Positano

Picture of The Day

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Map of The Amalfi Coast

Napoli Sorrento Salerno

Italy

How to Get There

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Positano

Street Map

Street Map of Positano

Italy

HOTELS

WHERE to STAY in POSITANO

Positano Map showing where Da Vincenzo, Le Sirenuse, Chez Black 

and Hotel Covo dei Saraceni are Located

Find a Hotel Room

Positano Beaches – Map

POSITANO is COMING SOON

POSITANO The AMALFI COAST – Cookbook / Travel Guide

POSITANO – AMALFI -CAPRI – ISCHIA – NAPLES 

AMAZON.com

January 21, 2021

Travel to Italy, Positano, Capri The Amalfi Coast, is it a good idea right now? The answer probably not. Sure we’d all love to go. If you’ve already been to Capri, Positano, or anywhere on Italy’s gorgeous Amalfi Coast, right about now you probably wish you were there, “right Now!” Of course you do, who wouldn’t? I know I’d love to be. But I wouldn’t. Not now. But if you do, you actually can. Here’s the news below.

With COVID cases on the rise in Europe, the island of Capri and the towns along the Amalfi Coast have imposed a number of restrictive measures to contain the spread of the virus among visitors. In Italy, masks must be worn both indoors and out. Opening hours of restaurants, bars, and cafés differ according to region, which have risk-level classifications that vary weekly based on active cases.

How bought Capri? At the moment, there are no travel restrictions for Capri. Rapid Covid-19 testing may be required. We suggest booking your ferry tickets in advance.

Here’s a LINK for the Italian Government’s Travel Restrictions GOVERNO ITALIANO

Can you go this Summer? “Let’s hope so.” I guess if you have been Vaccinated for Covid-19 supposedly your chances of getting the VIrus are cut down dramatically, and it is most likely you will not got the Covid-19 Virus, but let’s not forget that the Vaccine is not 100% and though it is highly unlikely, it will still nb possible to catch the Virus, but if you are looking to Travel, you have been Vaccinated, you wear a mask on the plane, and whenever in close proximity to other people (Ferries to and from Capri and around the Coast), and you get tested for the Corona Virus within 72 hours of your flight, you should be OK. So if, your looking to take a vacation in Capri or anywhere on the AMalfi Coast this Summer, you might be OK. However, don’t make any long term plans, but wait until Spring and early Smmmer to see where you, America, Italy, and the World is at at that point as far as the Corona VIrus and the Pandemic is at, at the time.

Yes, we’d all love to go to gorgeous Capri, Positano, or anywhere on the AMalfi Coast, just take caution, be safe, you do not want to get sick, you don’t want Corona Virus

Da LUIGI BEACH CLUB, My Favorite Swimming Spot on CAPRI, Italy

“I’d LOVE to Be SIMMING There This SPRING”

Having Lunch at Da VINCENZO, Positano 2015

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NEED a ROOM CAPRI – POSITANO – ANYWHERE

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POSITANO is COMING SOON

FEBRUARY 2021

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If your’re planning a trip to Capri, Positano, Ravello, anywhere on the Amalfi Coast in Italy, you’ll want to read this book. It’s filled with all sorts of great tips and info on all the towns along the The AMalfi Coast of Southern Italy. Info on Naples, Sorrento, and Capri as well, along with all the great recipes to make at home to get yourself psyched for your next trip, or to make dishes that you’ve had on any of your trips, and would like to relive wonderful memories of Capri, Positan, The Amalfi Coast of Italy, this book will help you along the way. Written by Bestselling Italian Cookbook Author Daniel Bellino Zwicke , someone who’s been vacationing in Positano and the gorgeous ISle of Capri since 1985, so the man knows his stuff. Positano The Amalfi Coast Cookbook – Travel Guide is HERE on AMAZON.com

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POSITANO ?  “We’re HERE!”

    The Blue Sita Bus pulled into Positano sometime in mid-afternoon and stopped in front of the Bar International. Boy was I excited, “Positano at long last.” It was the end of the line for me. I hopped off the bus and got my bags and headed into the bar. I needed to use the bathroom, throw some water on my face, and then get a small bite to eat. I got a Prosciutto & Provala Panino and a glass of fresh squeezed OJ. I sat down to relax before heading down to the Villa Maria Antonietta. It was a good long walk down many stairs and through alleyways as I navigated further down to the lower part of town, always moving toward the Sea. I was carrying two pieces of luggage, and the going wasn’t that easy, except that I was a strong young man of just 23, and so it really wasn’t a problem. Nowadays at nearly 60, the same trip would be significantly harder, but I could still do it. I’d have to go slower though. Anyway, I finally made it to the spot somewhere near the area called Mulini and asked someone for directions. A man told me exactly where the little pensione was, and so I headed over. It wasn’t far at all, and in no time flat, there I was at Villa Maria Antonietta. I asked the lady if she had any rooms available. She did, so I checked in, but not before showing her the Letter of Introduction from Rene Ricard. She took a quick glance and then brought me to my room. Once inside, I took a hot shower and unpacked some of my clothes before heading out to explore this new town. Positano.

  I left my little hotel and made my way down towards the sea. As I walked, I looked around in astonishment, spellbound with every step. Everything I had heard about Positano it seemed was true. Yes it was beautiful, magical, and invigorating. Nothing was exaggerated. I felt like a kid on Christmas Day. I was filled with that kid of euphoria. “Do you know what I mean?”

 Yes, no one had overstated their thoughts of this enchanting little town. Everyone’s descriptions were true, and if anything, they had been understated, Positano was totally amazing, and for me, “It was Love at first sight.” 

   The houses and hotels in Positano were stacked one atop the other as they straddled and rose up the hills that make up the special characteristics that the town is known for. Down where I was, there were all sorts of cute shops and charming little boutiques, including; ceramic-shops, Custom Sandal-Maker Shops, caffes (bars), and restaurants. Of course there were hotels, locals homes, and private villas as well. There were outdoor markets, salumerias, and all sorts of fun things to see and do. The Blue Tyrrhenian Sea was just a few hundred feet away, and so off I went. 

   I walked down to the sea to look around. The water was quite lovely and there was all sorts of activity going on with people swimming, and lounging on the beach. Boats were arriving and departing from town. From down here as you look to the sea, there is a little beach at the center, with the town’s main boat-dock on the right, which is right next to the Cove dei Saraceni Hotel. Here you can catch ferry boats going to; Amalfi, Capri, Ischia, Naples, Sorrento, Salerno, and all points along the Amalfi Coast. From this spot the best beaches are off to the left or right of this center area from the little free beach which is not as nice as the two other beaches off to the far-left and far-right. There are a number of restaurants and bars down by the beach, including the famous Chez Black where they make Heart Shaped Pizza. There’s also Buca di Bacco with their beautiful terraced restaurant and bar, and the always welcoming Trattoria La Cambusa. If you turn your back to the Sea, you will see that the town of Positano just springs up out of the Sea, with the famous hill of a million pictures on your left, with houses stacked one-on top-of-the-other, they creep up toward the small hamlets of Montepertuso and Nocelle high above the sea. The same can be said for the hill to your right and the one directly in front of you, Positano rises from the sea and there it is smack dab in front of you, it seems as though Positano sours straight up to the Heavens. In fact, there is a famous path that is a popular place to hike, and the trail is known as “The Path of The Gods.” 

 Most of the town is sort of a large natural amphitheater. It’s quite an amazing sight to see, and it is just one reason that people have been flocking to this little town for years. They come from every corner of the world.

  After walking around the lowest part of town by the sea, I made my way back towards the center and found myself at the Caffe Zagara for some Gelato in their lovely little garden. La Zagara is in the Mulino area of town, and it’s smack-dab in the middle of Positano. Again, I was in 7^th Heaven. I sat back with my gelato, and just aimlessly did nothing. I took it all in. The setting here is as magical as is any place in all of Positano, no matter which part of town you are in, Positano is always enchanting. Positano, there’s no escaping its beauty.

   After my gelato at La Zagaro, I headed down to the La Scogliera Beach Club to swim, relax, and just do nothing. “Now this is pure Bliss.” They have a snackbar / restaurant at this beach club, and I’d have a little something to eat for lunch or just a small snack. The rest of my time at La Scogliera Beach Club, is spent swimming, reclining on my chaise lounge, and sipping my Campari. I’d close my eyes and listen to those special beach sounds. You know those wonderful beach sounds don’t you? It’s the sound of Seagulls, waves crashing on rocks, music coming from the radios of those lying on the beach, the chatter of people talking, and it all blends together to make that very special kind of sound. Beach Sounds, I guess you could say. “You know what I mean, don’t you?” It’s especially nice when I just lie there with my eyes closed as if I were sleeping, but I’m not. I’m just relaxing and listening to the sounds of the sea, and all that goes with it.

  After the beach, it would be up to Bar DeMartino for my late afternoon aperitivo, before heading back to my room for a nice two-hour nap. After my little nap,  it was off to dinner at Da Vincenzo’s. I’d have some Octopus or Mussels (Cozze) then, as Rene told me, I’d eat a plate of the Worlds best Spaghetti Vongole, and again I’m in 7th Heaven all over again. After dinner at Da Vincenzo, it was back to Bar DeMartino to hangout and have a couple night-time cocktails (Campari) before going back to my hotel, sleeping the night away. And I always sleep quite well in Positano, with the fresh sea air making its way through the slatted shutters of my room at Maria Antoniette. The following year it would be at the Hotel Casa Albertina, right behind Da Vincenzo’s.

  The next day, I’d do it all over again, and so I did for 3 glorious days on my first trip to Positano, in the Summer of 85. The next Summer, I’d spend four days in Positano, after 3 splendid days on the Isle of Capri. After 3 glorious days on Capri, I took a boat from Capri to Positano. I was looking for a new hotel this time. I liked Villa Maria Antoniette that first time but wanted something a little bit nicer this time around. So, when I poked my head into the reception area at Casa Albertina, Lorenzo was there to greet me. He was very nice, and he said he’d make me a special “young person’s price,” and so he did. I paid $79 a night that first time at Casa Albertina in 1986. Casa Albertina is a beautiful little family run hotel, where you get luxury at a lower price. The guest rooms are very nice, and the public areas, including the sitting room, dining room, and bar area are all beautifully appointed. I stayed at Casa Albertina for four days, then I also took two days exploring la Bella Napoli. I’d do the same in the Summer of 1988, with two days in Rome, before heading down to Capri and the Amalfi Coast, Positano, and one more night in Rome before flying home the next day to JFK.

To READ MORE CLICK HERE !

This has been Excerpt from Bestselling Italian Cookbook author Daniel Bellino Zwicke’s New Forthcoming Book – POSITANO The AMALFI COAST COOKBOOK / TRAVEL GUIDE … Coming November 28, 2020 on Amazon …

POSITANO The AMALFI COAST COOKBOOK – TRAVEL GUIDE

AMAZON.com

Need a ROOM in POSITANO

BOOKING.com

READ MORE of this EXCERPT – CLICK

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“IT’S ALMOST HERE” !!!

POSITANO

The AMALFI COAST COOKBOOK – TRAVEL GUIDE

COMING November 28th 2020

“The BEST THING to HAPPEN in 2020”

AMAZON.com

Yes boys and girls, Ladies & Gentlemen, it’s almost here. Positano The Amalfi Coast Cookbook / Travel Guide is coming. It will be available on Amazon.com on November 28, 2020, “The Best Thing to Happen in 2020,” so the saying goes. The book is like no other ever written on Positano, Capri, Naples, and the Amalfi Coast. Anyone who gets it, will see that it’s one of the best Italian Cookbooks ever published on the specific region and cuisines of Naples and the Amalfi Coast. There are lots of great recipes that I have collected and developed over a 35 year period of going to the beautiful island of Capri, Positano, Napoli, and the Amalfi Coast of Southern Italy, which most people have just recently discovered in the past 15 years or so, I made my first of many wonderful trips way back in the Summer of 1985. I’ve been going ever since, and have stayed in and explored almost every inch of this one of the World’s most beautiful areas, and in particular, the food, the people, and the natural beauty of the Amalfi Coast, the surround area and islands.

Yes I have a wealth of knowledge that you will not get and most other cookbooks or travel guides of the area. Did you say travel guide you say? Yes, this book is like no other ever written on the Amalfi Coast in that is a cookbook and travel guide, with true stories of Naples, Capri, and the Amalfi Coast written by me. Why both a cookbook slash travel guide. Well, I love cooking and I love travel, and I am, if I must say so myself, well versed on both. I worked in the restaurant and wine business in New York for more than 30 years, cooking for 10 years, and then as a wine director specializing in Italian Wine. I got to know and become friendly with hundreds of Italian people who make wine and own wine estates all over Italy. Yes my knowledge of wine, food, cooking, writing Italian Cookbooks, and Italy and World Travel are quite extensive, and I bring this experience to you within the front and back cover of this book, Positano – The Amalfi Coast Cookbook / Travel Guide.

This book first started out as a travel guide of Positano and the Amalfi Coast with Naples and Capri. Yes a travel guide, with essays as well as having 30 or so recipes of the best loved most popular dishes of Naples and the Amalfi Coast. Somehow as books often do, it morphed into something else. It became more of a cookbook than a travel guide, but never-the-less, a travel guide as well, not only in the traditional travel guide sense of chapters on specific places, and info on the best hotels, and restaurants in Naples, on the islands, and all around the coast. So, info in the traditional sense, but a great deal of wonderful info and little known secrets translated in the stories I tell of my frequent trips and all the eating, chatting, maneuvering around and all sorts of little tidbits for you to divulge.

There’s no pictures you say. Yes this is true, no pictures other than the beautiful cover (“I think so”). No I don’t do pictures in my books but stories that people seem to like quite a bit, “my storytelling of food, experiences, travels, and what-not.” If you want pictures though, you are in luck. I’ve created a companion website to this book, Positano-Amalfi-Coast,com, and it has all the gorgeous pictures of Positano, Naples, Capri, and the whole of the Amalfi Coast that you could ever want, they’re on my website, so use it in conjunction with this book.

Why the recipes. I love food, especially Italian Food, my specialty, and I love the food of this area, and I want to tell you something. The reason for all the wonderful recipes that I’ve amassed over the years, through having so many meals at wonderful restaurants, trattorias, and pizzerias in Naples and all around the coast, talking to the cooks and chefs, going home and re-creating these dishes, and writing up recipes on how to make them, and jotting everything down. It’s been a 35 year journey. I want you to read the book and pick out the dishes you love, maybe you had a certain dishes at a special little trattoria where you had a most memorable time, and now that you’re home and you miss being on the Amalfi Coast, you want to learn how to make that special dish and cook it at home for friends, family, and loved ones. It’s a way to relive all those wonderful memories of Capri, Positano, the Amalfi Coast, no matter where you stayed or went, this book will help you relive all those wonderful times, as well as help you plan future trips whether you been there before, or this will be your first time, we are here to help and inspire you to have the Dream Vacation of your life. This is my hope.

Daniel Bellino Zwicke

CAPRI

“I took this picture from the top of The Phoenician Steps in Anacapri”

CAPRI, ITALY

2015

Looking to The FARAGLIONI

At one of My FAVORITE SWIMMING SPOTS in the WORLD

MARINA PICCOLA , CAPRI

Looking down at MARINA GRANDE from PHOENICIAN STAIRS in ANACAPRI

CAPRI

POSITANO is COMING SOON

CLICK for More INFO

CAPRI

From The Summit of MONTE SOLARO

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Positano

LEMONS on THE AMALFI COAST

   Lemons on the Amalfi Coast? Yes Lemons. The Amalfi Coast of Italy besides being a major tourist destination of the 21st Century, as a result of its unending natural beauty, wonderful climate and tasty local cuisine, combined with charming hotels, boat rides to Capri and all sorts of wonderful things. The Amalfi Coast has all these things, and besides these, it just happens to be The Lemon Capital of the World as well. The Costiera Amalfitana is blessed with an abundance of Lemon Groves up and down the coast, extending Salerno to Sorrento and every town in-between. Sorrento and the Amalfi Coast are a Lemon Lovers dream come true. The area has all   sorts of Lemon based products from the head honcho lemon product lemon-liquor known as Limoncello, Lemon Scented Soaps, Lemon Perfume, Lemon Pasta, Lemon Desserts, Lemon Granita, Lemonade, Lemon Tea, and all sorts of Lemon Motif product, such as; Scarves, Ceramics, T-Shirts, this-that-and-every-other-thing. Yes the Amalfi Coast is a Lemon Lovers Paradise. So if you love lemons, this is certainly the place to be.

   The Lemons of the Amalfi Coast are known as Sfusato. They are big and knobby and prized for their perfume and sweet flesh. You can eat the whole thing, even the skin. Lemons are grown all along the Amalfi Coast and on the islands of Capri and Ischia, but Minori has always been known as the center of Lemon activity on the coast. The Sienenese Jesuit Botantist G.B. Ferrari was the first person to make a record of the qualities of the Lemons of this coast. In 1646 he wrote, “the nipple is prominent, the rind is rough, pleasantly scented with a sweet taste, the flesh has 8 or 9 segments, the taste is pleasantly sour.”

  Much of the land between Positano and Vietro Sul Mare had been unproductive up to the middle of the 18th Century, but by the early 1800s lemon farming and trading had become quite productive with great cultivation of lemon groves in Minori, Atrani, Amalfi, Conca dei Marini, Ravello, Cetara, Praiano, Maiori, Tramonti, and the surrounding areas, with Minori as the leading port for the transportation of Sfusato (Lemons).

   If you ever experience it, it is a wonderful feeling to be among Oranges or Lemon Groves, to see them and just to know they are there, and you are among them, looking at them and smelling their heady scent. And in being in such an area, it is sure you will consume them, and in many different guises. You can have Lemon Gelato or Sorbeto, drink Lenonade on a hot day, Limoncello after dinner, that may have been preceded with a plate of Spaghetti al Limone.

   I for one get excited every time I see lemons, or come upon any and every Lemon Grove I see, and Oranges too for that matter. Lemons are King down here but you will also come upon Orange Groves as well, especially in and around Sorrento. And besides a plate of Spaghetti al Limone, when dining out, it’s a good chance you will be eating all sorts of seafood, especially Cozze (Mussels) Vongole (Clams), Alici (Anchovies), (Shrimp), and all kinds of fresh fish and shellfish in all sorts of tasty preparations, your palate will be delighted. Besides the seafood of course you have to have those Lemons in any number of culinary adventures, including; the two leading ways that these lemons are used, as with the famous lemon liqueur Limoncello and also made into Lemon Granita. There also a sweet treat called Delizia al Limone and you haven’t been to the Amalfi Coast, if you don’t partake in one of Italy’s most popular desserts of all, the famed pastry of the area, Sfogliatelle which are a clam-looking crunchy pastry filled with lemon scented ricotta cream. These pastries are divinely delicious and are not to be missed if you are in the great city of Napoli or on the Divine Coast of Amalfi, for this is where they were first invented. Sfogliatella were created by Nuns of the Convent of Santa Rosa in the small seaside town of Conca dei Marini on the Amalfi Coast of Italy. It is believed that the nuns of Santa Rosa invented Sfogliatella some 400 years ago with leftover cooked semolina. They have been a hit ever since. You’ll love it. 

   One of my favorite spots to eat Sfogliatella, is at Pasticceria Gambardella in Minori, the place where, once I get to Minori, I go inside, they call up Vincenzo Manzo at Villa Maria, and he comes down in his Fiat to pick me up, and bring me back to stay at his agriturismo Villa Maria. I always have some Gelato or a Sfogliatella as I wait there at the caffe for Vincenzo to come pick me up. That’s the “Sweet Life.”

   Another good place to have some type of lemon pastry or cake and enjoy the local lemon Sfusato is one of Italy’s premier pastry shops in Sal di Riso, also in Minori and brother of the family at Gambaradella. Salvatore Riso is one of Italy’s premier Pastry Chefs and his Pasticerria Sal di Riso is world famous for Sal’s exquisite pastries, gelato, Lemon Cakes. And you just know that Salvatore makes great Sfogliatelle. Sal di Riso makes several different Lemon types of Lemon Cakes and Tortas made with Lemons from Minori, as well as Lemon Gelato and Delizia di Limone (Lemon Delight) which is a cake that is soaked in Limoncello and covered with a lemon-based cream. This delightful pastry as its name implies was created in Sorrento by Pastry Chef Carmine Marzuillo in 1978, and it’s served in Naples, Sorrento, and all over the Amalfi Coast.   

   Now the other great place to enjoy the local Lemons of Amalfi in their sweetest forms is at the most wonderful pastry shop in the town of Amalfi. The place is at the very center of Amalfi, right in the middle of the Piazza del Duomo and just feet from the beautiful Cathedral of Sant’Andrea. The place is Pasticceria Andrea Pansa and it is an absolute gem of a pastry shop / caffe. Great pastry shops and caffes are among the most wonderful things in all of Italy, and Pansa Pasticceria is up there with the Best of The Best in all of Italy.  Andrea Pansa has been in the town of Amalfi since 1830. The place is absolutely gorgeous, and yes, they make many wonderful pastries, cakes, gelato, and cookies that are scented with, yes you guessed it, Lemons from The Amalfi Coast. You can have a Limonello here, Granita, Gelato, a Lemon Delight (Delizia di Limone), and of course the greatest pastry of them all, the Sfogliatelle Santa Rosa in several different forms. Grab yourself a seat at a table inside or go outside and enjoy yourself al fresco style. Order as I might, a nice steamy Cappuccino accompanied by a crunchy Sfogliatelle and you shall be in 7th Heaven, “I guarantee you.”

   So you are on the Amalfi Coast among the world’s best lemon groves, and of course you want some lemons in your savory dishes as well. If you are in Sorrento, you absolutely have to go to the grand caffe in the heart of the town at the Piazza Tasso to the Bar Fauno, which if you were forced to pick a spot  that was the epicenter and Heart Beat of Sorrento, it would have to be this place, Bar Fuano. Bar Fauno is a large grande caffe where you can get just about anything to eat that your little heart desires. You can simply have an Espresso or Cappuccino, a Pizza or Panino, an Apertivo such as a Negroni or Aperol Spritz, you can have either an Italian, an American, or a full English-Breakfast. You can eat there for lunch, or dinner, it’s all here at Bar Fauno, including, yes; Limoncello, Sfoliatelle, Gelato, Lemon Delights, and Lemon Granita, whatever you like, they’ve got it at all at Bar Fauno. They even have a very impressive wine list if you so desire. It’s more than just a standard one, they have it here as well.

   At our recent stay in Sorrento with our apartment directly across the street, my cousin Tony and I found ourselves at Bar Fauno about 7 times in three days. We absolutely loved the place, and what’s not to love? As I’ve already stated, “they have everything.” When we first got into town, driving in a car from Salerno, there’s a parking garage just down the street from the caffe. So we parked the car and headed towards Bar Fauno. We sat down with our friend Alan who had joined us for a few days. Our waiter brought over the menu and wine list, and as we had been drinking Ferrari “Perle” the day before and Tony loved it and wanted to get another bottle of the stuff. And so we did. We ordered a Pizza and an Octopus Salad, “as I’ve said, they have everything.” We had a nice little lunch and then we checked into our suite. With the suite, they gave us vouchers to have breakfast at Bar Fauno, and we did so for the next 3 days. We had a wonderful little breakfast that included; Cappuccino, fresh OJ, and a Cornetto. The breakfast was quite nice, and as always, good service from the friendly Bar Fauno staff. Thanks guys. 

   You are in Sorrento, and this is a place they really go wild for Lemons and anything related to them as in a couple hundred different souvenirs you can buy, with a Lemon Motifs upon them. You can get an apron, Spoon Holder, Citrus Juicer, a Key Chain, T-Shirt, Polo Shirt, and so many things with a Lemon on them. This is Sorrento, a place that gets millions of tourists from all around the world every year, and many of the businesses derive income from lemons in one way or the other, whether it’s from products made with lemons in them, such as Limoncello, Parfum, Pasta, Jams, Soap, or what-not, to items that simply have images of Lemons upon them, that’s Sorrento, The Amalfi Coast and Lemons.

Excerpted from POSITANO – The AMALFI COAST COOKBOOK / TRAVEL GUIDE by Daniel Bellino Zwicke … Publication release November 2020

A Lemon Grove

LIMONCELLO

POSITANO The AMALFI COAST

COOKBOOK / TRAVLE GUIDE

DANIEL BELLINO ZWICKE

Pasta alla Lemone Amalfitana

RECIPE in POSITANO

The AMALFI COAST COOKBOOK / TRAVEL GUIDE

COMING November 2020

POSITANO

POSITANO

POSITANO

POSITANO

COOKBOOK / TRAVEL GUIDE

COMING SOON

DANIEL BELLINO ZWICKE

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