Important tips

The Amalfi Coast is a joy to behold and a maritime jewel in the Italian crown. It has a fascinating natural geography and the people, an energy that will ensure your stay here, no matter how long or short, will be filled with awe and great memories.
As with all holidays, there are always things which you should watch out for, and we would like to help you with some little hints which will
make your time here more enjoyable and hitch free.

Geographical Uniqueness

The Amalfi Coast is blessed with a unique geographical topography known for its rock formations. Along the coast you will see rock
outcrops, soaring cliff faces and deep ravines interspersed here and there with mountainous towers of rock and natural cavernous amphitheatres. The road transgressing these majestic cliffs is carved into the rock and in places is very narrow and quite high. It remains substantially as it was constructed in the first half of the 1800’s by King Ferdinand di Borbone, when horse and cart was the
main mode of transport.

Between these mountainous outcrops and steep ravines lies villages and houses, attached like limpets to the side of hills between terraces of lemon groves and lines of olive trees.

Transport .

The houses are located above and below the road, and are reached by numerous
steps carved into the rock face, and because of the narrowness of the roads
there is very little car parking available, thus you will note that many of the locals drive mainly small, sometimes two cylinder cars and scooters. At various junctions along the road traffic is stopped by traffic wardens to allow buses through these narrow stretches of roadway.

It is for these reasons that we strongly advise that you don’t bring a car into the Amalfi Coast region. If you stay in the centre of Amalfi, Ravello or Positano for example, cars are not able to be taken into the centre making the transport of luggage difficult,
and parking outside these centres is very expensive and not always available.

If it is necessary to bring a car, you will have a greater chance of finding parking in some of the outer areas of Positano or Ravello, or in less congested areas like Praiano. We can assist you to find an appropriate apartment with car parking options.

Public transport like buses, boats and taxis
are reliable and reasonably priced. .
There are other crucial aspects to travelling on the narrow winding hillside roads of Amalfi. If for example, you come from a country which
drives on the left hand side of the road you may not feel comfortable driving on roads without markings. 

Climate

You have chosen to visit a Mediterranean country such as the south of Italy,
where the climate is mild and temperate. In the summer, the temperatures range
in the high twenties and upwards, and the gentle seaside breezes do little to
cool you. In the winter the weather can be changeable with average daytime temperatures being in the low teens.
The mild climes encourage the local citrus groves to provide harvests of its two prevalent lemon varieties: “sfusato”, and “exactly lunarico”. The rest of the area is covered in gardens, and native flora & fauna which are abundant and verdant.

Weather forecasts: Italian website. 

Our link on climate and temperatures of the area. 

Pests

It is as a result of this verdant vegetation that you may find mosquitoes and
sand flies ready to make a meal of you. We recommend that you bring insect repellant
with you. Should you require it, the local pharmacies can assist with remedies.

Apartment Location

Many of the houses on the coast are typical of the locality; some having been
renovated from original houses many centuries old, some being quite new but
built in the local style. Some are built standalone, however more often they
are semi-detached, but the attraction of staying on the Amalfi Coast is to experience
living as part of the community within these or apartment style accommodations.
Many of these apartments have their own independent access ways to the road,
and their own balcony or terrace and garden. Many of them have glorious views
of the sea and surrounding cliffs.

Luggage

The joy of exploring the ancient steps and walking the cliffside walkways of
the coast are self evident and we suggest you take care with your choice of
shoes. Many of the houses and apartments are located numerous steps above or
below the road, or within the centre of town with no vehicle access, and so
we recommend that you restrict the amount of luggage you bring to that which
can be easily carried up or down flights of steps. The steps are often very
old and precarious, built variously of concrete or stone. Other potential dangers
can be the accumulation of moss or ripe olives dropped from their branches in
season. You may wish to bring an umbrella, suitable clothes (covered shoulders
and knees) for visiting churches, and a book if you want to read in a language
other than Italian.

Local Specialties

The Amalfi Coast and its surrounds are famous for
its lemons, and this is evidenced in a number of local specialties for sale
including beautiful ceramics, delectable desserts, and a delightful digestif
called Limoncello. Also try the local coffee, fish,
and wines.
We are always very pleased to assist with any queries you
may have, and don’t hesitate to speak with the locals too. Even if they
do not speak English, they will be happy to make themselves understood by way
of gestures. We hope that you will enjoy your time on Costa Amalfitana.

Buon viaggio.