It was so nice to wake up in Minori on our first full day in Italy. The sound of the crashing waves and beautiful view from our apartment can’t be beat. This is the perfect place to stay for the week. So far we’ve only heard one other family speak English. Very few American tourists.

On Tuesday Paul and I had a relaxing morning – cappuccinos at the local bar, shopping for groceries and beach towels, etc. Paul parked the car for the week in Maiori – the next town over, a five minute walk from our apartment.

The afternoon consisted of time at the Chalet del Mar beach club: two umbrellas, four lounge chairs, strong wifi. The water is warm, salty and clear, and the view from the water up and down the amalfi coast is spectacular. The salty water allows us to float effortlessly all day.

Dinner at Ristorante Giardinello where Paul had grilled octopus, Miss M had pizza, and Big D and I enjoyed N’dunderi — a pasta dumpling speciality found only in Minori.

Final stop Tuesday was gelato from Sal De Riso who last year expanded his original storefront to a cafe almost the length of a whole block. Row after row of gorgeous pastries and delicious gelato. We had frutti di bosco (mixed berry), strachiatella, peach and almond, pear, and more. People travel from all over Italy for his confections.

On Wednesday we again woke up to the crashing waves and went back to the same beach resort. This will be our schedule for the week. Beach, dinner, gelato…rinse and repeat.

Photos: a panoramic view from one of our three balconies, pastries from Sal de Riso, Big D with Mt Vesuvius, a view of Minori from the road entering town, the view from our bedroom balcony, and our apartment — yellow building in center of pic, second floor, three black windows with white trim and the fourth small window is the view from our kitchen!