It was a beautiful morning again, and we decided to catch a bus from Amalfi up to Ravello, to explore its gardens, and to aquaint ourselves with the town, as the following day was our cooking class with Mama Agata who also lived in Ravello.
We drove along the Amalfi Coast Road, through Atrani (above), then taking a sharp left at Castiglione, and climbed the hills far up above the town of Minori.
Taking the Red "hop on, hop off" bus was great, as we received some useful information on the way.
Cannot believe how they built little churches and houses high up on top of rocks - (not the best 2 photos - on the move in the bus)
And farm all the way up these ridges - there is a lot of shade cloth which they use to keep the hot sun off their Lemon orchards, and other crops.
The bus drops us off at the edge of town, as Ravello is car free, except for deliveries and the like.
We visited the Duomo first, which was erected in the 11th Century. It has undergone many renovations, but skilled restorations lasting decades has brought it back to its original state. 
There are a few features of Paleo-Christian architecture (including a slanted floor towards the Altar, symbol of the path to God). One of it's pulpits (the Pulpit of the Gospel), created by Nicola Bartolomeo of Foggia and donated by Nicola Rufolo in 1272. This pulpit (below) sits on 6 columns with capitals from the French school, and supported by lions.
We then wandered up and down through Ravello's lanes, towards the gardens of Villa Cimbrone.
We stopped and admired this restaurant, and it abundance of white wisteria.
rambling under its pegola, and right next door to the restaurant was it's own garden perched on the side of a hill.
Villa Cimbrone sits on 6 hectares, and is considered one of the most important examples of the landscape, botany and culture of England created in the Mediterranean area. I believe the original building was erected in 11th century and the luxuriant vegetaion produced fine timber for naval use. It passed from one very wealthy family to the next, but by the end of the 19th century it had been abandoned. Along came an English nobleman - Lord Beckett Grimthorpe, he had been suffering with depression since the early death of his wife - the intense happiness which this magical place brought him, lead him to buy the estate in 1904, determined to bring it back to life and to turn it into a work of art and to him "the finest place in the world." Lord Grimthorpe assigned a man of grand creative skills, Nicola Mansi from Ravello , for the restoration of the Estate, and they succeeded. 
The entrance doors
and cloister
Cimbrone's tea room
The Avenue of Immensity
It is a happy combination of English and Italian landscaped gardens
and fortunately for us pretty much in bloom.
Our favourite
The Terrace of Infinity
Below -looking back to the Temple of Ceres.
This natural terrace is adorned with 18th century marble busts - except for dressed one?
We hung around "Infinity" for some time!
Below is the Hortensia Avenue
There have been many illustrious guests over the years - it is where in 1938, actress Greta Garbo and her companion and orchestra director Leopold Stokowsky enjoyed happy moments apparently.
Villa Cimbrone itself is a very comfortable hotel, with incredible views
Time to check out the ceramics.
While the Brig orders us a snack.
Villa Rufolo is the afternoon's venue.
