only 2 days in Positano - help!
 

We are leaving for our long-awaited trip in a couple of weeks and I'm absolutely torn about how to spend our precious time in Positano. <BR> <BR>We're taking an early morning train from Florence and arriving mid-day on Thursday. We have all of Friday, but on Saturday we have to spend the night in Rome to be sure we catch our 8am flight. Not an ideal departure plan, but the flight was free. <BR> <BR>I'm trying to figure out how to make the most of our very limited time there. I'd like to stay in Positano until the last possible moment rather than take advantage of a fleeting glimpse of Rome. What can you suggest as an itinerary?

Jane, <BR> <BR>I would say enjoy the balance of Thursday strolling around Positano, maybe have dinner at da Vincenzo up on the hill and a late drink and some people watching down at the waterfront. Drive or take the bus to Ravello high in the mountains the next morning, spending half a day touring the public gardens, sitting in the piazza, shopping for local ceramics, enjoying the spectacular vistas,having lunch at Cumpa' Cosimo. Return to Positano for the balance of the day. Stroll the town for shopping and photo ops until dinnertime, or relax on the beach. Dine at whichever place along the beach strikes your fancy. Trying to cram in much more would ruin everything for you, as the mood is low key here, in spite of the crazy traffic. Buon Viaggio.

Barbara, thanks for talking some sense to me. I was thinking of squeezing in a trip to Capri as well as seeing Ravello. But I think we'd be missing most of the magic of Capri among all the day-trippers. <BR> <BR>We will have most of Saturday to enjoy as well, and I'm wondering if there is another nearby destination where we can spend a leisurely morning and afternoon. Are there any other easy scenic excursions we can do?

Hi Jane, <BR> <BR>We just got back from Positano, and I would agree with Barbara, although I'm not familiar with the restaurant. Lots of people on this forum rec. Chez Black. The location is nice down by the waterfront, but we didn't think the food was anything special (but I think we are the only ones, so don't go by us!) <BR> <BR>Get an early start for your trip to Ravello. You buy you're RT ticket in Positano, not on the bus. Be SURE!!!!!! to stick your ticket in the yellow box located behind the bus driver when you board in Positano or else you will have to pay a fine (and it's a hefty one.) <BR>The day we took the bus it was jam packed and we didn't know we were supposed to get the ticket punched. The ticket "checker" on the bus was trying to explain this to us (we think), but his English was as good as our Italian -nothing. He finally motioned for me to get up and put the ticket in the yellow box. <BR> <BR>The bus goes to Amalfi, and you change there for Ravello. You will want to spend some time in Am. to see the Duomo, and have cappuccino (in order to people watch) in the square. We had about 45mins. to kill in Am. before the next bus to Rav., so that's when we sat down in the square. We saw a bride & groom come down the LOOOOOOOOONG flight of stairs from just having been married. I was so nervous she was going to trip on her gown. <BR> <BR>By the time you check out Amalfi & Rav. your day will be pretty much over. It takes about 1hr. to get to Am. and 25min. to Rav. from Am. Then you have to take into acct. waiting for the bus and the connections, etc. <BR> <BR>Since you will probably have luggage, maybe on Sat. you should just head to Rome, and check into your hotel. Then you can spend the rest of the day there. <BR> <BR>Sorry this is soooooooo long. <BR> <BR>Elsa

Jane, <BR> <BR>Do as Barbara suggests. Ravello is the highlight of the coast for the view alone, not to mention the excellent gardens. Positano is the best place to stay, so you can't go wrong by focusing on those two. Save Capri for another time. <BR> <BR>By the way, if you want a waterfront restaurant that has the advantage of being less touristy, less expensive and better quality, follow the foot path to the right (west I think) past all the beachfront restaurants and continue for about 10 minutes. Just behind a smaller and less developed beach is a small trattoria. I can't remember the name, but it was the only one there. The Rigatoni all Norma (pasta with eggplant and a dry, salted riccotta) was excellent. Have fun!