Ravello

The alarm going off at 3am seemed very early but it allowed us to get the airport in plenty of time for checking in at 4am. We checked in and passed through passport control without any problems. Now that we were not encumbered with our luggage we were able to enjoy breakfast which, for me, was a croissant whilst waiting to board the plane. Boarding was timely but when everyone was seated the captain announced that there would be a short delay before take off due to three planes being stacked in the queue for take off. Then a few minutes later there was another apology; someone hadn’t boarded the plane so there would be a further delay whilst their luggage was removed from the hold. We eventually took off forty minutes late but the flight ran smoothly thereafter.

At Naples airport we passed through customs and made our way to the baggage unloading area. This proved a little quirky; most of the baggage arrived and then there was a long delay before the final few cases (including mine) arrived. Luggage retrieved, we made our way to the airport entrance to locate our driver for our private transfer to Ravello. We drove out of Naples on the main highway where Vesuvius dominated the landscape with its charred lower slopes and wispy clouds ominously floating across the top of the crater. After a brief glimpse of the sea we cut inland and took a narrow winding road up through the mountains to Ravello. As we wound our way up, we were treated to spectacular views of the mountains, countryside, mini shrines and a different view of the imposing Vesuvius. As we rounded one hairpin bend, a larger-than-life sized statue of Jesus greeted us.

Luggage Transporter

At the taxi rank in Ravello our driver informed us that cars were restricted in the centre of Ravello and that he had called the hotel porter for us. A few minutes later a small, strange vehicle arrived onto which the porter loaded our bags and then told us to follow him. He wended his way through the narrow streets at slightly faster than walking pace leaving us trotting along behind him to keep up. When we got to the hotel we found that our room was ready and we were taken straight there. The room was small but nicely appointed with a balcony overlooking the hotel pool and the town square beyond.

Ravello

We booked in for evening dinner in the hotel’s restaurant which is located in the sister hotel, Villa Maria, a few minutes walk away. We then went to find somewhere suitable for lunch, it seemed such a long time since we had eaten breakfast at the airport. We settled on Hotel Amora where we were able to dine alfresco looking out over the spectacular view of the Amalfi Bay. The mountains were illuminated by the sun’s golden light playing across the various mountain features casting shadow and light. We dined on panini, of which I chose Tuna and Tomato accompanied by a glass of cool white wine. It was heavenly.

Ravello Street

We lingered a while before taking a circular route back towards the hotel. We detoured into the town square and the narrow streets beyond where we visited a church, S. Maria A Gradillo which is quite plain inside but which has some of its original medieval floor exposed under panes of glass.

Duomo Square

We stopped for a drink at the cafe Duomo in the square where I discovered the delights of Lemon Spritz; freshly squeezed lemon in water. By the time we had finished it was time to return to the hotel to unpack and freshen up before dinner. The food at the Villa Maria, which has featured on various TV programmes  including the BBC, was delicious and the service was good. I chose pumpkin, almond and lemon risotto and we shared a dessert of citrus fruit and honey en papillote.

A Room with a View

After dinner we walked back to the hotel to sit on our private balcony with a glass of local wine from Mr C’s indulgent (expensive) purchase from the wine shop next to the hotel. The good news is that he was given the corkscrew free of charge ;-) It was a delight to sit outside in the warm evening air and soak up the atmosphere.

14 Comments CherryPie on Oct 19th 2017

14 Responses to “Ravello – Day Two”

  1. Sure hope you enjoy your visit…Coffee is on

  2. james higham says:

    Just to be clear – that’s the new camera?

  3. Looks idyllic – somewhere I’d like to spend some time; enjoy!

  4. Amfortas says:

    It is a time to indulge yourselves. I raise a glass to Mr C for taking such good care to keep you well supplied with fine wine. To be greeted by a statue of my Supplier must have been a fine omen. :)

    • CherryPie says:

      It was a fine omen and we came across some other unexpected treasures along throughout the week. It was almost like a pilgrimage :-)

      I am sure Mr C will raise a glass to you in return :-)

  5. Hels says:

    I love the layout of Ravello’s city square, and other towns – no cars allowed, the main church has its front door open to the community, great cafes, tables and umbrellas in the open air and plenty of trees.

    • CherryPie says:

      An interesting detail is that in this part of the world the Churches close their doors to the public from noon till a little later in the day.

  6. shabana says:

    Ravello sounds extremely gorgeous place .
    views are compelling!!!!!!!!!!!!!!………………

    this four wheeler looks like one we have in our rural areas mostly and call them Riksha