Italy Trip Sept 2025 - Part 11 Amalfi, Cantabria

I mentioned the crush to get on the bus in the previous post, but I didn't tell you about the fun and games involved in driving a full sized bus up these narrow winding mountain roads. One of our buses was driven by a woman who liked to parp her horn going around every corner (probably a sensible thing to do) and there were times when we would meet a car coming towards us and there would be some interesting maneouvres to get past. 

At the bus station in Amalfi the drivers really showed their incredible skill. They would back the buses into their parking slot amidst hundreds of people all rushing up trying to get near the doors to get on the bus, cars trying to drive past and just general tourists milling about. 

On our first trip in to Amalfi, we had to get off the bus about a kilometre from the town as the bus couldn't get past something - we were not sure what that was about but it looked like some roadworks. As it happened this was great as we got to see the town from a different vista and take more photos! 

I didn't bother taking my heavy camera and just took photos with my phone.

The jetty for the ferries up ahead. At times the queue was the length of the jetty. I would have loved to go to Positano by ferry, but it was in the other direction, past where we were staying. But we couldn't get there any other way (as far as I could figure) than to go all the way to Amalfi, then back again. Just too much hassle, sadly.

The famous Amalfi lemons! (Or are they the famous Sorrento lemons? They actually look more like their oval shape). They are huge, aren't they? Compare them to the basket of oranges!

The Duomo, or cathedral, of Amalfi, Sant'Andrea. Building began in the 9th and 10th centuries, but it has changed over the centuries using many different styles and now sports a Norman-Arab-Byzantine facade, after part of the previous facade collapsed in 1861.

Looking back down from the top of the steps at Piazza del Duomo.

Before entering the cathedral we walked through the Cloister of Paradise, built in 1266 in the Arab-Norman style. I must say I have never heard of this architectural style but apparently the Norman bit is actually Romanesque, so it's a fusion of Arab, Byzantine and Romanesque, which is known as Norman in Britain.

When we entered the church, it was quite a surprise. It is simply breathtaking! I read that it is C18th Baroque style but with elements of many other styles. 

I think this might be the most ornate Italian church we have ever been inside.

Back outside and we indulged in a little window shopping.

Funny! 😁

I have to say, not for me. 😂😁😂 Though very much photo worthy!

Wandering back to the seafront there was a beautiful old ship which sailed off somewhere whilst we were there. 'My' boat is the one on the left, however. It's about the right size for me, I reckon. 😁

Looking back at the town which is so scenic with the mountains towering above it.

More wanderings back in the direction of the ferry jetty, we stopped to have a look at this little marina area. There was a private beach here (out of view) with plenty of people on it, although I wouldn't fancy swimming where so many boats were moored up.

Now this is another boat that caught my eye. It's not as big as my ideal 'gin palace' but it would do at a pinch. ;-)

We then wandered back to the bus stop area to get our bus home. It was all a bit confusing and we waited around for when a bus put the name of San Lazzaro on the front of the bus. However when our bus arrived, we couldn't get on as too many people were in front of us.

A few minutes later a bus pulled up across the road and lots of people rushed towards it. I got on and asked if it was going to San Lazzaro, but they told me 'Bomerano' which of course didn't make any sense. Amazingly the drivers all seemed to speak English so said this bus was going to an area not that far from San Lazzaro, so we decided to get on it rather than wait another hour for our proper bus.

When we got off at Bomerano, we realised that we would still have to wait another hour for the next San Lazzaro bus. Some Italian people phoned someone who came to pick them up. Then some young guys hitched a ride. Some time later a taxi was going past and some of the other people at the bus stop hailed it and got in. Left at the bus stop were just K and me, and another couple. Resigned to wait another 20 minutes, suddenly a taxi appeared so I rushed out and hailed it. We negotiated a price and offered to share with the other couple, who were going to San Lazzaro too. In fact it was only about a ten minute ride! 

The owner of the camp site was out the front when we arrived, and being a very friendly soul, we told him about our fun and games. He said that the young guys were staying at the camp site too, and so were the other people who took the first taxi. And it turned out it was the same taxi who dropped them off, then came back in the hope of getting more customers, i.e. us! 

So you see why after the bus shenanigans the following day, we had totally had enough and headed north towards Umbria and Tuscany!