The Amalfi Coast - Paradiso

Well here we are again back in one of our favourite places, Positano and the Amalfi Coast.

As you know, we have been coming here for many years, so this particular chapter will be more pictorial than descriptive.

Hope you like it.

We love it.

Positano

The view from our room...reddish sunset, good day domani

From our balcony

The owners of Buca di Bacco hotel are molti simpatici (very nice). One brother and two sisters. Here are Salvatore and Carla with Carolyna.

Dinner at the Buca di Bacco restaurant overlooking the main piazza on the beach

On our balcony

We had great weather.

August is a very busy time for any seaside area with many Italians taking their holidays in that month.

Agosto is ferie (holidays) month

There are also many celebrations starting with the obligatory local band

The one below was a religious celebration and a mass was held on the beach

The procession along the beach

Coming back from the main warf

Parade before Mass

On the beach for Mass

Mass on the beach

The holiday month was also celebrated by a midnight fireworks celebration. These were taken from our balcony.

The fireworks were very good, helped by the spectacular setting.

And then the mandatory beach party

You have to love these Italians. Exhausting being on holidays.

Around Positano there are a number of beautiful but tough walks.

Carolyn and I decided to go up to Montepertuso one day. Well over 1,000 steps.

Here are a few photos. A tough climb in 30 degree heat.

On the way up

And up

And up...me?...I'm not resting

And up...oops...vertigo

Okay Alan...do I look as if I'm laughing?

How much further?

Yeeaaah!!!

At the top.

How impressive am I.

In Positano you can be as busy or as laid back as you want to be. The Spiaggia is a stone beach and the water was a perfect temperature.

Here are our friends, Victoria and Jeffrey, joining us on the beach

The food in Positano is good but still a long way from our experiences in Puglia. Here we are at the pier waiting for our boat transfer to La Gavitella restaurant in Priano

Along with Victoria and Jeff

And the view from our table at La Gavitella looking back to Positano

The restaurant below was 10 minutes by car from Positano and the restaurant arranged to pick us up.

The girls enjoyed it.

But what has happened to the boys?

And at the Buca di Bacca it has almost become a tradition that Carla makes a cake for Carolyna.

Amazing!

We made a few trips out of Positano. One was to Capri

Leaving Positano for a day trip to Capri with il capitano

Il capitano talking to Carolyna

Capri from the sea

Sights going around Capri

One of a few grotto's around the island

You can actually swim through this and come out the other side (as long as you take a deep breath)

Capri and the grand marina

And a swim in the Mediterranean on the way back

The other trip was to one of our favourite spots, Ravello

Looking down the coast from Ravello

Outside the town hall where we were married eight years ago

Villa Cimbrone

The amazing infinity balcony of Villa Cimbrone

View from Ravello

View from Ravello

From the balcony of "Gore Vidal's villa"

We were again fortunate to be given a private tour of this wonderful villa.

Villa Maria where we always have lunch. Just a beautiful garden setting.

With the owner, Vincenzo, at Villa Maria

As always the food was amazing.

And enjoyed by all

Anchovies

Souffle

"The boys" having a rest. What are they looking at?

Well must close now. Our next chapter will be Lake Como and Peidmonte

Cia ciao e baci a tutti

From on top of the Vidal villa in Ravello

Carolyna e Alan