Journey Through the Amalfi Coast - From Ravello’s quiet beauty to Capri’s colorful waters - and yes, even mozzarella limoncello.

 Arrival in Sorrento

This vacation was a much-awaited one, shared with my perfect companion. We had been looking forward to it for months, and finally setting foot in Italy felt surreal.

We landed in Naples late at night after our connection from London got delayed by two hours. By the time we arrived, we were tired and just ready to get to our stay. Our Airbnb host at CasaRafuolo Paradise had arranged a pickup, and the driver kept us entertained with stories of Pompeii and Sorrento.

As we got closer to the Hilton Palace, we switched into the owner’s car because the roads ahead were too narrow for the larger vehicle. He personally came to meet us and drive us up. The climb was steep and a little scary, but when we reached the top, the view was stunning—lights twinkling across the coast against the dark sea.

Casa Rafuolo was a beautiful spot. We loved having breakfast on the balcony outdoors with its fantastic view. The property is more than a hundred years old but so well maintained. Luigi, the owner, was really sweet. He picked us up and dropped us off whenever we needed from the Plaza Hotel, and though we felt bad troubling him, he never once made it feel like a chore. If we were to do it again, we’d probably rent a small car or scooter for more independence. Sorrento turned out to be a good place to stay—quiet but close enough to the action. You could also choose to stay directly on the Amalfi Coast, but for us, Sorrento worked out perfectly.

Day 1 – Sorrento Strolls

Our plan was to go to Capri, but the weather turned bad. So instead we took it easy, walked around Sorrento, explored Piazza Tasso and the marina. That evening we had dinner at Soul & Fish, a Michelin-guide restaurant. The setting by the water was nice, but the food was just okay—not worth the hype.

Day 2 – Amalfi Coast Adventure

We took a boat to Positano, sitting right up front, and it was rough. I felt sick, and it wasn’t the best start. Positano itself was all uphill walking and crowded with tourists. Pretty to look at, but honestly overrated.

To avoid another boat ride, we hired a taxi to Ravello. The drive along the coast was slow but beautiful, and once we reached Ravello, it was clear it was the highlight of the day. The views were incredible, and lunch at Santa Maria was simple but very good.

From there, we took another taxi down to Amalfi town. The driver charged us $80, which felt like a rip-off, but we didn’t have another option. Amalfi was nice to walk around, but also touristy. Later we caught the ferry back to Sorrento. Luckily, we both slept through the ride without any issues.

Looking back, Ravello stood out as the gem. The rest of the Amalfi Coast felt a little overhyped.

Day 3 – Capri Magic

This was the best day. We booked a small open boat with only 12 people, which cost €280 for the two of us. The ride was smooth and scenic, passing by the White, Green, and Blue Grottoes. The line for the Blue Grotto was long, so we skipped going inside, but the ride itself was amazing.

At Anacapri, we had pizza at Pizzeria Casa Orlandi—really good. Next door was a sandal maker creating custom shoes by hand. We were tempted but didn’t have time to wait. The chairlift to the top had a long line, so instead we just walked around before heading down to Capri town. The views were lovely, though most shops were high-end designer brands. Tempting, but we skipped.

That night, back in Sorrento, we tried Beef Steak. The food was average, not memorable. Luigi picked us up, and we crashed early.

Day 4 – Pompeii & Mount Vesuvius

We joined a van tour to Pompeii in the morning. Walking through the ruins was powerful—you could feel the history in every street and stone.

Afterward, we went for lunch and wine tasting, but it felt more like a sales pitch than anything special. From there, the bus dropped us at Mount Vesuvius. The climb was tough—steeper than we imagined. We almost gave up halfway but pushed ourselves and made it to the crater. The view at the top was worth it. Coming down, we nearly ran to avoid facing the steep path slowly.

On the way back to Sorrento, the bus stopped at a shop where they offered limoncello tastings. Limoncello was everywhere in Amalfi and Sorrento, but honestly, we weren’t crazy about it. What stood out, though, was something unusual: mozzarella limoncello. The owner was a genius storyteller and gave everyone a taste. It was surprisingly good, and we ended up buying some bottles to bring back.

That evening we had dinner at Accento, which turned out to be the best food of the trip.

Day 5 – Last Day in Sorrento

On our final day, we strolled around Sorrento again and finally tried Ristorante Azz! Italian Tavern. We had always seen long lines, but this time there wasn’t one, so we went in. The food was excellent—clearly homemade and worth the wait. There was even a little dog walking around with a card on him that said, “Don’t feed me.”

That evening, we ended the trip with a cooking class. It was just the two of us, which made it special. We learned to make gnocchi, eggplant parmigiana, and tiramisu. Others in different groups were learning pizza or limoncello, but ours felt like being in someone’s kitchen. At €270 for two, it was one of the best experiences of the trip.

Journey Home

On Thursday morning we left early from Sorrento for our flight back to DFW via London. We had originally planned to fly Finnair because we wanted to try their service, but the flight was canceled. Since we booked through American Airlines, it was easier to rebook through them via London.

The difference in service was striking—British Airways flight attendants were wonderful, warm, and attentive. On the other hand, American Airlines still has a long way to go when it comes to customer service, and the food was disappointing compared to the other carriers. The contrast really stood out on the way back.

Reflections

The Amalfi Coast is beautiful, but also crowded and expensive. Ravello was peaceful and stunning, Capri was unforgettable, and Pompeii gave us history we loved learning and experiencing. Sorrento gave us comfort, good food, and Luigi, who made our stay at Casa Rafuolo Paradise easy and welcoming.

Even the journey home gave us perspective—seeing how different airlines handle service made us appreciate the little details that can shape a trip.

Overall, the trip was good, but we don’t think we’d return. We loved the culture, the history we explored, and the views. Still, we came back with memories, photos, and yes—bottles of mozzarella limoncello.

Travel Notes

History Highlights

• Pompeii: A thriving Roman city until AD 79, when Mount Vesuvius erupted and buried it in ash. Today it remains one of the most intact glimpses of Roman life.
• Mount Vesuvius: The only active volcano on mainland Europe, most famous for its AD 79 eruption. Still closely monitored because millions live nearby.

Photo Spots

• Balcony at Casa Rafuolo (morning coffee view).- 
  


• Positano beach looking up at the stacked houses.
  
  
  
• Ravello’s Terrace of Infinity.
  
  
  
• Capri’s Grotto
  
  
  
  
• Pompeii Forum with Vesuvius behind it.
  
  
  
• Cooking class: floury hands making gnocchi.
  
  
  

Practical Tips

Stay: Casa Rafuolo is perfect if you want peace and charm, but Sorrento also has plenty of stays in the plaza. You can also stay directly on the Amalfi Coast, though it’s pricier.

• Transport: Roads are narrow—either rent a small car/scooter or be ready to depend on pickups/taxis.
• Food: Best meal was Accento; Soul & Fish and Beef Steak were overrated. Don’t miss Azz! Italian Tavern if the line isn’t long.
• Activities: Ravello was the gem; Capri is best by small boat; Pompeii and Vesuvius are musts.
• Drinks: Limoncello is everywhere, though not everyone loves it. Still, try it once—it’s part of the Amalfi experience. If you find mozzarella limoncello, grab it!
• Experiences: A cooking class is the perfect way to close the trip.