Sunday Soul alone at Santa Croce, on Italy’s Amalfi Coast

I doubt there’s a wanderluster among us who doesn’t cherish time alone at his or her favorite beach and for guest writer Laura Thayer, she’s lucky enough to find that haven close to home on Italy’s Amalfi Coast.

Santa Croce beach offers perfect solo escape on The Amalfi Coast / photo: Laura Thayer - Ciao Amalfi

Amidst the usual chaos of my busy summer months on the Amalfi Coast, there are times when I need to get away to rest my mind and body. This time of year, the most natural spot to relax and stay cool is the beach. While some solo travelers might find going to the beach alone intimidating or boring, I find it quite the opposite. When I have the chance to escape, there is nothing more peaceful and relaxing than a solo trip to the beach; it’s like a mini holiday. I feel my muscles relaxing just thinking about it!

My favorite spot is the rocky beach of Santa Croce, just a short boat ride west of Amalfi. Getting there is half the fun since it’s accessible only by boat or by a long flight of stairs from Vettica. For me, part of the pleasure of going to Santa Croce is the boat ride, which gives me the sense that I’m getting away from daily life and going somewhere special. and that it is!

After jumping off the boat and finding a quiet sun bed under one of the vibrant orange umbrellas, I’m off as soon as I can to dive into the beautiful water.  The stress of daily life melts away when I swim in the sea at Santa Croce. I can’t bring myself to think long about any worries I might have in the back of my mind. They just flutter away with the gentle flapping of the umbrellas in the sea breeze.

Sunbrellas / photo: Laura Thayer - Ciao Amalfi

One of my favorite pastimes at Santa Croce is climbing about on the rocky beach taking photographs. I disappear into the environment when I photograph on my own, and it’s one of the ways I connect deeply with the beauty of the Amalfi Coast. All of my senses come alive, listening to the pebbles tumble in and out with the waves and watching the tiny rock crabs scurrying about. Taking a deep breath of the salty sea air mixed with the divine aromas floating out of Ristorante Da Teresa, reminds me that it’s time for lunch. My favorite treat is enjoying a small carafe of white wine with peaches while watching the sun sparkling on the sea. The wine-soaked peaches, skewered out of the jar with a bamboo stick, make the perfect summer beach dessert!

Toes in the Tide leave you with a sunny smile / photo: Laura Thayer - Ciao Amalfi

The Santa Croce beach is my escape and it’s a perfect destination for solo travelers looking for a quiet spot to enjoy the sun, the sea and the beauty of Italy’s Amalfi Coast. Take a look around when you go and you might just see me. I’ll be the one with the big smile on my face!

Laura Thayer is an art historian and freelance writer living on the Amalfi Coast in Campania, Italy.  She writes about travel for MNUI travel insurance and blogs about life on the Amalfi Coast at her own site Ciao Amalfi.