Ahh, it feels good to be back to Italy. Or at least, pretending to be by writing this. Here for the latest of posts I’m really far behind on, a recap of one the Amalfi Coast’s most postcard-perfect town, Positano!
Not sure if I stressed this enough in my last post on Capri, but we really weren’t fans of the public transportation in the Amalfi Coast. The buses were always running late – and were often so crowded they couldn’t stop. So after a very crowded 20-minute bus ride with about 50 other sweaty study abroad tourists, we made it to the dream destination!
Pictures can’t do Positano justice, but it’s also one of the most no-filter-needed locations I’ve ever been to. Pinterest does not exaggerate; it doesn’t take much effort to find a stunning view of the seaside city. Its candy-colored houses carved into a mountain loom over obnoxiously blue water.
From the bus stop, we easily found a few stops along the way to the main part of town. Besides a view tempting shops, we also snuck onto the porch of the famous Le Sirenuse Hotel. Though waiting hours for a drinks reservation here sounded like hell, we figured we’d at least take in the view from the deck
Despite how touristy – and therefore pricey – Positano is, the shopping was to die for. If someone put an Amalfi Coast-inspired mall in Kansas City, I’d be broke (if this trip didn’t already get me there). I felt myself hyperventilating in every store: bold summery patterns, flamboyant embroidery, obnoxious beading. The city is a maximalist’s dream.
Though I splurged on a few beachy trinkets for myself, my most treasured souvenir was a pair of custom sandals from Safari Positano, a little shoe shop right next to Positano’s seaside cathedral. This leather workshop hammers out DIY sandals made to fit each customer’s foot size and style preferences. I opted for some tan two-strap flats adorned with beads that looked like vintage cameos, perfect for pairing with pretty dresses and sandy toes.
To round out our sightseeing and wallet trimming, we took a lunch break at a restaurant right on the beach. We were drawn into Chez Black, which boasted bright turquoise stripes and gold accents that reminded me of Eloise at the Plaza, if the Plaza was a ship.
After downing a few quarts of olive oil, we headed to the Valentí food shop for a limoncello tasting we had previously booked through Airbnb Experiences. The kind owner gave us a tour of all the lemon-based goods and traditional Italian foods his family produces from their own gardens. After seconds (and thirds) on Valentís’ refreshing lemon sorbet, we left the shop only to find the weather had taken a turn for the worst. Though we didn’t end up going to the beach that day, we got our fair share of Italian waters from waiting at the bus stop in the rain.
PIN IT!
Ooo…I’ve got to go there. Beautiful photos…rain or shine!