Amalfi

Amalfi Coast is Italy's UNESCO Mediterranean coastline (1997) — 50km along the Sorrento Peninsula in Campania (south of Naples), 13 cliffside villages strung along the SS163 coastal road that John Steinbeck called "the most beautiful coast in the world." The road has 1,000+ hairpin turns + 30+ tunnels, built 1832 by King Ferdinand II. Three iconic villages anchor the experience: Positano (the most photographed — vertical cascade of pastel houses on a 300m cliff face above Spiaggia Grande beach), Amalfi (the namesake village, founded 9th-century as one of Italy's medieval maritime republics + 11th-century Cathedral St Andrea with bones of the apostle), and Ravello (mountaintop 350m above coast — Villa Cimbrone gardens with iconic Belvedere of Infinity terrace + Villa Rufolo). Capri (30min ferry from Sorrento or Amalfi) is the iconic Mediterranean island — Blue Grotto (sea cave with bioluminescent blue water), Faraglioni rocks (3 limestone stacks), Augustus Gardens views. Path of the Gods (12km cliffside hike Praiano to Positano) is the canonical Amalfi day. Crowded Jul-Aug; perfect Apr-Jun + Sep-Oct.

Iconic Campanian + Amalfi cuisine: Spaghetti alle vongole (clam pasta, $20-35), Limoncello (lemon liqueur from Amalfi lemons, $25-45/bottle), Sfogliatelle (lobster-tail pastry, $4-7), Mozzarella di bufala (buffalo mozzarella from Campania, $15-25), Margherita pizza (invented Naples 1889 in honor of Queen Margherita), Limone di Amalfi sorbet ($5-10), Cetara anchovies ($25-40 jars), Linguine al limone (Amalfi lemon pasta, $20-35).

Bottom line: Amalfi Coast is canonical Italy + bucket-list cliffs + most beautiful coast in world. 4-5 days minimum (slow Italian pace + ferry days + Capri).