A Stairway to Inspiration.
Once we settled into life in Tenerife, the idea of taking vacations lost some of its attraction.
But every now and then, that itch to explore would creep back in.
By 2016, our routine of flying back to The Netherlands every 5-6 weeks to deliver training sessions had ramped up our stress levels. We needed an escape, and a hiking vacation sounded like the perfect antidote.
But where to go in the middle of winter for a quick getaway? Enter the Amalfi Coast—a week of hiking along that famously romantic coastline. Sun, sea, and scenic trails—what could possibly go wrong?
Well, for starters, those picturesque Amalfi villages are built vertically, with hundreds of steps leading up to every village
Each day began with a grueling climb up around 700 steps to the top of those cliffs, and after a full day of exploring, we’d face the daunting task of descending about 1,000 steps.
My knees were not amused. In fact, they protested every single step, reminding me that “romantic” and “rigorous” can sometimes be the same thing.
What really blew our minds were the elderly locals. These spry seniors, who’ve lived in these cliffside villages for decades, effortlessly navigated those brutal steps daily, often hauling groceries and supplies from shops at the very bottom of the village.
As we huffed and puffed with our light backpacks, we couldn’t help but marvel at their endurance.
Maybe the secret to their longevity was those endless staircases—they were practically the Fountain of Youth in disguise!
Watching these seasoned pros handle the steps with ease got us thinking. Sure, our place in Tenerife doesn’t have 1,000 steps, but we do have a steep uphill climb to the nearest village. If they can do it daily, so can we!
It’s a small price to pay for a longer, healthier life, right?
The trip wasn’t just about the hiking, though. We also learned a lot from the locals about how they grow vegetables on those steep hills. The terraces they built, the types of veggies they planted, and the clever techniques they used—everything was an education.
This vacation turned out to be far more than just a break from routine; it was an inspiring, eye-opening experience that pushed me (and my knees) way out of my comfort zone.
By the end, I found myself thinking, “If these amazing old folks can conquer those steps every day, so can I!” And with that, I brought a little bit of the Amalfi spirit back to Tenerife
