The Amalfi Coast is no doubt one of the most beautiful places in the entire world. It is so beautiful, in fact, that many of the locals were once tourists who decided that they simply didn’t want to have to leave anymore.

The towns and villages of the Amalfi Coast, which is located in the Campania region of Italy, spill from the high, craggy mountains overlooking the Mediterranean Sea down to the beautiful beaches on its shores. Visitors have been flocking to this beckoning destination for some rest and relaxation since the times of Ancient Rome, and they marvelled at the legendary sites just as tourists do today.

The most popular and famous Amalfi Coast towns are Amalfi, Ravello, and Positano. Amalfi, which is built around the awe-inspiring Cathedral of St. Andrew, is a cobble-street town of white buildings and spacious plazas where restaurants seat their patrons. Far above the relatively level Amalfi sits Ravello, the mountain-high haven of lush gardens, luxury hotels, sweeping vistas, and sweep-you-off-your feet romance. Clinging to steep hillsides, the up-and-down streets of steep Positano will give your legs a workout, but it’s definitely worth it to see its colourful houses, fantastic little shops, and stunning views.

Three slightly lesser-known but equally wonderful towns which you also owe it to yourself to visit are Praiano, Conca dei Marini, and Atrani. Just east of Amalfi, Atrani is full of cozy, white-washed streets which can take you down to the beach or to the lively Piazza Umberto. West of Amalfi is Conca dei Marini, a small fishing town where you’ll find a tucked-away beach and the magical Emerald Grotto. A little further west, just before Positano, lays Praiano. Praiano is a quiet town with small pebble beaches where you can take a break to truly relax.

Time on the Amalfi Coast is also well-spend visiting the slower-paced, smaller villages along the countryside, where you’ll find terrace farms growing olives, grapes, and citrus fruits. These charming villages have not changed much since Middle Ages. You should also consider taking a boat the Amalfi Coast’s island outpost of Capri, where you can visit a Roman villa which was once the retreat of Emperor Tiberius.

Spring is widely agreed to be the best time to visit the Amalfi Coast. The summer tends to bring peak numbers of visitors and high temperatures that you may need a break from every now and them. The fall tends to be rainy, and during the winter much of the Amalfi Coast shuts down. During the springtime, however, you’ll be treated to blooming wildflowers, perfect weather and perfect temperatures, and less crowded beaches and plazas.

Spending about five days to a week in the Amalfi Coast is ideal if you want to do both a good deal of exploring and a good deal of relaxing. Spend most of your trip in one of the larger, more centrally-situated towns so that you can explore the town itself and easily access transportation to smaller locales. Then, consider a more remote location where you can ease back for the rest of your stay and take in some Amalfi Coast sunsets over the Mediterranean. Don’t forget to take a dip in the Mediterranean as well!

Most people don’t have the luxury of taking a major trip very often, so choosing where to travel can be a difficult decision that you don’t want to regret. The Amalfi Coast, with its stunning scenery, picturesque towns, and warm culture, is what dream vacations are made of. You will never regret making the journey and spending some time in this little slice of heaven on earth.