Visit of Positano and the coast. The pastel coloured town is perched on the side of a mountain and offers some breathtaking views both in winter and summer. Its small roads wind down towards the Spiaggia Grande (main beach), passing through alleyways filled with local atmosphere and packed with interesting places to see. Positano’s happy-go-lucky fashion offers a foretaste of seasonal trends and sets the summer fashions for Italy’s most important beaches, from handmade leather shoes to linen outfits that are crisp and fresh for the daytime and elegant for going out in the evening. Bottega di Maria Lampo (Viale Pasitea 12-16) is one of the town’s oldest boutiques that has remained loyal to traditions with its flowery garments and costumes. Brunella is located on the same street at number 72 selling linen and canvas items in earthy and sandy shades. Louise (Via dei Mulini 22) is the name of a boutique specialising in costumes while you can find beachwear at Corsara (Via del Saracino 67).

For accessories ranging from beaded handbags to shoes, we suggest you drop in at Sfizio (Viale Pasitea 54). There are also some typical small shops selling traditional products of the Amalfi Coast. The cake shop La Zagara (Via dei Mulini 10) and the wine shop I Sapori di Positano (Via dei Mulini 6) are just two addresses that are a must for food and wine lovers. You can then go along Via Positanesi d’America, which runs alongside the seafront, from Spiaggia Grande to the smaller, more reserved Fornillo beach.

You cannot stay in Positano without taking a trip along the coast. In summertime you can go to Amalfi by boat using the handy taxi service that leaves from Positano pier. Or you may decide to go along the narrow coast road by car and enjoy the breathtaking landscape. Before you get to Amalfi you have to pass through Furore where we recommend you stop off to take a quick look round. Amalfi’s history dates back to ancient times. It was founded by the Romans in 337 AD, not by legionnaires but by patricians who were sailing towards Constantinople when they were forced to abandon ship during a violent storm. Over the centuries various populations have settled there: Lombards, Normans and Saracens and it also became one of the most important maritime republics in Italy. Amalfi’s Duomo is famous and is the coast’s main attraction, lighting up the night with its sparkling colours and geometric decorations. In addition to strolling along the seafront and the main street of Amalfi, you can also go for a trip on the water by renting a gozzo (traditional boat) from Raffele a’ Iannara (Tel. 089 872147) next to Lo Smeraldino restaurant. While those who love to bring home souvenirs must remember that Amalfi is famous for its paper. At Scuderia del Duca (Largo Cesareo Console 8) you can find the most prized paper produced by Carteria Amatruda, handcrafted and watermarked paper in expensive bindings or writing paper. There is also a Paper Museum (Visits from 9am to 1pm, closed on Monday and Friday). While you can find antique prints at a small shop called Amalfi nelle stampe antiche Piazza Duomo 11) and if it is ceramics you are after, go to Galeone (piazza Duomo 18) which sells all handcrafted items. . All types of colourful delicacies including the world famous limoncello, a liqueur made from locally grown lemons, fill the display baskets at Pasticceria Pansa (Piazza Duomo), which has been making local gastronomic delights since 1830 including rum babas.

At a certain point along the coast road, a crossroads brings you inside the Ravello vault, the Amalfi Coast’s natural balcony.

Pay a visit to the two villas located here: Villa Rufolo, where Wagner drew inspiration for while composing Parsifal, and Villa Cimbrone, famous above all for its Italian style gardens awash with fragrant blooms. Last stop along the coast is Vietri well known for its ceramic production and where you can buy directly from the factories: Solimene (Via Madonna degli Angeli 7) Ceramica Armenante (Corso Umberto I76) and Carrera (Corso Umberto I, 66) are just a few of the most famous names.