With miles and miles of spectacular coastal scenery, dramatic landscapes and villages carved into rock it’s no surprise the Amalfi Coast is one of Italy’s most popular destinations. (The fantastic food and Limoncello might also have something to do with it!) Positano is the most famous, and most visited town on the coast, and our friends Sharon and Glen just got back with tips for us at DT365. Glen, is one of the best cooks we know, check out his instagram feed at @constantlycookin, so when he raves about food we believe him!
Tripper Tips:
In nearby Ravello, Mamma Agata Cooking School is a great way to spend a day by the sea learning some classic Italian dishes from Mamma and her family! If you are in Ravello, have lunch at magical, Rossellinis.
Being the most famous town means lots of tourists during the summer high season-the best time to visit is in the late spring or early fall.
The Amalfi Coast is one of the top regions in Italy for hiking. There are miles of well-marked trails if you’re up for a challenge.
Positano’s streets are steep, and there are lots of stairs, so leave the heels at home!
Day One:
Stay: Il San Pietro di Positano. This has to be one of the most beautiful hotels in the world; it’s literally carved into the Cliffside with stunning views of the Amalfi Coast. A short drive from Positano, the sprawling grounds and beautiful gardens give the property a peaceful resort like feeling.
Added Plus: Every morning the hotel has a 2-hour boat ride that goes up and down the coast, it’s complimentary for guests. What a great thing to do after breakfast!
Morning Hang: Take the dramatic elevator built into the cliff down to San Pietro’s private beach. Sunbathe on the rocky deck, swim or play tennis right on the sea.
Mangia: For lunch take the hotel’s small boat to Da Adolpho, a Positano institution. This tiny outdoor restaurant on Laurito beach serves simple delicious food in a fabulous location! It’s hard to beat a casual lunch served by barefoot waiters looking out on the water. Don’t miss the house special mozzarella grilled on lemon leaves! Follow with a plate of fresh scampi or grilled fish washed down with jugs of ice-cold white wine. You can book daybeds if you want to linger after lunch.
Late Afternoon: Take the hotel shuttle into the town of Positano. Wander the narrow cobblestone streets, check out some of the beautiful churches, and as this is Italy grab a gelato. We checked out Hotel Le Sirenuse, the other “legendary” hotel in Positano. Both have their legions of fans, and we had been torn on which hotel to book. Sirenuse also has stunning views and a lovely pool and terrace, but as Positano can get very crowded and overrun in the summer we preferred the calm and quiet of the San Pietro.
Shop: The shopping in Positano tends towards touristy shops, but Emporio, owned and located across the street from the Sirenuse is worth a stop.
Dinner: Chez Black is another Positano institution, specializing in seafood near the marina. I had the most delicious Rose Petal Pasta with Shrimp!
Day Two:
On The Water: I highly recommend you rent a boat with a Captain for the day. (The hotel can arrange this for you) We sailed all around Capri and Anacapri and then stopped for the most amazing lunch at Ristorante La Conca del Sogno. It’s hard not to love a restaurant that you can only get to by boat! The location is absolutely gorgeous, and the food was fantastic. I’ll admit, we consumed way too much of the delicious white wine served in pitchers with fresh peaches! They even brought a pepper plant over to the table with scissors for people to cut their own spicy peppers over their food-impressive! After lunch, our captain took us to see some of the natural cave formations. We swam in the Blue Grotto and Grotto Verde before heading back to the San Pietro. What a day!
Cocktails with a View: Sipping a Bellini or an Aperol Spritzer on the dramatic terrace is mandatory!
Dinner: After a full day we wanted a casual dinner so we headed to Next 2 Ristorante, a stylish bar and restaurant back in town. Sit outside on the terrace overlooking the sea- it was a fun scene!
- 12.7.14
