Jason

Antonella thought of everything. In addition to helping plan and book our daytrips, she had even arranged our bags to be carried up to the Casale when we finally got there. We had a fairly long trip that day from Rome, and when we arrived in the evening she was there to greet us, and had even provided some delicious local wine, pasta, cheeses, tomatoes, bread and lemoncello. She provided us with more than enough recommendations, guidebooks and pamphlets to get us started. The place is magical, and well worth the 400ish steps if you are up for that. We found climbing the steps to be a great way to burn calories so we could consume more local cuisine, spirits and gelato and not feel guilty. After the second day we had the steps and routine pretty much down, and looked forward to our descent and ascent to the Casale. We learned to plan accordingly, and once we were up for the evening, we soaked in the view from the patio with more local wine, and cooked food that we'd pick up at local markets on our way back through the town from the beach. It's a fantastic way to decompress and leave it all behind while you're there. There's a 9th century castle/fortress in view further up the mountain, and you are surrounded by vineyards, lemon groves and the epic view of Maiori, Ravello and the ocean. You may pass mules on your way up or down picking up batches of lemons, so it feels like being transported back in time. The people of Maiori are wonderful, friendly and warm. We already want to go back, and will for sure visit Antonella and the wonderful Il Casale della Nonna again.