Ravello, Italy

View from road up to the hilltop town of Ravello.

 
One of the most spectacular views we had on our trip to Italy was from the hilltop town of Ravello which is 1100 feet above sea level and which provides a stunning panoramic view of the Amalfi Coast. Although it had rained that morning (September 18), the sun came out and it was a beautiful afternoon.

Ravello auditorium designed by Oscar Neimeyer.

This auditorium is built into the side of the hill on the way up to Ravello.  It was designed by Oscar Neimeyer, the famous Brazilian architect, and the white concrete auditorium is set into the hillside to blend with the natural cliffs when viewed from the sea.  It is quite a work of art.

Olive tree in Ravello.

Three members of our tour group, Minnie, Betty & Mary, in Ravello.

Pat and Dan having lunch in Ravello.

Drive Along the Amalfi Coast, Italy

On Tuesday afternoon after spending the morning in Pompeii, we had a lovely drive along the Amalfi Coast which is truly spectacular. Except for the rain on Monday morning, the weather has been perfect.  We have seen so much in such a short time that I will have to post some blogs about this trip after we return to North Carolina.  In the meantime, here are some photos from our drive along the Coast.

Viagra on the Amalfi Coast

Fruit stand in Positano, Italy.

On Tuesday, after visiting Pompeii, we drove along the beautiful Amalfi Coast which must surely be one of the most beautiful coasts in the world.  (Photos of that later.)  Near the small town of Positano we stopped at a little roadside market..  Many of the products we encountered were similar to ones we might find at the NC State Farmers Market.  Others were quite different.

These small tomatoes resemble ones you might get at Harris Teeter, but they taste oh so much better.

Locally grown lemons.

The Amalfi Coast has the perfect climate for growing lemons and lemons are a major crop of the area.  The trees produce from four to five crops a year.  And in addition to fresh lemons, many lemon products are sold here.

Colorful hot peppers.

Although there are lots of peppers sold in the market, we haven't found the food particularly spicy.
The most interesting products sold at this market were the Viagra peppers and the olive oil infused with the Viagra peppers.  Do these products have the same effect as Viagra?

Viagra peppers.

Olive oil infused with Viagra peppers.

Did I see some of my colleagues preparing to test this product????