Romantic Getaway to the Islands & Villages of Amalfi Coast

In the morning, the sweet aroma of lemons drifts from the trees as the cafes along the narrow lanes set out small tables for patrons to enjoy their cappuccinos. You and your partner will have the entire day to explore the splendor of the quiet streets and the stunning coastline at your preferred pace. After breakfast, make your way to Castello d’Avalos, the highest point on the island. The 16th-century structure was once the hunting lodge of Bourbon kings and it’s the perfect place to enjoy an unencumbered sea view with your partner. The panorama encompasses the Bay of Naples, accentuated by the shimmering sapphire water as near the castle stands the Abbey of Archangel Saint Michael.

The structure was originally built in the 11th-century by Benedictine monks, but was refurbished in the 17th and 19th-centuries. Art fills the gallery of the main church, to create layers of romantic history along the seasoned edges of the walls. The abbey’s lower levels were built into the cliffs, including the library. Skulls and bones of former monks decorate a small chapel in the lower levels and the unique décor brings your attention to the creaking windows that offer a view to the Mediterranean. From the abbey, you make your way to the charming town of Marina Corricella, a thin sliver of waterfront bordered by a cliff, and decorated with the bright pastel facades of fishermen’s homes.

The island if Ischia stands less than 15 miles off the coast of Procida. In the morning,  linger in the main square of Porta and enjoy the sweet combination of lemon zest, fresh brioche, brewing espresso, and the salty Mediterranean before you make your way to the marina to board your ferry. The brief ride along the water brings fresh air and a sea breeze across the hull of the boat. Once on Ischia, settle into a delightful blend of spa towns, lavish gardens, hidden necropolises, and enchanting small towns. The verdant forest winds along the interior of the island as vineyards grow out the rich volcanic soil.

The south side of Sant’Angelo offers a secluded and tranquil respite amongst a cozy harbor and pebbled beaches. Chestnut forests carpet the peak of Monte Epomeo, the island’s tallest point at nearly 2, 600 feet above sea level. Enjoy a quiet moment with your partner in La Mortella, a Moorish garden inspired by the Alhambra in Spain. Stroll among the lanes lined with rustling palm trees and trickling fountains as lily pads float in the serene ponds. The gardens contain more than 1,000 species of rare and exotic plants from around the world and the scent of hydrangeas drifts over the pathways. Classical music emanates from the graceful café to make you feel as though you and your partner are walking through your own private estate.

The island of Ischia encompasses 18 square miles with over 20 miles of coastline. The fortress structure of Castello Aragonese rises above the shoreline on an outcropping, with tunnels that connect to its interior. After breakfast, your private transfer will escort you from the hotel to the harbor to meet your ferry to Sorrento. The boat docks at Marina Grande, an inviting harbor lined with charming fishing boats moored against the breakwaters. The colorful homes of fishermen rise above the lapping water and thin shoreline covered in smooth pebbles.

The outline of Mount Vesuvius is seen from across the bay. Greek settlers laid the foundation of the city walls that border the marina more than 2,000 years ago. Locals rebuilt the walls in the 16th-century after the Turks raided the city. Walking with your partner along the historical city center embodies the charm and rich history of the seaside city. The 13th-century Veniero Palace reflects the late Byzantine and Arab styles popular along the Mediterranean and the bell tower of the Cathedral of San Filippo has maintained its original 12th-century base.

In Piazza Tasso, you and your partner relax in a café accented by the aroma of local fruit stands that sell zesty lemons and sweet oranges. Meet with a local vendor of Limoncello, whose window display highlights the variety of flavors and sizes of the southern Italian digestif. The vendor becomes an instructor, first to offer you and your partner’s samples of an array of Limoncello before demonstrating the best method of mixing the drink, from the addition of the lemon rind to the necessary amount of steeping time.

The beauty of Pompeii emanates from its preserved streets and continued traditions. In 79 AD, Mount Vesuvius erupted and covered the bustling port city of Pompeii with pumice and ash, protecting the art, structures, and even pottery for nearly two millennia. Your private guide will meet you at the hotel in Amalfi and escort you around the Bay of Naples to the entrance of the city. The old city reached legendary proportions as archeologists unearthed the temples and homes. The city perimeter contains walls that span nearly two miles a the walkway leads you to the cobbled streets of the Roman Forum.

Columns of the former Temple of Jupiter continue to soar over the open square atop a raised platform. Your guide will lead you along the streets to the House of Menander, which once belonged to a wealthy merchant. Decorative Corinthian capitals border the entrance to add memoraable character to visitors and passersby. The decorative frescoes are captivating as each depicts scenes from Homer’s Iliad in stunning detail. In the newly excavated districts of the city, your guide will point out the merchant homes that offer insight into the rise of the merchant-class. Furniture continues to ornament the interiors as they had before Vesuvius erupted.

In the morning, the main piazza of Amalfi spills out onto the coastline. The old city walls support the base of the cliff as the Mediterranean Sea splashes against the edge of the old city near the marina. Make your way to the ferry after breakfast and venture to the island of Capri, famed for its magnificent coastline and ancient history. The coastal cliffs reach a height of more than 200 feet above the water as the forest overtakes the hilltops and shimmers emerald. The ferry docks at Marina Grande where pastel fishermen’s homes border the sand. You and your partner take the funicular to Capri Town, which lets out into the small square of the Piazzetta. Cafes set out their wicker tables along the corners of the square.

Locals have enjoyed the sunshine and stylish atmosphere of the open square since the 1930s. You and your partner can share a quiet espresso in the charming atmosphere before you explore the island. The narrow lanes lead to spectacular views of the coastline, along with the window displays of chic boutiques. A switchback trail leads upwards to the Villa of Emperor Augustus. At points, the cliff is so steep that from the top it looks as though the hairpin bends overlap. The manicured gardens offer a leafy terrace to enjoy the blossoming tulips and hydrangeas. The pergolas frame the Faragolini sea stacks, a collection of three limestone karsts rising above the clear sapphire water nearly 300 feet below.

The medieval history of Amalfi shines in the morning light. The 12th-century church stands atop more than 60 stairs as the bronze doors were cast in the 11th-century in Constantinople and brought to adorn the Romanesque portal of the cathedral during the height of trade between the maritime power of Amalfi and the Byzantine Empire. Umbrellas shade the café tables in the main square as locals sip their espresso and read the local paper before beginning their day. Discover the beauty of the coastline at your leisure as you visit the hilltop town of Ravello or venture into the Emerald Cave on the shore of Conca dei Marini. In the town of Vietri sul Mare, you will find the pastel homes familiar to the region.

A preserved medieval tower emerges from the hillside with a base built into the boulders. Fishing boats line the pebbled beach shoreline near the bright parasols that shade beach loungers. The majolica-tiled dome of crowns the 18th-century church of San Giovanni Battista shine with vibrant hues of yellow, blue, and gold. The dome is visible from the narrow lanes that wind around town as whimsical porcelain tiles depict lemons and beachfronts adorn the facades, painted with delicate bright colors.

A walk around Vietri sul Mare offers a brief history of the ceramic trade in the city, which dates back more than 500 years. In the afternoon, you and your partner can experience the joys of cooking with a private couples cooking class with your guides and chef at Wine Tour Amalfi Coast. The scent of the sea gives way to the simmering aroma of garlic and tomatoes as your instructor guides you and your partner in the sensuality of flavors, accentuating passions with the simple seasonings of the Campania region. While relaxing in tranquility overlooking the coastal mountains and a marvelous villa in Furore, welcome yourself to soothing glass of local wine and sink into the history and culture of your culinary creations.

The cliffs along the Amalfi Coast protrude into the sapphire Mediterranean as in the distance, you can spot the shores of Carpi as they sprout out of the water. The aromas of lemons and fresh brioche drift along the narrow lanes of Amalfi. On the hills above town are the secluded gardens known as Valle dei Mulini, a steep ravine that is peppered with ruined watermills once used to make paper during the region’s height of the powerful trade. Before your private transfer meets you at the hotel, you and your partner indulge in a stolen romantic moment along the shoreline as you dip your toes into the refreshing sea together. Soon you will make your way to Naples International Airport to check-in for your flight home.