Amalfi Coast

What the Villa Cimbrone lacks in amenities and service, it makes up for in its setting: the Cimbrone Gardens, where guests can wander during off-hours.

The Amalfi Coast is renowned for having some of the most spectacular hiking trails in southern Italy. For active travelers, Amalfi and Ravello make great base points for hiking excursions. Most paths were carved out long ago for moving between the villages on the coast before the current road system existed. Some residents still use the paths to arrive at their homes that are not located near any road. You are likely to run into a mule or two still being used to move goods and heavier items.

One of the most memorable hikes is the Path of the Gods, which has breathtaking views. It starts above Amalfi and can end by descending right in front of Le Sirenuse. You need a vehicle to take you to the starting point, but can easily do the rest on foot. Fit hikers can enjoy the leisurely hike in less than two hours, but it usually takes around two and a half. Some bits of the path are rocky—and there are places with drop-offs that may be alarming for travelers with a strong fear of heights—but the path itself is relatively easy, with some ups and downs. It is most enjoyable to start around 10am, so that you can finish before the sun is at its strongest and arrive in Positano for a rewarding lunch. The views are out-of-this-world, and seeing the crystalline waters from above will have you excited for a cooling dip.

Fans of Richard Wagner know that the gardens surrounding the Villa Rufolo, the site of the annual Ravello Festival, inspired the German composer when he wrote Parsifal. (Wagner visited in 1880, and in his imagination, the Rufolo setting morphed into the enchanted gardens of the magician Klingsor, where much of Act II takes place.) The sprawling property features a myriad of architectural styles, including an Arab-Sicilian cloister and a Norman tower, but it’s most famous for the lush gardens, beautiful sea views and the 14th-century Torre Maggiore, known as Klingsor’s Tower, where some of the festival’s recitals are held.