Written by David Kopal

The first day of the Sartorial Club Campania field trip was rich with sartorial experiences, as my dear friend Janne described in the previous post. With our minds brimming with Neapolitan tailoring, the second day of our trip was the perfect time to explore other beauties that Campania has to offer.

One of the best is undoubtedly the picturesque Amalfi Coast. This stretch of coastline in southern Italy is one of the country’s most popular destinations. From the dramatic coastal views to the pastel homes, it's easy to fall in love with this part of Italy. Although it was my first visit to the Amalfi Coast, my expectations were high because I had seen so many photos of its iconic scenery.

Beach clubs and boats at the picturesque Amalfi coast

Early morning journey to Ravello

We woke up early in the morning and jumped into two vans. Our first stop was on a hill above Naples, where we were able to fully appreciate the vastness of the city. It was actually much bigger than I had imagined. Above Naples, Mount Vesuvius was as impressive as the city itself. It looks pretty harmless now, even though it buried Pompeii almost two thousand years ago.

A few moments later, the scenery radically changed when we stopped in Ravello, the first town we visited on the Amalfi Coast. We admired the Duomo and Piazza Duomo with its ancient buildings and surrounding mountain panorama. But the real highlight came shortly after a brief walk from the Piazza.

Perched high above the sea, the town offers a view down the hill where the green cliffs meet the ocean. The first sight of the Amalfi Coast was simply breathtaking. If I mentioned in my first article that Florence was a perfect place for photoshoots, the same can be said about Ravello. Naturally, we had to ask the club’s photographer Alex for some photos as souvenirs.

Did I mention that we were all dressed up? Well, you can’t expect anything less from Sartorial Club members, right? The summer suits, jackets, and shirts looked perfectly at home in this setting.

Yadira (left), Jindan (middle) and Isabela (right) take advantage of the beautiful backdrop for a photo

Left to right: David, Voke, Ksenia, Ricky and Casper

Winding roads to Positano

It’s time to finish our Campari Spritz, hop into the vans, and continue our Amalfi Coast adventure. Since Ravello is perched on top of a hill, we descended via a narrow and winding road. Sometimes I wished I were behind the steering wheel to fully enjoy the drive. After a while, we finally reached the coast. Along the way, we passed by small, picturesque bays with sandy beaches and colorful beach umbrellas framed by cliffs.

Eventually, we stopped at a charming lemon shop situated on one of the road's curves, selling enormous Amalfi lemons. Pro tip: don't ask the seller if you can take a photo with the stall, or he might quote a price you won't like. Fortunately, from the same spot, we enjoyed one of the most iconic views of Positano. The town epitomizes the Italian 'La Dolce Vita' with its picturesque setting nestled between the beach and cliffs.

“So many great photo spots along this road!” said David

The color palette of this very location is rather suiting for the summery dress code by Isabela

A late but delectable lunch in Sorrento

We suddenly realized it was almost 2 pm and we still hadn't had lunch. Fortunately, finding a great restaurant in Italy is not difficult, especially along the Amalfi Coast. We visited a beautiful restaurant on the outskirts of Sorrento, another gem in this stunning region. Besides being famous for Limoncello made from their oversized lemons, the Amalfi Coast also produces local wine and olive oil. When we received an olive oil tasting at the restaurant, I was thrilled. They infuse their local extra virgin olive oil with a variety of flavors, from chili to truffles to rosemary. Just writing about it makes me crave truffle olive oil.

We had our lunch on a charming terrace where persimmon trees protected us from the strong southern Italian sun. It felt like a family meal, as most meals with the Sartorial Club do. I remember the delicious raw salmon and tuna starters and the risotto with shrimp I chose for the main course. It was another unforgettable lunch with delicious dishes, extraordinary wine, and beautiful views. What more could one need?

From Sorrento’s Splendor to Naples’ Night: Wrapping Up Our Amalfi Adventure

And it was time for us to hit the road again, though only for a short drive to reach the center of Sorrento. We had only a brief amount of time for a quick stroll but made the most of it. We were dropped off in the city center and made our way through the narrow streets until we arrived at the coast. Standing on a cliff, we enjoyed a spectacular view of the marina and piers, with a stairway leading down to them. We also had a breathtaking view of the Bay of Naples, with the city of Naples visible in the distance. This reminded us that we still had a long journey ahead to get back there.

Later that night in Naples, our Sartorial Club crew gathered at the bar for a few Negronis and cigars. Unfortunately, it was time to say our goodbyes, marking the end of this incredible field trip. We exchanged kisses and hugs, and bid farewell, looking forward to possibly seeing each other even before the next Pitti.

Sharing the last drinks in Napoli. Left to right: Janne, Yadira, Dante, Jindan

TSC’s Philosophy: Craftsmanship and Refined Experiences

You might wonder why Sartorial Club's field trips include activities that aren't directly sartorially related. The Sartorial Club encompasses more than just clothing; it explores all aspects of refined experiences. This approach resonates with me because, although my initial passion was for clothing, it was only the beginning. I've come to appreciate beautifully crafted objects in general. The Club wholeheartedly embraces this appreciation for craftsmanship and aligns with our shared passion for “networking, exploring, and co-creating.”

(6) La Dolce Vita on the Amalfi Coast