Naples

    This morning we are off to the Amalfi coast to tour this amazing piece of Italian coastline. Our tour group met up at the cafe promenade and the twelve of us headed off the ship to meet up with the tour guide & driver.

Angela, our guide for the day, introduced herself to us and then to our driver Nicola. She said it was his first day :-) The weather was cooler at about 17C with rain showers. We had brought our rainproof gear for just this occasion.  The van was a twenty three passenger version but with only twelve of us there was plenty of room to stretch out.

We arrived at our first stop in Sorento at 9:30 & walked to the city square. We viewed the Basilica Sant' Antonino with the incredible crypt downstairs.

Sorento at the far end of the shoreline.

Basilica Sant' Antonino

The crypt below the Basilica Sant' Antonino

 We walked along a roadway and garden to an incredible viewpoint of the wide harbor.

Great views!

 With 45 minutes of free time available, we stopped for coffee with fellow cruisers Cathy & Bryan from Nanaimo, BC Canada... practically neighbors!

Coffee time!

 Next up was a trip across the hills to the Amalfi coast. Our first trip along these windy narrow roads and it did get us excited. Nicola did a great job as we narrowly avoided the edge of the steep cliffs and deftly dodged both moving and parked cars on the roadway. It was exciting to see him fit that van into some very narrows spots!

Steep mountains rise up from the waters edge.

 Once in Positano we had a little tour from Angela then we walked the narrow streets and worked our way down to the busy beach area. Amazing views with all the structures painted in various colors.

On the main dock in Positano

Cactus growing in the wall.

We made our way out of Positano towards the town of Amalfi but stopped at a very nice mountainside restaurant for lunch. Great views from the balcony!

Lunch views!

Next stop was the town of Amalfi. On arrival the skies opened up but the hardy Canadians all bailed for the shops and touring .... what's a little rain? It eventually stopped :-)

Duomo Di Sant' Andrea Apostolo in Amalfi.

Peppers anyone?

We finished our visit to Amalfi after visiting the factory where Limoncello is made. This is a tasty lemon liquor. Several bottles have been acquired for return to Vancouver Island.

Back on the ship we had a relaxing drink and unwound after a great day of touring. The Amalfi coast is a definite must see if in the Naples area. Warning though... let a qualified tour driver take you!

We had our second formal night this evening and enjoyed a great dinner in the Silk Dining Room. Lobster was being served and it must have been plentiful because everyone got an extra lobster plate at all the tables that we saw. Thumbs up RCI

It's a cruise day tomorrow (no stops) with a nice sleep in planned by me. Meet & greet and the puzzle room are on tap.