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Positano – jewel of the Amalfi coast
The stylish town of Positano clings to the cliffside on the Amalfi coast in south-western Italy. At first glance it looks like the buildings of Positano have been stacked on top of each other in the most perilous fashion, as if the houses and hotels will tumble into the sea at any moment. But this apparently haphazard construction is part of what makes Positano so charming to visitors. The town’s narrow streets, which climb steeply from the beach, are dotted with elegant shops and cafes. Although once prosperous as a trading port, Positano declined to a small fishing village until the opening of a road in the early-Twentieth century which connected Amalfi to the rest of Italy. Once easily accessible, Positano soon became the holiday destination of choice for writers, artists, and celebrities including Pablo Picasso and Elizabeth Taylor. Positano remains a glamorous destination today, and if you are looking at available late getaway deals you could do worse than pay the town a visit.
Exploring the town
The town of Positano is a joy to explore. Due to the way it is built, the maze of streets tend to be narrow and winding as they fit round the contours of the hillside. You can forget about high-street chain stores here. Along the streets, you will find a whole of host of boutique shops, and they are unlikely to be selling imported luxury goods. Shops in Positano tend to sell handmade items, whether it is the famous locally-made sandals or hand-painted ceramics. There are a number of shops selling paintings too, and there are even some small art galleries that you are welcome to take a look around. A popular attraction – and a place for a moment or two of peace and quiet – is the Church of Santa Maria Assunta with its North African-inspired dome. The church is overlooked by the town, and is minutes from the beach.
The walks and the beaches
The Amalfi coast is a popular destination for walking tourists who like to explore the breathtakingly beautiful coastline. Walkers can join the Sentiero degli Dei , the Path of the Gods, which is a hiking trail which links Positano to other towns along the Amalfi coastline. Be warned: this is not a pathway for those with a fear of heights, as the trail can be narrow and be alarmingly close to the cliff edge in places. However, those walkers who do try it out will be rewarded with a peaceful walk and absolutely stunning views. The Amalfi coastline is mostly above sea level, but there are some beaches and coves in Positano where you can explore and dip your toe into the water. You can reach Positano’s Arienzo beach by descending 300 steps, and due to the beach’s position, it enjoys the longest number of sunshine hours of any beach in the town. Another beach that is out of the way is Laurito beach, which is accessed via steps from the town above. The main beach in Positano is Marina Grande, where there is plenty of space for sun worshippers to kick back and relax. Because Positano is not a very large, each beach is not going to be too far from whichever hotel you choose to stay in.
Enjoying the food and drink
Any photo of Positano shows that you need to be in reasonably good shape if you want to explore the town. However, there is one benefit to the strenuous effort: the steep hills make for a good walk, especially if your hotel in Positano is towards the top of the town, and this in turn helps you work up an appetite for the evening. Positano is known for its lemon growing, with lemons being the main ingredient in the limoncello liqueur that originates from the area. You can also expect to see lemons feature in other food and general menu items too, whether it is soft lemon drinks, lemon granita or lemon tea, through to lemon-themed desserts and sweet lemon candy. As a coastal town, it should be no surprise that seafood plays a big part in the town’s culinary traditions. Pasta and seafood dishes such as scialatielli ai frutti di mare are popular with locals and visitors alike, while local cheeses such as ricotta and provola are likely to make an appearance your evening dinner menu too.