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Amalfi!

Amalfi is one of the pearls of the south Italy, the biggest city of the Amalfi Coast, the oldest Marine Republic of Italy, and today it represents the most attractive city with Positano of the entire coast in Campania.

The singular architecture of white houses of Amalfi, the good climate for almost the entire the year, make it a destination for thousands of Italian tourists and foreigners.

Amalfi is a town of about 7000 inhabitants, rich in history and art, which gives its name to the homonym Amalfi Coast, famous throughout the world and since 1997, a World Heritage Site UNESCO. Visited for its beauty, Amalfi is also a place for gourmets and gourmands, and is where the "cannelloni" was invented.

Its foundation goes back to the Romans; from the ninth century, it was the first of the the Marine Republics and rivaled Pisa, Venice and Genoa for the control of the Mediterranean Sea. Among the most famous monuments of Amalfi is certainly the Duomo. Built in Arab-Sicilian style and now dedicated to St. Andrew, patron of the city.

There are hiking paths with breathtaking views that once connected the Amalfi Coast with the rest of the world and are attractions perfect for both adults and children or for lovers of trekking and nature.

The main airport is Naples Capodichino – International Airport, about 65 km from Amalfi and it takes about 1 hour and 15 minutes.
www.aeroportodinapoli.it/homepage

There are two ways to get to Amalfi by car:
• the fastest route – take the A3 Highway ( Napoli – Pompei-Salerno) and take the exit to Angri. The you should follow the directions to Valico di Chiunzi and Costiera Amalfitana.
• The panoramic route, called the Coastal route. Take the Vietri sul mare exit from the A3 highway – pass through Cetara, Maiori and Minori and then you’ll arrive in Amalfi. This route is absolutely beautiful but during the summer season there’re a lot of traffic especially in the weekends and national holidays.

Rome Fiumicino Airport is the most accessible to international flights and trains run from Rome to Naples or Salerno throughout the day.　

www.adr.it/web/aeroporti-di-roma-en-/pax-fco-fiumicino

From Rome Fiumicino Airport

Take a train Leonardo Express to Roma Termini or Roma Tiburtina Station, from there take a Frecciarossa (express train) to Naples or Salerno. It takes about 70 minutes from Naples to Amalfi / 40 minutes from Salerno to Amalfi by car.

Private cars to Amalfi can be arranged upon request.

Transportation: To visit the Amalfi Coast by public transport take a SITA bus from Amalfi to Ravello, Positano and Sorrento and from there you can reach most of the beautiful towns on the peninsula and go all the way to Naples with the Sea bus called Metro del Mare. Tickets for all public transportation are sold at newsstands or tobacco stores.

TRAINS: Italy has excellent train service including the Freccia Rossa and Freccia Argento high speed trains especially for who comes to Naples/Salerno by train. www.trenitalia.com/tcom-en

TAXIS: Take authorized cabs only (ones bearing a TAXI sign on top with a meter inside); they are usually white with and emblem and taxi identification on the side (for example, Roma 33). Fares vary depending and you may be charged per suitcase for your luggage. Weekends and holidays are also charged more.

TIPPING: Most restaurants apply a cover charge (called ‘coperto’) which is about 2 or 3 euros per person. You may add a tip if service was acceptable and typically tipping is between 2 to 5 percent of the bill. Tipping is NOT required if there is a service charge on your bill.

MEDICINE: If you take prescription medicine be sure to bring enough for your stay abroad as some pharmaceuticals may not be obtainable.

CREDIT CARDS, CURRENCY EXCHANGE AND CASH: There is seldom a need to exchange currency any more as most businesses accept major credit cards (Visa and MC, very few accept American Express), but if you have some you would like to exchange for euros, there are exchange offices located around the downtown areas. They charge high commissions and may refuse to exchange large amounts of cash. Your safest and best bet is to use the ATM machines (called ‘bancomat’) to withdraw cash from your credit card. Call your credit card company or bank to obtain instructions on withdrawing abroad.

MUSEUMS: In Italy Monday is the general closing day for museums.

Amalfi Coast has a Mediterranean climate bringing hot summers and mild winters to the area, with temperatures cooling down in October as autumn sets in. You can still look forward to plenty of warm weather and sunshine if you visit Amalfi at this time though, with the best weather for relaxing on the beach coming at the start of the month.

In October the average temperature in Amalfi reaches a high of 22°C (71.6 ℉), and the town has six hours of sunshine each day this month. Things can get a little chilly after dark, and with an average low of 11°C (51.8℉) you’ll want to bring some warmer layers for evenings out at the local bars and restaurants.