With our flight landing in Rome obviously this would be our first stop for our Italy adventure. I’ve always enjoyed and loved the city from its historical aspects more than its random slices at modernization.
I find Rome to really be one of the most romantic cities in the world at night. Something about that yellow incandescent lighting that makes everything feel like you’re in a painting or a movie and you get to move about within it. Maybe I drank too much wine in the evenings in Rome.
We only had two nights in Rome and on one of them Joe decided to head into the Jewish Quarters or Jewish Ghetto neighborhood. I had not been there on my first visit to Rome but figured why not.
It turned out to be this very cool almost eclectic atmosphere of restaurants, bars and clubs. Needless to say we were not exactly the youngsters amidst the throngs of people that kept growing as we went deeper into the night.
The tip about this area is that the restaurant prices are less expensive than the touristy parts of Rome. That includes the cost of the wine as well. Worth a few hours of an evening if you’re ever in Rome.
From Rome it was off to Maiori a beautiful town along the Amalfi coast. In the province of Salerno it holds the longest stretch of beach along the Amalfi coast.
Visually the Amalfi coast is one of my favorite places on the planet. Its’ geography of mountains pushed up against a beautiful ocean tapering down to the narrow coastal beaches is what catches my eyes. That, and the beautiful and often brightly colored homes that dapple the hillside.
A great way to work your way up along the Amalfi coast is by water taxi. You can hop on and hop off at different points depending on the ticket you purchase. We stopped at Positano and the town of Amalfi as well as Minori the smaller town to Maiori which was where our hotel was based. You could also take the boat to the Isle of Capri which is another gem along the coast.
Finally, before we leave the coast and head inland, I would be remiss to not mention another great town we spent time in one afternoon, Ravello. Now this place is a painting in real life. Places don’t come more picturesque. Mine will not do it justice, but here are a few. Plus the food and wine here are mouth watering. At least mine is remembering.
That’s it for Part II. Cheers, as we start our journey from the Mediterranean coast to the Adriatic coast. Found some surprises along the way and more on why this trip made me want to live life to its fullest again in my next blog.
Again…….if you got this far…..thanks and sunshine always!!!
This is awesome Chris! Thanks for sharing it with us! Ravello here I come! And, as always, smooches for My Sir Charles!😘😘😘😘😘😘🐾🐾👣
My moms favorite city was Rome. For years wanted her ashes scattered there. I still have wonderful memories of driving the Amalfi coast with my family. We went into every church along that drive. Was even blessed by the cardinal of Assisi on one of drives through Italy on Christmas Eve. Not too shabby for this Jewish kid from Manhattan 😉 Except for reservationists in Rome and Florence my dad and mom winged it from town to town in our rented Fiat.
Wow I didn’t know there was a Jewish Quarter near Rome. My grandfather was an orphan, came to this country, made a great life and was always believed to be Jewish. He didn’t have any records to back it up
Beautiful photos and great information. Thank you buddy.
Ahhh – Ravello I have such wonderful memories of this magical place. Because my sister’s last name is Revello, we thought it was close enough to warrant a side trip while staying in Priano. I still remember the beautiful Ravello Cathedral. Thanks for jogging my memory and the beautiful photos!
Chris, I have been following your blog, and this one (because of my great love of Italy) really touched me. I understand 100% of where you were emotionally when you took this trip. I was a young widow at 26 years old, and my friends were my lifeline! I credit them with bringing me back to life. I took a similar trip right after my husband passed to Belgium, England, Amsterdam, and France. It was bittersweet, with each amazing place I visited the void was enormous. Fast forward till today, twenty years later 😳, and I am married to an amazing man (who I believe my first husband sent to me), and he has given me my greatest gifts, my two children, and the absolute bonus is his love of travel! To be able to see the joy and amazement through his eyes when we travel is so much more special.
I always say, you never know who is sitting right next to you sometimes, and what their story is. After joining a bereavement group back then, I learned that no matter how terrible you think your story is, after going around the room and hearing others, you are very quick to take your own back. In closing, my friends are amazing!! They were there for me always, especially after the first year which is when I needed them so much more! Life is SO good, and I don’t take one moment for granted. Looking forward to hearing more about your travels!
Chris, I had no idea what had happened to you. I watched religously and all of a sudden you were gone. Then I started seeing you pop up in different parts of the world and thought, good for him he is retiring early to travel the world. I’m so very sorry for your losses. I have followed you since you were a fairly local celebrity. I remember some years ago, you shopped at Bloomingdales in Bridgewater when I was working there in the men’s department. You were with your wife and children I couldn’t wait to tell people I saw you. Life gives us lessons that none of us ask for or expect but we try to navigate around them, as I learned last summer when I lost my oldest son to a fentanyl poisoning. I wish you nothing but the best in your future, I look forward to following your blog and all your adventures!
Brenda first and foremost, I am so sorry for your loss. I truly can’t imagine a worse pain. I hope you continue to heal and stay strong. Thank you for all your years of loyalty. I will be fine and I truly believe much better and happier as I travel forward. Peace and love to you.