Types | Excursions Transfers | Amalfi, Ravello, Italy
Amalfi Italy
At the mouth of the Valley of the Watermills, Amalfi faces the sea with its streets and characteristic houses clinging on the rock, with its antique sighting towers. Amalfi is extremely picturesque with the most charming panoramic views and the mildest of climates.
Delightful little beaches, whitewashed houses grouped together upon rocky slopes. The “Grotta dello Smeraldo” rich with stalagmites and stalactites.
Steeped in folklore and traditions has made it a unique place; so much so that Renato Fucini once said: “For the Amalfitans going to heaven will be just like any other day”.
Ravello Italy
Ravello, laying on the spur that divides the Valley of the Dragon and that of the Regina, dominates from a height of 350 metres above the sea. Just under the mystic towns of Minori and Maiori.
In 1819 the British painter William Turner came to Italy staying in Ravello. His sketches of the Amalfi coast are in The Tate Gallery in London. To the right of the dome sits the Villa Rufolo dating from the 12th century.
From the vestibule of the entrance of the tower - decorated in the corners with four statues which represent the Charity and the Hospitality, “assiduously practised by Rufolo”- crossing a tree-lined path one reaches a building of three floors. To the left, the main tower, approximately 30 metres in height; to the right the court-yard, with a square plan, similar to that of a cloister. Across the path one arrives at what is called “Richard Wagner Terrace” so called because he was here on the 26th May 1880 when he was inspired to define the garden of Klingsor, in the second act of Parsifal. Every summer the gardens of Villa Rufolo give tribute to the Maestro by holding classical musical concerts
The Music Festival finds its starting point in Wagner's visit to Ravello in 1880 and in the enthusiasm of the Maestro at the view of the Villa Rufolo gardens, from which he drew the inspiration for the scene paintings of the second act of Parsifal. In fact he wrote in Villa Rufolo guest book "At last I found Klingsor's enchanted garden".
The concerts at Villa Rufolo are from March to October. The highlight of the season is generally during the first week of July with the Wagner Festival.
During the festival world famous artists come to perform as Zubin Metha, Lorin Maasel and Placido Domingo (Placido Domingo was the first guest Palazzo Sasso had for the reopening in July 1997).
Although on the link of the official site for the Ravello Concert Society you will find a calendar of events, the famous performers of the Festival are generally announced very close to the dates so you might find only minor performances depending on when you log on. The information for the July Festival should be available during March/April. The most unforgettable concerts are the ones at the crack of dawn with the sun raising behind the orchestra! The picture tells it all!
12 HOURS POMPEII and SORRENTO and THE AMALFI COAST
After a 3 hours ride we will get to the unique Pompei town.
Overwhelmed by the eruption of the Vesuvius in the year 79 A.C. the city of Pompeii has for centuries captivated archaeologists from all over the world.
Digging slowly and regularly since 1748 until the discovery of Temples, Theatres, homes completely fixed in their action when they were submerged by the volcanic flood.
The historians have now made the city completely returned to the light.
This will give you the best opportunity to discover the greatest witness of the way of life. at the times of the Roman Empire.
We shall then proceed to the famous
Amalfi Coast
According to the legend, the famous Hercules wanted a present for one of his nymph : Amalfi. Dwelling on the Italian Coastline, he found this breathtaking site where the sea, quiet and pure, had the exact same colour of Amalfi’s eyes.
The gorgeous beauty of the nymph matched in fact with the whole coast line wich kept her name in memory of the divine landlady.
The enchanting journey here proposed will drive you to this Pearl of the Italian shore. Through the city of Amalfi, capital of the divine coast and first stop of our full-day tour, we will guide to Positano, surely the most beautiful seaside village of the Amalfi coast.
Narrow winding streets that slowly descend from the hilltop to the beautiful beach will warmly welcome you for a stroll where you may find the perfect summer clothe you were looking after in some of the fashion designers’ boutique.
This exceptional roundtrip will certainly reach its apogee in the discovery of the island of the Sirens : Capri.
Chosen by the emperor Tiberious, the island has kept its magical atmosphere. Leaving the small village of Sorrento for a small cruise to the island, you will even have the time to picture this gift of a wonderful nature.
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