Day Trip to Ravello

Without a car, we'd been feeling a bit cooped up on base. So, our third weekend in Italy we decided to rent a car for the weekend to begin exploring nearby sights. (Most cars in Italy, by the way, have a standard transmission. Am I the last woman in Italy who doesn't know how to drive a stick shift? Probably. Just never had one to learn on and couldn't be bothered, really...) Anyway, Saturday morning we settled on a day trip to Ravello, a town high on the rugged cliffs above the Dragone valley, with beautiful views of the Mediterranean and the Amalfi coast.

We plugged in our GPS coordinates and set out for the hour-long drive. Soon after we entered the highway, we were exiting the highway. "GPS girl" decided we should take the road less traveled through the hills--probably the most direct route, but also the curviest one possible! (Doesn't make me want to learn how to drive a standard...) So, up, up and around we went! And up, up and out came Miranda's breakfast...with some warning, thankfully, into a plastic bag 10 minutes before we arrived at our destination!

We entered the piazza, where the impressive Duomo takes center stage. We browsed the shops, the kids chased the pigeons, and we ate lunch at the family-run restaurant, Cumpa Cosima, right off the square. We were told to eat more to clean our plates, but I just couldn't do it.

Luckily, Mama Netta didn't hold it against us and brought us her choice of homemade dessert for the girls--some fresh cherries, and a mini eclair. They scarfed it, and Brian and I only got one tiny taste each. So, she proceeded to bring us a piece of chocolate cream layer cake, and when we ate all that, she brought another slice just for Brian (which of course, he shared with his girls, since he knows what's good for him.) Mama Netta seemed to pull the amount of the bill out of thin air, but it worked out to be a great value and a great dining experience!

Then we stopped in Ceramiche da Lena, a popular good-quality ceramic shop. Margherita enjoyed pointing out which pattern Rachel Ray chose for her dishes while on her honeymoon. While keeping the kids away from all the breakables, I poured over all the options and settled on my first piece of Italian pottery--a beverage pitcher painted with lemons, which the Amalfi coast is known for.

And when life gives them lemons, the Italians make limoncello! So we stopped by the tiny factory, Profumi della Costiera, to taste (and buy) what some describe as some of the best limoncello made in Italy. Strong, but yummy!

Then we wandered around to take in the beautiful views. After a long walk through the town, we ended up at Villa Cimbrone, with its beautiful gardens and magnificent view overlooking the Mediterranean--just a tease to make us want to get even closer to it next time.