The twenty two mile stretch that comprises the Amalfi Coast is one of Italy’s most dramatic, with plunging cliffs, shimmering seaside towns, and perhaps the bluest waters of the Tyrrhenian Sea. Many of the villages that dot the coastline were once sleepy fishing ports, but their unmatched beauty has turned them into bustling tourist meccas. The hillsides teem with lemon and orange groves and brilliant flower gardens that tumble down toward the dazzling beachfronts.

Sorrento is an old fishing town perched on a rocky bluff overlooking the sea. The town, which sits high above the sea, is known for its gorgeous cliff-top views. Sorrento’s ancient name – Surrentum – is connected to the Sirens; for Sorrento the Siren’s song is a vocation that comes from the distant past. These mythological marine creatures, possessing the face of a beautiful woman and the body of a fish covered with gaudy feathers, could bewitch even the roughest of sailors with their enchanting song. This is only legend, but the climate and beauty of the place are indeed spellbinding.

Ravello is a tiny village tucked high in the hills above the coast with absolutely dazzling views down to the sea. It is a cultured village of just 2,500 year-round residents, with no traffic noise. Be sure to visit the Villa Rufolo and the Villa Cimbrone – both have beautiful gardens that are open to the public and offer enchanting views of the bay of Salerno.

Positano is an especially romantic coastal town with a picturesque medley of whitewashed houses terracing down an ever-so-steep embankment to a pebble beach dotted with brightly painted fishing boats. The town is a photographer’s dream – houses painted a dazzling white step down the impossibly steep hillside to a pebble beach lapped by brilliant blue water. To reach the small plaza dominated by a church (Chiesa di Santa Maria Assunta) topped by a colorful mosaic-tiled dome you have to climb one of the town’s many staircases. Today, Positano attracts artists and tourists from around the world, but in the 16th and 17th centuries it was an important seaport with tall ships bringing in wares from around the world. When steamships came into vogue in the 19th century, Positano’s prosperity declined and three quarters of its population emigrated to the United States.

Amalfi itself is a small harbor town nestled in a narrow ravine. It was once a thriving fishing port with a population of 70,000. In years past, the major trade route between Tunis, Constantinople, and Beirut went through the town, and much of the local architecture reflects these influences. In spite of it's growing popularity, Amalfi still possesses a sense of community that does not revolve around tourism.