00:00This week we're visiting one of our favourite destinations in Italy, the gorgeous Amalfi
00:05Coast.
00:06This shoreline region is easily one of the most popular among tourists, with millions
00:10visiting every year to enjoy the stunning clifftop views.
00:14Buongiorno and welcome to TravelSmart Weekly.
00:28There are 13 towns on the Amalfi Coast, but tourists tend to focus overwhelmingly on Amalfi
00:34and Positano, which is where we'll kick off our guide.
00:39A former fishing village, Positano has come a long way from its humble roots and is now
00:45a chic but rather expensive town, boasting high-end galleries, upscale restaurants and
00:50buzzing beach clubs.
00:52Amalfi is the largest town on this stunning stretch of coast.
00:56You'll no doubt be tempted to simply sip a cappuccino in the town square or browse
01:01the many shops, but make sure you take some time to wander around the medieval St Andrew's
01:06Cathedral and the Piazza del Duomo.
01:10The charming town of Ravello is nestled in the hillside with panoramic views of the turquoise
01:15ocean below.
01:17Wandering around this town feels a bit like being in a fairy tale.
01:20It's home to the beautiful Villa Cimbrone and Villa Rufolo, which both boast beautiful
01:26gardens and gorgeous terraces that are perfect for enjoying a glass of wine while admiring
01:32the spectacular Gulf of Naples.
01:36For a slower pace and fewer tourists, it's well worth visiting some of the lesser-known
01:40towns like Atrani, Scala, Fiordi di Fiore and Vietro Sul Mare.
01:48One of our favourites is the tiny town of Minori.
01:51Here you'll find a beautiful church, an ancient Roman villa, a lemon path walk and plenty
01:56of bars and restaurants that are more affordable than in the larger neighbouring towns.
02:01Over in Preano you'll find pretty whitewashed houses down winding streets with hidden art
02:06galleries and boutiques, as well as plenty of churches and monasteries to explore.
02:11This town is also an excellent starting point to walk the Path of the Gods, which is the
02:16Amalfi Coast's famous hiking trail.
02:21The beauty of the Amalfi Coast attracts visitors from across the globe, but this comes at a
02:26price and the region can get very crowded in the height of summer.
02:30This is particularly problematic along the Strada Sertale 163 Amalfitana.
02:36This iconic road climbs over the cliff, taking in twisting turns and tight spaces that can
02:42barely accommodate two cars, let alone buses.
02:45However, there are a few ways to get around this and enjoy a rather more peaceful Amalfi
02:51Coast experience.
02:55Firstly, visit in the off-season, which is generally considered to be between November
02:59and February.
03:01Some hotels and beach clubs will close during this time, but there are still options for
03:06accommodation and plenty to do.
03:09Spring and autumn are also beautiful on the Amalfi Coast and you'll avoid the heaviest
03:13summer crowds.
03:15Secondly, stay overnight in one of the towns.
03:19There are plenty of family-run boutique hotels, as well as gorgeous villas clinging to the
03:24cliffs or nestled among the streets that allow you to really get a feel of the town.
03:29Many tourists will visit just for day trips and the crowds thin out in the evenings and
03:34early mornings, so you can explore without fighting for space.
03:38Then you can use the middle of the day to relax with a book by your villa pool or to
03:42sip limoncello on your terrace while admiring the views.
03:46And my final tip is to travel by water.
03:50Whenever possible, opt for one of the many boats that traverse the coast.
03:54Not only does this mean you can avoid grappling with traffic, but it is also quite simply
03:59the best way to view this part of Italy.
04:02That's it for this episode of Travel Smart Weekly.
04:07For more inspiration on the Amalfi Coast and Italy, visit independent.co.uk forward slash
04:13travel.
04:14The next one will be along soon, which you can watch online on the Independence mobile
04:17app or on your smart TV.
04:19And don't forget to tune in to Simon Calder's daily podcast.
04:23Ciao, Arrivederci and we'll see you next time.
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