Positano - A Birthday Trip
posted 20th March 2023
Positano is one of the most spectacular and beautiful places in the whole world. It is a cliffside village on southern Italy's Amalfi Coast and ranked one of the best sloping cities in the world. It has iconic cliff side views with amazing beaches and stunning seas. It is famous for its spectacular scenery, boutique stores and food to die for.
Spending my birthday here was a dream come true!
Upon arriving in Positano, we were taken aback by the views of the vibrant colourful buildings on the cliff side. Staying in Positano is an absolute luxury, with some of the best views in the world! There is so much to do and see with a vast array of shops, restaurants and cafes to choose from. Everywhere you turn there is something new to discover.
We visited in October, so slightly out of season but the weather was beautiful with clear blue sunny skies and warm enough to swim in the hotel outdoor pool. All restaurants and shops etc where still open and it was actually really busy, so a great time to visit!
Positano has several beaches some are easy to reach, others are only accessible by boat or climbing down (and back up) steep paths. Spiaggie Granda beach is the closest and here you can hire sunbeds.
Whilst in Positano we took the ferry over to Capri, which is a small precious island favoured by celebrities and the super rich. It is a rocky island off the shores of the southern Italian region of Campania. The island gives off a true deluxe feel with its expensive boutique shops and picturesque setting, it is truly enchanting.
We spent the day in Capri, after arriving we walked round the quaint boutiques, and restaurants with diners spilling into the streets. The do have some exclusive beach bars in Carpi where you can pay to use them for the day. The most famous is Fontelina, which has been described Paradise on earth.
On a separate day we took a trip over to Fiordo di Furore which is a short ride from Positano. The Fiordo di Furore bridge is truly spectacular, it is high up built into the mountains. There it has a small secluded beach, which you reach by some steep stairs. Here we took a cold water swim under the bridge which was a great experience and such a special find. Beware though it gets quite cold in the sea in October after a while!
As you can imagine, the food and drinks in Positano are amazing. It is where the Italians holiday in the summer months so the food and drink options are top notch. During most months booking is recommended as the restaurants become full as it is such a popular destination and everyone is after good view seats while they dine.
We started everyday with breakfast, eating pastries and local fruits outside overlooking the cliff side views. Lunch was always a must with pastas and pizzas too good to miss a meal. With the evenings, we would get dressed up every night to dine out in one of the spectacular restaurants overlooking the sea.
For my birthday celebrations, we dined in the LE SIRENUSE POSITANO, LA SPONDA which is one of the most romantic and magical restaurants I have ever dined in. The restaurant is lit by four hundred hand lit candles, so walking in is breath taking. The seating is under lemon trees with views of the sea and cliff sides surrounding. The whole experience is a moment I will never forget.
Amalfi
After visiting Positano we then headed over to Amalfi. Amalfi is a town in a dramatic natural setting below steep cliffs on Italy’s southwest coast.
There we stayed in the exclusive Hotel Santa Caterina, Hotel Santa Caterina which is on a prime cliff side position. Just by looking at it you can see how luxurious this hotel is and how it earnt its five starts. It is just stunning! The hotel situated on the cliff edge surrounded by Mediterranean gardens, overlooking the sea and leading down to beach level. It has a very intimate and sophisticated feel to the hotel.
Hotel Santa Christiana
Hotel Santa Christiana beach club
In the hotel beach club, which is reached by walking down the cliffside, through the terrace gardens of lemon and orange groves, is exclusively for guests. It is a bathing platform nestled in the cliffside and is absolutely stunning, its total relaxation. Its unlike any other place!
Hotel Santa Christiana
John Steinbeck, who visited in 1953, wrote 'Positano bites deep. It is a dream place that isn't quite real when you are there and becomes beckoningly real after you have gone'
MUST DO IN POSITANO
Have a dining experience at Le Sirenuse, Positano
Take a day trip over to the Island of Capri
Book into one of the many beach clubs the island has to offer
Take a walk on the Path of the Gods
Swimming under the Fiordo di Furore bridge
Day trips over to the surrounding areas - Rivello, Sorrento, Atrani to name but a few!
