This Italian Tourist Attraction Is A Scenic Hotel And Open-Air Museum On The Amalfi Coast

From Sorrento to Salerno, Italy's Amalfi Coast is a blissful paradise of breathtaking natural beauty and stunning clifftop towns. It is one of the most romantic places in Italy, an iconic stretch of coast that is beloved by Italians and foreign tourists alike. Picture the Amalfi Coast and, chances are, images of picture-postcard-perfect pastel-colored towns will spring to mind, teetering precariously on top of precipitous crags, overlooking a glorious azure sea. You might also conjure an ambience of high-class elegance, sophistication, and elite luxury, and while this isn't completely wrong, the Amalfi Coast also has a different story to tell. Whereas once visitors mostly stuck to Amalfi and Positano, aiming to be seen at the big-name hotels and restaurants, these days, travelers are exploring further and discovering the hidden gems with smaller crowds that make this coast a paradise.

Ravello might not be off the beaten track, but its aura of faded grandeur and picturesque decrepitude is a refreshing alternative to the glitzier Amalfi destinations. It is filled with historic palazzi crumbling in a glamorous and romantic way, and it is easy to see why it has been a sought-after destination for writers, artists, and musicians since the era of the Grand Tour. One of its most ravishing spots is the Villa Cimbrone, a scenic hotel and open-air museum with nearly 15 acres of gorgeous landscape gardens that genuinely takes your breath away.

Ravello is about halfway between Positano and Salerno, to the south of Naples. The nearest airports are Salerno Costa d'Amalfi Airport and Naples International Airport, both nearly 40 miles away and reachable by car in just over an hour. It is also worth considering renting a scooter, one of the best ways to get around, which can save time and money.

Villa Cimbrone sits above Ravello's tangle of winding alleys and narrow cobbled streets, overlooking the Tyrrhenian Sea from its jaw-droppingly beautiful belvedere. The villa was originally built in the 11th century, and at times throughout its history served as a monastery and the residence of the kings of Naples.  Its current design dates back to the early 20th century, when it was bought by English aristocrat Lord Ernest Beckett after he fell in love with the place on his Grand Tour travels. Throughout the 20th century, the villa welcomed a diverse and creative set of guests, such as authors and poets like T.S. Eliot, Virginia Woolf, and E.M. Forster, as well as Winston Churchill and Greta Garbo.

The Terrazza dell'Infinito (Infinity Terrace) belvedere is undoubtedly the star of the show, an incredible viewing point flanked by marble statues that looks out over the sea to the distant, faded Cilento Mountains. Described by Gore Vidal as "the most beautiful place that I had ever seen in all my travels", it is literally breathtaking, and at a height of 1,200 feet, it can even feel overwhelming. Beyond the panoramic views, the grounds of the Villa are sumptuous, an incredible example of Italian- and English-style gardens. Visitors wander beneath swaying cypress trees, past fabulous, overflowing wisteria, row after row of fragrant lavender, and abundant rose gardens to discover bronze statues of Greek gods, hidden grottoes, and a temple dedicated to Bacchus, the god of wine. It is a mysterious, magical, and almost surreal experience, and one that offers something different for almost everyone who visits.

The villa itself has been converted into an exquisite boutique hotel, swimming in refined elegance and sophisticated opulence. The main building is reserved for guests, but visitors to the grounds can access the chiostro (cloister) and cripta (crypt) as part of their tour. The cloister is a marvel of neoclassical design, with stunning bas-relief walls, bright tiles, and an eye-catching covered well. The crypt is a cool, atmospheric spot designed to echo the cellars at Fountains Abbey in Yorkshire, and is often used as a venue for events. Visitors can also enjoy a taste of grandeur and luxury at the villa's Michelin-starred Italian restaurant, Il Flauto di Pan. With a terrace overlooking the Mediterranean and a carefully curated tasting menu featuring produce grown in the gardens, it is a memorable experience.

In many ways, getting to the villa from the center of Ravello is part of the experience. It is a short walk, just 10 minutes from the central Piazza Duomo, but the path is steep, following ancient, winding streets covered in cobblestones and lined with lemon and fig trees. This creates a charming and delightful ambience, although it might leave you out of breath by the time you arrive at the summit. Due to the strenuous nature of the climb, it is best to visit the villa early in the morning or later in the afternoon, so you are not struggling in the sun. The gardens are open from 9 a.m. until sunset, and a visit costs €10 ($12), unless you plan to eat in the restaurant or are staying at the hotel.