A week in Positano on the Amalfi Coast

Well, the Amalfi Coast was another part of Italy we really fell in love with!  From the moment you drive in and stop at the lookout over Positano it never ceases showcasing its beauty! 

We got lucky with our accommodation, Villa La Tartana – although no kitchen facilities at all it was quite large and it was not too high up.  Staff were really great too. Only had a tiny bit of a sea view though.

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Weather was great during September and although still quite crowded I’m sure it’s a better time to visit than summer. 

Lots of great food, seafood is a highlight.  Got addicted to their little pastries called a piccolo.  The good thing is we basically ate and drank what we wanted but because we walked around so much (with all those steps!) we didn’t put on any weight!  Win!

Shopping

Well I’m not a big shopper but I dare anyone to spend a week here and not buy anything.  The area specialises in ceramics and of course Limoncello which strangely always tastes better in Italy.  The mug I bought is still my favourite.  I also really loved a perfumery called Profumi di Positano.  I’ve kept the empy bottle because the smell reminds me of Positano.

Getting Around the Amalfi Coast

Buses and the ferry are two ways to get around the different towns of the coast – Amalfi, Ravello, Priana.  The views, of course, on the ferries are absolutely amazing. Word of warning with the buses – they do have siesta between noon and 2pm and so you’ll need to plan around that – we got caught out and ended up spending a few extra hours in Priana one day (also bought the wrong bus tickets!).  I so admire the bus drivers too, how they get around those narrow windy streets I don’t understand.  The way they get around the hair-pin bends is unbelievable!

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There are many towns on the coast to visit.  The two other main ones would be Amalfi and Ravello.  Both definitely worth a visit.  Ravello is smaller than the other two, has a lovely quaint central piazza and the famous Villa Cimbrone Gardens.  The coastal views in Ravello are amazing (mind you the views everywhere are pretty good!).  Amalfi’s primary attraction is the Cathedral which is a major landmark when viewing the coast from the water.  This is definitely a must see!  It is particularly breathtaking from the outside.

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Isle of Capri

Isle of Capri is worth a visit too.  We left on our boat trip just after 9am with a full boat load of 12 people and had perfect weather.  We stopped at a couple of grottos and some people had a swim.  One lady got stung by a jellyfish so just keep in mind that it is a possibility.  We did a circumference of the island before landing and so the trip there took a few hours.  And to be honest that was the best bit for me.  The views everywhere were just wonderful and I love being on a boat in calm seas.  Once on land we took the funicular railway up to where there were great views and expensive shops.  And there were some great spots for lunch with a view up here.  Trip back left after 4pm and got back about 6pm after stopping for another swim and a visit to the best grotto. 

Oh Pompeii!

Pompeii was a highlight of our holiday to Italy as it is somewhere I’ve always wanted to go.  I think it was our last full day in Positano that we took the train to Pompeii.  We got there a bit late – about noon I think – after some trouble with local transport.  As probably everyone knows, the city of Pompeii was buried by metres of volcanic ash early in the first century AD from the eruption of Mt Vesuvius.  Those in the town perished.   And it wasn’t a small town – it was a city.  It was much larger than I expected.

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There is so much to see and you won’t get to see all of it, so perhaps prioritise what you want to see before you go – or just wander around – you’ll see wonderful things whichever way you go. but try and get there reasonably early.

General thoughts on Italy at this point:

Prior to our week in Positano we spent 5 days in Rome and by now had got a feel for the things we loved about Italy:

• Love the service by the waiters.  They are all men – young to middle aged.  Real proper waiters with a bit of bonhomie.  Not like at home where you are served in cafes and bars by 18 year olds that don’t have much idea.
• Beautiful men and women.  The women particularly and so stylish!  They stand out.  They also walk straight and tall – no slouching!
• Tiny narrow roads and tiny little cars.  Passing if often done with just an inch to spare.  And cars often have scratches along the side.  How they all get in and out of parking, I don’t know!  Of course, a lot of Italians get around this problem by riding motor bikes or some description.
• The food – good quality, yet simple.  And if you order drinks you get nibbles as well!
• Love seeing the bits of everyday life that are different to Australia:  Lovers in the park – legs heavily entwined etc.  Or a beautiful woman yelling out to her male friend in the piazza from her window two floors up with the lots of expression and passion in her voice!
• Loved the piazzas.  Not so much all the stairs in Italy!
• Buildings and architecture – wonderful, so beautiful.  Didn’t see any skyscrapers in Rome.
• So much to see in this country.  You could spend months and months here and not run out of things to see and do.

Really loved our week here.  Almost got a bit teary when we had to leave!  I think John felt the same.

Useful links:

Click here to get $25 reward from Booking.com

Visit Positano and the Amalfi Coast

Visit Pompeii