Safe travels to Palazzo Avino, shining star of the Amalfi Coast

To say Palazzo Avino is close to my heart would be an understatement so even waking to a 4am alarm did not dampen my excitement.

Flying from Heathrow

For me, the fact that BA has moved European flights to Heathrow is a plus and much more civilised! I must admit I felt a little nervous as I entered Terminal 5, contemplating how different it would be and would the joy be taken out of travelling.

All credit to British Airways – Business Class check in was seamless & the staff seemed genuinely pleased to see passengers again. After a quick temperature check & short form to complete for Italian authorities, we proceeded to the lounge which was of course much quieter than usual but they have adapted well with all menus accessible via a QR code which even a technophobe like me could navigate easily. Champagne at 5.30am however was off the cards. Sadly the standard of food has not improved but the service was friendly and efficient!

It’s worth mentioning that most of the shops were closed including Boots & WH Smith and there were no newspapers or magazines in the lounge so do buy all essential items beforehand. Social distancing measures are in place with screens between passengers and in the main terminal there are good distancing measures including boarding by seat row number from the back of the plane which obviously takes a little longer. Fellow passengers were respectful, obviously all sporting an array of the latest accessory – face masks!

On boarding, everyone is given a plastic bag containing hand sanitiser and anti-bacterial wipe. Refreshments are provided in a sealed box and the usual drinks service is provided but I was surprised there is no social distancing in economy so every seat was full. Masks must be worn throughout the flight.

On arrival in Naples, passengers disembarked by seat row and the transit was swift with no obvious sign of temperature checks.

Arriving at Palazzo Avino

The positive side of an early flight is of course that by 1pm we were sitting at the beach club absorbed by the breath-taking vista and so grateful to have this opportunity. Maria Elena welcomed us with genuine gusto and as if by magic we were toasting with a glass of prosecco! When in Rome… It was heartening to see the private beach club so busy with hotel guests embracing the moment, temporarily at least, forgetting the stresses of the last few months.

Having savoured a delicious lunch, we ventured into Ravello just a five-minute walk from the hotel. Whilst the Duomo was closed, everywhere else was open as usual and there was a good ambiance from mostly Italian tourists.

Rossellini’s – a gastronomic treat

Most trips to Italy are a gastronomic extravaganza and this one was no exception with the highlight being dinner at Michelin star Rossellini’s on Monday evening. With all weariness of an early start dissipated by the spellbinding surroundings, Maestro Francesco who has been at the hotel for eighteen years created a perfect feast for two indecisive females whom he promptly recognised needed some assistance with the myriad of choices.  The piece de resistance (apart from the lemon ravioli ) was the seabass in clay  – delectable!

I headed off to my exquisite room, one of only seven in a new capsule collection By Cristina Celestino.

A safe stay

Palazzo Avino have a thermal temperature checking device at the entrance to the hotel but subtly positioned so that guests wouldn’t even notice. There is hand sanitiser everywhere and the team are wearing masks, stylishly designed as with everything Mariella does.  The reception team have masks reflecting the classical Vietri tiles on the lobby floor whilst the beach club team have bright aqua blues to reflect the ocean. As anticipated, the Avino sisters have curated a selection of beautiful silk masks for sale in The Pink Closet.

In addition to all required protocols, the owners have implemented an innovative air sanitisation system, which is safe for human health and the environment because it uses components certified as Class I medical devices according to the EC directive 93/92. Hydroxyl ions are released so air and surfaces are sanitised through decomposition, neutralizing odours and reducing viruses and bacteria.As there are just 20 rooms open instead of the usual 43, it’s a very private experience and there are limited rooms occupied on each floor to reassure guests.

Breakfast at the hotel has always been one of my favourites so I wondered how it would be with buffets no longer de rigeur and social distancing. True to form however, not just content to create more space between guests, Mariella has partitioned tables using planters creating romance and privacy.

Masked waiters take your order as everything is a la carte with a wide choice from fresh fruit to eggs so the experience is very much as normal. (Menus are on QR or sanitised hard copy).

Amalfi Coast dining

I have always suggested La Conca del Sogno restaurant for guests as it’s one of Antonio’s top recommendations but decided this time to try it out for myself. It can be reached by boat from Amalfi in 45 minutes and this is more spectacular in terms of arrival but as the sea was a little choppy, we decided to do some retail therapy in Positano (always good for the soul) and then head on by car which took 40 minutes though be warned, the last part of the road is very narrow and not for the faint hearted!

The vibe is cool and chic, reminding me of some of the beach clubs in Mykonos or St Tropez. Service was efficient but informal with waiter dressed in neutral chic linens. Once again, the challenge of what to select from the varied and extensive menu but we did our best…. It was wonderful and a really different perspective on the Amalfi coast. Feeling happy and extremely lucky, we returned to our Pink Palace retreat to relax by the pool after a hard day’s work!

The restaurant is huge, set in an idyllic little cove scattered with fishing boats and every bit as pretty as I had imagined.

Time to leave

Alas, it was time to leave this little piece of paradise and with a tear in my eye, we headed once more for Naples airport which was busy and regrettably somewhat less organised than Heathrow. The BA lounge was closed so I’d suggest arriving a little later than usual. All the airport shops & bars were open however so I felt obliged to sample an ice cream from Venchi – all in the name of research you understand!

Boarding was somewhat chaotic with little social distancing on the airport bus – perhaps people feel protected in masks. It seemed like no time at all since we had left UK but I was happy to have made the trip & reassured myself that there is still the real possibility to travel in the new normal, taking all necessary precautions of course.

“Don’t let your dreams be dreams. To travel is to live.” Nicolas Zangenberg

Written by Theresa Feeney, Highlife Marketing