Travel Journal: Positano – Amalfi Coast Paradise

Traveling to Positano

Our train arrived in the busy city of Naples and we only had an 1 ½ hour drive to our final destination. We quickly made our way to a nearby taxi and loaded our luggage, ready to get on our way. Traveling along the coastline of the Italian countryside, you can’t help but admire the scenery of ocean views and colorful towns. We drove past the historic Mount Vesuvius, known for the destruction of Pompeii (among others) in 79 AD. It was kind of an eerie feeling knowing we were right next to one of the most dangerous volcanoes in the world.

The roads became more narrow and higher in elevation the closer we came to Positano. The railing along the road was the only barrier between us and the cliffs. At times, I could hardly look down because it was so steep! The roads were so full of twists and turns along the way that it was enough to make you car sick. Anytime the views of mountains and blue coastline caught my eye, I quickly forgot about the distractions along the way. 

Bed and Breakfast

We stayed at an 18th century bed and breakfast with panoramic views of the Mediterranean. Our room was bright and airy with pops of yellow throughout. The living area had access to our own private terrace that was adorned with bougainvillea, candles, outdoor furniture, and a Jacuzzi tub. I could have spent hours admiring the views of the Mediterranean Sea surrounding the villa.

When breakfast arrived on the first morning, the villa staff brought us a large tray with cappuccinos, croissants, pastries, fresh fruit, jam, and bread. We had breakfast on the terrace because the weather was so beautiful. The combination of the view from the terrace and the meal was perfect.

Exploring Positano

On our first full day in Positano, we walked to Spiaggia Grande, a dark pebble sand beach with a beautiful view of the rugged hillside. The streets were lined with shops filled with local goods, and we discovered a hidden pathway that led us up to even more shops and art museums. 

That evening, we had a reservation booked at La Tagliata to celebrate our anniversary. It is known for serving a 5-course dinner featuring fresh and original dishes from Positano. The restaurant was located on a mountainside overlooking the Li Galli islands, the isle of Capri, and the beautiful city of Positano. We were picked up at our hotel and taken to the restaurant for dinner. We were served multiple courses: antipasti, salad, pasta, meat, and dessert. Our anniversary dinner was exceptional, and one of the best dining experiences I’ve ever had.

Amalfi

We took the Sita bus the next morning to explore the city of Amalfi. The town square, Piazza Del Duomo, was filled with music from a lively group of local musicians. Souvenir shops and restaurants lined the streets and were busy with visitors. The Amalfi Cathedral, a 10th century medieval Roman Catholic cathedral, was the most spectacular display in the square.

After visiting some of the nearby shops, we stopped to have lunch at Locanda Del Marinaio. The restaurant was family owned, and had a more modern atmosphere than other Amalfi restaurants. After placing our order, a friendly Italian couple at the table next to us said hello and introduced themselves. My husband and I knew little Italian, and the couple didn’t speak very much English, so we communicated with a phone app that would translate anything we wanted to say to each other. We enjoyed talking with them so much that we ended up taking turns getting photos of each other to remember the experience.

We went back to the town square to visit the Amalfi Cathedral. The cathedral was dedicated to the Apostle Andrew and contains paintings of his life. An elaborate tomb in the lower level holds some of his relics. The highlight of our visit was seeing the Crypt of St. Andrew. It was lavishly decorated with marble covered walls and an ornate ceiling covered in murals of the Apostle Andrew’s life. The Crypt was a grand display with a large bronze statue of the apostle affixed above the tomb. Adjacent to the cathedral is the Cloister of Paradise, a cemetery for nobility. It has a beautiful garden at the center that is surrounded by 120 arabesque marble arches.

Capri

We took a boat to Capri, an island located in the Bay of Naples with upscale hotels, shopping, and opulent homes. When you arrive, you can take the funicular to the center of town for about 1.5 Euros. After doing some exploring, we took a 2 hour boat tour to see the island. Along the way, there were stunning views of the island’s jagged coastline and cliffs. We sailed past the incredible Blue Grotto, a cave in the sea that makes the surrounding sea a vibrant blue color when illuminated by the sun. 

The highlight of the boat tour was seeing the Faraglioni – 3 large coastal and oceanic rock formations that have been eroded by waves. As we approached them, our captain told us that when we reached the middle, that we should kiss our significant other for good luck. My husband and I joined the other couples in the tradition and took pictures with the rock formations towering behind us. 

This trip was unforgettable and I will definitely be back to explore more of this beautiful Amalfi Paradise.