Amalfi Coast Yacht Charter - Charter a Motor Yacht or Sailboat on the Amalfi Coast
Amalfi Coast Yacht Charter Overview, Destinations and Information
About the Amalfi Coast | Amalfi Coast Yacht Charter | Destinations | Getting There | Culture | Cuisine | History | Our Charter Yachts
About the Amalfi Coast
The Amalfi Coast is a stretch of Italian coastline synonymous with beauty, history, charm and romanticism. Drawing people to its charmed shores since Roman times, the coastline has thrived on a successful history of maritime trade, wealthy nobility and the notions of myths and legends extending to the writings of Homer in his epic Odyssey. An Amalfi Coast Yacht Charter lets you explore the rugged terrain, scenic beauty, picturesque towns and their characteristic fishermen’s houses overflowing with colorful flowers that have put the Amalfi Coast being on the list of World Heritage Sites. The area is renowned for its abundant lemon groves which are reputed to bear fruit the size of grapefruits. The Italians love this part of their country and an increasing number of foreign visitors are learning that its charms make it perfect for a family holiday, a revitalising short break-away or a romantic honeymoon.
Amalfi Coast Yacht Charter
The rocky and rugged Amalfi Coast creates many natural, scenic and well-protected harbors. The mild year round climate means that chartering here is suitable at any time of the year with sailing conditions pleasantly relaxing and easy-going.
For those who enjoy performance sailing, the Regatta of the Ancient Maritime Republics occurs every year, usually in June, between the ancient Italian Maritime Republics of Amalfi, Genoa, Pisa and Venice under the patronage of the Italian Republic President and rotates between the four destinations. The competition is preceded by a historical procession with actors dressed in the characteristic cloths of the different Republics.
The proximity of the destinations on the Amalfi Coast and the delights of the Gulf of Naples mean that you can easily fit in exploration of both, it just depends on how much you want to do. Below are just some of the interesting and charming destinations along the Amalfi Coast, but we are sure that you will find plenty of your own too!
Destinations (East to West)
Salerno | Vietri sul mare | Cetera | Maiori | Minori | Atrani | Amalfi | Conca dei Marini| Praiano| Positano| Capri
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Salerno
The largest
city on the Amalfi Coast,
Salerno is
impressive with a pleasant atmosphere. Overlooked by an ancient castle
and the
birthplace of the oldest university in Europe,
the city has an integrity steeped in history and is the best place to
start an
East to West journey of this glorious coastline.
More
information on Salerno Yacht Charter
Vietri sul mare
Vietri sul mare is the first town along the coast from Salerno and perfect for your first stop at a picturesque location. The local economy is based on the production of brilliantly colored ceramics and brickwork, unique to Vietri sul mare, and embellishing the town’s buildings. The town has plenty of little shops to explore and has a good beach and marina if you are thinking of staying here for a few days.
Cetera
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Cetera is a town whose economy revolves around marine traditions, in particular the catching and preserving of tuna fish and anchovies. The name of the town is even derived for the word for tuna ‘Certaria’ or sellers of tuna ‘Cetari’. A speciality of the town is colatura di alici (anchovy sauce) and is made by skilled chefs using an ancient and secret recipe, and must be tried as a dressing for entrees. But Cetera has more to offer than simply superb fish, it also features all the characteristics of towns along this blessed coastline with interesting architecture, exquisite churches and plenty of limoncello to go around.
Maiori
Lying at the head of the Tramonti Valley, Maiori has become known for its connections with the Italian film director Roberto Rosellini and today is the host for the Rossellini film festival. The town also holds many other events mostly throughout the high season, including a five-church-marathon with musical and theatrical performances as part of the celebrations. You may be wanting to do this after you taste the local delicacy, an unusual combination of eggplants with a chocolate and nut sauce!
Minori
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Like most of the towns along the Amalfi Coast, Minori was founded by ancient Roman nobility who chose the place for its beauty and mild climate and built their luxurious villas here, the remains of which are still visible throughout the town. Today Minori is famed for its exceptional quality of food and this is celebrated each September in the fine food festival known as ‘Gusta Minori’ (Tastes of Minori). Fine examples of Italian architecture can be found here from the ancient roman villas and the Basilica of Santa Trofimena to the churches of Santa Lucia, San Gennaro and San Michele.
Atrani
Away from the noise and bustle of other locations, the small fishing town of Atrani lies hidden from view enclosed by steep rocky walls. The town preserves the typical structure of a medieval town, with alleys, narrow streets, vaults, archways and small squares and courtyards. On the surrounding mountain slopes bright and colourful flowers spill over the balconies of the distinctive white houses among the lemon orchards that reach down to the sea. This was the place the nobility of nearby Amalfi chose to live and the Dogi (people of highest government authority) were crowned, a place of prestige.
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Amalfi
Amalfi is a
town with a long and
wealthy history and gives its name to this famous coastline.
Though much smaller now than in ancient times
due to a massive earthquake in the fourteenth century, it stills
maintains many
of its prestigious landmarks and is home to one of the most famous
sights in
the Amalfi Coast, the stunning Duomo di Sant’ Andrea cathedral.
More
information about Amafi Yacht Charter
Conca dei Marini
As all the towns on the Amalfi Coast, Conca dei Marini is inextricably linked to the historic Marine Republic of Amalfi. Starting as a small fishing village, it is now well known due to its characteristic Mediterranean houses with cupolas and white lime walls that overlook the sea. The ancient defensive Saracen Tower sits on a rocky outlet and is reputably the most stunning on the coast. Situated between Amalfi and Praiano, Conca dei Marini is well worth stopping to see and if you get the chance sample the ‘Sfogliatella Santa Rosa’ made by the nuns that live in the convent; a delicious type of pastry filled with cream and fruit pieces.
Praiano
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Praiano, like other places along this picturesque coastline, is surrounded by splendid landscapes that have lured Roman Emperors and the wealthy here since the first century AD. The town meets the sea edged by the white fishermen’s houses prevalent in the area and features a baroque style church, the beautiful Church of St Luca the Evangelist. Facing a small archipelago of three islands known as ‘Li Galli’ or ‘Sirenuse’, where mythical sirens allegedly resided, Praiano is an intriguing place to stay and take small, yet interesting sailing day trips from.
Positano
Famed
around the world for its
romantic and dreamy nature, Positano is a mix of Moorish and European
cultures
and features a multitude of pastel colored buildings. The town is
so captivating that is often
described as the star of the film ‘Under the Tuscan Sun’. The myths and
legends
surrounding Positano are ideal for keeping children (even those in
their 40s)
entertained and the restaurants, bars and beaches are simply divine.
More
information about Positano Yacht Charter
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Capri
The Isle of
Capri is a rugged and
rocky yet stylist and beautiful destination. It is a short cruising
distance
from Naples to the North and the Amalfi Coast to the South lending
itself as an
ideal place to stop when visiting either of the areas (or when crusing
between
the two!). Rising out of the sea to an
impressive height, Capri is steeped in legends
and myths and was chosen by the emperor Tiberius to be his imperial
residence
in Roman times.
More
information about Capri Yacht Charter
How to get to the Amalfi Coast
The main airports near the Amalfi Coast are the Naples international airport which is served by most major European airlines and the Airport of Salerno known as "Costa d'Amalfi" which supports some services from various European destinations.
Culture
The culture on the Amalfi Coast is just as you would expect from an Italian province with an amazingly beautiful setting; laid-back, friendly and pleasant. The historic prosperity of the region has led to the construction of many large and prestigious churches, villas and monuments in the affluent towns and today these are stunning backdrops to the exclusive boutiques, grand hotels and good restaurants that have appeared with the new tourism driven economy. There is still something of the old Italian style in the area and it is unlikely to leave as the people are proud of their heritage and work hard at their town’s unique characters and attributes such as the ceramicists of Vietri sul mare, the tailors of Positano and the fine food of Minori.
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Cuisine of the Amalfi Coast
With such a strong maritime influence, cuisine from the Amalfi Coast is dominated by the smells and tastes of seafood, in particular tuna and anchovies. The area is also world renowned for its lemon groves which have been famous since Roman times and now have a special body of people to look after and protect their identity and preservation. The lemons are used widely in the cuisine of the Amalfi Coast and are the signature taste for the famous Limoncello digestif which originates from Sorrento on the end of the Sorrentine Peninsula.
Other specialities of the area are varied and diverse as you move from town to town, but pasta is always freshly made and fresh vegetables, in particular eggplant, tomatoes, zucchini, Mediterranean herbs and good quality meats are prevalent. There is also an exceptionally wide variety of local wine available which must be sampled with your meal.
History of the Amalfi Coast
The history of the Amalfi Coast and region of Campania is long, intricate and highlighted by periods under the rule of most of the civilizations that have swept their way through the Mediterranean region over the centuries. The most significant period in the area’s history has to be between the 9th and 13th century when the Maritime Republic of Amalfi was installed with Amalfi as the capital. The Republic was an important trading power and enjoyed extensive trade links with the East leading to the Moorish influences evident in many of the towns along the coastline.
Our Amalfi Coast Charter Yachts
The Amalfi Coast is reputed to be one of the most romantic stretches of coastline in Europe. Boatbookings.com knows the region and the boats and can find you the ideal charter yacht, be it bareboat, crewed, sail, motor or catamaran. Click here to see our Amalfi Coast Charter Yachts or simply contact us and we'll recommend the best boat for you.
Other Italian destinations: The Italian Riviera | Gulf of Naples | Sardinia | Sicily | The Tuscan Coastline | The Aeolian Islands
Some information courtesy of the Amalfi Coast Tourist Board
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