I have always wanted to go to Italy and see the historic sites in the country, but when I read about a small, picturesque Italian coast, I told myself that I need to have an amazing Amalfi Coast Trip. Luckily, my trip to the southwest part of Italy came in quite an unexpected manner. I had about 4 days of free time in Spain so I booked the earliest flight to Naples via Vueling for about $90. The flight from Barcelona to Naples took a little less than two hours only. From the Naples airport, I took an airport shuttle to Napoli Centrale train station. I took the Eurostar train, the fastest bullet train in Italy, to Salerno. From Salerno, I transferred to another regional train to Vietri Sul Mare. From there, I rode a bus that finally brought me to Amalfi Coast. My total travel time was almost 8 hours but the long wait, several transfers, and the short walks were so worth it. My total expenses for a two-way travel was probably $180 which is quite cheap for the priceless view that I saw in Amalfi Coast.
My Amazing Amalfi Coast Trip – My Solo Adventure:
Yes, I went to Amalfi Coast on my own. It was just a side trip that I decided to take and since the others had other businesses to do I proceeded with the journey by myself. I was nervous at first because it is quite intimidating to travel to another country alone; all the more to another country that speaks a totally different language. I didn’t know much Italian except for “ciao” and “grazi” so I knew I was up for a big adventure and I really psyched myself to be bigger than my doubts and fears. I hoped for an amazing Amalfi Coast Trip and this somehow erased my anxieties.
With the almost 8 hours of land and air travel, I thought that I would be dead tired when I get to Amalfi Coast but as soon as I saw the great views from the bus, my exhaustion was replaced with excitement. As soon as I got off the bus, I walked to the hostel, Holidays Baia D’Amalfi, which is literally right across the bus stop. The hostel is not much but it isn’t expensive either. It’s actually really small and a bit old already but it has the greatest view of the coast. Should you decide to stay here, ask for a room with windows.
After settling in the hostel, I ventured out on foot. I outside the hostel and saw a cemented boardwalk which took me closer to the edge of the coast. It is a spot that has a better view of Amalfi. Looking out to the sea, I saw an unobstructed view of the horizon and the Capri-Amalfi Coast. What wowed me was when I looked behind – I saw the colourful buildings built on the cliffside of Amalfi. Seeing the view was so surreal because I used to just see it in pictures.
As I walked back to the hostel, I saw a kiosk with several tourists. I got curious so I went to take a look. When I got closer, I asked one of the tourists there what they were lining up for and one replied that they buying tickets for a boat ride. I got even more curious. I looked at some brochures and found out that the kiosk is Travelmar, a company that ferries travellers to and from other coasts near Amalfi. Had I known that I can take a ferry from Salerno, I would have taken it instead of a bus. I went back to the couple whom I asked a while back and asked them where they will go. Since they were friendly enough, they asked me to tag along with them to Positano the following day. I agreed and bought tickets for Positano the next morning.
Positano is another colourful coastal town built along the cliffside of limestone mountains. As soon as we arrived in Positano, we started our DIY tour immediately. We found out that Positano has a funkier vibe than Amalfi Coast. There were more artisans and artists living in this area and this reflects with the image and ambiance of the place. As we walked the narrow alleyways, we saw shops that sold bohemian dresses and tunic blouses. There was also a store that sold handmade, leather sandals. I found it dear for €60 per pair but I appreciated the tedious labor that made those sandals so I bought a pair. Before we went back to the dock to make it to our return journey to Amalfi, we decided to have late lunch at a local seafood restaurant and ate the freshest octopus and squid. Finally, as we were walking back to the ferry stop, we saw a limoncello stand and bought a cup of lemon sherbet. It is something that everyone must try!
When we got back to Amalfi Coast, we agreed to meet for drinks after dinner. My first solo adventure actually turned out great! I conquered my fears and met new friends along the way.
My Amazing Amalfi Coast Trip – Try this Trip Yourself:
Amalfi Coast is without a doubt one of the best destinations in Italy. Not only will you be able to appreciate the sun and the see, you will also be able to meet the many artisans that live by the coast of Italy. It is such a great experience to venture off the usual Italian destinations and realize that there is a lot more to see that the capital city alone.
Should you wish to take a similar adventure to Italy, then all you need to do is to apply for a Schengen visa. If you are wondering what you will need to apply for a Schengen visa, here are the requirements:
- A filled out Schengen visa application form
- Valid passport and copies of the front and back pages
- A couple of recent passport photos with white background
- Travel Insurance – It is best to get it from Schengen Travel Insurance a more affordable and reliable insurance company.
- Proof of Travel – flight booking, hotel booking, and travel itinerary. You may get a Flight Booking, Hotel Booking, and Travel Itinerary just to get a Schengen Visa without having to pay for the ticket, reservation, or tour packages.
- Personal Coverage Letter
- No Objection Letter – This may come in handy when applying for a Schengen Visa.
- Bank documents
You can also take a connecting flight from Rome to either Naples or Positano and then take a bus to Amalfi Coast. Should you have further questions about the visa application process or obtaining some of the requirements, just contact us and one of our friendly agents will respond to your queries. Travel to the colourful cliffside in Italy and have your own amazing Amalfi Coast trip!
