Roman Romance: Guide to Italy’s Southern Coast

Coliseum and Roman Forum: A must-see when visiting Rome. Be sure to get the skip-the-line tickets to ensure you don’t have to wait in line and can make the most of your time. You will experience history like you haven’t ever before. Explore some of the oldest standing ruins and understand the significance of them to the country.

Visit the Island of Capri: Take a boat tour from the Amalfi Coast and explore the island of Capri. See the blue grotto, experience homemade sandal-making, walk through the lemon trees, and venturing under the rock of romance off the coast. You will be able to see the whole island, snorkel, and enjoy limoncello and relax on this full-day boat tour.

Spend the day in Positano: Spend the day adventuring the Amalfi coast and exploring Positano and its surrounding towns. Walk through Miori and Minori and check out Ravello. These towns are off the beaten path but have the most stunning views of the coastline and food like you wouldn’t imagine.

Take a Wine Tasting: Enjoy a nice wine tasting on a local farm and even spend the day in a cooking class. Learn how to make authentic Italian wine and olive oil and experience the family-owned local farms.

Spend the day out at sea in Tropea: Check out the Coast of Gods. This coast has its name for a reason. As one of the most beautiful coastlines, it was built for the Gods to enjoy. Rent your own boat for the day or hire a skipper to show you all the hidden caves and coastlines along the sea.

The key to good Italian food is to find somewhere that doesn’t offer the menu in English. Venture into the alleys, away from the crowds for the most authentic meals you will find. In Rome, your best bet is to explore off-the-beaten-path for smaller-scale restaurants with menus in Italian.

Be sure to taste the pasta whenever you can and if you are looking for a quick bite don’t hesitate to try the “pizza” which may look more like a sandwich or have a variety of toppings. This is a perfect pick-me-up for the long days of walking. Bear in mind that in Italy most restaurants close around 4p-6p. Lunch is the bigger meal of the day and served later, and dinner is a much lighter meal served much later. That’s when those pizzerias along the way come in handy for a quick bite while walking.

Along the Amalfi Coast, you will find varieties of food and restaurants. Be sure to enjoy the seafood as it is truly as fresh as possible along the coast. While you are enjoying the sun, you must try the gelato. The trick to gelato is that the stuff that is truly homemade will not be piled high in the casing but shown in a low-key fashion. Once you try it once, you’ll be hooked for the rest of the trip.

On the Coast of Gods, as you get further south, the seafood only becomes more satisfying. Be sure to taste the octopus and fresh markets along the streets that have shellfish and seafood ready to eat.