044: The Amalfi Coastline

July 25, 2016

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Join us on a trip to the Amalfi Coastline, arguably one of the most beautiful places in the world. Learn what we think were definitely the highlights you shouldn’t miss.

Topics we cover:

It was Paul’s birthday recently. So we talk about how you used to not be able to sing Happy Birthday on any television show or movie without paying royalties. Though we are not sure that is true anymore. Anyone know for sure? Let us know in the comments.
How we made very good time traveling from Villa Cappelli to Amalfi, even taking a scenic tour
How inexpensive it can be to rent a car in Italy, especially if you are an Italian citizen
AutoEurope is the site Paul used to rent the car
Paul thinks you should get an international license when coming to Italy and renting a car. Here’s one site for that.
How we met our friend ???? there to took us all around. It always helps to find a local who can show you around.
The driving conditions in Amafi
The Emerald Grotto
The amazing ceramics shop we visited right across from the caves
The big beautiful tables and other vases
Our lunch in Priaino, a big beautiful cove where you can eat right on the water
The restaurants we ate at in Amalfi were good even though it was touristy places
How the kid next to us at lunch was eating spaghetti and meatballs which we talk about this in another podcast and how it is a bit “don’t” in Italy
How the restaurants there will cater to the tastes of their clientele without really teaching them about the Italian culture
The large buses on the winding roads
How there are a lot fewer cars on the road at night
That night we went to see the procession of Saint Andrew
- This link will give your more info on him, but here’s the gist: He was probably the brother of Simon Peter. They were both fishermen (so I did see him holding a fishing net), thus the tradition that when Jesus called them to be his disciples, he said he would make them “fisher of men”

How Amalfi is a member of the four Maritime Republics — Pisa, Genoa, Venice, Amafi
The size of the procession compared to ours in August
How the priests had to carry down the statute down the steep stairs
Why the saints are only the busts
How they set off cannon shots during the procession which can be pretty dang surprising
Our dinner of fried fish, Neapolitan pizza, and vodka — the vodka being half the cost of the meal
The fireworks of the festival
Furore where our hotel La Locanda del Furore was
How we feel we compare to the tourism in Amafi
How the Amafi coast is probably not for the physically challenged
Renting a boat and seeing the coast from a boat and just how beautiful it is
We highly recommending renting a boat when you are there to see the coast from the water
How you steer away from Amafi during July and August
Ravello, one of the most beautiful and amazing spots
How Paul realizes he actually was in Amafi years ago
The Villa Cimbrone gardens with a terrace 390m or 1,300 ft. high with amazing views
How the gardens are so beautiful in Amafi
How beautiful the town of Ravello was
The amazing horizon pools in Amafi
How a trip like this can inspire you to improve your own space
The restaurant where we ate lunch on our final day which you can only get to by boat
How the Amafi coast reminds of us of a mix of the south of France and the Greek islands
The Monastero Santa Rosa. I mentioned in the podcast I would scan some photos, but actually their website does an amazing job with a photo tour here.
Where the nuns would get mummified back in the day
How Steven forgets that outside of Puglia, especially in touristy places like Amalfi, others speak English
How the radio actually had a segment called “English is the future” and taught listeners English through the song Killing Me Softly