Cruising the Amalfi Coast

Our ship docked in Naples on October 13 and during our stay we saw two very different aspects of the area.  First we took a boat ride along the picturesque Amalfi Coast and, second, we toured the ruins of Pompeii.  This post covers our cruise of the Amalfi Coast.  Later I’ll post photos of our visit to Pompeii. 



We headed out on our bus from Naples to the Amalfi Coast and one of the first things we say was  Mt. Vesuvius.  Before it exploded in 79 A.D. and devoured Pompeii, Vesuvius was a single peak several thousand feet higher than it is today.

We began an excursion cruise along the Amalfi Coast of Italy from the seaside city of Salerno.

Our group prepares to board a boat that will take us along the Amalfi Coast.

Sailing away from Salerno.

Some of the resorts in Salerno are built into cliffs with elevators that take guests down to the shoreline.


Following a several photos of the resorts and fishing villages we passed on our cruise
from Salerno to the town of Amalfi.




Lemons grow on terraces built on the cliff sides. The lemons are used to produce Limoncello,
a potent alcoholic beverage served cold.

 

 

This is a former convent built on a hillside above Amalfi.  It is now a resort.

A fisherman heads out from Amalfi. Anchovies and tuna are caught in this region.

Our group disembarks in Amalfi and prepares to explore the town.

We walk from the dock into town through one of the old city gates.

The Cathedral and main square in Amalfi.  The Cathedral dates back to the 9th century.

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A limonchello shop is conveniently located next to the Cathedral.

Following are some views of Amalfi.

Inside the Cathedral.



This is a shop in Amalfi where we purchased some pasta and wine.



We walk back to our boat through an old city gate.

A view of Amalfi from the dock.

Getting ready to board our boat for the trip back to Salerno.

Following are some photos of our return trip to Salerno.



Back on our bus we are briefed on our upcoming visit to the ruins of Pompeii.

Next:  The ruins of Pompeii.

Later:  Two Days at Sea, Rome, Cannes, Barcelona.

 

Cruise Note:  As I post this, Royal Princess is completing passage through the Straight of Gibraltar.  We are about to leave the Mediterranean Sea and enter the Atlantic Ocean.  At the narrowest point in the straight, Spain and Morocco are less than eight miles apart.