The namesake town of the entire coastline, Amalfi was once the capital of a powerful maritime republic that once rivalled cities such as Genoa and Venice. An earthquake destroyed the city in 1143, and it became a pretty fishing town, no larger in size than Positano or Ravello. However, it has since attracted visitors to its 9^th Century cathedral and central square where you can take a seat in one of the restaurants and watch the early evening passeggiata.

Dramatically perched on cliffs, the town of Sorrento is the liveliest of the coastal towns. Step ashore and follow in the footsteps of the well-to-do northern Europeans who included the town as part of the 18^th Century Grand Tour. Climb to the clifftop terraced walkways of the Museo Correale di Terranova for rewarding views over the Bay of Naples and your yacht anchored below.

Across the Gulf of Salerno from Sorrento, the charming town of Positano is so beautiful it has inspired many famous artists, including Picasso. During the peak of the dolce vita era (late 1950s) it rivalled Capri for glamour, but today it attracts a more sedate crowd. Blessed with four beaches and a marina, there are plenty of things to do in Positano when visiting by yacht. It is the perfect place to spend an afternoon at anchor and ashore before heading up to the terrace of Le Sirenuse for an aperitif, stopping to browse the elegant boutiques along the way.

A short day trip from Sorrento, the UNESCO Roman City of Pompeii is full of drama and excitement, tragedy and fear. Lost for 1,700 years after being buried under volcanic ash from the eruption of Vesuvius in AD79, it was rediscovered in 1749 and was part of the Grand Tour. Its pathways are well-trodden but its ancient alleyways remain awe-inspiring, providing much of our knowledge of the Roman Empire and their way of life.

Across from the Sorrento peninsula, the island of Capri is beautiful by day, but it really comes into its own by night. Capri town’s Piazetta is the island’s heart and the ultimate place for peoplewatching. A maze of tiny, immaculate streets house chic boutiques selling designer bikinis and Capri sandals (the latter made famous by Jackie Kennedy). Take a front row seat at one of the squares café-bars to witness the daily evening passeggiata.

The whole island, and in particular Capri town, is extremely busy during the summer, while Anacapri is much quieter and calmer, though still lively enough to have a buzzing atmosphere. Capri’s famous Blue Grotto can be crowded and so if you have the opportunity to wait until the early evening, when the day trippers have departed, you will have a far more unique experience. It is also worth asking your Burgess charter broker and captain to book the Marina Grande as early as possible as it is one of the hardest harbours in the Mediterranean to obtain a berth, especially in July and August. 

The mountainous and volcanic island of Ischia, which lies just southwest of Naples, has been drawing travellers to its thermal spas and the beneficial properties of its hot springs since Roman times. However, aside from its spa appeal, Ischia has many other attractions, including the stunning gardens of La Mortella and the historical monument Castello Aragonese.

The hilltop town of Ravello sits like a terrace over the sea, removed from the hustle and bustle below. It has a romantic sense of faded glory that has inspired a number of writers, artists and musicians since the days of the Grand Tour, most famously D.H. Lawrence’s Lady Chatterley’s Lover. Today it is best known for its villa estate gardens including the romantic garden of Villa Rufolo that inspired Richard Wagner for his opera Parsifal. Nearby Villa Cimbrone is equally impressive with an extravagant garden and villa that has been turned into a hotel.

Cuppetiello Di Pesce

An Amalfi classic, quite literally a ‘little cup of fish’ folded up into paper cones and filled with fried anchovy, calamari, prawns and scallops, spritzed with lemon – the ultimate street food.

Delizia Al Limone

The best lemons in the world arguably come from the Amalfi Coast and the Campania region’s favourite desert uses them in quantities. Comprising a dome shaped sponge cake soaked in limoncello syrup, filled with a lemon cream and covered with a lemon zest frosting, served chilled.

Pesce All'Acqua Pazza

Literally translating as 'crazy water' this dish is a simple combination of fish (catch of the day), tomatoes, olive oil and herbs in a white wine, mopped up with bread.

Scialatielli Con Gamberi E Zucchine

A Neapolitan wide pasta with a seafood based sauce served with baby zucchini and shrimp, and sometimes mussels, prawns and clams.

Insalata caprese

A simple salad made with sliced fresh mozzarella, tomatoes and sweet basil seasoned with salt and olive oil.

Scialatielli ai Frutti di Mare

The most traditional of Amalfi dishes, comprising mussels, prawns, clams and sea truffles, seasoned with a handful of olives, capers and tomatoes.

Where to dine

Capri
Il Riccio, Capri Palace Hotel
L’Olivo, Capri Palace Hotel (**)

Positano

La Serra, Hotel Le Agavi (*)

Where to dine

Ravello
Rosselinis (*)
Sorrento

Amalfi

Glicine, Hotel Santa Caterina (*)