Parker

The weather was hot, hot, hot. But, I've heard, so was the rest of Europe while we were there. My daughter was in Amsterdam and it was in the 90s there. It was not overly crowded until the weekend. Then, there were a lot of Italians who came to the beach for the day. You make your way through small walkways down to the beach. The walkways have shops on both sides so people are stopping to window shop, take pictures, etc. This makes it difficult to squeeze through in some places but it's also fun so people watch and try to fiqure out where everyone is from (men wearing white sox are from the US). We took a ferry to Amalfi and to Sorrento which were great day trips. Also a trip to Ravelo was very nice. There's a ceramic shop there (Ceramiche d'arte) that has a great selection and even better prices! Have a great time. I wish I could go back. Ciao . . .

viaggiatore

Buon Giorno Rosita!

We just got back from Positano this past Weds after staying at the Miramare for 5 nights (before that, we stayed at the Caesar Augustus for 5 nights and before that, we stayed on Ischia for 5 nights) so, I might be able to answer a few questions for you.

Believe this or not, the afternoon desk clerk at the Miramare is named Rosita and she speaks excellent English. By all means, call her to arrange a pickup at the airport. After a long flight with luggage in tow, it sure is nice to see someone holding your name on a card when you get thru Customs. The ride is about 1 hour and will cost € 100 + tip for an English speaking driver in a new Mercedes. He will help put your luggage in/out of the car, but he will not carry them down the stairs to the hotel. But, he can call the desk clerk when you arrive and they will send up a porter pronto to fetch your stuff, free + tip.

To hire the same car for travel up and down the highway, the charge is € 35 per hour + tip. So, the short trips to Montepertuso will run about € 10/15. As already mentioned, Il Retrovo and La Tagliata will provide vans to pick you up and take you back. Just ask Rosita to make arrangements for you. We took one to Ravello and bought too much from Ceramiche d'arte (couldn't resist the quality and price).

Let me give you some insight to the Miramare. The Via Trara Gendino that the Miramare is located on, is not actually a street, it's a stairway from the beach to the main road, Via Pasitea. The Miramare is located exactly 211 steps up from the beach and about 100 steps down from Via Pasitea. But don't let that discourage you. The Miramare is beautifully appointed inside and the views of the bay and the east side of Postano from your terrace (and your bath tub) will be inspirational, to say the least. Rosita and the staff are extremely helpful and nice.

Be sure to schedule a boat trip on their "O Sole Mio" as soon as you arrive. It actually belongs to the Murat, but since the Miramare is also owned by the same family, the boat use is shared. The price is free + tip. We sailed for a three hour excursion around the Li Galli with two other couples and the captain.

Great restaurants you must not miss is Da Vincenzo at the top of the stairs and Lo Guarracino (our favorite). Rosita will give you a map and easy directions. Chez Black on the beach boardwalk is also good and exciting to just have dinner and people-watch.
Since we took the hydofoil from Capri to Positano, I don't know what the schedule is going the other direction, but there are small ticket offices at the dock where you can wait to buy tickets (biglietti for yourselves AND your luggage) the day you leave for Capri at about € 12 pp + € 1.50 per luggage.

I disagree with most of the posters in that even though we spent 5 nights there, we didn't have enough time to do all the things we wanted to. You must visit Anacapri. There, visit la Chiesa San Michele and take the chairlift up to Mte. Solaro for the incredible views. Also, don't miss San Michele, Axel Munthe's villa. And there are numerous hikes to various villas built by Tiberius during the 1st century, like Villa Jovis and Damecuta. We also hired a boat to take us around the island and the Blue Grotto for a morning trip at € 135 + tip. Great Restaurants were La Capannina in Capri and Il Cucciolo in Anacapri.

Lastly, it was very hot in Italy during our visit (low 30s C / low 90s F), but the Met was cool and refreshing. Every place we went was extremely clean and the people were extremely friendly. I hope you have a wonderful vacation.

I wish I was going back with you. Enjoy!

rosita

Molte Gracia Viaggiatore

I have just picked up your response and am most grateful for all your information as this is exactly what I was looking for. What a coincidence with regard to Rosita at Miramare. I very seldom come across the same name. In a weeks time we will be there and cannot wait. We will certainly take the boat trip the hotel has to offer and then do day trips to Amalfi/Ravello and Sorrento. My biggest worry is the steps, but I suppose if you take it slowly and leisurely it should be OK?? How far is the Miramare away from shops etc?
Did the Miramare arrange your pick up from Naples airport?
Many thanks again

Rosita

viaggiatore

Hello Rosita,

The steps of Positano can definitely take their toil during mid-day when the temp is in the 90s and the humidity is 100%, but it's vertical axis just one of the unique qualities about this lovely town. When the locals climb, you'll notice they rarely stop until they have reached their level of destination. We passed many tourists on the stairs, who like ourselves were "huffing and puffing". During our stay, it seemed hotter in the mornings than the afternoons, I guess because the ocean breezes began after siesta time. If you take your time and stop frequently to rest, you can absorb & enjoy the panorama of Positano's vast scenery. After you catch your breath, I'm sure you'll feel energized to continue the climb.

The Miramare is centrally located on the town's hillside. We found the easiest way to the shops from the hotel was to climb up to Via Pasitea and follow the one-way road downhill toward the center of town (about a 10 minute walk from here). The shops begin shortly after you pass the Hotel Poseidon. When Via Pasitea bottoms out at the bus stop, turn to the right on Via dei Mulini and follow down to the boardwalk on the beach. Most of the shops and banks are on this Via and it's strickly walking traffic only, no vehicles allowed. Don't forget to stop at the Lemon Shop where everything they sell, ceramics, lemoncello, soaps are all from local lemons (smells wonderful in here). There are numerous fashion shops that sell bikinis to linen and tapestry. About midways down, you walk under a huge, bougainvillea-covered arbor in front of the Palazzo Murat. Here's where some local artists sell prints and handmade jewelry. Further down, still some more shops all the way to the boardwalk at the bottom, where you have several restaurants to choose from for lunch (pranzo). Up a small set of stairs just beyond Chez Black, turn right and continue up a slight grade to the start of Via Trara Gendino and your 211 steps back up to your room in the Miramare.

For us this route proved to be easier than going the opposite way.

As far as the driver FROM the airport, we didn't go directly to Positano. Rosita arranged our driver TO the airport when we left. When we arrived in Naples at the start of our holiday, we went to Ischia first, then Capri, then to Positano. Our first hotel on Ischia arranged for a driver to pick us up at the airport and take us to Molo Beverello, where we caught a hydrofoil to Ischia.

By all means, I would call Rosita and have her arrange for a driver to pick you up at the airport and drive you to Positano. Start you holiday off right and leave the transport to someone else.

I'm very happy for you. If there's anything else I can help with, let me know. Have a wonderful trip!

viaggiatore

BTW Rosita,

This is the car service we used in Positano: Limousine Service Five Stars. They have a website at:

http://www.limocarservice.net/

I have also read on some other posts that recommend Flavio Gioia's service. He also has a website at:

http://www.flaviogioia.com/

Make a reservation and relax. Or let Rosita at the Miramare do it for you. Have a great trip!

rosita

Thanks everyone for all your help and information. I have booked for the Miramare to collect us from Naples airport. We leave in 2 days time and just cannot wait. On my return I will be able to give you first hand information as well and will only be too happy to answer your question.

Cio