Paradise in Positano..

Discovering Positano on Italy’s Amalfi Coast is one of life’s pleasures, pure paradise.  Arriving by rail into Naples or Sorrento if arranged by Italian Allure Travel you can be greeted by your private car transfer which should cost you around 120 Euros.  On the way into this magical small coastal town you will be driven along a cliff-hanging narrow snake-like road that offers panorama so mesmerizing to the eye its blinding.

On arrival your charming driver will unload the heaviest of bags up to reception and will expect to be tipped, perhaps just do it, why not your vacation has begun.  I have stayed at the very top of via Cristoforo Colombo and right down the bottom of town and can recommend both, staying at the top ensures that you get your daily exercise in and lets you discover the delightful local boutiques and restaurants on the walk down the hill and the views from your room are always a draw card to staying on the upside of town.  Most hotels at the top have personalized shuttles that will bring you back up again if the afternoon siesta is setting in.

Depending on your choice of hotel at the bottom closer to the water,  I can recommend the very grand Hotel Palazzo Murat, whether you stay in the old palazzo itself or the newer of quarters what you will experience will be charm and grace set amongst a luscious green garden inside the palazzo gates where you can dine in the mornings at your leisure for breakfast or for evening experience one of the best and most unique restaurants in town with a backdrop of live outdoor classical piano music and silver service dining amongst their luscious garden setting.  Step outside the hotel gates and start making your way down to la spiaggia (the beach).  Passing free spirited locals selling stands full of tourist clutter you will encounter the Church of Santa Maria Assunta.  The chimes from this beautiful church will most likely wake you each morning which I found is not an annoyance yet a most pleasurable sound reminding you of where you are in the world.

Where the pint sized buses meet, locals and tourists swarm to engage whilst downing their morning, mid or afternoon coffee or gelato, stop briefly then keep strolling down the hill through the narrow white washed tunnel archways lined either side with vibrant little boutiques selling locally designed children’s clothes, brightly printed t-shirts, my favorite antique store, art for the lover of it, pretty bright gemstone hand made sandals and as always in Italy you will come across the real Prada or Roberto Cavalli leather goods and apparel.  One of my favorite little hidden gems is in via dei Mulini just before you arrive at the restaurants on the beach front and stocks the most extravagant of designer labels such as the must have Pucci bikini, D&G and the occasional Haute Couture label which is rare in Positano as most of the fashion is local.

Restaurants are abundant yet uncovering the choice admired and respected by locals has taken time to discover. After my seventh visit to Positano (and soon to be eighth) I certainly have my favourites.  

I will soon be bringing you some wonderful luxurious accommodation choices to stay in Positano, plus if you are planning to visit the Amalfi Coast at any time in the future contact us to help you discover more than meets the tourist eye when you are in this magical part of Italy.

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