I wasn’t quite sure what to expect when I had planned my vacation to Positano, Italy. From what I read online, it sounded like a beautiful place alongside the Mediterranean Sea where the people were friendly and the food was incredible. Upon arriving in this Amalfi Coast town, I quickly realized what all the hype was about.
Italian Food
Some of the best food I have ever had in my life was prepared in Positano and was something my wife and I looked forward to each night. Many restaurants offer century old family recipes that have been passed down from generation to generation. They prepared everything from scratch including truffle oil pasta and classic spaghetti and meatballs. Regardless of what I ordered, I was never disappointed.
For the best and most unique pasta, dine at Ristorante Scirocco. It is here that I had the truffle oil pasta – a dish that was so good I had to come back for seconds. Located at the very top of the cliffs, the restaurant would send down a driver to pick up its guests.
Picturesque Setting
The town of Positano sits high above two vertical cliffs and overlooks the pristine water of the Mediterranean. No matter where you stay or where you dine at, the views could all be considered award winning.
The hotel where I stayed, Hotel Poseidon, is located near the top and has a pool which overlooks all of Positano. The views from the hotel were absolutely breathtaking, especially at night when the lights of the town would turn on one by one. These stunning views were what glued me to the pool or my hotel room’s terrace. I would spend hours gazing out at this beautiful scene and quickly fall into the most relaxing state of my life.
Location, Location, Location
Positano is conveniently located near many historic cities including Pompeii, Capri, and the neighboring Amalfi Coast towns. Nearly all can be reached via public transportation and the longest commute would only take about one hour.
One of my favorite day trips I took was to Capri. Taking just under an hour by boat, Capri was a laid back island with many great restaurants and boutique shops. One of the island’s most famous attractions, The Blue Grotto, is a cave which shines a bright blue when the sun hits the water just right. Daily tours are taken inside the grotto to experience this incredible reflection.
A Refreshing Glass of Limoncello
The region’s most famed drink is a lemon liqueur called limoncello. Served cold in a small two ounce glass, the drink can be found at every corner. Many Italians enjoy it as an after-dinner drink. Because of the customary practice in Positano, I quickly replaced my usual coffee drink with limoncello and found myself ending each dinner with a taste.
When it comes to Italian vacations, there are many historic cities competing for tourists. Among the most popular are Rome, Venice, Milan, and Naples but in my opinion, Positano deserves to be up there with the best. It has the charm and food we’ve come to expect from Italy but what makes it unique is the relaxing atmosphere. One week here and I was totally immersed in Positano and never wanted to leave. It would certainly be one of the best and most memorable honeymoon destinations for any newlywed to take.
The Amalfi Coast is certainly one for my bucket list. If I had my way though, I’d go one further and do an entire tour of Italy in some glamorous soft-top sports car!
I’d like to stay at Lake Como but I think I’ve been watching too many James Bonds…