FIAT 500
On The AMALFI COAST
Do you want to explore the Amalfi Coast? And not just the Amalfi Coast, but some of the great sights all around? Sights and places like Pompeii, Villa Cimbrone in Ravello, a vineyard on the coast or nearby Benevento or Avelino, the home of Lacryma Christi, Taurasi, Falanghina and some Italy's best wines. Take a Pizza run into Naples and hit some its famous Pizzerias, including Julia Roberts favorite in the movie Eat Pray Love. Take a boat to Capri, visit The Blue Grotto, have lunch and explore, there is much to do on The Amalfi Coast, in Naples, and the Sorrentine Peninsula, and not just laying around the beach in Positano all day.
Speaking of Positano, or whether you might be staying in Minori, Amalfi, or Salerno which makes a good home base for the Amalfi Coast, the hostels are just a fraction of those in Positano, and there is great transportation from this coastal city that lies one town over from the most southern town of the Amalfi Coast which is Vietri Sul Mare, and is the capital of Ceramics for the area. And speaking of ceramics, this can be one of those extra curricular activities while staying in Positano, or wherever? Vietri Sul Mare is the town where 90% of the beautiful ceramics you see in shops all over the region, they are made in Vietri Sul Mare, so if you want to buy some ceramics a lot cheaper that in Positano, you might want to go to Vietri.
POMPEII
A visit to Pompeii is one of the top tourist attractions to see when you are on the Amalfi Coast, Naples, Capri or anywhere in the region.
Pompeii is a vast archaeological site in southern Italy’s Campania region, near the coast of the Bay of Naples. Once a thriving and sophisticated Roman city, Pompeii was buried under meters of ash and pumice after the catastrophic eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 79 A.D. The preserved site features excavated ruins of streets and houses that visitors can freely explore.
If you are staying in Positano and are not taking a private car and you wish to get to Pompeii, the easiest way is to take a bus to Sorrento, and in Sorrento you will jump on a local train the Circumvesuviana which will take you directly to Pompeii. This will probably take about 90 minutes total to get to Pompeii from Positano in this manner.
If you are staying in Sorrento or Naples, there are many bus tour packages to take you to Pompeii.
RAVELLO & AMALFI
While staying in Positano, a trip to Ravello makes a nice change of pace from Positano for the day. You can take a bus to Amalfi, where you will have to get another bus from Amalfi up to Ravello. There are many nice shops to browse, have lunch at a nice trattoria, and a visit to the gorgeous Villa Cimbrone is a recommended highlight of any half days tour of Gore Vidal's favorite spot in the World, Ravello.
You can combine a couple hours in Amalfi with a day trip to Ravello, or simply just go to Amalfi. It's a nice 50 minute boat ride from Positano to Amalfi, or you can take a bus instead, but I recommend the boat to avoid traffic on the Amalfi Drive. While in Amalfi, you might want to visit Cathedral of Saint Andrea (The Duomo), set in the center of town at the main piazza. While there, do not miss one of Italy's most wonderful pastry shop / cafes, Andrea Pansa Pasticceria. Pansa makes the World's best Sfogliatelle and is a great place for a Cappuccino and pastry, or to sit outside and people watch with a refreshing Negroni or Aperol Spritz cocktails. The town has many wonderful shops, which include fine paper products as the town is famous for its handmade paper. And of course there are all sorts of Lemon Themed items, and local crafts of all sorts, including ceramic plates and such.
Also if in Positano, you might want to a break from the beach to hike the Path of The Gods high above Positano and the Amalfi Coast. The hike is spectacular with some of the World's most stunning views. A hike on The Path of The gods is a highlight of any trip to the Amalfi Coast, however it is not for everyone. No need to worry, you have many options, and one is just to go to the beach, swim, lie around doing nothing but sipping on Campari and Aperol, doing lunch in-between, going back to your hotel for a late afternoon nap, before a gorgeous seafood dinner on the splendid Coast of Amalfi.
Villa Cimbrone
A visit to Villa Cimbrone is wonderful and well worth your time.
Ravello, Italy
POMPEII
For many, an exploration of the Ancient Roman City of Pompeii and its
ruins is one of the highlights of their trip.
You can take an organized bus tour or go on your own. To get their from Positano, take a bus to Sorrento. In Sorrento hop on the Circumvesuviana train which stops directly at Pompeii.
