Whether you are visiting the Amalfi coast during the peak season or one of the quieter low season months, you have much to see and do. You also have much to taste as this region is a true food and wine lover’s destination. With no train services running to the region, most travelers arrive by car, sea or even bus. However, it is a very wise choice to hire a local guide and driver to take you along the unforgettable, winding roads that follow each gorgeous curve, bay and vista.
This is especially true if you intend to pay a visit to the area’s lovely vineyards and enjoy a day or two sampling some of the astonishing vintages produced there. After all, the curvaceous asphalt is difficult enough to negotiate with the typical traffic, and a warm flush of wine might prove disastrous.
Instead, why not sit back and allow yourself the chance to take in the 32 miles of scenery that includes unprecedented views of the land and sea that stretch between Sorrento and Vietri sul Mare? This makes the journey as much of the destination as the vineyards themselves!
Along the way, be sure you savor, as one writer so aptly advised, the sweet aromas and fresh ingredients, as they “set the tone for some of the most romantic eating venues Italy has to offer. Sate your appetite with the fresh catch of the day, shellfish, squid, creamy mozzarella and succulent cherry tomatoes. Wash the meal down with the crisp, flinty tasting white wines of the Campania region or a chilled glass of frosty limoncello.”
Itineraries Possible
Some of the greatest itineraries include tours departing from Sorrento or simply centered on this area. For example, it is possible to take a tour up the famed Mt. Vesuvius and then enjoy a picnic in the crater at the top which takes in views of Pompeii and Naples in the distance. A good vineyard for this trip would be the Le Cantine del Vesuvio winery where you can tour the estate and enjoy a luncheon with one of the wines available.
The area around the Irpinia region is also ideal for the avid wine enthusiast. In this area are several estates that provide a perfect day trip with plenty of opportunity to savor wine and foods of the area. A good itinerary would include a departure from Ravello or Positano and then a drive towards the Apennine Mountains. Home to a remarkably fertile wine region, travelers may want to head towards Taurasi to enjoy some impressive red wines. Several estates offer tours and tastings, and it is here that you can sample the Denominazione di Origine Controllata e Garantita wines that include fiano di avellino, Taurasi and greco di tufo.
Nearby, is Montemiletto with lovely cafes or you can visit Sorbo Serpico noted for its picturesque looks and setting and its lovely vineyards.
The wine lovers might also want to head to the world-famous Campania region and pay a visit to the equally famous Casale Villarena, with its historic cellars and its amazing wines. Paired with some of the local cheeses, it is an unprcedented opportunity to enjoy a wine tasting in a truly ancient setting. Dated to the 1500s, the cellar is a sight you won’t soon forget.
This entire region is full of vineyards (all within the Sorrento Peninsula), and there are both ancient Greek and Roman sites to enjoy. While exploring this part of the Amalfi coast, don’t forget to pick up some pecorino, parmigiano, caciocavallo, and provolone del Monaco cheeses produced here.
Wine and food lovers can rejoice because the Amalfi coast has some wonderful experiences waiting.