Where?

Ravello, Campania, Italy.

Why now?

Set on a steep hill, this traditional Italian town sees clusters
of piazzas, crumbling towers and narrow passageways form a vibrant
patchwork, all overlooking postcard-worthy views of the glittering
Tyrrhenian Sea.

Originally a hotspot for trading, thanks to its wool production,
Ravello remains steeped in history. Exploring on foot will allow
you to roam between the sun-scorched streets, stopping at the
cathedral, Duomo di Ravello, Villa Rufolo, which traces its roots
back to the 13th century, and the former residence of Gore Vidal,
La Rondinaia, before rewarding yourself with an extra-large scoop
from Baffone Gelateria Artigianale. Spend days strolling
between independent boutiques, sailing the vivid turquoise waters
and discovering centuries-old traditions upheld by proud
locals.

Don’t miss

While it requires a 40-minute drive, a visit to Pompeii is
essential. The ancient city, which was buried beneath volcanic ash
when Mount Vesuvius erupted some 2,000 years ago, stands as a core
pillar in southern Italy’s history. As tempting as it might be to
tour the grounds solo, we suggest booking onto one of the
archaeologist-guided walking tours, which will allow you to
discover a deeper meaning behind the ruins.

Where to stay?

Stay at Ravello Art Hotel Marmorata. Carved into the
cliff face, the building – once an ancient paper mill – is suffused
with sea air. All 38 rooms and four suites flaunt sweeping views of
the sparkling ocean, with interiors carrying a nautical design:
think sailor-blue linens, walnut-wood furnishings and
porthole-shaped windows. While the infinity pool is certainly
worthy of a paddle, you’ll find us diving from the wooden decking
straight into the sea. Spend your day soaking up the summer heat
from one of the ecru loungers, before crawling upstairs to the
in-house L’Antica Cartiera restaurant, which draws crowds for its
squid.

Where to go for dinner?

Skip down to Osteria Ravello. Serving up old-school charm
with a contemporary twist, the restaurant’s al fresco terrace
sports enormous parasols and flowering hedges, and offers front-row
seats for those legendary sunsets. Order a glass of pinot while you
work through the basket of warm breads, then feast on pizza
frittata, seafood linguine and tiramisu.

And for a drink…

There’s no place that does it quite like Luigi’s Bar, whose traditional stone courtyard is
framed by an apricot-coloured building. Renowned for serving the
best limoncello in town, the stripped-back set-up is the very
essence of la dolce vita. Visit on a Friday night to join flocks of
locals dancing and singing.

Who to take with you?

There’s an air of romance that trickles through every inch of
this town. From its gelato parlours to the cliff-backed bays, we
can think of no better place to spend a week with our main
squeeze.

Essentials to pack

Make memories last forever by packing the Fujifilm Instax Mini 11 Polaroid camera. Armed
with a built-in selfie lens and with automatic exposure, you’re
guaranteed the perfect collection of snaps.

How to get there

Take a direct flight from London Gatwick to Naples Airport, from
where Ravello is just an hour’s drive away. Alternatively, you can
take a train from Naples Central Station to Sorrento, before
hopping on a catamaran to Amalfi.