Costa d’Amalfi
The Italian coast in summer is sparkling.
Blue water, straw umbrellas, colorful villas receding into sweeping cliffsides. Seafood pasta eaten off of bright ceramics. Fresh limoncello as an aperitif, or post-meal digestivo. Custardy gelato that tastes more indulgent in the heat, when lemon, raspberry and melon are the most refreshing flavors.
On my most recent trip through southern Italy, a favorite evening was the simplest: we walked from our villa to the local market to secure dinner ingredients, laughter buoyant in the warm air. We plated herbed taralli, marinated olives, and pasta studded with fresh basil leaves, enjoying into the evening with chilled glasses of rosé and a view to the Mediterranean sea.
The best way to spend time: on a boat, on a scooter, on the sand, or on foot perusing the artisan shops that dot the hillside.
EDITOR’S NOTE: ITALIAN CERAMISTS
All visitable in Southern Italy, these shops carry beautiful dishware and tile in palettes inspired by the Mediterranean. Vietri sul Mare is the ceramics capital of Campania, at the coast’s end, but similar offerings can be found along its length. A few favorites:
Giovanni DeMaio — at Via Cervito, Salerno — Under their Mediterranea line of ceramic tile, the Assisi, Camaldoli, Levante, and Samo are my favorite selections.
Ceremiche Gabbiano — at Via Roma, Capri — Their playfully painted, oversized mezze platters are wonderful for large gatherings under the sun.
Ceramiche Casola — at Via Laurito, Positano — For their destincive bistro sets, Ceramiche Casola’s manufacturing process starts in a volcanic stone quarry: the tabletop is hand-painted lava rock. With a base and accompanying chairs cast in wrought iron, their pieces are designed to last beautifully for generations. My favorite tabletop design is their Praiano selection.
