Amalfi Coast Tour!

Three weeks ago, my parents came to Rome, and along with my friend Cara, we took a guided driving tour along the Amalfi Coast, one of the most beautiful drives in the world, in the South of Italy.  Our driver Mauriano was fabulous and the trip was absolutely unforgettable!  The first day, we were all picked up in Rome and we immediately headed south, where we made our first stop in Naples.  I've heard only terrible things about Naples, and some of those things were certainly justified based on what I saw, but Mauriano also showed us the beautiful, historic parts of the city as well.  Of course, what I was most excited for was the pizza!! Naples is the birthplace of pizza, and words cannot describe how amazing Neapolitan pizza is!  Then we headed to Pompeii - I had already visited with my high school group, but I honestly appreciated it so much more this time around.  My parents had a great time - my Dad especially loved being creepy and pretending to be a living statue.  Afterwards we drove to our hotel in Sorrento and had dinner overlooking the water.  As we were walking back through town, we came upon a party in the main piazza, with free desserts for everyone - naturally we jumped on that and got back to the hotel feeling very full :)

Bay of Naples

mmm, pizza! (margherita, veggie, and sausage with broccoli - all so delicious!)

Pompeii

The second day we headed out for our tour of the actual Amalfi Coast - the road that connects many southern towns along the coast, and although it is only about 50 km (if I remember correctly), the road has 1200 curves! Needless to say, that was the reason my mom insisted we hire a driver - no offense, Dad :).  Mauriano brought us to a mozzarella factory in the town where the cheese was invented, and I've never tasted cheese so delicious (yes, this includes my American cheese folded in fours).  We stopped in the beautiful town of Positano, where my Italian teacher in high school had always told us to go on our honeymoons, and now I see why!  We stopped in Amalfi as well, and then in Ravello, both of which were beautiful - I wish words could do these towns justice, but I'm just not that blessed of a writer (I'll be happy to show you more pictures when I come home!).  Then we got a great surprise on our way back to our hotel - Mauriano took us to his farm where he lives with 30 of his extended family.  They were so welcoming and friendly and quintessentially Italian.  His mother gave my mom an Easter gift that she had made herself, and his wife brought us homemade limoncello.  We met his sons, nephews, brothers, and felt so welcomed - I could definitely get used to that lifestyle!

Mom, Dad, and I, with Mauriano!

two peas in a pod - I love you Mom!

Positano - all of the churches along the coast had domes that were covered in ceramic tiles - so beautiful!

Dad, Mom, me, and Cara - overlooking Positano!

in Ravello

I love these flowers!

For our last day, we were dropped off at the ferry port in Sorrento, and took the boat to the island of Capri.  We took a bus up to the town of Anacapri, which sits at the very top of the island, and strolled along by the port for awhile.  Although the weather wasn't great, we had a good day and by the time we arrived back in Rome, I was so sad to see Mauriano leave.  He was such a wonderful guide, and I learned so much from him over the course of three days.  I'm so lucky to have such amazing parents to have taken me on this incredible trip - I can't wait to see you guys soon!

Capri

More exciting updates to come soon, including: finals week and my current battle with the Icelandic volcano.  

Baci, 

Katie