Vino Vongole Pizza Pasta & Lemonade – Capri Positano The Amalfi Coast

On November 21, 2025 By Daniel BellinoIn PositanoLeave a comment

CAPRI

View From The TOp of Monte Solaro, Capri, Italy

with Faroglionni Rocks below …

SORRENTO

A Classic View

VIEW of MARINA GRANDE CAPRI

From ANACAPRI

Photo Copyright – Daniel Bellino Zwicke

ITALIAN FOOD & TRAVEL

“DISCOVER ITALY”

TRAVEL GUIDE – COOKBOOK

AMAZON.com

MARINA PICOLO CAPRI

with FARAGLIONI ROCKS in Distance

PIAZZA UMBERTO

ITALIAN BREAKFAST

A Typical Italian Breakfast

CAPPUCCINO e un CORNETTO

LIMONCELLO LADIES

ANACAPRI

CAPRI

GELATO

NAPOLI

My Favorite Lemonade Stand in Italy

Behind the famed Quississana Hotel

Across From CAESAR AUGUSTUS GARDENS, CAPRI

Also right by a Wonderful Little Hotel I Used to Stay At,

La TOSCA, a lovely little Hotel with the most Spectacular Views

of Capri and The Faralognni Rocks (most Iconic Symbol of Capri)

The Hotel is lovely and very affordle. I stayed ther in 1988, but stayed

in Anacapri this time at The Hotel Carmencita

Me at My Favorite Restorante in Positano

Da VINCENZO

With My ANtipasto of Polpo al Griglia e Carciofi Fritte

and a Nice Glass of Greco di Tufo local wine …

POSITANO The AMALFI COAST

TRAVEL GUIDE – COOKBOOK

Daniel Bellino Zwicke

AMAZON.com

SPAGHETTI VONGOLE

al Solotaria Restorante, Anacapri

RAVELLO

Villa Ruffoli

MINORI

The AMALFI COAST

View From The Terrazza at VILLA MARIA in Minori

LEMON GROVES at Villa Maria, Minor, Italy

WORLD’S BEST BREAKFAST

World’s BestBreakfast? I Kid You Not!

This was my typical Breakfast (Colazione)

at Villa Maria each of My Three Wonderful Days There

Vincenzo the owner Makes all types of different Jams

from the fruit he grows on his farmer way up in the hill of

the beautiful little town on The Amalfi Coast .. Villa Maria is

a wonderful little farm/ agroturismo Inn in the town of Minori,

a cute little town if you want to be on the Amalfi Coast but away from

the madening crowds that overrun the gorgeous little town of Positano.

Vincenzo’s main crop of his farm are Lemons with Olive Tree Groves,

Grapevines, and all sorts of fruits and vegetables, along with Chickens (for

meat & Eggs) and Pigs to make his awesome Homemade Salami. Vincenzo

makes his own wine, Prosciutto, Pancetta, Coppa, and his tasty

homemade Fruit Jams which you spread on toast & Cornetto ‘s in the

morning for breakfast.

When dinner time comes, Maria (Vincenzo’s wife) makes an awesome

Four-Course Dinner with; Antipast to start, followed by some awesome pasta or another,

a main-course of fish, meat, or chicken, and ending with either Fruit or a Dessert that Maria makes (I love the Lemon Cake), and some of Vincenzo’s Homemade Lemoncello.

And of course during the meal you’ll get a bottle of either Vincenzo’s own Vino Bianco or

Vino Rosso or both.

Villa Maria is one of the most special places you could ever want to stay at in your life.

It’s a once in a lifetime experience that not many people get a chance to do, and I reccommend going there most highly, “You will have the time of your life.”

PACCHERI al FRUTTA di MARE

Mixed Seafood Pasta

“The Best Frutta di Mare Ever” !!!

Maria made me this awesome plate of pasta soon after my

arrival. Vincenzo picked me up down in Minaori at

the wonderful Caffe Riso (Best Caffe & Pastry in Town)

and drove me u to his place (Villa Maria). When we got there

Vincenzo gave me a Lemonade made with his own Lemons.

Best Lemonade of my life needless-to-say!

After I had my Lemonade and chit-chattted with Vincenzo

Maria & Nadia, I went to my room to take a show and freshen up

after my trip from Napoli on the Circumvesuviano Train from

Naples to Sorrento, then a bus from Sorrento to Amalfi, and then

another bus from Amalfi to Minori, and finally a ride in Vincenzo’s

little Fiat Panda Station Wagon from Minori by The Sea, up to

Minori in the Mountains below Ravello at Villa Maria.

So after I showered and put on some fresh clothes and went back out

to the terrace (terrazzo) Vincenzo asked me if I wantedd a little pasta?

Hell Yeah!!! Then Vincenzo asked if I wanted some wine. Again, Heck Yeah!

I had his Vino Bianco, and when he brought me the plate of pasta(Paccheri with

Clams & Mussels) that Maria made me,

I was in 7th Heaven!

La PASTA

con Vino Bianco Vincenzo

VILLA MARIA

MINORI, ITALY

MARIA & VINCENZO

Agroturismo Villa Maria

Minori

ME & VINCENZO

SUNDAY SAUCE

When Italian-Americans Cook

SUNDAY SAUCE

Available on AMAZON.com

Spaghetti con Cozze

SPAGHETTI with MUSSELS

SORRENTO

POSITANO

Classic Veiw of Positano, Amalfi Coast, Italy

Salumaria De Martino, Capri

Pinnino Buono

Sopresetta e Provola Affumicatto

RAVELLO

View From Villa Cimbrone ‘s Terrace of Infinity

Ravello on The Amalfi Coast Italy

FAVORITE ITALIAN DISHES

And SECRET RECIPES

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Capri – Provola and The Amalfi Coast – Salami and Provolone Sandwiches Panini

On October 14, 2024October 14, 2024 By Daniel BellinoIn PositanoLeave a comment

View of Marina Grande CAPRI with Sorrento in the distance, from Anacapri

Provolone, for many Italian-Americans it’s their favorite cheese. Case in point, its mine, my favorite cheese, as is with my sister Barbara, we both love it. The love of Provolone is more prevalent with Italians who are over forty years of age. The younger generation is more apt to go for Burata, something that didn’t exist in America previous to the past 15 years or so. Growing up in a 60’s 1970’s Italian-American household there were a few Italian Cheeses that most everyone ate and used in cooking their favorite dishes, put on antipasto platters and in sandwiches. There was Ricotta that went into making Lasagna and Manicotti or Stuffed Shells, Cheesecake, Cannoli, and other items. You normally didn’t eat Ricotta on it’s own as you might Mozzarella or Provolone, the ricotta was usually in cooked dishes, however I always loved taking a couple tablespoons, eating it fresh out of the container, all smooth and creamy. Yum!For many years Pecorino Romano and Parmigiano Reggiano were the most popular cheeses as they were grated over pasta and used in various recipes. Mozzarella came in third in popularity in Italian-America. Mozzarella is most famous for being a topping of millions upon millions of Pizzas, or in the popular Insalata Caprese, a thing of simplistic beauty and taste. A Caprese Salad looks lovely and fresh and just like an Italian Flag, the colors are the same, the Red of the fresh Tomatoes, the creamy white Fresh Mozzarella, and bright green fresh Basil comprises the classic Insalata Caprese, which of course is drizzled with a little bit of Italian Olive Oil to complete this wonderful dish, that’s simple, yet perfect, and based on the best top quality fresh ingredients. All this being said, using the Mozzarella in this way wasn’t the most popular way of getting this cheese in an Italian household. Mozzarella in Italian-America is most popular when it is cooked (melted) into a multitude of Italian dishes like; Lasagna, Manicotti, Stuffed Shells, on Chicken and Veal Parmigiano, in Baked Ziti and on Pizza. Yes we would have a Caprese Salad now and then, but more often if we were eating fresh uncooked Mozzarella it was usually on a sandwich or in the ever popular Antipasto-Misto platter of which the ingredients would vary according to who was making it, but most often it would consist of Salami, fresh Mozzarella and or Provolone, Roast Peppers, Olives, and fresh Celery.

Provolone, always my favorite cheese when I was growing. It was my sister Barbara’s favorite as well and whenever we went to Barcelona’s Restaurant we always ordered a plate of Provolone along with Mussels Marinara, Baked Clams, and all our other favorites. Yes, Mozzarella was fine, but for my sister Barbara and I it just couldn’t keep up with the big bold flavor of Provolone.

Girl Making My PANINO

I used to love walking into Belevedere Salumeria around the street from our house. The place had large torpedo-like Provolone (weighing 40-50 lbs.) hanging from the ceiling, along with Sopresseta, Prosciutto, and various types of Salumi. The smells dominated by the Provolone when you walked through the door were intoxicating. My friends and I, when we had a couple extra bucks we would treat ourselves and run over to Belevedere Italian Deli and get an awesome sandwich of Gabagool (Capicola), Salami, and Provolone, one of the world’s great sandwiches. Oh my God it’s making me hungry just thinking of it! I want one now!

So along with those boyhood memories of eating a piece of sharp Provolone off the antipasto platter or on one of those great Belvedere Sandwiches, I now have some more fond memories of Provolone Cheese. They come from my latest trip to Italy. I was down on the Amalfi Coast for the first time in a few years, and got a nice panino at a Salumeria one day. I was looking in the refrigerated glass case of Salumi and Cheese looking over their products. I decided on and ordered a panino made with Sopresseta and Provola Afumicata (Smoke Provolone). The counterman made my sandwich and when I ate that baby, boy the combination was absolutely amazing. I couldn’t believe it. I never had this combination before and I just loved it. Simple, just some Sweet Sopresseta and Smoked Provola, the combination was out of this world. It was simple, but each wonderful ingredient of perfectly cured Sopresseta Salami and wonderful Smoke Provolone on a nice Italian Roll, it just made for a great tasting sandwich. What more can I say? I ended up eating about 6 of those sandwiches from various salumerias on Capri, in Sorrento, and on the Amalfi Coast on that trip. I’d get a sandwich or an Arancini to hold me over between meals, if I was going to the beach or taking a boat ride from Amalfi to Capri, or whatever. The sandwiches were all so very tasty and an unexpected pleasure that I hadn’t expected at all. So now after eating all those tasty Panini I now I go to Faicco’s Pork Store around the block and buy some nice Sweet Sopresseta, Smoked Provola and get a loaf of Italian Bread, and I’m all set, right back there on Capri, eating my special Panino di Provola Affumicata e Sopresseta. This brings me back to Capri, Amalfi, and memories of a trip. A trip of beauty, tasty food, and recollections, the beauty of Capri and the Amalfi Coast, eating Vongole, Pasta, Arancini, and Provolone. I tell you folks, “it just doesn’t get much better than that.”

Panino di Proval Affumicata e Sopresseta, Minori

Now talking of these things, the Sopresseta, Provola, Capri Sorrento, and Napoli, I’ve got to bring up one more pleasure of that trip, the Aperol Spritz and Summer on the Amalfi Coast. It’s not that I’d never had an Aperol Spritz before. No, the first time I had one was way back in 1995 in Venice, the place where the Aperol Spritz was invented. I was on my exploratory trip of Venetian Wine Bars (Bacari) when I had my first Spritz. One evening I was walking around doing the Venetian Wine Bar tour. While walking on the Strada Nuova in Canareggio I dashed into a Bacaro I had spotted. I made my way up to the bar and surveyed the scene a moment before ordering. As I stood there I notice people drinking this particular drink. I asked the barman what they were drinking and he told me that it was a Spritz, “Prosecco with Aperol and soda.” OK, I said, “I’ll take one.” The barmen made me one in no-time flat, and that was my first Spritz, and I’ve had a number of them since then. Now getting back to that Summer 2015 on Costiera Amalfitana and the Aperol Spritz, they were everywhere, glasses of Aperol Spritz one after the other, bar after bar, caffe after caffe, table after table, everywhere you looked people were drinking this refreshing cocktail, the locals and tourists alike. Well I’d come back from the beach on my way back to my hotel, and as usual when on the Amalfi Coast when done at the beach for the day, I head to a nice bar or caffe for an Espresso, a glass of local White Wine, a Campari, or some other cocktail. Now all of a sudden it seemed that the Spritz had moved into high gear. The drink was quite popular, and as I’ve said, it was everywhere and everyone was drinking them. So I headed to the Piazza Umberto one day after a day at the beach (Faraglioni) as I usually do. There’s a few very popular caffe’s there, and it’s just a matter of picking one to spend your time at. I chose one of my favorites, the Bar Tiberius. I took a seat at a table outside and waited for the waiter to come over. The waiter came and I ordered an Aperol Spritz. He came back a few minutes later with a refreshing looking Spritz and a little bowl of peanuts for me to munch. Yes, it was good. My Aperol Spritz, Capri, the Piazza Umberto and all that goes with it, like a scene in a movie, set on the beautiful Isle of Capri. And you’re in it. Now that’s something.

So, I ended up drinking a good number of Aperol Spritz’s on that trip. I had them in Capri, Positano, in Sorrento, and at caffé in the piazza in Ravello. It’s a great drink that’s light and refreshing and a great way to start any evening, slow and easy, that’s the Aperol Spritz, it eases you into the evening with its lightness and refreshing taste. Enjoy one some time, I do.

So there you have it, the Provolone of my youth with those great Provolone & Gabagool Sandwiches at the Italian Deli Belveder, the Aperol Spritz, Capri, Napoli, Sorrento, and my Provola Panini on The Amalfi Coast. That’s Italy, Italian-America, Italian Food and memories of this blissful never-ending journey of Italian Food, the culture, people, places, and events. It’s all quite wonderful. Don’t you agree?

Excerpted from Daniel Bellino ‘s forthcoming book MANGIA ITALIANO …

VOTED BEST AMALFI COAST

TRAVEL GUIDE

POSITANO The AMALFI COAST

TRAVEL GUIDE – COOKBOOK

AMAZON.com

The WORLDS BEST BREAKFAST

AT VILLA MARIA LEMON FARM

MINORI -The AMA:FI COAST

ITALY

SUNDAY SAUCE

AMERICA’S FAVORITE

ITALIAN COOKBOOK

AMAZON.com

“APEROL SPRITZ TIME” !!!

MAKING PROVOLA

Watch the Video

Visit Procida

On October 6, 2024October 6, 2024 By Daniel BellinoIn PositanoLeave a comment

PROCIDA

The BAY of NAPLES

ITALY

Tour Info

PROCIDA GUIDE

PROCIDA

“Procida, in my opinion more beautiful than the sisters Ischia and Capri, a former fishing village where time seems to have stopped. Come and discover with me the beauties of this place still unknown to many tourists.”

… Gaetano ….

POSITANO The AMALFI COAST

CTRAVEL GUIDE – COOKBOOK

CAPRI PROCIDA ISCHIA

NAPLES SORRENTO

Voted # 1 Amalfi Coast Travel Guide

AMAZON.com

PROCIDA

This volcanic island in the Gulf of Naples seems almost out of time, in the idyllic setting of fishing boats and small villages perched on hills.

Here a typically Mediterranean beauty and from literature to film it was starred in many works. In the late 1950s, Elsa Morante dedicated the book L’Isola di Arturo to this island.

Procida is the queen of slow tourism and should be discovered calmly, with no rush. It offers a perfect mix of natural beauty, glimpses of a long history and unmissable beaches. You can get around easily on foot, but buses or taxis are also available.

The territory of Procida is divided into nine contrade, called grancìe. These are Terra Murata (the oldest), Corricella (the fishing village), Sent’cò (with the commercial port of Marina Grande), Semmarezio, San Leonardo, Madonna della Libera (or Santissima Annunziata), Sant’Antuono, Sant’Antonio and Chiaiolella (a marina). At 16 kilometres in length, every corner is impressive, starting with the many small streets that open onto beaches hidden in bays.

The historic core is the hamlet of Terra Murata , which is in some ways its heart, but equally interesting is the small island of Vivara, connected to Procida by a bridge. Its peculiarity is that it is a protected natural island, which winks at a more informal tourism.

Procida can also be visited in one day, the most important thing is to plan your movements or, alternatively, to let yourself go by instinct or the tips of the locals.

To get there, take the ferry from the port of Naples or Pozzuoli, a one-hour boat ride. You will get to Marina Grande, the harbour and beating heart of the centre, divided between craft shops, bars, small boutiques and rental points for mopeds, bicycles, minicars and various boats.

From here you can move towards the historic centre, climbing up Via Principe Umberto to Piazza dei Martiri, passing by the Sanctuary of Santa Maria delle Grazie and stopping at the Belvedere dei Cannoni to observe Marina Corricella in all its wonder.

Terra Murata is the ancient historical centre. Here you can visit Palazzo D’Avalos, which used to be a palace and prison, and get lost among courtyards, stairways and small squares until you reach the 11th-century Abbey of San Michele Arcangelo. In addition, it boasts a museum complex on the three floors below.

The fishermen village, Corricella, is a place you can walk to. The small houses of different colours are reflected in the transparent waters of the marina and it is one of the most beautiful and characteristic views of the island.

PROCIDA

The BAY of NAPLES

PROCIDA – CAPRI – ISCHIA – NAPOLI

Visit The Beautiful Island of Procida

Full Day Tour NAPLES to PROCIDA

TOUR INFO

Enjoy a day exploring the tranquil island of Procida
Stop for lunch at a traditional local restaurant
Travel round-trip by ferry from Naples

Spend a day exploring the quiet, mysterious island of Procida on your own. Travel by ferry from Naples and discover all the island has to offer. Explore lemon groves and cobbled alleys, soaking up the relaxing atmosphere.

Stop for lunch at a typical local restaurant and watch the world go by. Enjoy 3 delicious courses accompanied by a glass of wine.

Visit Terra Murata, the oldest village on the island, and see its castle and prison. Stop at the marina of Corricella picturesque village of fishmen and wander through the port of Marina Grande in Sent’cò. Admire best view of Coricella village from Belvedere dei Cannoni and Belvedere di Elsa Morante.

PROCIDA TOUR INFO

HOTELS & FLIGHTS

PROCIDA – CAPRI – POSITANO

AMALFI COAST – WORLDWIDE

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FILMS SHOT on PROCIDA

IL POSTINO

Starring Massimo Troisi

And Maria Grazia Cucinotta

FRANCESCA & NUNZIATA

Starring Sophia Loren

And Giancarlo Giannini

The TALENTED Mr. RIPLEY

Starring Matt Damon

Gwyneth Paltrow & Jude Law

SHOT on PROCIDA, ISCHA, NAPLES

ROME, VENICE, & San REMO

ITALY

HOTELS in PROCIDA

POSITANO CAPRI

EUROPE & WORLDWIDE

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Italian Cocktails Recipes – Aperol Spritz Negroni Cocktail Recipe

On September 23, 2024September 23, 2024 By Daniel BellinoIn PositanoLeave a comment

“The NEGRONI”

CLASSIC NEGRONI COCKTAIL

A Negroni is a cocktail made with equal parts gin, sweet vermouth, and Campari, and is often served on the rocks or straight up. It’s typically garnished with an orange slice or peel and is considered an apéritif.

The most popular story is that Count Camillo Negroni asked his bartender, Fosco Scarselli, to make his favorite cocktail, the Americano, stronger by replacing the soda water with gin. Scarselli also garnished the drink with an orange slice instead of the traditional lemon slice. The Negroni family then founded the Negroni Distillery in Treviso, Italy to produce a ready-made version of the drink called Antico Negroni.

The NEGRONI COCTAIL INGREDIENS

1 ounce CAMPARI

1 ounce SWEET VERMOUTH

1 ounce GIN

ICE

1 Orange Slice

How to Make It : Fill a Rocks Glass with Ice.

Add the Campari, Gin, & Sweet Vermouth.

Mix. Add an Orange Slice, and Serve.

Enjoy !!!

POSITANO The AMALFI COAST

TRAVEL GUIDE – COOKBOOK

CAPRI POSITANO NAPLES

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The APEROL SPRITZ

The APEROL SPRITZ

The APEROL SPRITZ

“A Brief History”

Often described as an Italian sunset in a glass, the Aperol Spritz originated in the city of Padua and has become one of the most famous cocktails from Italy. The Aperol liqueur became a beloved apéritif in Padua and out of its rising popularity the Aperol Spritz was born during the chic 1950s in Northern Italy.

In 1919, Luigi and Silvio Barbieri created Padua’s famous Aperol and as this bitter apéritif rose to fame, so did experimentation. During the 1950s, Veneto was at the peak of chic fashion and gastronomic delicacies, allowing the optimum moment for the Aperol Spritz to enter Paduan society.

Spritz is a form of cocktail as opposed to a singular drink, the term originates from the German Spritzen. The origin of the Spritz dates back to the 19th-century when the Austro-Hungarian Empire’s owned the region. When Austro-Hungarian soldiers first tasted Italian wines, they found them too strong for their taste and subsequently spritzed their glasses with water to dilute the flavor.

The years leading up to the 1950s saw rigorous advertising of the Barbieris’ apéritif, resulting in Aperol taking over Campari in popularity. Following a TV advert displaying the Aperol Spritz’s recipe, the cocktail soon rose to fame as a luxe drink for lunchtime aperitivo and summer evenings. By early 2003, the Campari Group had purchased Aperol and marketed the Spritz as a cocktail for the trendy and fashionable members of Venetian society.

The beauty of the Aperol Spritz lies in the simplicity of its ingredients, which extracts the quality of each native component. The foundation of this cocktail is Aperol from Padua, with Veneto’s adored Prosecco and chilled soda. The Aperol’s vibrant orange hue is slightly diluted with sparkling wine, painting the Spritz with a softer sunset glow perfect for summer evenings.

HOW to Make an APEROL SPRITZ

APEROL SPRITZ – Recipe :

3 ounces Prosecco

2 ounce Aperol

1 ounce Club Soda

ICE

1 Orange Slice

Fill a Wine Glass 3/4 full with Ice. Add the Aperol, then the Prosecco, and the Club Soda last. Give a little stir, and add the Orange slice. Add a straw and serve.

Enjoy !!!

GOING to ITALY ?

HOTELS & FLIGHTS

ITALY & WORLDWIDE

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POSITANO The AMALFI COAST

COOKBOOK – TRAVEL GUIDE

100 REGIONAL RECIPES

NAPLES & The AMALFI COAST

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HOTELS in ITALY

CAPRI POSITANO AMALFI

WORLDWIDE HOTELS & FLIGHTS

BOOKING.com

Capri Hotels Boats Things to Do

On June 17, 2024June 19, 2024 By Daniel BellinoIn PositanoLeave a comment

The GRAN QUISISANA HOTEL

CAPRI

CAPRI WALKING TOUR

POSITANO The AMALFI COAST

TRAVEL GUIDE – COOKBOOK

AMAZON.com

LOOKING DOWN to MARINA GRANDE

From TOP of The PHOENICIAN STAIRS

ANACAPRI

CAPRIT, ITALY

CAPRI BOAT PRIVATE BOAT TOUR

From SORRENTO

Or MARINA GRANDE CAPRI

INFO & RESERVATIONS

HOTEL CAPRI – SORRENTO

POSITANO – NAPLES

The AMALFI COAST

FLIGHTS & HOTELS WORLDWIDE

BOOKING.com

CAPRI TAXI

MARINA GRANDE

CAPRI

CAPRI WALKING TOUR

POSITANO The AMALFI COAST

TRAVEL GUIDE – COOKBOOK

AMAZON.com

LOOKING DOWN to MARINA GRANDE

From TOP of The PHOENICIAN STAIRS

ANACAPRI

CAPRIT, ITALY

CAPRI BOAT PRIVATE BOAT TOUR

From SORRENTO

Or MARINA GRANDE CAPRI

INFO & RESERVATIONS

HOTEL CAPRI – SORRENTO

POSITANO – NAPLES

The AMALFI COAST

FLIGHTS & HOTELS WORLDWIDE

BOOKING.com

CAPRI “OUR FAVORITE HOTELS”

The CARTHUSIAN MONASTARY

Near The QUISISANA HOTEL

The GRAN QUISISANA HOTEL

CAPRI

Info & Reservations

La SCALINATELLA

“We LOVE This PLACE”

Info & Reservations

HOTEL SCALINATELLA

BOOK a ROOM

HOTEL La MINERVA

The POOL

Info & Resrevatiosn

HOTEL La MINERVA

With YOUR OWN PRIVATE BALCONY

CAPRI, ITALY

Info & Reservations

TAKE a PRIVATE BOAT TOUR

CAPRI

Info & Reservations

CAPRI BOAT TOUR

HIGHLIGHTS :

Be guided by the experience of Captain Simon
Discover the beaty of this magic land
Feel free to take one special day
Make a swim into the crystal emerald water inside the green grotto
Visit the characteristic Capri town

We will sail first along the beautiful coast to reach Capri, passing in front of Positano. Once arrived in Capri the tour of the Island begins discovering the white grotto, then proceeding ahead to see the natural arch and the faraglioni rocks. Once we reach the green grotto, you may plunge into the crystal emerald water. Later we’ll reach “Marina Piccola” where you may eat in a typical restaurant and visit the center of Capri town, easy to reach just in 5 minutes by taxi. On the way back we’ll pass through “Li Galli island” before back in Praiano.

Info & Reservations

The FARAGLIONI ROCKS

CAPRI

INFO & RESERVATIONS

Positano Capri Hotels Transportation Things to Do on The Amalfi Coast Sorrento

On April 16, 2024May 14, 2024 By Daniel BellinoIn PositanoLeave a comment

POSITANO

HOTELS

TOP THINGS to DO –

POSITANO CAPRI The AMALFI COAST

NAPLES SORRENTO & POMPEII

CLICK HERE !

GO BOATING to CAPRI

POSITANO The AMALFI COAST

CAPRI POSITANO The AMALFI COAST

PRIVATE & GROUP TOURS

CHOOSE YOUR TRIP – CLICK HERE !

MARINA GRANDE

CAPRI

BOAT INFO

The FARAGLIONI

CAPRI

SEE The BEAUTIFUL ISLE of CAPRI

INFO & RESERVATIONS

See everything the island of Capri has to offer on a full-day excursion by boat with an expert guide. Enjoy a small-group experience along with the perfect combination of a guided tour and free time to explore.Get picked up at the Parking Mandara in Positano and head to the port of Piano di Sorrento. Set off on a comfortable and elegant boat along the Sorrento coast to Capri.Along the way, you’ll pass the ancient fishing village, Marina Grande, and the ruins of a Roman villa near Bagni della Regina Giovanna. You’ll also get to admire lovely rock formations and waterfalls.Upon arrival to Capri, tour the island first by boat, making stops at the Marvelous Grotto, the White Grotto, and the Green Grotto, admiring the Natural Arch, the Villa Curzio Malaparte, the Faraglioni rocks, and the Lighthouse of Punta Carena along the way.Enjoy a couple of stops for swimming and snorkeling, and a relaxing break with snacks and drinks on board. Next, it’s time to tour the island on foot, with 3 to 5 hours to do as you please.

CHECK AVAILABILITY

FLIGHTS & HOTELS

ITALY & WORLDWIDE

EXPEDIA.com

PRIVATE BOAT – SORRENTO to POSITANO The AMALFI COAST

BOATING on The AMALFI COAST

INFO & RESERVATIONS

POSITANO AMALFI COAST BOATING

Immerse yourself in the breathtaking beauty of the Amalfi Coast as you cruise across its deep-blue waters. Enjoy a hotel transfer in Sorrento and discover the quaint towns of Positano and Amalfi on a full-day boat tour with prosecco, snacks, and a limoncello tasting included.

Start the day by being picked up from your hotel and arrive at the marina. After checking in, allow the staff to help you get to your boat and set sail toward Amalfi. Sit back and admire the coastline and, if the weather allows, enjoy a swim and photo stop.

Disembark in Amalfi and enjoy 1 hour and a half of free time. Receive information about the area from your guide and stroll around at your own pace to explore the sites of your choice. Once back on the boat, begin the journey to Positano for more free time on land.

After all your sightseeing, make your way back to the boat and sail toward another idyllic swimming location. Enjoy drinks and snacks on board as you navigate back to the marina. Before docking, taste some delicious homemade limoncello, then be helped toward the vehicle that will drive you back.

Check Availability

HOTELS POSITANO CAPRI

The AMALFI COAST – SORRNETO

BOOKING.com

CAPRI

La SCALINATELLA

CAPRI

INFO & RESRVATIONS

TRANSPORTATION –

To & From The AMALFI COAST

PRIVATE GOUP & SEMI-PRIVATE TRANSPORT

From ROME – NAPLES – AIRPORTS

AND LOCAL TRANSPORT

INFO & RESERVATIONS

POSITANO The AMALFI COAST

TRAVEL GUIDE – COOKBOOK

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“DON’T LEAVE HOME WTIHOUT IT” !!!

ROME to POSITANO

NAPLES to The AMALFI COAST

ROME or NAPLES to The AMALFI COAST

PRIVATE CARS w ENGLISH SPEAKING DRIVER

INFO & RESERVATIONS

Le SIRENUSE

HOTEL Le SIRENUSE

“WHEN ONLY The BEST WILL DO”

INFO & RESERVATIONS

IL San PIETRO

HOTEL IL San PIETRO

POSITANO

One of The WORLDS GREAT HOTELS

INFO & RESERVATIONS

The QUISISANA

CAPRI

INFO & RESERVATIONS

The POOL

The GRAN HOTEL QUISISANA

RESERVATIONS & BOOKING

CLICK HERE !

The ROLLING STONES

COFFEE MUG

“YOU KNOW YOUR WANT IT” !!!

CAPRI

On March 23, 2023March 23, 2023 By Daniel BellinoIn AMALFI COAST TRAVEL, ITALY TRIP, TRAVEL, VACATIONLeave a comment

Marina Grande

Capri

Summer has started, and we’re dreaming of the islands – the gorgeous islands off the coast of Italy, each with its own distinct flavor and character. One of our favorites, Capri, has for thousands of years been known as a place of allure – rumored once to be the home of the mythical sirens who lured sailors to their doom, then later luring artists, writers, and philosophers from across Europe to bask in its natural beauty and air of pure romance. It is also the home of legendary beauty house, Carthusia.

An island of rocky limestone, jagged coastline, and sandstone cliffs in the Gulf of Napoli, Capri has been a resort destination since the second century BC, when Roman emperors used it as a retreat and playground for what were rumored to be a wild slate of personal pleasures. Today, its natural wonders, medieval fortresses, rustic villas, posh shopping, and rugged coastline make it one of Italy’s most beloved travel destinations.

The center of social life on Capri is the popular Piazza Umberto I, “La Piazzetta,” which was once a fish market and now is one of the world’s most fashionable squares. It’s where locals and celebrities alike can be found sipping coffee or cocktails and people watching, surrounded by breathtaking views and architecture, including restored palaces, the Town Hall, and the famous Torre dell’Orologio, the clock tower that once was the bell tower of the Church of Santo Stefano.

In 1826, the re-discovery of the legendary Grotta Azzurra made Capri an even more desired destination. “The Blue Grotto” is a natural sea cavern and miracle of nature, where the water glows azure blue, illuminated by sunlight from an underwater cavity. Once feared to be the home of demons and spirits, it found new fame that drew artists, writers, and philosophers — including Maxim Gorky, Henry James, Pablo Neruda, and Friederich Nietzsche – to the island, along with millions of tourists from around the world.

Dining on Capri can be as simple as a picnic of caprese sandwiches on the beach, a late-night pizza along Via Tommaso de Tommasi, or an unforgettable meal of authentic, artfully prepared delights at one of the island’s Michelin-starred destination restaurants. You can enjoy flawlessly prepared fish and shellfish in restaurants set in a lemon grove or on a cliff overlooking the sea – the options are as rich and delightful as the island itself.

“There is no spot in the world with such delightful possibilities of repose as this little isle.”

English writer and social critic Charles Dickens (1812-1870), on Capri

Looking to Marina Grande

From the Top of The Phoenician Stairs

Capri, Italy

Photo Daniel Bellino Zwicke

Home to Carthusia

It’s fitting that an island famed for its beauty would give birth to one of Italy’s most iconic beauty brands: Carthusia.

Legend maintains that the father prior of the Carthusian Monastery of St. Giacomo on Capri was surprised by an unexpected visit from Queen Joanna I of Anjou in 1380. He scrambled to pick the most beautiful flowers on the island to present her in a bouquet. After the bouquet stood in a vase for three days, the water had taken on a haunting and beautiful fragrance – a scent of wild carnations that became the first perfume of Capri.

Whether there’s truth to this legend or not, in 1681, the monastery began distilling local flowers and herbs to create essential oils and fragrance blends. Those same, centuries-old formulas were rediscovered in the 1940s, and Carthusia uses them today to continue the tradition of limited-production, finely crafted, hand-produced fragrances of magnificent quality.

Here are three of Mozzafiato’s Carthusia favorites to bring the magic of Capri into your heart and home:

The Fiori Di Capri scent is Carthusia’s iconic bouquet of handpicked wild carnations and Capri’s most precious floral essences. It’s based on the legendary fragrance formula dating back to 1380. A frosted glass engraved with the logo Carthusia is perfect for perfuming every corner of your home.

CAPRI

From The Summit of Mt Solaro

Phot Daniel Bellino Zwicke

POSITANO The AMALFI COAST

TRAVEL GUIDE COOKBOOK

AMAZON.com

Italian Cookbook Author

Daniel Bellino Zwicke (M)

With some Friends on ISCHIA

“A Day of Swimming”

Old CAPRI Taxi

NEED a HOTEL in CAPRI ?

Find a ROOM in CAPRI

ITALY & WORLDWIDE

BOOKING.com

“My Favorite Lemonade Stand”

Daniel Bellino Zwicke

CAPRI

“My Favorite Swimming spot on CAPRI”

Da LUIGI BEACH CLUB

Author Daniel Bellino Zwicke

CAPRI

CARTHUSIAN CAPRI PERFUME

And COLOGNE

Get Some !

The Armchair Traveler Going to Positano – The Amalfi Coast

On December 19, 2022December 20, 2022 By Daniel BellinoIn PositanoLeave a comment

POSITANO

The AMALFI COAST

ITALY

View from Le SIRENUSE HOTEL

POSITANO

ROMA

“The ETERNAL CITY”

ROME

ITALY

“TRANSPORTATION”

ROME to POSITANO

The AMALFI COAST

PARIS

“The CITY of LIGHT”

La PALETTT BISTRO

PARIS

Brasserie Lipp

Paris

France

ARMCHAIR TRAVELING

An Armchair Traveler is someone who finds out what a place or location is like by watching travel programs on television, looking at internet websites about travel or reading books about travel. Armchair traveling is about letting yourself day dream and imagine what it would feel like to physically be there. It is great for those who can not travel, and for those who want to fantasize about where their next vacation will be.

Cafe Flore

Paris

BOOKS

OLD SCHOOL ARMCHAIR TRAVELS

Need to get away, but don’t have the time, money, or energy? Armchair travel is the perfect solution – experience amazing stories and exotic locales all from the comfort of your living room or reading nook. Here is just a small selection of excellent travel writing to take you away from home with no baggage fees or risk of getting lost.

Positano The AMALFI COAST

TRAVEL GUIDE

AMAZON.com

Positano The Amalfi Coast, by Daniel Bellino, was Voted the Best Travel Guide to POSITANO

The AMALFI COAST 2022 / 23 …

NEED a HOTEL ?

HOTELS WORLDWIDE

BOOKING.com

LONDON

ENGLAND

HOTELS WORLDWIDE

BOOKING.com

TRAVEL COOKBOOK AUTHOR

DANIEL BELLINO ZWICKE

In SICILY

At the TEATRO GRECO

SIRACUSA

The OLD CUBAN

Don Daniele

HAVANA

CUBA

2005

From the Travels of Best Selling author Daniel Bellino Zwicke.

” I went to Cuba in September 2005. First stop Havana. I first stayed at The Ambos Mundos, Hemingway’s Hotel. He lived there before he bought his home, The Finca Vega. I flew into Havana from New York, by way of Cancun, Mexico. After my flight on Cuban Air was delayed fro 3 hours (at Cancun), we finally took off. I checked into the Ambos Mundos a little after 12 Midnight. My room was right next to Hemingway’s room, which is a small museum inside the hotel, dedicated Ernest Hemingway (his room).

I bought a a package deal from a Travek Agent in Toronto, which included : Roundtrip Airfare from Cancun to Havana, Cuba, my Cuban Tourist Visa, Cuban Health Insurance, ground trasportation to and from the Havana Airport, to my hotel, and two nights in a Deluxe Hotel of my choice. Naturally I chose Ambos Mundos, Hemingway’s Hotel. Well, I stayed at Ambos Mundos on the first and last night in Havana. In-between, I stated at Casa Gisell B&B in Havana for 5 days, then I went down to Trinadad d’ Cuba for two days, and returned to Ambos Mundos for my last night in Cuba.

While in Havana, I hung out at the Inglatera a lot, eating lunch or dinner, using the Internet, drinking Mojitos, and buying Cuban Cigars (Romeo & Juliettas, Cohiba, and Monte Cristos), at the little cigar shop in the lobby, then smoking the cigars as I listened to live Cuban Music, sipped my Mojito, and puffed on my cigar.

I visited the Partagas Cigar Facotry, down the street from The Inglatera, and took the tour to see how the famous Cuban Cigars are made. They make all the famous brands of Cuban Cigars there. These included Cohiba, Monte Cristo, Partagas, Romeo Julieta, and other cigars. It was quite interesting.

I went to the Paris Cafe a couple nights to listen to some great Cuban bands, and drink Mojitos. The Paris Cafe was just about a block from the Ambos Mundos. I really liked it there. Of course I had to go have cocktails at Hemingways favorite bars, “The Floridita for a Daiquiri ,and the La Bodeguita del Medio for my Mojito,” as Hemingway said.

ERNEST HEMINGWAY at La FLORIDITA

HAVANA, CUBA

He’s drinking a Daquiri, of course.

La Bodeguita DEL MEDIO

For MOJITO’S

RAGUSA

SICILY

THAILAND

KRABI

ROLLING STONES

NEW YORK

TRAVEL TEE SHIRT

PARIS – TOKYO – NY

RIO – NEW ORLEANS

“TONY EATS NOODLES”

ANTHONY BOURDAIN

TRAVELING The WORLD

PHO – ASIAN NOODLES

TEE SHIRT

Amalfi Coast Report 2022

On July 16, 2022 By Daniel BellinoIn PositanoLeave a comment

Amalfi

“Positano is never likely to attract the organdie-and-white linen tourist,” John Steinbeck predicted in Harper’s Bazaar in 1953. “It would be impossible to dress as a languid tourist-lady-crisp, cool white dress, sandals as white and light as little clouds, picture hat of arrogant nonsense, and one red rose held in a listless white-gloved pinky. I dare any dame to dress like this and climb the Positano stairs for a cocktail.”

Steinbeck was spectacularly wrong. A decade after his article, the Rolling Stones wrote music in Positano and Jackie Kennedy vacationed in nearby Ravello. The Amalfi Coast comprises 34 miles and 13 towns on the Italy’s southern coast. Designated as a World Heritage Site in 1997, it quickly became a port of call for the subsection of rich people whose careers mainly entail broadcasting absurd luxury. For the sake of this article, I attempted to make an exhaustive list of celebrities who have vacationed in Amalfi, but it quickly became clear that even if I did this work until I died and left the task to my descendants, it could never be completed.

During the last two years, Google searches for “Positano” have spiked as dramatically as the cliffs into which the town is set. #AmalfiCoast has more than 330 million views on TikTok. “Everyone is on the Amalfi Coast right now,” comedian Kate Berlant reflected in her podcast Poog. “There it is—the poison of Instagram!” her cohost, comedian Jacqueline Novak, responded. “You’re walking around with this idea that everyone is on the Amalfi Coast right now?” And yet—this is how it feels.

A local Amalfi news site notes that this summer, tourism on the coast looks likely to break previous records—this despite the fact that the area usually enjoys high tourism numbers from Russia, whose citizens won’t be traveling this summer. The article credits social media for the boost. U.S. News and World Report ranked Amalfi number one in “Best Beaches in Italy,” number two in “Best Honeymoon Destinations in Europe,” and number 3 in “Best Places to Visit in Italy.” Brides magazine put it first in a list of romantic places to honeymoon. In March, Rebecca Serle released the book One Summer in Italy, set in Positano. It sailed onto the best-seller list like a catamaran on a breezy day.

NEED a ROOM

POSITANO The AMALFI COAST

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Popularity has a price. All roads lead to Rome, but only one road leads to the Amalfi Coast. This means that travel during high tourist season is less “laughing merrily in your convertible” and more “hours-long gridlock nightmare as you scrounge in your tote bag for loose cashews.” A rule imposed this summer by the Italian government dictates that all throughout August and every weekend from June 15 to September 30, visitors to the area may only travel on the roads on odd- or even-numbered days, depending on the last digit on their license plate, CNN reports. The Italian economy suffered from the lack of tourism in 2020, during the height of the pre-vaccine pandemic. The influx of visitors since the country reopened to tourists is a mixed blessing.

The average price of a hotel room in Positano has increased more than 20% since 2019, Bloomberg reports (it’s now a sweet, sweet $618.38.) Airline prices are at historic highs. So how, exactly, is everyone on my timeline affording this vacation?

Positano

View from The IL San PIETRO HOTEL

Many visitors are likely funding their spectacular vacations not through largesse, but debt. A 2019 survey from Credit Karma found that about a third of all travelers and half of all millennial and Gen Z respondents said they had gone into debt for summer travel (the majority reported that they would be “willing to do it again.”) A survey from Allianz found that this year Americans plan to spend $2,122, on average, for vacation, a 50% increase from 2019. Despite the reports that air travel this summer has been and will continue to be “hell,” the last Sunday in June saw more travelers than any day since February 2020, a TSA spokesperson reported. At a dinner party recently, a woman mentioned in a world-weary way that she has visited Positano three times. She sounded exhausted, as if instead of the Italian coastline, friends and bachelorette parties had dragged her to Trenton, New Jersey.

For so many years I did not think about the Amalfi Coast—I thought about Paris and London and Bora Bora, and when I thought about Italy, I thought of Rome and Venice and Milan and Tuscany. Sometimes I thought about Pisa, Pompei, Florence, and Siena. Later I thought about whatever area Call Me By Your Name was shot. I cannot believe there is another part of Italy I am supposed to be thinking about. And yet. “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,” wrote Steinbeck. Or in the words of a Glamour staffer who visited once for six hours: “I follow every account and look at the webcam of Positano every night before I go to bed because it calms me.”

Through a proliferation of images the novelist could never have imagined, the Amalfi Coast has amassed real estate in hundreds of millions of minds. If everyone on the Amalfi Coast jumped off a cliff—into sparkling sapphire waters—would you? Yes, of course. As long as someone was taking a picture.

POSITANO The AMALFI COAST

TRAVEL GUIDE / COOKBOOK

POSITANO CAPRI SORRENTO

WHERE to STAY

WHERE & WHAT to EAT

WHAT to DO

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TOP 10 THINGS to Do iN POSITANO

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“I LOVE POSITANO”

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POSITANO

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Insalta Caprese – How to Make Tomato Mozzarella Salad Recipe of Capri – The Amalfi Coast Italy

On July 1, 2022July 1, 2022 By Daniel BellinoIn PositanoLeave a comment

INSALATA CAPRESE

Salad of Mozzarella
Tomatoes & Basil

As the name might imply, this salad (antipasto) comes from the beautiful Island of Capri in the Bay of Naples. Well yes, this salad made of fresh Mozzarella, Tomatoes, and Basil (Baz-ZEE-na-gOl) is eaten all over this lovely island by both natives and the many tourist who go to Capri to delight in its natural beauty, make a pilgrimage to the famed Grotta Azzura, swim its pristine deep blue waters, and of course eat some tasty local food of which the Insalata Caprese is the most famous of all.

This salad is the easiest thing in the world to make, with the hardest part being to find perfect rip tomatoes to complement the fresh mozzarella and basil. Once you find good fresh rip tomatoes, and you’ve got your mozzarella and basil, all you have to do is slice the tomatoes and mozzarella and dress all with a little salt & pepper, the basil, and good quality Italian Olive Oil and you’re all set. Put on some nice Italian Music, get a nice bottle of white or red wine that comes from the region and you’re all set. Pretend you’re on Capri and you’re in Heaven.

Insalta Caprese

HOW to MAKE IT

INGREDIENTS :

1 pound Fresh Mozzarella

3-4 ripe Salad Tomatoes (washed)

8 fresh Basil Leaves (washed & dried)

3 tablespoons Italian Olive Oil

Sea Salt & Black Pepper

1. Slice the Mozzarella into 8 equal slices.

2. Place the Basil leave one-on-top-of-the other. Roll them up. Slice the roll of basil leaves to get thin slices of Basil.

3. Put half the olive oil onto a plate. Slice the tomatoes into 12 equal slices. Place the tomato slices down on the plate of olive to coat each tomato slice with olive oil. Turn each slice over.

Sprinkle a little salt and black pepper over each slice of tomato. Evenly the Basil over all 12 slices of tomato.

4. Get 4 clean plates that you will be serving the Caprese Salad on.

5. Place one slice of tomato down on the plate. Then lay one slice of mozzarella halfway over the tomato slice. Add another slice of tomato to go halfway over the 1^st slice of mozzarella, then place another slice of mozzarella halfway over the 2^ndslice of tomato.

Place a 3^rd and final slice of tomato over the 2^ndslice of mozzarella. Repeat this process until you have four plates of Caprese Salad of equal portions. Serve to your guests and enjoy.