Oh, to travel in the Mezzogiorno, the Italian South, the Noonday is not to be missed. There are lots of variety in this region, and the differences between good and not so good more distinctive than in some other regions. This region of Italy Includes the cities of Amalfi, Avellino, Benevento, Caserta, Napoli, Ravello and Salerno.
Lungomare dei Cavaliere, 16
84011 Amalfi
The roof-top patio of the Hotel La Bussola. |
We stayed here while traveling in Italy during 2003 and really enjoyed the place. The hotel staff are very helpful and made you feel at home. Gee, how often could we order drinks up to the sun deck on the 4th floor or down to the dock by the water? Endlessly, as we found! Cold bottles of Prosecco and fresh glasses seemed to make an endless run to the large roof-top patio. The meals are very good so don't pass up eating in the hotel. At 15 Euro per person (2003 price) they were great deal. The hotel also has parking, so that eases a big concern if you make it alive after driving along the Amalfi Coast road. Being at water level it is a short couple of minutes to walk to the centre of Amalfi and enjoy the life and gelato of the town. |
(Costiera Amalfitana)
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| Villa San Michel hangs on the cliff below the road and above the sea. |
Most rooms have patios, all rooms have views of the sea. |
Jetty down by the water provides a great place to sun and swim. |
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Very pleasant dining room. Windows offer a view that does not stop! |
Rosa, Leo and Nicola will make your stay one to remember. |
It is October 2009 and we have just returned from our trip to Italy. It was our 19th trip in 22 years and our 4th stay at the Villa San Michele…the hotel being one of our favourites!!
Arriving at San Michele was like returning home. We were greeted like family by the owners Nicola Dipino and his wife, Rosa Mammato, and their staff Emiliano, Leo and Anna Maria. We have recommended this hotel to many and they all have fallen in love with the hotel and location just as we have. We wish we could say that San Michele is a “HIDDEN gem” but that is not the case and it is becoming difficult to get in…so be sure to book early.
This peaceful 12 room hotel hangs off the cliffs high above the sea. The standard rooms, ones you would expect to find along the coast, offer great views. The majority have balconies or terraces overlooking the water. The outdoor spaces are beautiful and there is a swimming platform to enjoy the warm sea water.
As mentioned the hotel hangs from the cliff which means there are plenty of steps going from the street to the hotel and then again from the hotel down to the water. No problem. You can always pace yourself and take in the wonderful views!! In total. there is 250 plus or minus steps so if this is a concern, it may not be the hotel for you.
The view from the restaurant is breathtaking! You can be as dressy or casual as you wish. We have always taken the Half Board option (3 course dinner) which is a pre-requisite, as in most hotels, in the peak season. We have never been disappointed with any Rosa’s imaginative and delicious meals You get two options(one being fish) for both courses. The first plate (usually pasta or risotto) and the second plate being the entrée and vegetables. There is great variety and you come away feeling very satisfied. Mangiamo!!
Villa San Michele is 1 km south of the town of Amalfi. It is an easy walk down to the town and for the less energetic a short bus trip back to the hotel. The hotel is in an idea position as it has two bus stops just outside its doors. One that goes to Ravello and the other that is the Sorrento-Salerno run. Amalfi is our favourite town on the Amalfi coast. It is perfect as it is the Coastal transportation hub for all buses and ferries. It has a beautiful piazza to sip an aperativo doing nothing but people-watch and view the remarkable and beautiful Duomo. Over the years we have become gelato aficionados and the gelateria up from the piazza along the main road, on the left with a yellow canopy, rates as one of the best but also THE most expensive in all of Italy! Oh well, you are on the Amalfi Coast…it is supposed to be expensive!! That being said, the Villa San Michele is a “really good bang for your buck”!!
Constrada San Giovanni in Forte
This agriturismo ranks up there because it is a very good value, very clean, has a great location not far from the Certosa di San Lorenzo and the owners will treat you like you have never been treated before.
We stayed here in 2003 and Michele and his wife Marcella greated us, showed us our very clean and comfortable rooms, gave us a tour of the grounds - includes an original Baptistery.
The next morning when we were leaving and they treated us to plenty of their homemade jams and to the shock of Karen and Carmen, Michele shared some of his great wine with us. Sure it was 8:00 am, this is Italy!
The agriturismo is located just off autostrad S19 and is a few km away from the very impressive Certosa di San Lorenzo - not to be missed.
WebSite: www.agriturismofonte.com
Hotel Villa Sirio
Santa Maria di Castellabate
On our 2006 trip to Italy, we enjoyed our stay in Santa Maria di Castellabate. It was one of those stops where we found ourselves going to the front desk asking if it would be okay to stay yet another night.
Just down the beach was the very pleasant Hotel Villa Sirio which has the Ristorante da Andrea. There are tables in a very nice dinning room as well as tables out on the dock by the water.
We opted for the outside tables and had a very good meal here. Reasonably priced, cooked and presented.
See our Travel Journal.
