Ciao, Positano!
September 30, 2018
It’s no surprise why Positano has been a popular travel destination for many years with it’s unique architecture, incredible views, and romantic cliffside hotels. It had been high on my list of places to visit and spending time in Europe is just what I wanted before the start of a busy season. The authentic Italian food, delicious coffee and wine, and charming shops are just a handful of reasons to love Positano. But there’s a few things you should know before you book a trip to this little gem on the Amalfi Coast.
BOOK IN ADVANCE
Hotel accommodations should be booked at least 2 or 3 months in advance. I made the mistake of booking a hotel only a few weeks in advance, thinking it was enough time. Hotel prices are high and Positano is flocked with tourists so waiting till the last minute is not smart. Also, booking dinner reservations early is encouraged. Some restaurants are nearly impossible to get into without a reservation ahead of time. Luckily we were able to score a table at Next2 and La Sponda in Hotel Le Sirenuse, but the swanky gram-worthy spots book up fast.
TRANSPORTATION
One of our mistakes was renting a car and driving from the airport in Naples to Positano. Having our own car sounded more romantic than taking a cab or bus, but taking a cab from airport is the way to go. Parking in Positano gets expensive and driving a car in town or between towns is a major headache. Also, beware of the drive on the coast to Positano. Sharp turns and winding roads can lead to car sickness. Once we got settled, we did things the Italian way and rented a scooter for a couple days. It was a fun (and also terrifying) way to zip around Positano and visit the neighboring towns.
STAYING HEALTHY
Keeping a clean diet in Europe can be challenging, especially when you don’t have access to a kitchen to cook for yourself. What I found the most difficult this trip was breakfast, since Italians aren’t really breakfast people. Among the few places that open early, my favorite was Casa E Bottega – a MUST when visiting Positano. Here we were able to order fruit and vegetable smoothies, dairy free and gluten free pancakes, oat bowls, egg dishes, and even almond milk for coffee! Everything was super fresh. They opened at 8am and by 8:30 the tables were almost full. Hotel Gabrisa was another favorite, but for lunch or dinner. Not only were the not-so-clean items amazing, you could easily get a salad, vegetables, and gluten free breads and pastas.
WORKOUTS
Positano Fitness (the muscle beach of Positano) is a small gym on the beach that costs 15€ for a day pass. Bring your own towel and headphones, and be ready to get creative. They don’t have tons of equipment and it’s basically in the middle of the sidewalk but it’s a unique way to get in a workout before a day on the beach. The tiny beach in Positano has pebbles instead of sand, so a beach run is not possible. Since finding a gym in Italy isn’t very common I really appreciated this little beachside gym. Need a workout to follow? Check out this leg routine that can be done on vacation, with or without weights!
Hike
Sentiero Degli Dei or “Path of the Gods” was one of the most beautiful hikes I’ve ever experienced. Not the easiest, because of many steep rocks and steps, but definitely a good workout. We took the scooter from Positano to Nocelle and the hike took us up and over past Praiano. It is about 8.7 kilometers in total and took us a couple hours to complete. This hike was a highlight of the trip and a must-do on any trip to the Amalfi Coast. Drinking fresh limoncello at the little cafe towards the end of the hike was the perfect way to relax and enjoy the view.
Overall it was an amazing trip and I will never forget beautiful Positano. Taking time away to enjoy life and see new places is super important to me. Now it’s time to get back to work, return to a super clean diet, and crush daily workouts! Looking forward to seeing all my clients this week!
Ciao!
♡Liv
