternoon we headed to the beach to explore.
We also walked through town and looked at all of the adorable storefronts.
The pottery there was so beautiful. I had to go back before we left and pick up a few pieces!
On Saturday we took a water taxi/ferry to Amalfi. We wanted to go to Capri (one of my ultimate dream destinations) so that's definitely at the top of the list for next time we go.
It was overcast but the view was so inspiring.
This was Amalfi from our bird's eye view:
and the adorable piazza:
We drank a lot of limoncello on this trip. And we've had a fair amount since we moved to Italy. When it is good it is really, really good (like delicious lemonade with a kick). And when it is bad it is so,so,so SO bad (think something that tastes exactly like the smell of Pine Sol.) We had lots of the good kind on the Amalfi Coast.
They do limoncello right there!
We explored the winding streets of Amalfi. And OH THE STEPS. So so so many steps. Ha!
When we got back to the house, the littles were WORN OUT. They fell asleep without dinner. So we sent H and J out to pick up pizzas and Sadie and I set up a surprise outdoor dinner for them.
Befor we headed out of town the next day we made sure to pick up some souvenirs. Limoncello glasses, pottery, and lemons. Of course.
We were heartbroken to leave. Every single one of us. I could definitely live there forever. We are already planning our next trip(s).
Ciao Y'all! And Buona Pasqua.
xoxo
S
Thanks for taking me on a trip to the Amalfi coast, it was lovely.
Posted by: Linda S. | 04/18/2014 at 02:59 PM
buona pasqua anche a te stephanie!
wonderful trip by the way :)
Posted by: julis | 04/18/2014 at 03:56 PM
Beautiful!
Posted by: Lissa | 04/18/2014 at 04:14 PM
Sounds - and looks - magical. Sigh. I'd love to go back and explore with you...
Posted by: Mary Beth | 04/18/2014 at 04:27 PM
It's been too many years since I've been there...glad to see it's still magical! So glad you were able to explore and thanks for sharing the photos!
Posted by: diane | 04/18/2014 at 04:55 PM
Great photos! What wonderful experiences your children are having. You are giving them the opportunity to build amazing memories.
Posted by: Renee S. | 04/18/2014 at 05:45 PM
I want to cry with glee, it's all so pretty!
Posted by: Jill | 04/18/2014 at 05:51 PM
So love seeing your
pictures of your travels!
Looks like a great place.
Carla from Utah
Posted by: Carla Hundley | 04/18/2014 at 05:57 PM
I was there 2 years ago. I told my husband it was so beautiful that I didn't need to see another place on earth. Go to Capri!!!! Heaven on earth.
Posted by: Brenda c | 04/18/2014 at 06:07 PM
Thanks for sharing. Makes me want to visit. Need to renew passport now!
Posted by: sherried | 04/18/2014 at 06:35 PM
Thank you for yet another wonderful, thoughtful tour of Italy. I look forward to your trips and your awesome pics.
Glad you had a wonderful time and sharing your beautiful family with us.
Until your next tour....
Posted by: Carolyn Hawkins | 04/18/2014 at 07:47 PM
So much JOY in this post and pics....thank you for sharing your beautiful adventures.
Posted by: clippergirl | 04/18/2014 at 08:42 PM
So beautiful! Thanks for sharing another adventure with us!
Posted by: berta | 04/18/2014 at 10:11 PM
I laughed at your comparison to the taste of pine sol! So true! But good limoncello is heavenly! We drank it as often as possible on our trip...
That picture of Sadie on the bench with the town behind her is so cute!
Thanks for sharing your family's adventures!
Posted by: Kristine | 04/19/2014 at 12:23 AM
Oh it's stunning, absolutely stunning. I'm a bit obsessed with it too, and I dream of visiting one day. I will, I will!
Posted by: CJ | 04/19/2014 at 12:57 AM
Every picture looks like a postcard!! I hope we can make it down there sometime while we're here cuz it looks AMAZING!! I agree, Airbnb is the best. So much cheaper than hotels and you get great amenities!
Posted by: Paige Evans | 04/19/2014 at 02:16 AM
Love following your travels around Italy and Europe. It's great!
Posted by: Donna Alexander-Morrison | 04/19/2014 at 02:51 AM
Oh I LOVE LOVE LOVE everything about that post!! Just amazing!! and so beautiful!! I am so happy you got to see it!
Posted by: Christine Campbell | 04/19/2014 at 08:30 AM
My mouth was watering looking at those LEMONS! What beautiful memories you are creating with your family. Those sweet girls will always remember these times!
Posted by: Sonya R | 04/19/2014 at 09:20 AM
Positano is on my bucket list- thank you for sharing!
Posted by: Tenika | 04/19/2014 at 10:49 AM
This is amazing Stephanie! I visited Sorrento last year and these pictures bring back loads of magical memories! I'm so glad you enjoyed the trip. I would definitely recommend Capri (it is very expensive but amazingly beautiful) for your next trip :) Happy Easter! xxx
Posted by: Sinead | 04/20/2014 at 03:43 PM
These pictures are so inspiring! It looks aMAZing, so why don't we all live there?
Posted by: Alison | 04/20/2014 at 11:50 PM
My husband &hi are planning an Italy trip for our 25year anniversary in 2017. I am getting so much great information and must sees from your blog! Thank you so much
Posted by: Terri | 04/23/2014 at 08:32 PM