Idyllic Italy

(Morning coffee on the balcony at Conca Dei Marini Airbnb apartment)

(View from balcony at Conca Dei Marini Airbnb apartment)

After a two year pandemic, it is amazing to be able travel abroad again. I have been so lucky to visit a few places so far this year and I want to share my experiences with you. Last week my family and I visited the Amalfi Coast, which has always been on my wishlist and it did not dissapoint.

We stayed south from Sorrento for the first two nights in Massa Lubrense. Walking down narrow steep steps lead to Captain Cook beach, which was absolutely stunning. Perched up on the rocks, orange retro style sunbeds overlooked deep, dark, black-green water, which you could dive into, Elvis style or descend down the steps like I did. I had the most refreshing dips and swims in that sea. Then my family and I basked in the sun after eating lunch in the rickety beach restaurant, watching seagulls swooping past.

We spent the following week in Conca Dei Marini, which is nestled between Amalfi and Positano and much quietier than either of them but equally as beautiful. It was a great holiday for keeping fit, as where we stayed was right in the middle of the beach and the shops but vertically, so everyday we had to walk hundreds of steps to either go up or down. Our calves had never felt so tight and my knees were shaking after the first few attempts, as my body just wasn't used to that type of exercise. We all soon got used to it and it feels quite weird to be home now and walking on the flat.

Our Airbnb apartment looked out over the coastline and right down to Sofia Loren's white house. We had a balcony, which we could spend our mornings sipping coffee and dipping croissants into, overlooking the spectacular view. It felt like we were in a painting - everything was so still and perfect.

On the first bus we caught from Amalfi, we had to queue in torrential rain and hadn't thought to bring raincoats or umbrellas, like all the sensible people in front of us, so I improvised and used a plastic bag over my head. We got the giggles as we stood there for half an hour, waiting, getting more and more wet until by the time we climbed aboard we were drenched through to our skin. Added to that, it was thunder and lightning, which was pretty frightening but added to our hysterics of laughter until we collapsed onto the warm, dry seats and shivered until we reached our stop. It was so good to get back into our flat and change into warm, toasty clothes and have a deli feast watching the storm from our balcony.

We caught a ferry to Capri where we met my niece and her new husband for lunch, who were on their honeymoon - they invited us, don't worry. We caught quite a few water taxis to visit local beaches, Amalfi and Positano and the scenery was breath taking. On one of our boat trips, I had a comedy moment when I stood up to exit on to the jetty but wobbled over, ending up sitting on Martha's lap - good job she was sitting where she was or I would have backflipped into the water - she might disagree. Once on the beach, I was leisurely reading my book and minding my own business when a bee landed on my little finger. I shook it off but as it detached itself, it stung me. We were stranded on a tiny beach with only a beach restaurant, so my husband went to see if their was any insect bite cream behind the bar. There was none but instead I was offered half a tomato by a waiter and told to put my finger inside - instant relief from the pain and within half an hour, the swelling had gone down. Who knew?

The people in Italy were so friendly and made us feel like family, the way we were welcomed into restaurants or spoken with on the cobbled streets or steps. The food was delicious and I've never tasted better pizzas and pasta. The white wine tasted sensational too - but then, it always does when being drunk crisp and cold on a sunny day. The tiramisu was scrumptious and the ice creams were just dreamy.

The only thing I wasn't so keen on was being driven on the windy roads. After one bus ride, I felt so nauseous that I couldn't speak (a relief for some) and was thankful to get off and walk up all the steps back to where we were staying. I got so travel sick that I thought I may have to live in Conca Dei Marini forever as I couldn't face the journey back towards home. It would have been a small price to pay to live amongst such beauty. I am already dreaming of my next visit there. It was truly one of the best places I have ever been to and I can't wait to go back.

(Steps up from Conca Dei Marini beach)

(View from Conca Dei Marini Airbnb apartment)

(On the rocks at Captain Cook beach, near Massa Lubrense)

(Retro Style orange sunbeds on rocks at Captain Cook beach, near Massa Lubrense)

(Steps down to Conca Dei Marini beach)

(Tart's spaghetti - puttanesca)

(The best pizza ever...)