Private jet charter and flights to Amalfi
Mention the name Amalfi and you’ll get sighs of wonder as people imagine those sweeping views of dramatic cliffs, terraced lemon groves and hillside-clinging houses spilling down to the clear blue waters of the Mediterranean. Following the winding 25-mile road that hugs this stretch of coast just to the south of Naples is a traveller’s bucket-list experience. Stop along the way to take in the views, sip on a glass of limoncello and enjoy the buzzing cosmopolitan atmosphere of some of Italy’s most picturesque seaside towns and villages. Experience it all, charter a private jet today.
When describing an a-to-b scenic route it’s slightly unusual to start somewhere in the middle. However, this is where you’ll find the settlement that gave this stretch of coast its name. Amalfi is the main settlement along the Amalfi Coast and arguably the region’s most gracefully beautiful. A huddle of white-washed, terracotta-roofed buildings tumble down the hillside to meet the deep blue waters of the ancient port and buzzing local beach. The square at the heart of the town – Piazza del Duomo – is dominated by the cathedral with its striking mix-of-styles façade that was added in the 19th Century. In the shops that line the narrow and hilly lanes, you can buy local products and produce such as hand-made paper and limoncello made with fruit grown in terraced lemon groves above the town.
Although it’s not on the Amalfi Coast itself, most visitors begin their trip in Sorrento, a bustling town that is perched on the top of a cliff. Just under 10 miles to the southwest of here, is Punta Campanella, where the scenic coastline ‘officially’ starts. To reach this point on the Sorrentine Peninsula, you’ll need to park your car and continue on foot through olive groves and meadows with the Tyrrhenian Sea to your right.
Once you’re back on the road travelling west, you’ll pass a few of the region’s many viewpoints before reaching the first main town, artsy and upmarket Positano. Like many popular destinations around Europe’s coast, it was once just a small fishing village; today, it’s one of the most popular a-list hangouts in Italy. Positano’s pastel houses seem to defy gravity as they cling to the side of a very steep hill that rises quickly up from the marina and part-public, part-private beach, Spiaggia Grande. Narrow passageways climb up sharply like a natural StairMaster and are connected by alleys lined with shops and coffee bars.
Just a little way from Positano is the less glitzy but no less charming town of Praiano. Being a slightly lesser-known stop along the coast, it doesn’t get quite the same crowds as its more famous neighbours and has more of an authentic and sleepy atmosphere. In the hills above the town is the Path of the Gods – or Il Sentiero Degli Dei – trail, a hiking route that has even better views than the road you’ll be travelling as well as the remains of primitive settlements.
On the eastern side of Amalfi town, there’s another little-talked-about spot called Atrani. Less than a thousand people live in this tiny town, and with most people sticking to the lively streets of the area’s larger towns it has a real away-from-it-all, frozen-in-time vibe that you might be craving by this point of your trip. Instead of being beautifully preserved, the architecture here has a more weathered look that gives the village plenty of character and real Italian charm. This is a beautiful town to capture in a photograph, particularly from out on the water: the arches of the raised road, the church’s multi-tiered bell tower and the partially flora-covered cliff behind the town create a magical scene.
The elevated position of Ravello gives the town one of the best outlooks of any place along the Amalfi Coast. The town’s historic villas are legendary, particularly the Medieval Villa Rufolo which feels like it’s perched on top of the world. The formal gardens, which you can visit during a pre-arranged tour – are wonderfully ornate and have jaw-dropping views of the seashore and the shimmering Mediterranean. Get a coveted ticket for the Ravello Festival, which takes place from June to August, and you can watch a classical music performance on the villa’s lofty terrace.
Back down closer to sea level, you’ll pass through the twin beach towns of Maiori and Minori, home to a Roman villa Marittima Romana with its wonderfully well-preserved mosaics, baths and frescoes. On the final stretch before reaching Salerno, you can stop off in Cetara, a working marine village that many tourists skip, and the ceramics hotspot of Vietri Sul Mare with its cluster of vibrant hilltop hamlets.
The Amalfi Coast is served by Salerno Costa d'Amalfi Airport, a private airstrip an hour’s drive from the town of Amalfi, and the larger Naples International Airport. Simply contact one of our team and we can arrange everything you need to charter a private jet to Amalfi.
