📍 Day 1: Arrive in Naples – Gateway to the Amalfi Coast

Your journey begins in Naples, the chaotic, charming city known for its pizza and vibrant street life. Fly into Naples International Airport, pick up your rental car (compact is best for those narrow coastal roads!), and ease into Italian life with an espresso and sfogliatella at a local café.

Afternoon: Head to the historic center, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, to explore underground catacombs, ancient churches, and buzzing piazzas. Don’t miss the Naples National Archaeological Museum, home to treasures from nearby Pompeii.

Evening: Treat yourself to the original Neapolitan pizza at L’Antica Pizzeria da Michele—yes, the one made famous by Eat, Pray, Love. Stay overnight in Naples to rest up for the drive ahead.

Where to Stay:

• Budget: Hotel Piazza Bellini
• Luxury: Romeo Hotel with views of the Bay of Naples

📍 Day 2: Pompeii & Mount Vesuvius – A Journey Back in Time

Morning: Start your drive south along the A3 highway, stopping at the haunting ruins of Pompeii. Walk the ancient Roman streets, frozen in time by the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 79 AD.

Afternoon: If you’re feeling adventurous, drive or hike up to Mount Vesuvius and peer into the crater of the volcano that changed history. The panoramic views of the Bay of Naples are worth the climb.

Evening: Continue your journey to Sorrento, a charming cliffside town that offers a gentle introduction to coastal life. Explore the narrow streets, enjoy limoncello tastings, and settle in for a beautiful sunset.

Where to Stay:

• Mid-range: Hotel Minerva
• Luxury: Grand Hotel Excelsior Vittoria

📍 Day 3: Sorrento to Positano – The Drive Begins

Morning: Grab a cappuccino and hit the famed SS163 Amalfitana Road, often called one of the most scenic drives in the world. Hugging the cliffs above the Tyrrhenian Sea, the drive from Sorrento to Positano is the stuff of dreams.

Afternoon: Arrive in Positano, perhaps the most iconic town on the Amalfi Coast. With cascading houses in hues of pink, peach, and gold, it’s impossible not to fall in love. Wander through steep alleyways, shop for handmade sandals, and relax on Spiaggia Grande beach.

Evening: Book a cliffside dinner at La Sponda (Michelin-starred) inside Le Sirenuse, where candlelight glows and mandolins serenade. Positano is romantic, refined, and unforgettable.

Where to Stay:

• Chic: Hotel Marincanto
• Splurge-worthy: Le Sirenuse

📍 Day 4: Day Trip to Capri

Morning: Catch a ferry or private boat from Positano to the island of Capri. If you’re up for a luxurious day trip, this is it. The azure waters of the Blue Grotto, the chic shopping in Anacapri, and the sweeping views from Monte Solaro are just a ferry ride away.

Afternoon: Have lunch at Da Paolino, a restaurant set beneath lemon trees, or sip a spritz at the famous Piazzetta. Don’t forget to grab a bottle of Carthusia perfume, made exclusively on the island.

Evening: Return to Positano just in time for sunset. Enjoy a low-key meal of seafood pasta at Chez Black on the beach.

📍 Day 5: Positano to Amalfi via Praiano

Morning: Continue your coastal journey with a short, stunning drive to Praiano, a quieter alternative to Positano. Stop by Marina di Praia beach, visit the Church of San Gennaro, and enjoy a coffee with fewer crowds.

Afternoon: Next, make your way to Amalfi, once a powerful maritime republic. Visit the grand Duomo di Amalfi, climb the ancient steps, and stroll through its quaint streets. Don’t forget to try sfogliatella Santa Rosa, a local pastry delicacy.

Evening: Dinner with a view? Book a table at Eolo Restaurant, perched over the coast. Amalfi combines history with coastal elegance in a uniquely intimate way.

Where to Stay:

• Charming: Hotel Marina Riviera
• Upscale: NH Collection Grand Hotel Convento di Amalfi

📍 Day 6: Ravello – Music, Gardens & Views

Morning: Drive uphill to Ravello, often referred to as the jewel of the Amalfi Coast. Known for its serene atmosphere and classical music heritage, this town is a refreshing escape from the coastal buzz.

Afternoon: Tour the stunning gardens of Villa Cimbrone and Villa Rufolo—the inspiration for Wagner’s opera Parsifal. Take in views from the Terrazza dell’Infinito (Terrace of Infinity), one of the most breathtaking spots in all of Italy.

Evening: Catch a sunset concert during the Ravello Festival (if visiting in summer), or dine al fresco with the lights of the Amalfi Coast twinkling below.

Where to Stay:

• Romantic: Hotel Villa Maria
• Luxury: Belmond Hotel Caruso (with an infinity pool straight out of a fairytale)

📍 Day 7: Amalfi to Naples – Coastal Farewell

Morning: Enjoy a slow breakfast, then begin your leisurely drive back to Naples. Depending on your flight time, you can stop at seaside towns like Cetara or Vietri sul Mare—both known for ceramics and anchovy-based delicacies.

Afternoon: Drop off your rental car, grab one last espresso, and soak in your final views of Mount Vesuvius from Naples.

Evening: Fly home with your camera roll full and your heart fuller.