interesting country, except for the flat bits and the area around
Naples. Part of this trip is to scope out the different regions and
start to narrow down the areas we like and the ones we don't.
Areas currently in the running are Tuscany and Umbria, and of course
the Amalfi coast. Selection criteria, something in the mountains, as
far south as it is reasonable to go, without it turning into a third
world country (i.e. some parts of Calabria). Can be a house in a
town, hilltop towns are particularly appealing, must have shade and a
view (shady terrace) and room to grow stuff ideally.
The run over the mountains to Amalfi was gorgeous, terrifying and
rather tiring for poor Steve. The road heads up into the mountains
climbing higher and higher over the city of Naples until you are are
so high your heart is in your mouth every time you look over the
edge. Traffic is interesting with mopeds and scoots passing on
hairpin bends. Finally you reach the top and get to do it all over
again but going down. The view is even more incredible on the Amalfi
side with the Meditteranean spread out before you and lemon groves
competing with the grape vines for space on the hillside terraces.
We stayed at Hotel Grand Excelsior, where Jess and I went a couple
years ago. It was still fabulous. Dinner on the patio at the Tato
restaurant was great, the band was fantastic (especially the sax
player), the singer we wanted to pitch over the balcony and down the
mountain into the sea. Steve wants to come back for a week.
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