Can’t wait to share more stories about my family vacation to Italy. If you haven’t left for Rome and Florence after reading my earlier posts, you’ll definitely be booking your trip once you read, or rather view, what paradise awaits in Positano.
A week on the Amalfi Coast
On Monday, our group of six (my daughter A and her friend J, my son D and his girlfriend Jo, and my sister N and I) said goodbye to the Eternal City for a week in Positano on the Amalfi Coast. We walked with our luggage to Termini Station where we caught a train to Salerno. (Note: We bought our tickets in advance on Eurail.) The ride is about 2.5 hours.
Along the way to Positano we passed Mt. Vesuvius near Pompeii
All went well with our pre-arranged transportation pickup at Salerno. The path to Positano around winding cliffs and narrow two-way roads is not for the faint of heart. So pleased that we had a skilled roadster at the wheel. (Glad we decided not to rent a car. While we ended up walking most everywhere, buses and taxis were readily available to get around Positano and from town to town. Our legs got an incredible workout from climbing thousands of steps.)
Casa Orizzonte Villa with breathtaking views
“I’ll be waiting to greet you at Casa Orizzonte,” said the owner Gerardo.
The view from Casa Orizzonte villa
About 70 minutes later we were there — pure heaven. We had booked our villa using Homeaway (actually we were directed to My Rental Homes for the booking) in early January. Lodging came to less than $650US per person for our entire stay. Gerardo welcomed us and carried our luggage down the steps to the entryway.
There were 40 steps down to Casa Orizzonte villa
“The villa was handed down to me after hundreds of years in my family,” said Gerardo. High up on the hilltop, Casa Orizzonte is magnificent with three bedrooms, each with a door to the villa’s patio overlooking the Mediterranean. There were two full baths, a large living room, full-service kitchen, and absolutely ah-may-zing views. (Let’s just say I wanted to cry when I had to go home the following Sunday. I think we all would have stayed longer if we could. May have to spend a summer in Positano sometime. JudiBoomergirl can dream!)
The Casa Orizzonte hallway was paved with ceramic tiles
Casa Orizzonte flower pots on the terrace
We unpacked and took tons of pictures — like all good tourists do when they arrive in the Amalfi Coast. It was truly postcard perfect.
A night out on the town in postcard perfect Positano
Spectacular seafood at Ristorante La Cambusa
“Are we there yet?” I asked A, J, and Jo (my son D stayed behind that evening) , who were racing down the steps in front of us. It was more than 1000 steep ones to Ristorante La Cambusa on the beach. With only a few handles to hold and slippery inclines, my sister N and I maneuvered very carefully.
Our Positano girls selfie! (Note: My son D stayed home that evening)
We walked down a 1000 steps to get to the restaurant on the beach
Knowing we would burn calories walking back up, we filled our plates with spectacular seafood, salad, pasta, and cheeses that night. There was octopus salad and Caprese with two kinds of fresh Mozzarella to start. Then main courses ranging from lobster tails and filleted catch of the day, to seafood medley of shrimp, octopus, clams, and mussels atop pasta. (I highly recommend making reservations in advance for Ristorante La Cambusa – the food is delicious, service is good, and the ambiance is very nice.) We all agreed it was the best seafood restaurant in Positano.
Ristorante La Cambusa Octopus Salad appetizer
Caprese salad with two kinds of Mozzarella cheese
Fresh fish on the daily menu
I had seafood with pasta for dinner
Lobster tails with pasta was another entree
Before our trek home, we stopped at the gelateria nearby for a heaping helping of our daily gelato.
Beating hearts every step of the way
Our hearts were pumping as we climbed back up the 1000 steps. We lost sight of A, J, and Jo for a few moments. “We’re twice your age,” N called to our younger comrades. “Slow down.”
We walked up the steep steps with few railings
When we arrived at the top of the hill we walked by the side of the road, staying clear of mopeds, cars, and buses speeding around curves. We were determined to return to Casa Orizzonte without any scratches.
More adventures in food, fashion, shopping, and relaxing in the paradise of Positano will be coming soon.
Ciao!
Judi
P.S. If you missed my previous posts about Italy, you’ll want to read First Stop Rome, More to See In Rome, and A Fun Day in Florence.
Looks so beautiful! I have always wanted to visit the Amalfi coast. And the food….looks wonderful.
It is incredible. One of the most beautiful places I’ve ever been.
It all sounds and looks AMAZING! I LOVE ITALY! Thanks for giving me a view into a virtual vacation! LOVE IT!
Yes Laura, it is truly the most amazing place.
What an amazing trip! I was to Italy in 2000… I’ve been dreaming about getting back there ever since.
Colleen, hope you can get back to Italy soon. It is a wonderful country — all parts are fabulous.
We spent 3 weeks in Italy at the end of 2014 and I can\’t wait to go back. It\’s an amazing place. We loved the Amalfi Coast. It was close to Christmas so there weren\’t that many tourists. I pinned some of your photos.
Rebecca, so glad you enjoyed your time on the Amalfi Coast. Thanks for sharing my photos.
The Amalfi Coast may just be the ultimate spot in Italy, but then, as you have shown in previous posts, it is almost impossible to pick a favorite in Italy.
Yes, so true. There are so many favorite spots in Italy.
Oh my goodness, how lovely. Putting Positano on my travel bucket list!
Helene, definitely Positano is worth a trip.
Positano looks positively perfect! Love those stairways!
Carole, it is a perfect spot in Italy.
I’d been thinking of booking a trip to Positano soon so I was glad to read this. It reminds me a little of the Cinque Terre with all those steps and climbing. I’ve think you’ve convinced me I want to go!
Karen, yes Positano is a bit like Cinque Terre. Both are beautiful. I loved Cinque Terre when I was there several years ago.
Positano is a most beautiful place and with the food and the friendly italian people it makes for a great destination. We\’ll have to check it out ourselves!
Marcelle, Positano is definitely worth a visit or two.
Sounds like your group had a great time in Positano! When we come home from Italy, the U.S. always seems “step-less.” 🙂
Absolutely agree. Few steps here in the U.S.