The end of May is usually a perfect time to visit Italy before it gets beastly hot, and this trip was no exception. Chicago-Frankfurt-Naples...on the train (whose ultimate destination was Sicily)...a train is the only way to travel in Europe...off in Salerno...walk to the pier...wait for the ferry under a clear blue sky and very hot sun. (We did have to ask for directions many times to find the pier, but people were very helpful. "Scusi" and "Grazie" are the most important Italian words in the vocabulary!) A beautiful ferry ride on the Bay of Salerno to Amalfi. The coast is incredibly stunning with all the little fishing villages stretched out on the Bay. The Amalfi coast was designated a World Heritage sight because the Committee considers "...that the Costiera Amalfitana is an outstanding example of a Mediterranean landscape, with exceptional cultural and natural scenic values resulting from its dramatic topography and historical evolution..."

Amalfi was easy to fall in love with. Just rolling our suitcases through the little town, past the Duamo, souvenir shops, lemons and tomatoes everywhere, and stands selling umpteen flavors of Gelato was exciting. I loved it on sight.