Travels in Italy: Amalfi Coast

 Travels in Italy: Part III  ~

Amalfi Coast

Planning to explore the intense beauty of Italy's Amalfi Coast? You are in the right place because The Red Balloon has just returned and what an absolute breathtaking experience it is! The photos do not do it justice. Within the Campania region of Italy lies the Amalfi Coast, a 50 kilometer stretch of land that is beyond compare. 

The coast is located between the Gulf of Naples and the Gulf of Salerno. Filled with gorgeous views, port cities, beautiful beaches, and pastel colored fishing villages. The beaches here are considered to be the best and most beautiful of the entire Tyrrhenian Sea. Tip: Check the weather since temperatures in some months (ie. summer) can get extremely hot. 

Whether you are seeking the posh life of Positano 

Or the artwork in Amalfi, the coast has it all!

The Amalfi Coast is included in the UNESCO World Heritage List. It officially earned its spot as a UNESCO world Heritage Site in 1997. 

Below see the inside of the Parrochia Di San Gennaro, the Church of St. Gennaro, built in 1589. The church is divided into three naves. The church is a site to behold. 

Throughout each town in the Amalfi Coast is no shortage of things to see and do. Il Sentiero degli Dei or the Path of the Gods, was once the sole connection between the 13 villages of the Amalfi Coast. What are the 13 villages of the Amalfi Coast? 

Glad you asked! They are: Amalfi, Atrani, Cetara, Conca de' Marini, Furore, Maiori, Minori, Positano, Praiano, Ravello, Scala, Tramonti, and Vietri su Mare. Each with their own unique and distinct ambience.

See a photo from the Path of the Gods:

Tip: Be sure to bring water with you on the trail. If you are traveling during a time of year when temperatures heat up, it is best to start early. 

Be sure to bring a camera. You will be glad you did.

Tip: While on the Amalfi Coast be sure not to miss a visit to Capri. The Blue Grotto is the most visited site in Capri and The Red Balloon took a boat from the town of Amalfi to Capri and then a second boat to then board a row boat into the Blue Grotto. Behold you will be entered into a whole new world!

Stay turned for more tips from The Red Balloon's Travel Series.

Cape Cod Part II: Hyannis

This is the second part in The Red Balloon's Cape Cod Series.

Hyannis has so much to see and do, including art, rich cultural and historical experiences as well as culinary wonders and shopping excursions, making it an ideal locale to visit on your next Cape Cod adventure.

If traveling from Boston the Capeflyer offers trains Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays from South Station. Hop on board and avoid sitting in traffic! Snacks and drinks are available on board and you can even bring your bike. Insider tip: If bringing your bike you will need to place it in the very last car where all of the bicycles are stored.

First stop on the trip, once you have arrived, be sure to check out the artist shanties, which are conveniently located walking distance from Main Street, at Hyannis Harbor. In addition, you will find more artists and their craftsmanship directly across the street. The shanties are a venue in which local painters, sculptors, and photographers can showcase their best art. Artists who work in a wide variety of mediums can all be found here. The Hyannis Harbor is also the spot for people watching and catching a boat out to the islands of Nantucket and/or Martha's Vineyard.

For history buffs, the Hyannis Kennedy Legacy Trail is a must. The legacy trail is self-guided so you can continue at whatever pace you need to. The trail will bring you to the "Church of the Kennedy's" which is St. Francis Xiaver, located one block from Main Street. Also on South Street, you will find the Armory where on the day of November 9, 1960, JFK gave his Presidential acceptance speech. You could find yourself walking literally in the footsteps of a former President! 

While on the Legacy Trail you will find that Hyannis is a place with a past. Right on Main Street is a statue and plaque in tribute to the Wampanoag Chieftain, Sachem Iyanough who befriended and aided the early settlers. Fun fact: Hyannis bears a derivative of his name (something to impress your friends with when you return from Cape Cod.) In the photo below, you will see the statue of Wampanoag Chieftain. Behind the statue lies Hyannis Village Green where events are happening nightly. Recently the Boston Pops performed and there was a live performance of Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet. Insider tip: Be sure to arrive early for events to get the best spot. 

 Conveniently located on Main Street is the JFK Museum. Be sure to devote some time to explore all the museum to its fullest extent. Insider tip: The museum closes at 4 pm each day and does not open until noon on Sunday. Be mindful of this when arranging this stop within your travel itinerary.

Stop #10 on the Hyannis Legacy Trail is Veterans Beach which is a must-see. Best to visit the beach in the morning or late afternoon as the beach does tend to become crowded during the peak season.

Insider tip: If you are without a bike, take the free trolley from the Hyannis Transportation Center. Although Hyannis is extremely walkable, the trolley will stop at all of the hot spots including Veterans Beach!

If you find yourself looking to travel to the beach, Kalmus beach is conveniently located close to Veterans Beach and is much quieter. To arrive at Kalmus beach simply go past the Hyannis Yacht Club which is at the end of Veterans Beach.

Looking for a quick lunch spot? Look no further than Palio Pizza at 435 Main Street. For a more formal lunch or dinner, you can travel one block from Main Street to 72 North Street where the Portside Tavern is a family-owned restaurant offering a variety of foods including seafood caught daily.

No trip to Hyannis is complete without a trip to Ben and Jerry's at 352 Main Street. A great place to have a sweet treat after shopping and seeing the sights on Main Street.

For now it is time to say "Good Night Cape Cod" but this isn't good bye for The Red Balloon's Cape Cod series continues so stay tuned for the next locale complete with insider tips coming soon!

Happy Trails from Hyannis!

Cape Cod Part I: Hyannis

The first part in The Red Balloon's Cape Cod Series highlights Hyannis, perhaps most well known as being the home of the Kennedy compound at Hyannis Port.

While in Hyannis you may ask, "Where is there to begin?"

The Red Balloon offers some sage advice: It is always good to begin with breakfast. Hyannis has many breakfast options and one of the best is right at the very end of Main Street (the side closest to the Hyannis Transporation Center.) The eatery is named the Sunnyside Restaurant and sunny it surely is here! The restaurant offers a full breadth of brunch or breakfast options for even the most discerning of tastes. Pictured below the vegetarian omelet, hash browns, and toast. Serving sizes are abundant and prices here are reasonable.

Now that breakfast is done it is time to explore. While you are so very close to the Hyannis Transportation Center, may The Red Balloon suggest taking some time to explore the many transportation possibilities from this location including the Cape Cod Central Rail Train which offers dinner and wine trains. These trains offers scenic views but reservations are required. Should you find yourself looking for a Brunch Train, the Central Rail offers a Sunday Brunch on board.

                       

                                       

If ever in need of a place for some quiet relaxation and respite, the Michael K. Aselton Memorial Park is extremely close to Main Street and offers exceptional views of Hyannis Harbor.  

                                       

While at the Park, you may not believe your eyes but there are Duck Boats in Hyannis Harbor! You will surely see them as well as they bring tours along Main Street through both land and sea.

                                            

If the Duck Boat isn't your speed there are plenty of other options for traveling on the water at Hyannis Harbor including a Pirate ship.

                                       

Back on Main Street there is no shortage of artwork and this one below was captured inside a place where you may not have thought to look for artwork: inside the Ben and Jerry's on Main Street!

                                           

Stay tuned for more in The Red Balloon's Cape Cod series! 

Lessons learned along the Oregon Trail

This is it: the blog that I’ve been wanting to write for eons but have not actually put the pen to paper or well…the index finger to the keyboard shall we shall? Do you remember a time when there existed a game that was so great that it was THE GAME…mostly because it was the only game you were allowed to play in computer class? And you would work arduously trying to win. Seriously, you worked more persistently on this game than you did on algebra or history or whatever “academic pursuits” were on your plate. You’d pour your heart and soul into THE GAME…

            Only to lose your oxen,

            Then, your food ration would mysteriously “disappear”

            And then you’d run out of ammunition

And just when you thought it couldn’t get any worse, you’d catch typhoid or scarlet fever or the absolute worst…diphtheria.

This would go on week after week, and then those dreaded two words would appear from out of nowhere, “GAME OVER.” But no you knew the truth: that the game was not even close from being over.

You couldn’t and wouldn’t stop. And then one day, perhaps some 938 days after you began this Oregan Trail adventure, you got to THAT PART. Yes, you remember THAT PART. I mean, seriously how can you forget, it was the point when you were able to cross the river. Of course, crossing the river was extremely dangerous. There were wilderbeasts, flying dragons, serpents, and the original Coyote Ugly. They all stood in your way and meant that many times (and by many I mean 99 out of 100 times), oxen, food, and vital medical supplies would be lost, or tampered with or stolen from you by a flying Coyote Ugly. And then very often you’d see once again in flashing bold letters, “GAME OVER.” This became a vicious cycle.

Until one day, a day which you will never forget. For this was THE DAY. On THE DAY you “caulked the wagon and floated across the river” and you were able to win THE GAME. That of course, happened all back before you even knew what “caulking” a wagon even meant. Back before you could hammer a nail, ride a bike, or tie your own shoes. Okay maybe even now you’re not great at hammering nails. And okay, maybe you also still don't really know what it is that "caulk" means. But really, those details are not important. What’s important is that you survived the Oregon Trail…okay so maybe not the real thing but rather the dramatic computer enhanced version and well, that’s got to be worth something. Maybe it’s not the stuff to include in a resume but well it’s still a true achievement. So next time when you feel like you are traveling on life’s long road filled with blocks and barriers, lost things that you love, large waterways, sordid serpents, and difficult decisions, know that you are a SURVIVOR. Even when it doesn’t appear that way; even when it seems like you are losing know that there is something more. Be persistent and be patient. Don’t let the flying whatevers get the better of you. Stay strong. You have accomplished greatness; you are a true survivor. You earned that title along the trail and it’s a lesson you can’t forget.