Travel Tale: A Magic Memory on the Amalfi Coast
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| "For the next 40 minutes or so, this kind gentleman showed us around a series of gardens and orchards..." |
We love to share funny, offbeat or inspiring travel anecdotes (videos, too)! If you have a true tale to tell, send it to stories@ricksteves.com. If you have a photo that illustrates it, please attach it. Don't forget to tell us which city and state you live in. We'd love to hear from you, just like we did from Mark and Elaine...
Dear Rick,
My wife and I were staying in Ravello at a lovely hotel with an amazing view of the Amalfi Coast. One day, we decided to take one of the many local walks (maps are available at the tourist office) and followed a pedestrian-only path that took us down to Amalfi. Along the way, we found ourselves following a small, older man carrying a ladder. After a while, he turned and entered through a gate into an agricultural area.
Upon reaching the gate, we stopped to peer through the trees into this area. The man noticed us and beckoned us to enter. For the next 40 minutes or so, this kind gentleman showed us around a series of gardens and orchards built on the side of a rather steep hill, with a complex arrangement of walls, terraces, paths, stairs, and irrigation ditches. He also let us smell and taste many varieties of herbs, vegetables, and fruit. We didn't speak Italian and he didn't speak English, but we recognized most of what we were smelling and eating and learned some of their Italian names.
On departing, we expressed our gratitude for what had been a delightful and completely unexpected experience. It was an unforgettable day.
— Mark and Elaine in Potomac, Maryland
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