There are a few places on Earth that simply need to be seen to be believed. The lens of even the world’s best photographers or bikini-clad Insta darlings struggle to do the them justice – the Amalfi Coast is one of these destinations.

The entirety of this 50km stretch of coastline has been designated a World Heritage Site by UNESCO; the largest landmass to receive the award. It’s an impossibly beautiful collection of 13 towns and villages that tumble down vertiginous cliffs with Medieval buildings clinging inexplicably to the hillside.

?: @tinabenias #amalficoast #positano #italy #?? #?? #travel #travelblogger #travelblogger #vacation #vacationmode #vaca #happy #smile #love #pretty #view #views #hotel #pasta #pizza #photography #ocean #boat #beach #waves #cliff #nature #blog #blogger #photo #photography

A post shared by Positano, Italy ????? (@everythingpositano) on Jul 21, 2018 at 7:16am PDT

All are cast in pastel hues that traverse the kaleidoscope, from dusky terracotta orange to shades of yellow turned almost white from centuries of extreme sunlight. Which is, of course, a big part of its allure.

Set in Italy’s midsection on the west coast, it enjoys an archetypal Mediterranean climate. Summer sees average highs of 33C, hovering around the mid-twenties in autumn, which is our pick to plan a visit thanks to fewer crowds and more palatable weather for exploring and climbing steps, of which there are a lot.

Get ready for stairs when you visit the #AmalfiCoast #LandOfaMillionStairs

A post shared by Ravello (@ravello) on May 29, 2015 at 6:32am PDT

In spite of its beauty, it hasn’t been ravaged by tourism. Prices throughout tickle the higher end of the scale and it sees extremely few package holidays, meaning bespoke trips are a must. Savvy travellers tend to spend a few nights each at two or three towns, flying into Napoli airport which sits about an hour’s drive to the north.

Hire a car and make the journey south, making time for an afternoon stop at the historical city of Pompeii on the way. The best route is to first stay in Sorrento, moving on to Positano, then Amalfi itself and ending in Ravello. Give yourself around a week to do it properly. The drive along the winding coastal path is as big a part of the trip as the locations themselves, though owing to their mountainside locations, few hotels have parking and many streets are pedestrianised. Be sure to locate a municipal carpark and reserve your space in advance as these are often fully booked in high season.