The Amalfi Coast is one of the most beautiful places in Italy, and it's no wonder why. From breathtaking views to delicious food and everything in between, there is so much to explore. From its postcard-perfect villages to its sparkling turquoise waters, it’s no wonder why tourists flock to this part of the world year after year. But what many people don’t realize is that the area is made up of several distinct towns and villages, each with its own unique character and charm. Read on to learn more about some of the different areas of the Amalfi Coast and discover which one is right for you!

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Amalfi Town

Home to the iconic Duomo di Sant'Andrea, this beautiful town is full of history, culture and picturesque views. Spend a day wandering around winding streets, taking in the architecture or stopping for lunch at one of many restaurants. Don't forget to grab a photo with Amalfi's famous lemon trees!

Thanks in part to its stunning setting at the mouth of a deep gorge lined with lemon groves, it has been a popular spot since Roman times. Today, visitors come here to explore its cobbled streets, take in its spectacular views from atop the terrace at St. Andrew’s Cathedral, or relax on one of its many beaches. Definitely try some delicious local cuisine like seafood linguine and limoncello while you're here!

Positano

This charming village, known for its colorful buildings and stunning scenery, is a romantic spot where you can soak up some sun.. This picturesque fishing village features brightly colored homes cascading down a steep hillside towards the sea. Stroll along Positano’s main beach or wander through its narrow alleys lined with boutique shops selling souvenirs from local artisans and cafes serving up delicious Italian treats. If you have time, make sure to visit nearby Praiano for incredible views over both Positano and Capri Island!

Ravello

Ravello, known as “The Pearl of the Amalfi Coast”, is home to some spectacular gardens that are sure to take your breath away. The Villa Cimbrone Gardens offer sweeping views of the Mediterranean Sea while Villa Rufolo provides gorgeous sunsets and lush greenery. For a truly unique experience, take a stroll through these gardens during sunset - it will be an unforgettable experience!

Spend your days wandering through Ravello's medieval lanes or admiring works by local artists in one of its many galleries before taking in a performance at Villa Rufolo's outdoor concert hall. Alternatively, if you're looking for something more active, there are plenty of local hiking trails perfect for exploring!

Cetara

This fishing village offers up fresh seafood every day, so if you're looking for an authentic taste of Italy then head over to Cetara! You can also find some amazing beaches here that are perfect for swimming and relaxing on hot summer days. Make sure you try out their famous anchovy pasta too - it's delicious!

Sorrento

Sorrento is one of the most popular destinations on the Amalfi Coast and it's easy to see why; its cobbled streets are full of life and its piazzas provide plenty of opportunities for people-watching or grabbing a bite to eat from one of its many restaurants. While here, don't miss out on exploring Mount Vesuvius or visiting Pompeii - both are incredibly interesting places with lots to offer visitors.

Sorrento is actually considered the “gateway to the Amalfi Coast”. It is perfect for exploring the area and only being 30 minutes from Naples, it’s a short transfer to your hotel as well. This is the best place to find a more affordable hotel option too!

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The Amalfi Coast has something for everyone - whether you're looking for adventure or relaxation, there's always something to do here! With all these different areas offering such unique experiences, it's no wonder why this part of Italy is such a popular destination among travelers. So which area will you choose? No matter what your decision may be, we guarantee that an unforgettable adventure awaits!

Ready to get started planning? Fill out my contact form and we can get started!

In addition to being one of the easiest countries to find on a map, Italy is rich in history and culture. The land was first inhabited by Etruscans before others like Celts, Phoenicians, and Greeks. One of the more notable ancient times was that of the Roman Empire which was founded in 753BC. It lasted hundreds of years until its fall in the Middle Ages. This Roman Empire has had a lasting effect on the country of Italy including religion, art, culture, language, philosophy and government.

So, how do you decide where to spend your time in Italy if there is so much rich culture and so many wonderful cities? Consider this brief overview as a quick introduction to the more notable places and their features that are popular for first-time visitors.

Rome

This capital of Italy is one of the oldest cities in the world and a favorite among Italy lovers. It is known as the “City of Seven Hills” because of its geography as well as the “Eternal City” with its connection to the Catholic Church. In addition to standing in the Roman Colosseum, be sure to include a visit to Vatican City where you can see St. Peter’s Basilica and the Sistine Chapel. Take a stroll through the different piazzas (town squares) and see its famous statues and fountains. Trevi Fountain is a must-see as it is one of the most famous fountains in the world and one of the largest Baroque fountains in Rome.

Venice

Most people think of Venice when they think about the romance of Italy. This city is built around a series of canals that connects 118 islands and more than 400 bridges. The Grand Canal is the most famous with its S-shape that splits the city into two parts. Take a gondola ride through the canal and under the famous Ponte di Rialto bridge. Enjoy the ringing of the St. Mark’s Campanile from St. Mark’s Basilica and visit the beautifully ornate Doges Palace.

Florence

This capital city of the Tuscany region is often considered the birthplace of the Renaissance. The skyline’s most notable features of this city are the Duomo, the domed cathedral of Santa Maria del Flore, and the Palazzo Vecchio, the town hall. The town hall overlooks Piazza della Signoria which houses a replica of Michelangelo’s David statue. The original David statue can be viewed in the Galleria dell’Accademia di Firenze. Art lovers should be sure to also visit the Uffizi Gallery.

Milan

This city is known mostly for its influence on the world’s art and fashion and hosts the famed Milan Fashion Week yearly. While in town for fashion, be sure to see some of Leonardo da Vinci’s best works like The Last Supper and take in an opera at La Scala Opera House.

Tuscany

Don’t limit your experience in the Tuscany region to only Florence. First-time visitors will want to see the Tower of Pisa that is in this region as well as enjoy all that the countryside has to offer. This region is also known for its classic Italian wine, Chianti, its medieval architecture of San Gimignano, the oldest bank in the world in Siena, and the great Spa Towns of Europe.

Naples

This city’s historic center is the largest of its kind in Europe and has been designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site and has much to offer from natural beauty to unbelievable ruins. Enjoy the city full of historic castles like Castel dell’Ovo, the Egg Castle, and Castle Nuovo. Be sure to also make time to visit the Royal Palace of Caserta during the spring to see its gardens and parks in full bloom. This area is also known for its ancient cities of Pompei and Herculaneum. These ruins were preserved in volcanic ash from the Mount Vesuvius eruptions of 79AD until excavation.

Amalfi Coast

This luxurious area is made up of 13 coastal towns that are picturesque and much of what people imagine when thinking of the Italian Coast. This coastal area is known most for the towns of Positano and Amalfi. Positano is a town made up of pastel buildings, resorts and restaurants built into the cliffside. Amalfi is a historic maritime republic. Enjoy a hike along the Path of the Gods and treat yourself to limoncello which is produced in this region.

Capri

The Isle of Capri, in the Bay of Naples, is one of the more famous Italian islands known for its laid-back but luxurious charm that draws royalty and celebrities alike. You can stay on the island for holiday or take a ferry for a day trip. A visit to the Blue Grotto natural sea cave is a must as it is the most notable site on the island. In the cities of Capri or Anacapri, to enjoy shopping and dining.

Sicily

This triangle-shaped island is Italy’s largest island and one of its 20 Italian regions. A visit to Sicily gives you a tropical island with mixed with sandy beaches, green hills and ancient ruins all in one topped off by some of the best seafood and pastries in the world.

Puglia

Though it has long been a favorite spot to vacation for locals, the lesser-known region of Puglia is beginning to grow in popularity for tourists and some are evening calling it “Little Florence.” This area, located in the heel of the boot, is a more slow-paced and quiet retreat. Many of the small towns that are peppered with boutique hotels allow for visitors to wander the streets easily and engage with locals alike. There are some great architectural things to see like the trulli houses that have cone roofs in Itria and the white city of Ostuni. And Lecce is where you can see the Basilica di Santa Croce and the Sant’Oronzo column.

Each place mentioned is somewhere that can fill your vacation, short or long. As a first-time visitor, you may want to focus only on one or two popular places like Rome or Venice. There are also some great guided tours that are the “best of” in each major area so you get a nice taste to learn what you like best for your next visit. No matter where you choose as your first stop in Italy, you won’t be disappointed in the sights, the culture, the food or the memories.

Contact me to get started planning your Italy vacation today!

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GREECE ITINERARY: ATHENS, NAXOS, PAROS, SANTORINI

Recommended 10-Day Greece Itinerary:

Athens (2 nights)

Naxos (2 nights)

Paros (2 nights)

Santorini (3 nights)

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Total days: 10

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Before I start on this itinerary, I just want to point out that this is very fast paced. Also, it is mostly geared towards US travelers that do not get a ton of time off from work and have expensive flights to the EU. Greece is not like any other European destination. It is about the experience. When you go to Greece, be prepared for down time and relaxation. This can be unlike other European cities where there is so much to see and not a lot of time to do it in so you are go-go-go. If you show this itinerary to a European that has a ton of time off and has 25 euro flights, they will most likely scoff and say that you can easily spend 2 weeks in Naxos alone. That being said, as a US citizen with a full-time job and not as much PTO as is standard for European countries, we don’t have the luxury of flying 14 hours to spend two weeks on one island in Greece.

Any who - off my soapbox! Haha! This is the itinerary that my cousin and I did when we went to Greece this past October. It was amazing and perfect for us! We didn’t feel like we moved too much or too little. This was the end of the season though so a lot of things were beginning to close up for winter. This made visiting the little villages and getting around a lot faster than dealing with the crowds during the high season. It also meant that several of our tours ended up canceling due to weather (too windy). If I were to go back, I would choose to go the first or second week in September when it is the beginning of off-season, but not too windy and you can still swim.

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ATHENS

DAY 1:

Arrive into Athens and get settled into your hotel. If you’re like us, then your flight probably arrives very early in the morning. We were exhausted! I had reserved our hotel room for the night prior so that we could check in and freshen up/nap (who are we kidding?? We we straight to bed haha!) before heading out to explore for the day.

After waking up from our nap about noon, we stopped to grab some lunch at a gyro place (did not disappoint) and then headed straight to the Acropolis to see the famous Parthenon. Fun fact - in Greece, they put fries in their gyros! 😋

The views of the city from the Acropolis are gorgeous! It’s definitely a can’t miss in Athens! We walked straight up and bought skip the line tickets. Although, I’m not sure how necessary that was as we were traveling during COVID so there wasn’t much of a line to begin with. We spent the rest of the time wondering around the city. We tried to go to A for Athens (they have an amazing rooftop bar with great city views) but they were having a private event so we didn’t stay.

We made our way to The Clumsies though which had some super interesting cocktails and tapas options to snack on.

After chilling at The Clumsies and watching the bartenders flare, we walked around and did some light shopping. We had to get a cat shirt. If you’ve ever been to Greece, then you know what I’m talking about! The cats 🐈‍⬛are everywhere! Big ones, small ones, some as big as your head.. 🤪 They are seriously everywhere to the point when we went to Santorini and didn’t really see as many, we didn’t feel like we were in Greece anymore.

For dinner, we were going to head to Cafe Avissinia for meza and live music and then dinner at Kuzina for great city views. We were so exhausted that we decided to have dinner at our hotel that night. We stayed at Academias Hotel Athens and ate at their Nyx Rooftop restaurant, which also has amazing views of the Parthenon. We were not disappointed at all!

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naxos

DAY 2:

The next morning, we woke up bright and early for our quick flight to Naxos. By quick flight, I mean it was about 30 minutes. You land at this tiny airport and walk off the plane via stairs. There is one baggage claim area that is outside. We grabbed our bags and a taxi and made our way to the Naxian Utopia Luxury Villas & Suites. We booked the Two Bedroom Petite Villa Sea View with Private Pool & Outdoor Jacuzzi. This place would be perfect for families as it is a short walk into town and the villa was very spacious.

In order to tour the island, I highly recommend renting a car. The hotel had a local company bring a car over for our stay. This was super convenient as we didn’t have to walk anywhere to pick it up or drop it off.

After checking in for our stay, we walked into town and grabbed lunch at a traditional Greek restaurant called Giannoulis. I had my first real Greek salad. If you didn’t know, traditional Greek salads do not come with lettuce but they come with a huge block of feta cheese. It was yummy!

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For dinner, we ate at Apostolis and ordered entirely too many carbs with cheese haha!

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DAY 3:

Naxos is a great place for people that love to hike! Today, we took our rental car up into the mountains for a quick day hike. We didn’t bring the proper shoes so we didn’t get too far. It had started to rain and the rocks were very slick so we turned around. On the way back into town, we stopped at a restaurant with panoramic views of the valley and watched the sunset. It was gorgeous! If you decide to include Naxos in your Greece Itinerary, make sure to stop here!

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Stay tuned for Part 2 coming soon!

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Contact me to help with your custom Greek Itinerary today!

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I just returned from a 8 day stay in Costa Rica. We split our time between four resorts. The first of which was Nayara Tented Camp in La Fortuna. This property is about 3.5 hours from San Jose or 3 hours from Liberia airports depending on traffic.

The tented camp is on the same property as the Springs (adults only) and the Gardens(family friendly). The tented camp is the newer property located at the top of the resort. Each tent has a hot spring feed floating pool on its balcony facing the volcano. The view is gorgeous!

La Fortuna is one of the main bases for excursions so when planning a trip to Costa Rica, I highly recommend a split stay between the beach and the La Fortuna area so that you are not spending 4 hours in the car every time you want to do one of the awesome excursions Costa Rica has to offer.

When I book your stay at this property, I can get you added amenities like included breakfast, $100 food and beverage credit, and a welcome amenity through my affiliations with the hotel. I can also book your restaurants and excursions for you as well.

Costa Rica is one of my favorite destinations. Contact me at lauren@thatblondetravels.com to book your stay today!

Lauren: Why did you choose a destination wedding?

Tammy and Jhony: We decided on a destination wedding because we were on a budget. We wanted an affordable wedding with an open bar and we knew a destination wedding would check all of our boxes. Also, a destination wedding allowed us to have an intimate ceremony and reception with our family and close friends.

Lauren: How many attendees did you have? What kind of experience did you envision your guests having?

Tammy and Jhony: We had 24 guests total attend our wedding. We envisioned our guests having a great time and enjoying the open bar all through the night.

Lauren: What was one part of planning your wedding that you knew you couldn't have done alone? How did having a Destination Wedding Specialist help with that?

Tammy and Jhony: We wouldn’t have been able to choose a resort without the assistance of our travel agent! She provided us with so many resorts to choose from based on her own personal experience, which was extremely helpful. We decided to go with an adults only resort, which was a great decision!

Lauren: What piece of advice would you give to couples who are just starting the planning process?

Tammy and Jhony: Book a knowledgeable travel agent and physically travel to the resort. This will allow couples to personally meet with the wedding planner to ensure it’s the right resort/fit for you.

Lauren: What’s one “extra” you’re super glad you splurged on? What surprised you the most about your wedding?

Tammy and Jhony: We were glad we splurged on the flowers. They were beautiful and were used for both ceremony and the reception. The weather was surprisingly great! Our previous visits to Mexico always had rainy weather; however, this trip and our wedding day had the best weather.

Lauren: If you could choose three words to describe your wedding, what would they be?

Tammy and Jhony: Fun, Memorable, Affordable!

Lauren: What is your favorite memory from your big day?

Tammy and Jhony: The whole day was great! The ceremony was short and sweet and we had a blast drinking the night away at our reception.

A Note from Lauren: Planning this gorgeous Destination Wedding in Cancun with Tammy and Jhony was an absolute pleasure. This was a true testament to perseverance and flexibility as this beautiful couple was truly tested during the constant waves of the pandemic. In the end, they got to celebrate along with ~25 of their closest friends and family in what turned out to be a truly magical ceremony. Congratulations to Tammy and Jhony on a beautiful ceremony!