To celebrate my 10-year work milestone, my husband and I took a dream trip to Italy’s Amalfi Coast — and it truly lived up to its title as a “Trip of a Lifetime.”
We began by flying into Naples and taking a hydrofoil to the island of Capri. The island was stunning — with two lively marinas, a lavish shopping district and enormous lemon trees everywhere you turn. Even the sidewalks felt designer.
We stayed at the Punta Tragara Hotel, perched on a cliff with panoramic views of the iconic Faraglioni arch. Our visit coincided with Mother’s Day, and we celebrated with an indulgent eight-course meal at a Michelin-starred restaurant. We learned that no dinner in Capri is complete without a shot of limoncello!
The next day brought one of the highlights of the trip — a private boat tour around the island. We spent the day swimming in the Mediterranean, sipping champagne, sailing through grottos, and anchoring in Nerano for the best seafood pasta on the planet.
Next, we took the ferry to Positano, where we checked into the famed Il San Pietro — and yes, it lives up to the hype. Their beach club? A literal carved-out cliffside dream. We swam, lounged, and indulged in fancy cocktails and the most delicious green olives.
To offset all the pasta and prosecco, we got our steps in — and then some. The Path of the Gods was one of the most beautiful hikes I’ve ever done. Before we even started the actual trail, we walked up 2,000 vertical stairs — straight up the mountainside from Positano. The path winds along cliffs with panoramic views of the coastline that don’t even look real. I had to face my fear of heights as we navigated around the narrow trail, avoiding eye contact with the sheer drop down to the turquoise sea.
We ended our trip with a visit to Pompeii on our way back to Naples. We learned about the ancient city that rests in the shadow of Mount Vesuvius.
Our last night in Naples we dined on pizza and red wine before saying Arrivederci to Italy and heading home to our 2 kids (who we missed very much!).
This trip was more than just a vacation — it was a chance to slow down, disconnect, get a little lost, and reconnect with each other. – Elise Bexley
