To give you an idea of how much I love the Amalfi Coast, we named our company after my favourite area on the coastline.
Nerano popped into my head instantly when we started to brainstorm what we were going to name this company and we have never wavered from it. It is a name that brings back only wonderful memories - it evokes an immediate feeling of escapism. A feeling we want to reflect in the design of our own wanderlust inspired jigsaw collections.
I first stumbled across Marina Del Cantone, a small and still relatively off-the-tourist map fishing village in 2015. As fully-fledged members of the Easyjet generation, I had booked the following week off for a fly and flop holiday with two girlfriends but we were only days away and still had no flights or accommodation booked. Emails were flying back and forth at an increasingly panicked pace as we scoured the internet for a place to book that matched with the glamorous Gwyneth Paltrow in ‘The Talented Mr. Ripley’ vision of holidaying in Italy but more realistically worked with our mid-20s living above our means in London budget.
We struck gold with Marina Del Conte. I won’t recommend the hotel (we were all in one room, the fridge didn’t work and some genius planner had plonked the busy car park between the hotel and the beach) but we had and have had since some fantastic holidays. This vibrant village with its pebbly beach packed with Italians and its family-owned seafood restaurants is a wonderful base to explore the Amalfi Coast, soak up some genuine local life (in what can be an overwhelmingly tourist filled part of Italy) and enjoy a taste of La Dolce Vita. Here are a few nearby recommendations..
Don’t Leave Before Trying..
The local speciality- spaghetti alla Nerano. A delicious creamy pasta dish made with provolone cheese and fried zucchini. It was invented in the 50s by a local restauranteur called Maria Grazia and most restaurants have their own version on the menu. It is absolutely delicious washed down with the local white wine served with fresh peaches.
Best Beach Club..
Base yourself for the day at La Conco del Sogno. This secluded bay is a peaceful spot to swim, sunbathe and drink copious amounts of rose served by the very good looking staff. If based nearby, it’s worth ringing ahead and they will kindly send a speedboat to pick you up. The ultimate power lunch spot (dinner is quiet), book a table in advance and people-watch as the jetset roar in from the surrounding yachts.
For an Aperitivo..
Le Sireneuse is Positano’s most glamorous hotel where you can dress up and feel like Sophia Loren. The outdoor terrace boasts unparalleled panoramic views over the town. It’s the perfect spot to watch the sunset over the horizon with a Bellini or Aperol Spritz in hand. The restaurant is lit by 400 candles every night giving it a romantic atmosphere that’s hard to beat so be ready to join those honeymooners.
Lunch At..
Da Adolfo is an iconic small family restaurant right on the beach and only a hop, skip and a jump from the boat you need to reach it. Specials include the grilled mozzarella on lemon leaf the freshest grilled fish washed down with local wine. Located only five minutes from Positano by boat (book well ahead and they will pick up and drop off post 4pm so factor in a long lunch!) You will also want to take all their tableware home.
To Relax & Unwind..
The best spa in Amalfi is at Monastero Santa Rosa Hotel & Spa. A beautifully converted convent, this hotel equally has one of the most show-stopping infinity pools in the world. Built onto the edge of a cliff, you are swimming so high up the birds soar below you. Monastero Santa Rosa also offers guided hiking experiences along the coastline in the quieter and cooler off-season, which is a much more scenic if exhausting way of exploring the coast. You will definitely earn that pasta by the end of the day. Le Sirenuse also now offers twice-yearly detox and fitness bootcamps.
Shop At..
Wherever we went along the Amalfi Coast, there was one thing we couldn’t escape. Small turquoise paper shopping bags – everyone had one. It drove my friend completely crazy thinking everyone else was in on this secret boutique except her. She eventually marched up to a shocked tourist and demanded to know what was in her bag and where the shop was! It turned out Antica Sartoria is an Italian chain of boutiques found in nearly every town along the coastline, which sell racks of printed bikinis and kaftans. It can be a little TK Max on a Saturday, you need to take a deep breath and wade through but there are some satisfying finds, which bring a hefty dose of Italian glamour poolside and pack a punch far above the price tag.
Top Tip..
Check out the rooms at Ristorante Quattro Passi in Marina Del Cantone. I got the distinct impression they are on hand for guests who accidentally overindulge at dinner and sensibly decide at the end of the evening not to tackle the windy roads two decent bottles of Italian red down. We, on the other hand booked a room without the slightest intention of booking into this two Michelin starred restaurant that Beyonce and Jay Z had graced with their presence the night before. We did however thoroughly enjoy our delicious breakfasts on the quiet restaurant terrace, overlooking the sea, and chatting away to the chefs as they arrived and fired up the kitchen for the day ahead. The Head Patron even perched at our table with his morning espresso to share his favourite places in Nerano.
