Napoli and the Amalfi Coast

Our final stop in Italy was Naples and the Amalfi Coast. We ate some amazing pizza, enjoyed the warm sun and steep coast on the Mediterranean, and were awed by so many natural wonders. This was the longest stretch of the trip because there were the most pizzerias to visit, but we consolidated the pizza eating enough that we spent a few days just being travelers, and eating other food than pizza! 

In total we drove almost 1,500 miles,  ate 51 pizzas at 21 pizzerias over 16 days, and are certain we will be back to Italy many more times in the future!

Sitting on the stoop outside our airbnb.

The girls found this lemon on the ground beneath a tree in the airbnb's garden. I think we have our inspiration for dinner tonight!

The pool at our airbnb, which was REALLY cold!

Making dinner in our airbnb. Cooking in other kitchens really helps us appreciate the space we have in our kitchen. 

First pizzeria in Napoli (Naples) - bring on the Neapolitan pizza!

Cooling off in the Gulf of Naples

Pizza on the waterfront.

Walking through the neighborhood where the gym is located.

We found it!

The girls trained two days with two private coaches. The coaches were amazing and helpful even through the language barrier. The gym had a strict no pictures or watching policy that we found out about after taking this picture, oops.

Strolling through Naples to find the pizzeria for dinner.

The road our airbnb was located off of.

Our turn off!

Ready for relaxation and beach time.

Coffee ice cream in tiny coffee cups = happy kiddos.

The driving in Naples was so crazy. This picture doesn't give you an idea of the real sense of congestion and intensity, but it is the only one we took.

Vesi 

Lunch and the most delicious montanara (fried pizza) we had.

Heading out to a seafood dinner, yay!

We hiked up Mt. Vesuvius.

At the very top there was a shop with limited drink options (cappuccino and limoncello) and a picnic table.

Next stop was Pompeii, which is not really very close to Mt. Vesuvius!!

After learning about Pompeii as kids and seeing pictures we were still surprised by the devastation, and the somber feel of being in the buried city. 

The kids found a kitchen!

Pompeii is much bigger than we expected.

Castellammare di Stabia (town between Naples and Sorrento)

Lemon Granita

View from our granita snack spot.

It is very apparent that Sorrento is known for it's lemons!

Mt. Vesuvius in the distance.

After pizza assessment - it looks like this meal was a 10!

It helps that they sent out dessert, yum.

Hanging out in the hot tub at the airbnb that was actually lukewarm...

Squeezing in a bit more gymnastics. The coaches said the most important thing being away for so long was to maintain flexibility and strength so we worked on it a little bit almost every day.

We met many pizzailolos and this guy was the most self-confident of the bunch...

Still enjoying each other!

Tiramisu in a chocolate cup.

Driving along the Amalfi Coast. The road was wild and I wish we took a video, but we were too busy soaking up the experience!

Our destination, Positano, is the town nestled in the hillside ahead.

What a beautiful lunch spot.

Heading down to the water. 

Swimming in Positano

Safe dining choices were very limited in such a touristy town (including no safe gelato) so we grabbed a cold drink and hit the road.

So many stairs...

Sushi in Italy - not pizza and safe dinner!

Via dei Tribunali 

Us gluten eaters needed to try a true sfogliatelle.



We returned to Vesi one more time to try to gather more information about their GF dough. Pete had a personal guide take him between the GF kitchen and the restaurant.

Last dinner in Italy, and through all the pizza we can still smile!

We're off to NY!