POSITANO
Positano (named for the Greek god Poseidon) was founded when ancient Greeks at Paestum decided to move out of the swamp (and escape malaria), Specilizing in scenery and sand, Positano hangs halfway between Sorrento and Amalfi on the most spectacular stretch of the coast.
The village, a sight from a distance, is a pleasant gathering of cafés and expensive women's clothing stores, with a good but pebbly beach. Positano is famous for its fashions-90 percent of its shops are fashion boutiques.
Squished into a ravine, the center of town has no main square (unless you count the beach). There's little to do here but eat, window-shop, and enjoy the beach and view ( hence the town's popularity).
Consider seeing Positano as a day trip from Sorrento: take the bus out and the afternoon ferry home. If you stay the night, save the day for the beach, and the cooler morning and evening for exploring this hilly town. The town has a local flavour at night, when the grown-ups stroll and the kids play soccer on the church porch.
The "skyline" looks like it did a century ago. Notice the town's characteristic Saracen-inspired rooftop domes. Filled with sand, these provide insulation-cool in summer and hot in winter. It's been practically impossible to get a building permit in Positano for 25 years now, and those making renovations can make no external changes. The steep stairs are a way of life for the 4,000 hearty locals. Because hotels don't take groups (bus access is too difficult), the town has been spared the ravages of big-bus tourism.
The village, a sight from a distance, is a pleasant gathering of cafés and expensive women's clothing stores, with a good but pebbly beach. Positano is famous for its fashions-90 percent of its shops are fashion boutiques.
Squished into a ravine, the center of town has no main square (unless you count the beach). There's little to do here but eat, window-shop, and enjoy the beach and view ( hence the town's popularity).
Consider seeing Positano as a day trip from Sorrento: take the bus out and the afternoon ferry home. If you stay the night, save the day for the beach, and the cooler morning and evening for exploring this hilly town. The town has a local flavour at night, when the grown-ups stroll and the kids play soccer on the church porch.
The "skyline" looks like it did a century ago. Notice the town's characteristic Saracen-inspired rooftop domes. Filled with sand, these provide insulation-cool in summer and hot in winter. It's been practically impossible to get a building permit in Positano for 25 years now, and those making renovations can make no external changes. The steep stairs are a way of life for the 4,000 hearty locals. Because hotels don't take groups (bus access is too difficult), the town has been spared the ravages of big-bus tourism.
