Naples → Pompeii → Positano → Path of the Gods → Capri
It started at six in the morning in Naples, with coffee that was too strong and a taxi driver who insisted on the scenic route. Four of us, one rented apartment above a laundry line, and nine days of coastline ahead.
Naples
We landed before the city was properly awake and walked the Quartieri Spagnoli while the shutters were still down. Marta found the sfogliatella place her grandmother had described from memory, and it was, improbably, the right one. The rest of the day disappeared into narrow streets.
Pompeii
Jonas insisted on arriving at opening and he was right — we had the forum almost to ourselves, with Vesuvius sitting there quietly behind it. We stayed four hours longer than planned and got sunburnt in exactly the same places.
Positano
The bus down the coast road is not for the nervous. But then the town appears all at once, stacked pink and ochre above the harbour, and everyone forgives the driver. We swam late and watched the light go amber over the boats.
Path of the Gods
Seven kilometres from Bomerano to Nocelle with the sea a very long way below. Elif carried the water, we carried the complaints. Halfway along, the haze burned off and nobody said anything for a while.
Capri
We hired a small wooden boat and a skipper who talked more to the sea than to us. Turquoise water under the cliffs, cold enough to make you shout. Best hour of the trip by unanimous vote.
Amalfi
Lemons on the table, three bottles between four people, and the lights coming on one by one across the bay. We stayed until the restaurant politely started stacking chairs.
Naples, Italy
Jun 12, 2024 · First morning, Quartieri Spagnoli
Pompeii
Jun 14, 2024 · Vesuvius from the forum
Positano
Jun 15, 2024 · Golden hour over the harbour
Path of the Gods, Agerola
Jun 17, 2024 · Six kilometres in, still climbing
Capri
Jun 18, 2024 · Anchored off the Faraglioni
Amalfi
Jun 20, 2024 · Last dinner on the terrace
On the last evening we ate on the terrace until the lights came on across the bay, and nobody mentioned the flight home. That is usually how you know a trip worked.
Dates, locations and route are read from the photos themselves.