Excursions around amalfi coast

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Positano / Galli island

Praiano lies within easy reach of another well known town of the Amalfi Coast: Positano. Historic retreat of the ancient Greeks and the Roman nobility, Positano is all but divided in two by the cliff bearing the town's Transita tower, with the peaceful beach of Fornillo on the one side, and the more busy Spiagga Grande on the other.

Rising up out of the waters opposite the town of Positano lies the archipelago of Li Galli. Legend has it that these three islets were inhabited by the Sirens described by Homer in the Trials of Odysseus. In 1924 the largest of the outcrops became the private residence of the Russian ballet dancer and choreographer Leonide Massine who built a villa here designed by the architect Le Corbusier. In 1989 this jewel passed in to the hands of Rudolf Nureyvev, another Russian ballet dancer of international fame.

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Amalfi

For those guests eager to explore the Amalfi Coast, Amalfi, is situated at 9 km away from Praiano . This port which lies at the mouth of the Valle dei Mulini surrounded by its churches, ancient watch towers and colorful little houses, was, in the 11th century, the birthplace of one of the world's greatest naval powers: the Maritime Republic of Amalfi.

In that period, the laws of the sea were the laws of Amalfi. Amalfi's navigation tables, the world's first maritime code, governed shipping in the Mediterranean for centuries. Not surprisingly, the town conserves numerous traces of its ancient sailing tradition and the famous tables, or Tavole Amalfitane, take pride of place in the Civic Museum.

Among the many buildings to be visited; the Cathedral of Sant'Andrea, with its imposing facade and bronze doors; the Cloister of Paradise, built in the 13th century to house the tombs of the town's most illustrious citizens; and the Paper Museum, situated in the Valle dei Mullini in an old 13th century paper mill, are, perhaps, the most noteworthy.

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Ravello

Not far from Amalfi, the stunningly panoramic cliff top town of Ravello is rich in historic edifices, such as the Cathedral of San Pantaleone, with its imposing marble pulpit supported by six lions, the Arabian influenced Villa Rufolo, the historic retreat of artists originating from every corner of the globe, and Villa Cimbrone, built at the start of the last century in pseudo-medieval style.

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Emerald Grotto (Grotta dello Smeraldo)

At only 4 km far from Praiano there is one of the most spectacular sights of Amalfi coast , loved by all tourists: La Grotta dello Smeraldo, or the Emerald Grotto. This marine grotto, reachable by small boat from the water, was discovered in 1932 by a fisherman, and its name derives from the beautiful color of the water that reflects the light that enters the grotto through the opening in the rocks. The cavity of the cave, or grotto, is about 30 meters by 60 meters and its highest points are about 24 meters. Experts have shown that this ancient geological structure was actually once completely dry and only due to seismic movements did water get the chance to invade it.

Tourists can visit the grotto by renting a small boat conducted by a fisherman; the “tour” lasts about 30 minutes, though you will be able to view some fantastic geologic splendors. The stalactites and stalagmites within the cave are quite beautiful and many have actually been named, due to their resemblance to common items or even to people; you’ll find Garibaldi, a famous Italian general (which American tourists have dubbed George Washington and the French, Napoleon), mermaids and other fantastic creatures. Particularly interesting is the ceramic “Underwater Nativity”, placed in the grotto in 1956.

From Praiano you can reach the grotto from the Amalfi coastal road by an elevator or from the sea by boat

Paestum

Paestum was founded by the Greeks from Sybaris, sometime around the 6th century B.C. and was later colonized by the Romans. The archaeological site was only discovered in the 18th century during the construction of a road ordered by the Bourbon King Charles III. The sight of the magnificently conserved golden temples dedicated to Neptune, Basilica and Cerere, is an unforgettable one.

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Bay of Naples

Naples is a very old city, it was the capital of the Reign of the two Sicilies and of the Reign of Naples for many centuries. The historical center is very rich, full of beautiful monuments and churches. We refer in these notes just to those monuments of extreme importance, but there is a lot more to see and we suggest, if you are interested, to ask our concierge to organize a good guide to take you around Naples.

The National Archaeological Museum is one of the most important tourist attractions and cultural institutions in the city.

The ground floor of the museum houses the Farnese Collection of sculptures, including statues from the Imperial era, a collection of Roman mosaics, Roman statues, wall paintings and glass, ceramics and other items of everyday use, originating from Pompei, Ercolano, and other ancient cities of Campania.

This area covers numerous monuments and churches of importance, such as Santa Chiara, the burial ground of the Angevines, with annexed cloister decorated in Capodimonte faience; San Domenico Maggiore, having both splendid gothic and baroque features; the Chapel of San Severo with an exhuberant baroque interior; San Lorenzo Maggiore with a fine gothic nave lined with chapels and containing important works of art; and the Carthusian Monastery of San Martino, an important baroque church with a lovely cloister and several Napolitan paintings of the 16th and 17th century.

Annexed to the monastery is a museum containing a collection of Neapolitan cribs, as well as numerous paintings and sculptures from the 15th-19th centuries.

Note, a full day would cover a visit to one of the above museum or church in the morning and a tour of old Naples in the afternoon whit a pizza break in between .

NOTE : A FUL DAY WOULD COVER A VISIT TO ONE OF THE ABOVE MUSEUMS IN THE MORNING AND A TOUR OF OLD NAPLES IN THE AFTERNOON. IF YOU ALLOW FOUR HOURS FOR THE VISIT TO OLDNAPLES, YOU MAY MANAGE TO VISIT THREE OR PERHAPS FOUR OF THE ABOVE MONUMENTS.

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Pompei

buried in cinder in 79 AD in one of the most disastrous volcanic eruptions, provides first class evidence of the way of life in a Roman city at the time of the Empire.

The site, located in an attractive setting, is huge and there is a lot to see. Among the most important ruins are the Forum (the centre of the town), containing the Basilica which is the largest building in Pompei; the Temple of Apollo standing against the background of Vesuvius; the Stabian Baths, divided in sections for men and women with a swimming pool, hot and cold rooms (in an excellent state of preser-vation); the House of Vettii, the most lavishly decorated in town; and the Villa of Mysteries, standing outside the city walls and containing splendid frescoes.

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Ercolano

founded, according to the tradition, by Hercules, this Roman town was buried in mud following the eruption of Vesuvius in 79 AD.

Besides the baths (Thermae) which are in excellent condition, and the theatre, the excavations have brought to light an entire series of Patrician villas, some remarkably well preserved, with splendid columns, frescoes and mosaics.

Oplonti

this is a splendid villa recently partly excavated, of the same type seen in Herculaneum but larger.

It is in a marvellous state of preservation and contains frescoes which are among the best left to us from Roman times.

Most objects, classical statues, frescos and mosaics which were found in the excavations are now displayed in the archaeological museum o Naples.

- Note Italian law 27-6-1985 N. 332:

Clients from European Union under 18 and over 65 are entitled to free admission to State archaeological sites and museums upon production of a valid identity document.

Vesuvio

Regardless to the many scenarios that scientists keep forecasting, ultimately, it will be the volcano to decide when to wake up. The Vesuvio is a sleeping volcano, but still an active one. The last eruption happened in 1947 and put an end to the smoke coming out of the mouth. Another eruption, similar to the one that destroyed Pompei in 79 A.D. could actually happen any day. In 1845 Ferdinand II Bourbon founded the Vesuvian Observatory, to try to forecast the volcano’s eruptions.

Today the Observatory is one of the most important scientific institutions dedicated to volcanoes in the world. The Vesuvio is monitored 24 hours a day by numerous scientists from all over the world, who observe the movements of the mountain and elaborate possible future scenarios.

The Vesuvio is very beautiful. It became a National Park in 1972. An ascent to its top is very interesting.

You can arrive by car up to one km below the top and this last leg have to be walked on foot. There is no vegetation, only blackened lava and pumice stone pebbles. Spooky but fascinating. The maximum diameter of the crater is 600 metres and, looking inside it from the rim, one can see the “cork” 200 metres below. There still is a little bit of smoke coming out of the cork edges.

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Capri

Villa Jovis was the residence of Emperor Augustus and, afterwards, of his successor Tiberius.

The imperial apartments have a loggia overlooking the sea with a beautiful panorama of the whole island. The stairway behind the little church leads to the Tiberius Leap, from where slaves were supposedly thrown into the sea.

From the Augustus Garden there is a fabulous view of the Faraglioni, the famous rocks of Capri.

Monte Solaro is reached by a chairlift overlooking charming terraces and gardens. From the top there is a spectacular panorama of Ischia and Procida (the other islands of Naples bay), Naples, Vesuvio, Sorrento, and on the other side the Amalfi coast .

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Trekking - Path of the Gods (Sentiero degli dei)

For nature lovers and hikers you must not miss the pristine paths of the Amalfi Coast.
The Lattari Mountains, up to Campanella Point, constitute a territory that is one of the most suggestive and celebrated of the world. It is an impressive show and imposing view of precipitous cliffs above the "pending waves".

The area of the Lattari mountains provides a hike that can offer a unique vacation experience: the itinerary unwinds in the silence of the mountainous calm, with scenery of haunting panoramas, far from the coastal congestion and the ribbon of asphalt highways.

The trails run across places of incomparable beauty, rich with history and culture, and are not particularly difficult: Hikes can accommodate all levels, even those with a minimum of experience.

Groups of young people that are nature lovers organize ecological walks for interested tourists to rediscover the origins of the earth and the sea. The walks lead over paths where the colors, the perfumes and the odors have lost each real relationship with nature, the mother nature.

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Amalfi Coast Apartments - Praiano Italy

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