The sun poured into the Piazza del Duom. While the ladies visited the shops, my friend Manny and I searched for a place in Amalfi’s town square that offered some shade, but options were few.
Our driver had given us time to explore for an hour, but that would be more than enough. The coast road was the star of the visit. The images of the Amalfi coast can certainly showcase its beauty, but unless you are a day-tripping tourist, the town is a bit of a let down. Traffic in the town center is endless, a loud exhaust-choked traffic circle with cars, large busses and scooters engaged in a continuous melee, honking and fighting for parking and passage.
Hordes of tourists funneled through the arched entrance to the square. It was a mass of humanity, with tourists jockeying for selfies, queued for monstrous servings of gelato, or paying the 4 euro fee to see the inside of the medieval Roman Catholic cathedral, Cattedrale di Sant’Andrea.
I did not need yet another visit to the church, having visited several on our travels through Italy. How could this one be more magnificent than the Sistine Chapel, or St. Peters? I am a person that enjoys open spaces with minimal exposure to people. The popular seaside town, filled to capacity was clearly not for me.
The allure of Amalfi would be the sun drenched beaches, the food and the views from the fabulous accommodations that overlook the sea.
Perhaps that’s why celebrities and the well to do from Sophia Loren to JFK and Jackie were known visitors, and why modern celebs continued in their footsteps.
The amazing scenery from Positano to Amalfi could not be overstated, but the town center was a beehive of activity that did not lend itself to a stay of more than few minutes. If you’ve seen one tourist trap, you’ve seen ‘em all.
We were ready for our guide’s return before he arrived. We climbed aboard and made a hasty exit back the way we had come.
An Unmapped Route: A Hiker's Blog 