The allure of the Amalfi Coast: 8 reasons to visit on a private yacht charter

1. Visit Positano

When arriving via superyacht, Positano is a breathtaking sight to behold. Carved into the cliff-face, this iconic Italian town gained celebrity status after it was used as the inspiration for the fictional town where 1999 film The Talented Mr. Ripley was set. Bleached pastel houses pile up on top of each other, and the cobbled streets snaking through the town are lined with gelateries, bistros and exquisite bijoux antique shops.

If you are looking for a dose of relaxation, the TreVille Beach Club is a celebrity pilgrimage just outside Positano, attracting the likes of Kate Moss and Gwyneth Paltrow with its laid-back ambience. The exclusive stretch can only be accessed by boat, and offers invitation-only accommodation and a prestigious restaurant. Take a tender in, settle into a sunlounger and while away the day spotting stars.

• TreVille Beach Club

  Beach Club

2. Party in Africana Club

Situated between Amalfi and Positano in the town of Praiano, the Amalfi Coast’s most famous club is etched into a series of natural caves just 10 metres above sea level. Africana’s blend of exposed rock, discreet lighting and incredible DJ sets from big-name acts is easily enough to create a once-in-a-lifetime entertainment experience.

With a service to cater to superyachts arriving in, the venue is perfect for drinking, dining and decadent partying. As the sun sets, Africana puts on a dazzling show with themed nights, wild parties and the finest social scene in the region. As well as the main club, there is also a premium area where visitors can enjoy a private booth and shisha.

• Africana

  Nightclub

3. Explore the gardens of Ravello

Awash with immaculately-manicured gardens soaring above the ocean, Ravello is a town that has conserved much of its rustic Neopolitan roots. To fully discern its charm, disembark your yacht to explore the winding, hilly streets and picture-perfect chapels.

If you choose to make the journey to one of the town’s high points, expect to be rewarded with breathtaking views and a choice of gardens to peruse. One of the most mesmerising is Villa Rufolo, which occupies two levels and is shrouded in the aromas of cypress pines, lime trees, and figs.

• Villa Cimbrone

  Hotel

4. Experience the star-studded Capri

Arguably the most iconic destination along the Amalfi Coast, Capri is laced with fashion ateliers, ornate churches and famous faces. The island has played host to the likes of Kourtney Kardashian and her beau on a private yacht charter, as well as celebrity supercouple Beyonce and Jay-Z, who spent their superyacht vacation here on Lurssen’s 95m/312ft megayacht KISMET.

Don’t miss the chance to cruise around La Faraglioni - the rock formation which rises up out of the water and towers off the coast of Capri. Afterward, the uber-exclusive Fontelina Beach Club invites you to follow in the footsteps of Bridget Bardot and Sophia Loren, and sip a chilled glass of sangria on the shore. Then, prepare to be blown away by the beauty of the Blue Grotto, a naturally-occurring phenomenon on the north side of the island accessible only by boat.

• Villa Lysis

  Landmark

5. Swim with the marine life

The bay of Sorrento is home to one of Europe’s densest populations of loggerhead sea turtles, and they can often be seen lumbering up the shore to nest their eggs in the foothills of the cliffs. Drop anchor in Sorrento for the chance to swim alongside them; they are a very inquisitive and gentle species by nature, in spite of their large size.

Alongside them, the reefs are teeming with octopi and starfish, so be sure to don your snorkelling gear and dedicate a day to underwater adventures. Just outside Sorrento, the Grotta dello Smeraldo offers a divine spot for a beach picnic, and as you bask on the rocks you may spot dolphins dipping above the horizon out at sea.

6. Dine in famous restaurants

Fresh seafood coupled with terraces overlooking the ocean are the order of the day at most eateries along the Amalfi Coast. In Positano, head to La Sponda for a Michelin-starred menu under the glittering light of four hundred candles and the soundtrack of live guitars and mandolins. For the most awe-inspiring views, Palazzo Avino is tucked inside a bleached apricot building on one of Ravello’s sheer precipices, and its jaw-dropping situation allows diners to enjoy fresh Italian fare at dizzying heights above the sea.

Over on Capri, expect wall-to-wall famous faces at Villa Verde, which lures in the superyacht set with its beguiling garden setting and aromatic dishes including black cod, lemon risotto and fresh hunks of Capri lobster. The cool white plaster building of Da Paolino is also known as a restaurant to the stars on Capri, with diners eating their meals under a thick canopy of lemon trees.

• Lo Scoglio da Tommaso

  Restaurant

7. Walk the Path of Gods

For some truly mesmerising views, step off your yacht to walk in the footsteps of deities on the Path of Gods, outside Positano. So-called because those walking the path will feel closer to the sky than the land, the full walk stretches about 13km, or eight miles, but hikers can do segments at a time.

Expect dazzling views around every corner, from sparkling panoramas over the Mediterranean, to a birds-eye glimpse at coastal towns and villages laying like doll houses between the foliage of olive trees. If steep plunges, aren’t your thing, the town of Amalfi is home to a waterfall walk known as Valle delle Ferriere, which is interspersed with ancient ruins and thick groves of lemon trees.

8. Sample authentic Italian drinks

Cloaked in the heady scent of citrus blossoms, Sorrento is one of Italy’s biggest producers of lemons- and limoncello. Striking the delicate balance between syrupy sweet and refreshingly bitter, Sorrento’s limoncello is fresh, tart and perfect enjoyed as an after-dinner digestif over ice, while sitting in Sorrento’s main square watching people pass by.

Meanwhile, the birthplace of cappuccino is thought to be located just outside Amalfi. The monks of a Capuchin Convent are supposedly the original trend-setters, adding hot milk to their coffee from as early as the 17th century. There’s a myth that suggests you shouldn’t order cappuccino after 11am in Italy - but on a private yacht charter, you can do whatever you want!

• La Conca del Sogno

  Restaurant