Who: Cathryn Farnsworth of Los Angeles and her mother, Max Farnsworth of Aurora
Where: The Cathedral of Amalfi “Santa Andrea Duomo” in Amalfi, along the southern coast. This church was built over 1,200 years ago. The village centers around the piazza, which in turn is in front of this magnificent cathedral and is the gathering place for all ages, both today and for the past 1,200 years.
Best meal: Any gelato café/bar/
trattoria on any corner, with mountainous and artistic displays of gelato (ice cream) more tempting that you can imagine. You can also get a wonderful pasta, a mozzarella sauce, a secondi (meat course), pizza, wine and mouthwatering pastries. Finally, a cappuccino. We gained a new appreciation for relaxing as we watched with wonder as no one rushed around, tapped their feet if in line or gave you “the look” that said “hurry up!”
Best deal: The ceramics factory, worked by the same family for generations, shows detail so intricate, so stunning, so finely crafted and so colorful it was inspiring.
Best time to go: April/May or September/October are best. The crowds are much smaller, the weather is not too hot, and the flora is lush and beautiful, especially the oranges, lemons and bougainvillea.
Best travel tip: Hire a driver to take you down the coast – the road is narrow, curvy, straight up the mountain on one side and straight down to the water on the other.
