Tuesday, August 23, 2016

A Day in Amalfi and Ravello

Thursday, August 18th
Another great Tom breakfast on the terrace, then off to catch the bus to Amalfi.  Even though we have a car, parking a car anywhere but your designated parking spot can be impossible.  We parked the car by the local cemetery to wait on the bus.



The drivers are responsible and experienced, as the roads are very winding and narrow. Not fun to meet an oncoming bus with cars parked on either side
of the road.
About a 20 minute ride to Amalfi and the shopping began.







Amalfi is very touristy, hot and crowded, but still great fun and exciting.







The cathedral is the main draw.  It's famous for the mosaic facade and all those steps!



We stepped inside and were treated to a wedding.



Even though no photos were permitted--"Everyone else was taking pictures"!  A fancy car awaited
the couple leaving the church after their wedding.



This is also our day to visit Ravello.  Tom got the tickets for the bus ride up the mountainside.  Ravello is a small village 1181 feet above Amalfi.  This is another trip where it's better to be on a bus.  At the top we walked through a tunnel and came out in the delightful little town of Ravello--just beautiful!



This used to be a hang out for movie stars and celebrities until it was discovered by the tourists.



On to the shopping!!  I waited 8 years and finally got my pair of handmade sandals!  Susan bought hand towels and Kay bought a wrap.







All that shopping will work up an appetite, so on to lunch.



We found a place with a great view, but everywhere you look here has a great view.





Full and satisfied, back to more shopping.
Tom took this opportunity to see the Villa Rufolo.  He can tell you about that.
Villa Rufolo bears the name of the family who created it and at the height of it's importance in the 13th century it could boast "more rooms than there are days in the year".  Part of it has eroded over time but much of the original villa remains.  Some things have been added over the centuries.  The most recent addition is the facilities for the Fondazione Ravello, the Ravello Festival.
Torre d'ingresso, the entrance gateway has always been purely decorative and is surrounded by a dome decorated with interlocking arches and supported by small terra cotta columns.





The majestic "Torre Maggiore" is thirty meters high and three floors.









The most spectacular feature of the villa is the gardens. Immaculately kept and bursting with color when we were there.









We got one picture which is almost exactly like the picture they use in all the advertising for Ravello.



They were set up for "Ravello 2016" which begins soon. It is a very famous outdoor concert series featuring world famous musical talent.
Each year for the festival a stage is built hanging out over the sea creating fabulous views.







The villa is beautiful and well worth a visit.
Time to regroup and head back down on the bus.  Back in line, seems like we are always in line for one thing or another.  We picked up the car at the cemetery and headed back to the apartment.
A quick little dinner, a review of the day and the shopping and time to hit the hay.
Another day awaits!

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