Today was to be a short walk down to Atrani, around the road to Amalfi and then back to Ravello. There are so many paths to choose from, however we decided to follow the plan given to us by Walkers World and go down the cliff tops to the small village of Atrani. We walked close to Villa Cimbrone and then passed under the Terrace of Infinity and began our decent along the paths the locals take to their homes. Thank heavens we were going down as we passed many people coming up, struggling with the steep steps and steps with a large depth. There are over a thousand steps apparently. Four sections were particularly harrowing and steep for us going down, coming up looked an absolute nightmare.
As we grew close to Atrani the paths then became alleyways between the houses until we reached the village square. This was rather tiny in comparison to Ravello, however right on the sea front. On the last steep section we passed a lovely church which we climbed back up to investigate. We arrived in time to see an Asian bride and groom go in to the tune of here comes the bride and get married. Every action was captured on film by the ever present photographer.
From Atrani it was a 15 min walk along the road through the road and then pedestrian tunnels to Amalfi, the largest town on the Almalfi coast line. This place was just a buzz with tourists, in total comparison to quiet and demur Ravello. With tourists thronging the streets and the square and the weather rapidly closing in Jenny and I made a hasty decision to catch the local bus back to Ravello and forsake the walk back. If Ravello is 385 m above the sea, and Amalfi is on the seashore then it's a rather long and steep climb back up valley to Ravello. The bus won hands done at a cost of E 1.20. The bus pulled into the station and suddenly there was a rush of people, locals and tourists, pushing to gain entry, and load the bus to capacity. Every seat was taken and still the driver packed us in standing between the seats.
We now began the slog up the hairpin turns, with the bus groaning. Stop go men control the traffic on the climb in the narrowest spots, and there is much negotiation and backing up, three point turns of both cars and the buses to traverse the hairpin turns. However just like all he good story books, we arrived safely and sat in the square planning our next day., another walk down, did you notice the word down , down to Amalfi where we are staying for 2 nights.
I can't upload images as the wifi signal is not strong enough . So until then.......
As we grew close to Atrani the paths then became alleyways between the houses until we reached the village square. This was rather tiny in comparison to Ravello, however right on the sea front. On the last steep section we passed a lovely church which we climbed back up to investigate. We arrived in time to see an Asian bride and groom go in to the tune of here comes the bride and get married. Every action was captured on film by the ever present photographer.
From Atrani it was a 15 min walk along the road through the road and then pedestrian tunnels to Amalfi, the largest town on the Almalfi coast line. This place was just a buzz with tourists, in total comparison to quiet and demur Ravello. With tourists thronging the streets and the square and the weather rapidly closing in Jenny and I made a hasty decision to catch the local bus back to Ravello and forsake the walk back. If Ravello is 385 m above the sea, and Amalfi is on the seashore then it's a rather long and steep climb back up valley to Ravello. The bus won hands done at a cost of E 1.20. The bus pulled into the station and suddenly there was a rush of people, locals and tourists, pushing to gain entry, and load the bus to capacity. Every seat was taken and still the driver packed us in standing between the seats.
We now began the slog up the hairpin turns, with the bus groaning. Stop go men control the traffic on the climb in the narrowest spots, and there is much negotiation and backing up, three point turns of both cars and the buses to traverse the hairpin turns. However just like all he good story books, we arrived safely and sat in the square planning our next day., another walk down, did you notice the word down , down to Amalfi where we are staying for 2 nights.
I can't upload images as the wifi signal is not strong enough . So until then.......
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