Questione di Famiglia - Italy, Avellino, and the Perugini Family - September 2012

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The Crypt

View from The Crypt

Main Entrance, Villa Cimbrone

The Tea Room

We then proceeded to wander through the extensive and beautiful gardens of the Villa Cimbrone, so loved by composer Richard Wagner that he envisioned it as the setting for one of his famous operas. We continued south, knowing that at some point the narrow, cliff-lined ridge of land upon which the Villa stood would have to end. And end it did - with a huge metaphorical bang.

Across the garden

Open-air cafe

The Terrace of Infinity

Upon the southern tip of the Villa Cimbrone is located a spot of extreme beauty: The Terrace of Infinity. Constructed along the very edge of a multi-hundred foot high sheer cliff of limestone, the terrace offers a stupendous view of the coastline and ocean, situated more than 1,000 feet below. Lining the fenced edge of the terrace are a series of classical-looking busts from the 1700s. The effect of the nearby garden, the sea, the Amalfi coast below - is incomparable. It is no wonder that so many famous high-profile thinkers, artists, actors, and celebrities wax poetic about this place.

Bust over the ocean

Coast far below

Eastward view from Terrace

Terrace of Infinity

Elvira at Infinity

Terrace of Infinity from below

Video, The Terrace of Infinity - Click on video above to start

After taking in the scenic highlight that is the Terrace of Infinity, we started back north, following a path that skirted the western edge of the villa's property. Here things were more peaceful and pastoral, with fewer buildings and more garden, shade and trees, dotted with little monuments and points of interest, and offering precipitous views down into the wooded valley to the west of Ravello.

Nearby Hilltowns

Mercury's Seat

Temple of Bacchus

Quiet Gardens

Hortensia Avenue

Ravello Cultivation

After circling around through the quiet 'backyard' of the villa, we started back north to Ravello's town center. Although it had been worth it, the afternoon visiting Ravello had taken quite a bit of time, and it was drawing on close to 4pm. We needed to get back to the car and make progress along the coastal highway, or we would completely run out of daylight.

Back towards center

Villa Rufolo

Shop-lined street, Ravello

Steps to San Giovanni del Toro

Busy Ravello Piazza

Interactive Trackmap, Ravello town walk - click map to view

Interactive Trackmap, Ravello town walk - click to view

After returning to the car and driving back down to the Coastal highway, we continued west, passing through several more well-known scenic towns: Amalfi, Atrani, Praiano, and Positano. We did nothing more than stop at the occasional pullout for some scenic snapshots. We were running out of time, and we had promised to be back in Avellino for an arranged dinner with my cousin Marco.

Atrani

Church of S. Maria Maddalena

Lattari Mountains

Amalfi Coast Cliffs

One of these trips I really should spend more than a fast-paced day driving along this scenic stretch of coast. Perhaps a stay at one of the many beautiful villa hotels would be in order, if only for a night or two.

Interactive Trackmap, Amalfi Coast Drive - click map to view

Interactive Trackmap, Amalfi Coast Drive - click to view

With the Amalfi coast drive finished, we were hoping for a painless and quick drive along the Autostradas back to Avellino. Unfortunately, a broken-down bus and a vehicle accident near Sorrento meant we ended up being delayed in a huge traffic jam for well over an hour, causing us to be late and to miss our dinner appointment with cousin Marco. A bit of a bummer, to be sure - but we were compensated somewhat by the two delicious pizzas we ordered from Danny's - the little pizzeria just down the street from my Aunt's house.

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