Amalfi coast and Capri - in Rain 🌊

I was so thrilled to plan my European summer, all because of the Amalfi coast. It was the answer to the question - 'Are you a beach or a mountain person?'. The classic colorful houses cascading over steep cliffs overlooking turquoise waters makes up a dramatic view. Each turn we took on the narrow alleyways over 3 days revealed a new stunning vista. The atmosphere was filled with the scent of lemon groves, fresh sea and of course, espresso. What better place to immerse oneself in the quintessential beauty of Italy?

Our journey began with Naples, halfway between Rome and Sorrento, birthplace of pizza. We kept our bags at a storage (€5 / hour) and then braved a 2 hour wait for our table at Gino e Toto Sorbillo. Naples boasts so many Michellin star pizzerias! We finally got in and ordered the Nonna Carolina - it had pesto and oh my god, it was unbelievably good.

Traditional Napoletana pizza is eaten with knife and fork, but you might see some people just folding up a slice in half. The pizza is served super hot and not very sturdy, so using cutlery is not a bad idea. After the pizza adventure, we walked around for a bit in scorching heat - in search of Aperol Spritz, eventually moving on with our clothes sweaty, but bellies and hearts FULL.

Our experience on this coast was welcomed by rain. Sorrento was our choice of base because of its convenience in reaching Positano and the Capri island. After arriving by train and lugging our suitcase to the hotel, we ventured out in the rain. I told my friend she can stand under my umbrella as we searched for a cozy dinner spot with pasta and vino, justifying the name of my blog. The weather was unpredictably capricious - Get it?

Our hotel offered a top floor breakfast with a view, and a sweetest guy making cappucinos all morning. After having a classic breakfast of Cornetti, mini Sfogliatella and fruits, we set off for the magical Positano. Buses run from Sorrento to Positano all day long till 11pm for about $50 return ticket (Small buses through a tour company). The ride is breathtaking, so make sure to sit on the right side while going to Positano for the most stunning views!

Positano has a labyrinthe layout of narrow streets and alleyways, leading you to either a cozy trattoria, relaxed cafe, or a giant lemon tree - with rainbow and mountains in the backdrop. The boutique shops in this quaint town are a blend of luxury and the authenticity of local artists. The ceramic stores are adorable; we couldn’t resist buying coasters and a Made-in-Italy corkscrew. There’s plenty of Italian-made apparel and beautifully crafted leather sandals to choose from. Whether it's a chic dress or hand-painted dinnerware, it's a delight to shop in Positano.

The Amalfi Coast is also famous for its summer production of limoncello liqueur. All the towns on the coast will have shops and stalls selling limoncello in beautiful bottles. It is a staple in local restaurants will serve it as a digestif to round off a meal. All our friends received boozy limoncello chocolates as souvenirs!

We booked a private boat tour of Capri and the grottos but rain had other plans. Even when the rain stopped, the sea was too unstable for a small boat. Undeterred, we decided to take the ferry to go to Capri and struggled to get a return ferry on time. There are multiple ferry companies, you can book online or go to the ticket counter and book on the spot. The ferry was bumpy as well, me and my friend held hands and sang our favorite songs.

Upon arriving in Capri, we were greeted by the Island's the prettiest stairmaster – terracotta balconies, stone walls, and vibrant Bougainvilleas and Wisteria flowers leading to the top.

We couldn’t leave without picking up some Capri bell windchimes, believed to be good luck charms dating back to World War II.

Lunching al fresco over these turquoise waters, I had the best seafood linguine of my life! It was fresh and special of the day! Cutest tiramisu to top it off.

I recently heard from someone to not fixate on plans so much, because there are only so many things you can control.

Despite the hiccups, we had a fantastic time! On one of the rainy evenings, me and my friend found ourselves having cappucinos post dinner, on our hotel balcony, watching the rain dance over the sea. These unplanned but cherished memories made it all worthwhile.

Capri, it has been a year but you still have a piece of my heart. I am coming back to fulfill my dream of a private boat ride around Blue Grotto with limoncello shots!