Holiday Gift Guide: Presents inspired by the Amalfi Coast
Limoncello, locally sourced olive oil, colorful ceramics—we’ve rounded up gifts that sing an ode to sunny days on Italy’s breathtaking coast. Here are six presents that are sure to inspire a trip to the beaches of il bel paese, or the beautiful country.
Of all the products the Amalfi Coast is known for, lemon is undoubtedly the star. The citrus fruit grows abundantly in the Campania region, and while it adds brightness to everything from fish dishes to frozen treats, one of the best ways to try it is squeezed down into limoncello. This sweet liqueur is served as a digestif to cap off many a meal on the Amalfi Coast. You can pop into any shop in Sorrento for a good bottle to give during the holidays—or visit a local liquor store for an authentic option at home.
Papermaking is a centuries-old tradition in the town of Amalfi, and the embossed sheets make the perfect gift for all paper lovers. If you want to use free time on tour to seek out handmade paper products, one of the best places to go is Cartiera Amatruda, where the same family has been perfecting the craft since the 15th century. Not going to be gift hunting along the Italian coast any time soon? You can buy Amalfi paper online, too! No matter where you get it, be sure the sheets are embossed with the Amalfi watermark, a sign of the real deal.
While Amalfi is known for its paper, Sorrento is the place to go for handmade wooden wares. Skilled artisans have been creating inlaid wood products here since the 14th century, and although Sorrento isn’t technically part of the Amalfi Coast, these crafts are famous throughout the region. When in Sorrento, stroll down the ancient street called Via San Cesareo to pick up game boards, jewelry boxes featuring Italian scenes made from different shades of inlaid wood, and more. When at home? Go online to snag gifts crafted from wood to get a travel lover excited for a journey to the Amalfi Coast.
There’s no question about it: Extra-virgin olive oil is one of the most distinctive Mediterranean products. While a bottle of good olive oil is the perfect gift for anybody who loves all things Italy, oil flavored with Amalfi lemons brings the bright, fresh flavors of the coast right to your table. Local shops from Capri to Positano offer the best of the best, but online shops offer great bottles, too.
Of the many wares crafted by experts along the Amalfi Coast, colorful ceramics stand out. You can get them no matter where you go, but some of the most beautiful can be found in the small town of Vietri sul Mare. Not sure how you’ll get breakable glass goods home on the plane? Spring for some lookalike pottery online—or while you’re on tour, take a stroll on the beach to seek out smooth pieces of ceramics and other sea glass along the shoreline.
The Amalfi Coast most likely calls to mind relaxing days lounging next to the Mediterranean, and those sun-soaked moments jump right off the page as you flip through the book “Beaches” by Gray Malin. Colorful and whimsical, this coffee table read is sure to get someone dreaming of a beachy getaway in Italy and beyond.
Still can’t find the perfect present? Give the gift of travel with Go Ahead gift certificates, which are available in any amount and can be used toward any tour or excursion! Call our team at 1.800.590.1170 to purchase one for a travel lover today.
What gets you dreaming of a trip to the Amalfi Coast? Tell us on Facebook, and check out the rest of the 2017 Go Ahead Gift Guides to find presents for other travelers on your list!
