Going to Italy was an amazing experience. The three images shown above were in the Amalfi Coast. One look at the Amalfi Coast and you may believe that you have found heaven on Earth. The Amalfi Coast is a stretch of coastline in Southern Italy overlooking the Tyrrhenian Sea and the Gulf of Salerno, and dazzles with its grottos, cliffs, and shimmering bays. The actual coast is about 30 miles and follows a winding two-lane road with the sea on one side and mountains on the other.
Options for getting to the Amalfi Coast:
- Take the bus: Sita bus services the whole of the Amalfi Coast and offers rates as low as 2.20 euros or $2.40. Very crowded, some people don’t get a seat and have to stand up the whole time
- Hop on the ferry: 20 euros for a one-way journey
- Boat tours: About $100 per adult for a full-day tour, more exclusive than a ferry, small group on boat (usually about 8 guests), most boats skirt the coastline of the Sorrentine Peninsula before heading to the island of Capri, able to swim and snorkel, relax with drinks and snacks, and dock on the island to sightsee and shop on Capri
- Getting around by car: Most dangerous way. The Amalfi Drive has one lane in each direction and is very busy, the roads are super narrow and have many twists and turns. It is recommended to drive with caution on this road. There is also a lack of sufficient parking space. The towns are very steep and tumble down the cliffside; finding parking space in such small, steep villages is a serious problem. Cost of parking can get expensive too.
- Getting around by motorcycle or scooter: Must be very experienced in driving on motorcycle or scooter, can be very, very dangerous. Is a very pleasurable way of getting around. Allows travelers to explore the area in complete freedom, without worrying about traffic and parking
- Taxi: Many taxis are minivans that can transport up to 7 passengers. Can be very expensive and there is no ridesharing like Uber or Lyft. Can be around 140 euros. My family took a taxi, and he gave us a full detour and stopped at all the amazing places and breathtaking views, giving us loads of information about each place. We paid him extra for stopping a lot and giving us a detour. The ride was very fun, but scary at times because of the winding, narrowing roads. It looked like we were going to fall off the cliff sometimes because of how fast the taxi driver would go and how curvy and small the lanes were. Definitely worth it though!
If you want an exclusive and personalized tour of the Amalfi Coast and to see as many views as possible, I do not recommend taking the tour bus or ferry.
Another must-see city in Italy is Rome, seen in the three pictures above. Rome is known for its impressive monuments and archaeological sites, and its renowned cuisine and lively atmosphere. When you visit the Colosseum, you will imagine how the gladiators fought for their life in the arena. The Roman Forum was the hub of political and social activity of the Roman citizens. It is where religious and public life in ancient Rome took place. The Forum and Colosseum are the greatest sign of the splendor of the Roman Empire that can be seen today.
Most people go on a guided tour, but my family decided to explore Rome on our own and we wouldn’t have done it any other way.
