It All Ends In Amalfi
Words by Dalene Heck / Photography by Pete Heck
We clocked 2,400 miles.
We took 15 different trains and 4 buses.
We visited 11 cities in 3 countries.
All in 38 days.
Needless to say, we were thrilled with our experiences, but very tired. With one last long, 12 hour train and bus journey from Palermo to Amalfi, we kept ourselves enthusiastic with a single thought in mind:
Sweet, sweet, relaxation.
We decided to spoil ourselves with some extra comfort for our last few days. We dreamed of the dramatic Amalfi coastline that so many claim to be the best spot in Italy, and knew that there were two must-haves for our last few days: to wake up to the sound of ocean waves, and to have a view-to-beat-all-views.
We done good.
It was everything we dreamed it to be, and we sunk right in. We relaxed, we breathed deep the salty sea air, and ate some of the best food we’d had so far. We debated day trips to Capri and Sorrento, but finally decided against it. It would be impossible to see and do everything, and so we just did nothing.
It had been a long and adventurous 38 days and so we deserved to just enjoy sitting still. To eat, drink, and be sleepy.
Besides, why would we need to go anywhere when we had these incredible sights all around us?
Amalfi is easily one of the most beautiful places we have ever been to, and a perfect end to our epic train journey. After just three days there, and a final short train ride to Naples to catch a flight to Spain, it was over.
What a completely exhilarating, exhausting, life-changing, weight-gaining, friend-making, inspiring and crazy journey it was.
We are believers. Being only novice train-travelers prior to this experience, we are now completely sold on it being the best way to travel in Europe. We met people from all walks of life on the train, got lessons in Italian from one friendly passenger, and tried local Slovenian delicacies on another. Not to mention the incredible scenery, the time spent doing nothing, and the smile on our faces after each journey, no matter how long it was!
We owe Eurail.com and many others along the way so much thanks for making this trip one of the most eventful in our long traveling history!
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We are so grateful to have worked with Eurail.com for their Blog Trail Program and must make a note that we were provided with complimentary Eurail Global Passes. With that said, we were completely free to write about the journey as we see fit and as always,all opinions are our own.
An amazing journey guys!!! Congrats on hitting the finish line – it was really great to follow along at home. Well, not ‘home’ exactly, but…
Thanks guys! It wasn’t the Camino de Santiago, but it was an epic one for us! 🙂
What a great way to end this leg of your adventure!
YES! I think so too! I wish we had more time there, SO beautiful!
As always, beautiful photos and congratulations on the last segment of your train journey. I totally agree with you about being sold on the Europe train experience. This summer was my first time doing the rail experience (and in Europe in general) and now I can’t imagine using another mode of transportation when I go back to Europe.
– Lily
I hear ya Lily. We had only very minor train experience before, and we are totally sold. There is nothing like hearing the “clack” of the wheels while the gorgeous scenery cruises by!
Indeed, why would you want to be anywhere else than there! Beautiful photos as always, and very interesting adventure. Cheers to you guys and Eurail!
Thank you! I didn’t move far from that deck chair those whole three days. But I don’t think anyone could blame me!
I am definitely a full supporter of train-travel being the best-travel.
And that definitely looks like the perfect way to end 2400 miles of travel!
Thanks Sarah – it did work out quite perfectly to end up in such an amazing place. We loved every minute of it!
What and amazing trip. I am looking forward to getting back to Italy in a few years. Have never been to the Amalfi coast. Is it aa place you could spend a year or so?
Oh yes, if I had the funds, I would spend an infinite amount of time there! We barely even touched the coastline. So beautiful.
Has it been 38 days already? That went by so fast! Definitely love the final location. Looks beautiful.
Enjoy some rest guys. Looking forward to the next adventures.
Thanks Steve! It did go by so fast. I look back at Croatia and think it was months ago…
A wonderful experience for you two & it was so enjoyable to travel along with you via the sofa. The pics are beautiful. I don’t know why but I feel a sadness @ the end of this trail. But.. am looking forward to the next adventures to read about & of course beautiful pics that have now become expected. 🙂
As you know Mom, we have MUCH more to come! But I’m glad you enjoyed this journey! 🙂
A fitting conclusion to your journey. The Amalfi Coast is breath taking.
Completely agree on trains being the best way to explore Europe (and we only took two of them!)… looks like you two had an amazing time with Eurail, enjoy the relaxation and the upcoming adventures in NYC. 🙂
Thanks Kieron! We had an amazing time with Eurail, what a great group to work with. 🙂
Wow what an incredible place to end your amazing journey!
Thanks Andi – it really was!
Ahh… The Amalfi Coast is one of our favorite destinations… It truly is SO relaxing and the people are incredibly friendly. Not to mention the delicious Italian food… Did you get a chance to see Positano? That’s where we stayed and loved it!
We didn’t see Positano. We did nothing at all, really. But eat. Drink wine. Relax! But we will be back there, FOR SURE!
A small end to another part of your amazing travel journey 🙂
It was the perfect conclusion to the adventure. Highly recommended place for beautiful scenery and rest and relaxation.
The Amalfi Coast does look pretty cool. I’m excited about being in Europe, there’s so much to see on my doorstep!
Highly recommended for some outstanding scenery. And yes, it’s a bit overwhelming how much Europe offers up.
Beautiful Amalfi and beautiful Campania, I went a couple of years ago and loved it.
Yes, it’s hard not to fall in love with places like these isn’t it?
Amazing! I didn’t have that much energy when I had my Eurail pass when I backpacked after college… what a trip!
When I look back, it’s crazy how much we did and how fast we did it. As much as we enjoyed it, it felt rushed and if we were to do it over, we would slow it down.
Well, this is going on my bucket list.
It really is an inspiring place, we don’t normally say you have to go there, but it’s highly highly recommended. 🙂
Gosh, it’s SO pretty! I really need to get back here someday.
Congrats on wrapping up an awesome adventure!
Thanks Amanda, it was a pretty kick ass experience and we were pretty lucky to get the chance to do it.
Wow amazing photo’s! What a great end to your 38 day journey!
New Phrase: All good things must end, hopefully it’s at least in a beautiful place!
You heard it here first, folks… 🙂
Seems an amazing journey and you ended it in such a sweet spot! 🙂
Looking forward to hearing about Spain.
I think it ended perfectly – never really planned it that way, but we’ll take it! 🙂
Enjoy your chance to relax for a while!
I cannot wait to hear about this over dumplings and noodles in Chinatown!!! So glad you guys have followed this up with a visit to NYC.
Thats unfortunate your stay in Amalfi was so short lived, the scenery looks gorgeous! The ocean view… I think I would’ve relaxed on the last day too.
I LOVED traveling by train throughout Europe! I was never bored (if I have a book, I’m happy nearly anywhere on the planet), and there was so much to see as the train whisked me through the countryside of several European countries. Talking to fellow travelers was a bonus.
I wish the US had a more robust train system – imagine how much more of this country people could see!