"Amalfi" a Amalfi Travel Page by Balam

The Amalfi Coast, south of the Bay of Naples, can claim to be Europe's most magnificent stretch of coast. It's not just its breathtaking scenery but also the glamorous resorts hidden away on the spectacular corniche that winds its way past lemon trees, olive groves, vineyards and tiny villages clinging on to jagged cliffs that plunge straight into the sea. Every turn along the Amalfi Coast brings you to another legendary destination, be it Positano, Sorrento, Ravello or Amalfi itself. Virtually cut off from the rest of the world until the mid-19th century, when a road was built linking all the villages along the coast, this unique region was first discovered by the aristocratic Grand Tourists of Europe, who made the Costiera Amalfitana an obligatory stop-off.

Then came artists seeking inspiration, such as composers Wagner and Grieg, painters JMW Turner and Joan Miro, writers and poets including DH Lawrence, Tennessee Williams and Andre Gide. It wasn't long before the films stars arrived too - Greta Garbo, Sophia Loren, Clark Gable, Humphrey Bogart - all seeking a perfect hideaway.

Today it remains the ultimate romantic getaway. As a holiday resort of the rich and famous, the Amalfi Coast has a reputation as being ultra-expensive, and there is certainly no shortage of luxury hotels, Michelin-starred restaurants and exclusive bars where an aperitif will set you back a small fortune. But behind the ritzy facade you'll discover that a holiday here doesn't have to break the bank. Base yourself in a simple hotel or B&B, seek out the excellent and reasonably priced old-fashioned trattorie, and use the brilliant local boats and buses to save a fortune in car parking costs.