Our trip to Italy continued, and today I’m showing you a very special location on the Amalfi Coast: Ravello. Until our big trip to Italy, I had never heard of Ravello, but while still in Munich, I started putting together a travel itinerary and discovered Ravello in the process. With Google and Instagram, you can find the most beautiful locations in the world within five minutes. That’s how our itinerary came together. It led us from Naples to Capri, then to Positano, Ravello, and with a stopover in Salerno. After that, we traveled through Calabria to Bari and on to the Gargano National Park.

When I look at the map today, I see how small a portion of Italy we traveled on this road trip. But it was so eventful that I’m actually glad we didn’t cover more ground—it was almost too much for one trip. Italy is so diverse and unique in every region that it would take several years to see all the sights at a leisurely pace. Ravello was one of those special locations, home to two of the most beautiful villas I’ve ever seen: Villa Rufolo and Villa Cimbrone.

VILLA RUFOLO

On our many travels, I’ve seen countless extraordinary places and thought that nothing could surprise me anymore. That was until I first stood in the garden of Villa Rufolo — it was simply paradise on earth. Really, this is exactly how I’ve always imagined a paradisiacal garden. Giant pines, cypresses, palm trees, countless flowers, all accompanied by the deafening sound of cicadas. The villa was built in the 13th century and is one of the most beautiful estates on the Amalfi Coast — a pure aesthetic delight. It’s an absolutely magical and inspiring place; even Richard Wagner found inspiration here for his opera “Parsifal.” Honestly, I was so overwhelmed by the beauty that I almost felt like composing something myself, despite having no talent for it whatsoever.

The most beautiful aspect here isn’t even the stunning location of Villa Rufolo at the top, with views of the sea and the coast. What’s most remarkable is that you can feel the time, the history, and the spirit of this special place. I’m convinced that the most beautiful places on earth have a unique energy—it’s no coincidence that the aristocrats of the past chose such locations for their residences. One of the trademarks of Villa Rufolo is the towers of Chiesa Dell’Annunziata, dating back to 1277. Once you’ve seen them, you’ll forever associate this image with Ravello: the domes of Chiesa Dell’Annunziata, the brilliant blue sea, Maiori, Minori, and the Gulf of Salerno in the background.

But that’s not all! Just an 11-minute walk away lies the equally spectacular Villa Cimbrone. To this day, I still can’t decide which villa impressed me more—Villa Rufolo or Villa Cimbrone. Both are absolutely unique and only 650 meters apart. However, it took us a bit longer than 11 minutes: the entire route from one villa to the other is lined with decor shops, cafés, and restaurants. Which is actually great: in the summer heat, a refreshing glass of homemade lemonade was very much appreciated.

VILLA CIMBRONE

Villa Cimbrone was built in the 12th century and is another stunning example of the grand estates on the Amalfi Coast. The villa is perched on a rocky outcrop 350 meters above sea level and features a highlight I will never forget: the Terrazza dell’Infinito, or Terrace of Infinity. This breathtaking viewpoint with a balustrade of marble busts in the medieval garden of Villa Cimbrone literally hovers over the sea and offers one of the most spectacular views in all of Italy.

The former palace was transformed into today’s villa in the early 20th century by Sir Ernest William Beckett. Today, it houses a luxurious five-star hotel that has fully preserved the historic atmosphere and charm of the villa. Here, you can stay in grand rooms and suites decorated with antique furniture and artworks. Now I definitely know where I want to stay next time I visit the Amalfi Coast!

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