Positano Amalfi Coast Travel Guide Italy

Positano

WELCOME to BEAUTIFUL POSITANO

And The ULTIMATE GUIDE to EVERYTHING POSITANO

EAT - DRINK - SLEEP - EXPLORE - SWIM - PLAY - GET AROUND

Positano Amalfi Coast Hotels

The MAIN Beach at Positano

Pulling Into POSITANO

This is a Great Car ... But it's Best to Leave the Car at Home

GETTING to POSITANO

The BEST WAY

ROME to POSITANO PRIVATE TRANSPORTATION

HOTELS

There are several ways to get to Positano, either by Bus, Car, or Boat, and some ways are much better than other ones. 

If you are Flying into the Airport in Naples, you can get Affordable Ground Transportation , directly from the Airport to Sorrento, where you can take a spectacular Bus Ride, or Ferry Boat directly from Sorrento right to the center of Positano. 

POSITANO The AMALFI COAST

COOKBOOK / TRAVEL GUIDE

CAPRI - NAPLES - SORRENTO

The AMALFI COAST ITALY

AMAZON.com

POSITANO

Wish You Were There ???

Positano Getting There

Recipes

NAPOLI DAY TOURS to POSITANO

The AMALFI COAST

Find a Hotel

ITALY

View of Positano

Hotels CAPRI - POSITANO

The AMALFI COAST

And WORLDWIDE

EXPEDIA.com

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How to Get There

Marisa Tomei and Robert Downey Jr. arrive 

by FERRARI in "ONLY YOU"

WHERE to Stay

This is Where Billy Zane, Marisa Tomei , and Robert Downey Jr. Stayed

Le SIRENUSE Hotel

"ONLY YOU"

WHERE to EAT

in POSITANO

Best Beaches

In POSITANO

ITALY

ITALIAN FOOD & TRAVEL 

ROME VENICE PIZZA PASTA & ???

NAPLES CAPRI SORRENTO The AMALFI COAST

ITALY TRAVEL GUIDE - COOKBOOK

AMAZON.com

LOOKING FOR a HOTEL

POSITANO & WORLDWIDE

BOOKING.com

Lo SMERALDO

AMALFI

WHERE to EAT on The AMALFI COAST

MAPS of POSITANO

GET GREAT RATES on AIRLINE FLIGHTS

The AMALFI COAST

SUNDAY SAUCE

Cooking Like

The You're in Positano

The AMALFI COAST

Daniel Bellino "Z"

Clark Gable with Sophia Loren

Movie's Set on Capri

Naples and The AMALFI COAST

ITALY

WHAT to DO on The AMALFI COAST

TOP THINGS to DO in POSITANO

And The AMALFI COAST

CLICK HERE for INFO

The Path of The Gods

POSITANO

The AMALFI COAST

Cheapest Budget  Hotels

In POSITANO

The AMALFI COAST

ITALY

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VIEW From Le SIRENUSE

Thee PLACE to STAY in POSITANO

BOOK IT !

CASA ALBERTINA  ... Positano

Look at This View ??? !!!!

How'd You like to Have Your Breakfast Here ?

One of Our ALL-TIME FAVORITE 

POSITANO

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Casa Albertina

LUXURY For LESS

Info & Reservations

Beautifully Appointed Rooms 

Casa Albertina is a wonderful 1st Class little family run Hotel that is perfectly situated so you get a nice view of the town from just a little way up, yet a short easy teen minute walk to the Beach and Center of Positano. 

I first discovered Casa Albertina way back in 1986 and had 3 glorious days staying there. The son Lorenzo gave me a special rate, seeing I was a young man (22) and probably didn't have much cash. This hotel is beautifully appointed and the entire staff provides the most friendly service. Casa Albertina is an Absolute Gem.

Note : The first time I stayed at CASA ALBERTINA was the Summer of 1986. The owners sone Lorenzo gave me a special rate of $79 a night, and I had an absolutely wonderful time. The next year when I came back, the price had gone up to $119 a night. When I checked the prices in May of 2018, the rate was $279 a night, and actually a reasonable rate for the quality of this hotel, which is not super deluxe, but does make it in to the luxury category of hotels.

CASA ALBERTINA ... Via Tavolozza 3  ... POSITANO , ITALY  ... Reserve a Room .

Me at Casa Albertina

Breakfast with Nicoletta

Summer 1986

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BUCA di BACCO .... Positano

View From a Room

HOTEL BUCA di BACCO

HOTEL BUCA di BACCO  ... Via Rama Teglia 4 ... Positano, Italy ...  tel. 39 081 1892 2289 Click to Book a Room at Buca di Bacco

....

Le SIRENUSE

Le SIRENUSE

Info & Reservations

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The POOL

Le SIRENUSE

A Room at Le Sirenuse

BOOK IT

ARE YOU COMING From ROME ?

ROME to The AMALFI COAST

PRIVATE LUXURY TRANSPORT

"I LOVE POSITANO"

TEE SHIRT

View From Terrace Bar at Le Sirenuse

Le SIRENUSE HOTEL ... Via C. Colombo 30 , Positano, Italy .. tel. 39 0862 060556 

CLICK HERE to Book a Room at Le SIRENUSE HOTEL

View from the SAN PIETRO

One of The Worlds Most Renowned Hotels

Stay Here

For The DREAM VACATION of a LIFETIME

One of The SAN PIETRO'S FABULOUS Rooms

Your Own Private Balcony

Book It

GROUP & PRIVATE TOURS

SORRENTO CAPRI POSITANO POMPEII The AMALFI COASTS - BUS TOURS

WINE TASTING LUCNHES - PIZZA & ITALIAN FOOD COOKING CLASSES

NAPLES - SORRENTO - The AMALFI COAST & CAPRI

THERE'S SOMETHING FOR EVERYONE !!!

INFO & RESERVATIONS

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SUNDAY SAUCE

CLICK

Find Your Room

FLY with EXPEDIA

FLIGHTS - GREAT RATES HERE !

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HOTEL ART PASITEA

View from the Terrazzo at Hotel Art PasItea

POSITANO

Lounge at HOTEL ART PASITEA

Free Wifi, Free Breakfast, Beautiful Views, affordable Prices ...

HOTEL ART PASITEA  .... Via Pasitea   207, Positano, Italy 

FIND a Room

HOTEL DIMORA FORNILLO

View from the Terrazzo at Hotel Dimora Fornillo

POSITANO

A Room with a VIEW

Hotel Dimora Fornillo

HOTEL DIMORA FORNILLO ... Via Fornillo 27 , POSITANO

About 200 Steps up to the Hotel from the Beach and Center of town. AC Free Wifi ... 

Free BREAKFAST   Reserve a Room

VILLA MARIA ANTONIETTA

View From VILLA MARIA ANTONIETTA

If You're on a Budget, Villa Maria Antonietta is on of The Best Options in Town ...

Posiitano has to be one of the hardest place in the World to find a hotel room, and in the Budget Category, almost but not Impossible. Villa Maria Antonietta is one of your best options if you want to pay less than $150 US Dollars a night. It's almost impossible finding a room here in the high season (April to Mid October).  You have a much better chance getting a room here in the off-season when you can get a room for about $96 a night (US Dollars).

I first stayed here in the Summer of 1985, and was recommended this place by the late Poet RENE RICARD. At the time I paid $40 a night, so considering the way things have skyrocketed here in Positano, that you can get a room for about double the price in 2018, that's pretty reasonable.

The accommodations are basic, but most important, they are clean, the location is Fantastic, you are in Positano and it's relatively Cheap.

If you want to stay in in Summer, Book Far in Advance !!!

Just 1,900 Feet from the Main Beach and Marina to catch Boats (Ferries) coming and going to Positano. 

VILLA MARIA ANTONIETTA ... Via C. Colombo 41 , POSITANO , ITALY 

ROME to POSITANO The AMALFI COAST

PRIVATE DOOR to DOOR TRANSPORTATION

NAPLES AIRPORT to The AMALFI COAST

GET INFO - RESERVATIONS

CLICK HERE

HOTEL CONCA D' ORO

Hotel Conca D' Oro

Positano

View From Balcony

HOTEL CONCA D' ORO

POSITANO

Afforadable with Average Room Rate of $145 a Night US Dollars

150 Steps Up, about a 15 Minute Walk to The Main Beach

HOTEL CONCA D' ORO  .... Via Boscariello 16 ,   POSITANO , ITALY   Info

Find Your HOTELS

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TIPS on GETTING a ROOM in POSITANO and The AMALFI COAST

Positano has to be without question one of the hardest places in the World for the Budget minded to get a hotel room. There are not many options, as most hotels, the prices are astronomical priced. Seriously! This being said, it's not impossible and there are some options available.

We have Compiled a List of Several Affordable (Cheapest Hotel Rooms in POSITANO) Options for the Budget Minded. It wasn't easy, but we did it.

It goes without sayint that's it's markedly more dificult to find a reasonably priced room here during the high season which runs from mid April to mid September, with mid May to the first weel of Septemeber being super busy.

This all being said, if it's possible for you to go in October or April, these two months might be your best possible option. If you have plenty of cash and can afford to pay $300 or more a night for a hotel room, then you won't have as much as a problem.

The other alternative to see Positano if you want to go during the High Season, is to stay in another town like, Paiano right next door to Positano, or Minori, Sorrento or other town near by, and take a bus or Boat to visit Positano, have a nice lunch and do some sightseeing.

Good Luck!

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POSITANO The AMALFI COAST

COOKBOOK & TRAVEL

AMAZON.com

POSITANO - ROLLING STONES

SOLD OUT !!!

At BUCA di BACCO

Positano , Italy Yes a Wonderful Ristorante Amazing View Great Food Excellet Service ... This Hotel and Restaurant is a mainstay of the hugely popular town of Positano on the Amalfi Coast of Italy. Everything about the place is First Class, the hotel of course , the restaurant and a friendly professional staff of waiter, BBs, host, Chef, cooks, and all who work at this establishment. I've eaten here numerous times since 1985, and it's always been a great experience including my latest trip this past May with my cousin Tony. We went for lunch, this was my cousin Tony's first time, and he loved as I always have. I think I created a Monster when my cousin Tony said let's get a bottle of Champagne and a suggested we might get a good quality Italian Sparkling Wine. A few days before we were at Lo Smeraldino Ristorante right on the water in Amalfi. I ordered the Ferrari "Perle" Brut 2007. It was wonderful and Tony was hooked, he loved it, and wanted to get it at almost every restaurant we went to for the rest of the trip. Now back to Buco di Bacco. Tony scanned the Wine List at Buco, he found the Ferrari "Perle" and ordered another bottle (Vintage 2010). We started drinking it and as with the 5 or so bottles of this wine we had on the trip, it was excellent and we thoroughly enjoyed. Now when it came to ordering, for Antipasto we got an order of Melanzane Parmigiano (Eggplant Parm) and some grilled vegetables. Now, though we both love eating Seafood when down on the Amalfi Coast, when we saw Meatballs (Polpette) on the menu, we both ordered some. I ordered a plate of Spaghetti Meatballs while Tony ordered just Meatballs minus any pasta.

The BAR at BUCO Di BACCO

The service as usual was excellent, it was a absolutely gorgeous day in Positano and we were both a couple of Happy Campers outside on the lower Terrazzo of Buca Di Bacco. We both commented on how relaxing and peaceful it felt sitting there on the deck and we both sat back and thoroughly enjoyed the whole experience and good fortune to having lunch there at such a nice restaurant in the beautiful town of Positano n the Amalfi Coast in Italy. Yes, we knew we were lucky and we were most certainly grateful to be sharing such a memorable meal together, two Italian-American cousins in Italy in Positano, The Amalfi Coast. Basta !

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The WINE LIST

BUCA Di BACCO

Since 1916

POSITANO

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PESCE MISTI di Mare

BUCO di BACCO

POSITANO  ... I won't give you the address, as you can't miss it. The Hotel and Ristorante BUCA di BACCO is front and center, right at the main beach in the center of town in Positano. If by some insane reason you have a problem finding it, just ask, it's right down near the water.  telephone :  39 081 837 0723

PS ... If you can Afford It? The Hotel is Wonderful.

Da VINCENZO

A Great View of POSITANO from a outdoor table at Da VINCENZO

That's the terrazzo of Caffe Positano where all the people are sitting outside, which if you started going to Positano long ago, you may know that spot as the old BAR DeMARTINO, one of my favorite places ever in Positano, but sadly no longer there. Anyway, this is a spectacular spot to get an Aperitivo, have lunch or dinner, and just enjoy the moment and the beauty before you, and just how "Lucky" you are to be in this Gorgeous Place, known as Positano. 

Enjoy!

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Italian Cookbook Author (Me)

Daniel Bellino Zwicke, Enjoying Lunch

at Da VINCENZO

Been Going there Since 1985

Positano

Yes, I started going to Da Vincenzo way back in 1985. Ever Since my first trip to the lovely little Seaside Town on The Amalfi Coast, that was yet to be discover by the masses all around the World. Yes, there were people who had heard about this gorgeous place, but not nearly as many as do now. Yes, Positano for the most part was still relatively un-known back then. That's before Marisa Tomei and Robert Downey Jr. made the movie ONLY YOU that brought the town to the attention of so many more Millions of people then had ever even heard of the palce before. Anyway Cei la Vie.

Now back to Rene Ricard and myself and how I discovered and went to Da Vincenzo way back in the Summer of 1985 (Bar DeMartino also). It was just a few days befor my long awaited first trip to Italy, Spain, and the South of France when as I waas walking down 2nd Avenue one night I ran into my friend Alma who was with the Poet RENE RICARD. We were all chatting on the street when I emntioned my trip. When I said I was going to Rome, Venice, and positano, Rene got quite excited and told me the best places to go to in Rome, Venice and Positano. So besides all the info Rene gave me on Rome and Venice, he told me all about Positano and where to stay and where to eat which included going to Da Vincenzo where Rene told me I'd get the Best Plate of SPAGHETTI VONGOLE that Id' ever have in my entire life.

La CAMBUSA

La CAMBUSA

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View From a Table at La CAMBUSA

La CAMBUSA ... Piazza A. Vespucci / Spiaggi Grande  POSITANO ... tel # 39 089 812051

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Linguine Frutta di Mare , La CAMBUSA 

La CAMBUSA

PIAZZA A. VESPUCCI

POSITANO

La CAMBUSA

Out of most of the places we went in Positano this was easily best. They are so friendly and the food was perfect while overlooking the beach. Our first night they were about to close and stayed open for us to get a light bite and a great bottle of wine and we told them we would be back and they didn’t not disappoint. The seafood pasta was amazing and once again the staff was accommodating. I couldn’t recommend this place more. Enjoy Positano and really get to know the people because it’s a great place.

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Le PERGOLA

La CAMBUSA

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La CAMBUSA and The Piazza Amerigo Vespucci

POSITANO

LATTERIA "Alimentari"  ... Via Pasitea   , POSITANO

LATTERRIA

"Some of The BEST FOOD in All of POSITANO"

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FRITTATA FORMAGGI ARANCINI PANINI MELANZANE SALUMI e FRUTTA

The Selection at "LATTERIA" is AMAZING

And You Can Take it out and Eat on Their Lovely Little Terrazzo

"I Did"

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The Terrazzo at "LATTERIA ALIMENTARI"

We just lucked out and stumbled into this place for sandwiches while we waited for check in time at our hotel. We took them down to the beach and ate them on benches. Several people came up and asked where we got them! They were delicious and SO reasonably priced. Fantastic! .

The GIRLS at Latteria Positano

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Eat out on The Terrace or Take Out to Your Hotel Room or Apartment

or for Your BEACH LUNCH

They've got everything you need : Water, Wine, Sandwiches, Fruit, Rice Balls, Cheese, Salami, Eggplant Parmigiano, Frittata, Olives, Sweets, everything. .

Daily Specials at LATTERIA POSITANO

The AMALFI COAST

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POSITANO The AMALFI COAST

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DELIKATESSAN

Delikatessan

Yes another deli  (Salumeria). Believe it or not, Salumerias / Rosticerias have some of the best food in almost every city in Italy, and so is the case in Positano with Latteria Deli and here at Delikatessen. We decided to grab some food to take back some food to enjoy on our balcony. The food was of great quality and very reasonably priced. We bought some Pasta, Panini, and Eggplant, Arancini (Rice Balls) . Everything was super tasty. They make greay Sandwiches (Panini) that a great to take along with some Fruit and Arancini for an awesome Beach Lunch. If you are staying in Positano for a while and don't want to eat out all the time then this is a great option. They have a great wine selection if you like to do as we do and keep a bottle or two back at our room , as well as fruit and  bottled water which you always need.

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In The KITCHEN at DELIKATESSEN

POSITANO

Look at This Awesome Panino

Eggplant, Salami, Mozzarella, Peppers

One of the Girls at DELICATESSEN

POSITANO

DEICATESSEN .... Via Mulini 5 , POSITANO .



The BEACHES

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View from Beach Club La SCOGLERE

at Music on The Rocks

POSITANO

"My own personal Favorite Beach in Positano"

ITALY

Arienzo Beach

POSITANO

Spiaggi Grande

The Main Beach of Positano

Fornillo Beach is a Great Spot with Several Nice Bars and Restaurants

POSITANO

3D BEACH MAP

of POSITANO

The AMALFI COAST 

The Boat to Da ALDOLFO

POSITANO

at LAURITO BEACH

ITALY

Map of Positano and its Beaches

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POSITANO The AMALFI COAST

COOKBOOK / TRAVEL GUIDE

AMAZON.com

GOING to SICILY


FILMS - POSITANO - CAPRI - RAVELLO - AMALFI COAST


PIZZA


The BEACHES of POSITANO


CAPRI ISCHIA NAPOLI

Author Daniel Bellino Zwicke

FLY With EXPEDIA !

THINGS to DO ALL OVER ITALY !!!

GET YOUR GUIDE !

Meatball Rice Timballo Recipe Naples Italy

"SARTU"

NEAPOLITAN RICE TIMBALE with MEATBALLS

 

TIMBALLO di POLPETTE

   Neapolitan Meatball / Rice Timbale 

This is a great little antipasto item they make in Naples, and places along the Amalfi Coast. It’s an excellent dish to serve, preceding a fish, meat, or pasta course of any type, especially pasta with mussels or Spaghetti Vongole. This makes a great buffet or picnic lunch item with frittata, salumi, cheese, and fruit to go along in your picnic basket. As we’ve said, one of these timballo makes a wonderful antipasto, or you can serve two or three on a plate for a nice hearty main-course.

I also suggest, if you like, double the size of the meatball recipe below, to make a larger batch, if you want some leftover meatballs to make Meatball Sandwiches the next day, or serve one timballo on a plate with 3 or 4 meatballs for another great alternative main-course dish. 

INGREDIENTS :

1 pound Arborio Rice

1 small Onion, peeled and diced fine

3/4 cup Parmigiano Reggiano, grated

4 tablespoons Olive Oil

1 cup Tomato Sauce

1/2 teaspoon Salt

 

MEATBALLS INGREDIENTS:

12 ounces ground Bee1 large Egg

1/2 teaspoon each of Salt & Black Black Pepper 

1/2 cup Breadcrumbs mixed with 1/4 cup Milk

1/4 cup Parmigiano Reggiano, grated

1/4 cup Italian Parsley, chopped fine

Vegetable Oil for Frying Meatballs

1/4 cup Flour

NOTE : Bake these Timballi in a standard Muffin Pan, or individual molds if you have them. Grease your muffin pan (or molds) with softened butter.

 

FILLING INGREDIENTS :

1/2 cup Parmigiano Reggiano, grated

1/2 cup Provolone or Caciocavallo Cheese

1/c cup Boiled Ham, diced

 

• MEATBALLS PREPARATION 

• In a large mixing bowl, add the ground Beef, Salt & Black Pepper, grated Parmigiano, chopped Parlsey, breadcrumbs, and Egg, mix until well incorporated.

• Shape the beef mixture into small meatballs, a bit smaller than a Walnut and place on a dry sheet pan. Once all the meat has been formed into small meatballs, take each meatball and dredge in the flour to coat lightly. Shake off excess flour and place the meatball back on the pan. Repeat until all the meatballs have been coated with the flour.

• Pour the vegetable oil into a non-stick pan, and heat over high heat until the oil is at frying temp. Cook the meatballs in two batches over medium-high heat. Brown meatballs on all sides, then place on pan with paper towels to absorb the excess oil. 

• Set meatballs aside to cool.

• Rice Preparation :

• Fill a large pot with the Olive Oil and chopped Onion and cook on medium heat for 4 minutes. Add rice and 1/2 teaspoon Salt and cook for 2 minutes on low heat. Add 2 quarts of water and bring to the boil.  Cook the rice at a medium simmer for 12 minutes. Drain rice in a wire strainer or colander.

• Let the rice cool for 5 minutes. Add 2 tablespoons of butter and 1/2 teaspoon of White Pepper to the rice and mix. Add 3/4 cup grated Parmigiano to rice and mix. Add 1 cup Tomato Sauce to rice and mix.

• Meanwhile butter the molds and set aside.

• Form a layer of rice at the base and in the edges and press with the back of the spoon, place the ham in the center, the Provolone and a Meatball, a little tomato sauce and a bit of Parmesan, cover with rice. 

• Bake in a preheated oven at 325 degrees for 18 minutes.

• As the timballi are baking, heat remaining tomato sauce.

• Remove from the oven to cool for 5 minutes, gently flip on a plate.

• Place a little tomato sauce on a plate, place one Timballo on top of sauce, then garnish with a nice Basil Flower for each. Serve your guests.

This Recipe has been Excerpted from Daniel Bellino Zwicke's new forthcoming book (February 2021)  POSITANO The AMALFI COST COOKBOOK - Travel Guide

Broadway Fifth Press,  New York, NY

 

 

 

 

POSITANO is COMING !!!!

 

POSITANO The AMALFI COAST COOKBOOK

 

TRAVEL GUIDE

 

by Daniel Bellino Zwicke

 

RECIPES of POSITANO - NAPLES - The AMALFI COAST

 

And TRAVEL GUIDE by Bestselling Italian Cookbook Author

 

DANIEL BELLINO ZWICKE

 

COMING February 2021

 

Will be Available on AMAZON.com

.

 

 

 

 

 

Lemonade Stands Capri

CAPRI

"Looking to Mariana Grande"

Photo Daniel Bellino Zwicke

 Lucky me, I’m going to Capri. Capri, like Positano, has many charms. Its main attribute being its unmatched beauty, which is exceedingly spectacular. The island springs up out of the sea and soars to very high heights, making for the island's breathtaking beauty. Capri has long been a playground of the rich, the Jet Set, so-called beautiful people, and those wealthy enough to anchor their yachts off the waters off this gorgeous Paradise. But although Capri is the playground of the rich, most anyone can go, and will be warmly welcomed. Go to Capri and have the time of your life. Yes I love Capri, as it was Love at first sight way back in 1986.

   I had seen the island in movies, saw many pictures, read about it, and saw it on The Lifestyles of The Rich & Famous with Robin Leach. I have always had the Wanderlust, ever since I was a  young boy and saw William Holden in The World of Suzy Wong, Katherine Hephurn in Summertime (in Venice), and Sophia Loren and Clark Gable in “It Started in Naples” which was set on Capri. I’d go to the Rivoli Theater, watching James Bond, Agent 007 in Hong Kong, Rome, London, Venice, all over the World. I wanted to do the same. I yearned to go to Rome, Paris, The Orient, everywhere, so in the Summer of 86 I would chalk Capri off of my Bucket List. I did; Rome, Florence, Barcelona, Positano, Naples, and Venice the year before. I went nuts for Rome and Positano, and was going back again, though this time, I did 4 days on Capri in between. Back then there was no internet and no Booking.com to find hotels. You had to get info in Travel Guide Books, of which the Frommer’s Guides were always my favorite. They’d have a list of budget, mid-price, and luxury hotels, and the pickings of info was rather slim, compared to the vast array of info you get these days. The list of budget hotels in my 1985 Frommer’s Guide to Italy was rather meager, and if I believe correctly, there were only two budget hotels listed for Capri, one being the Villa Tosca, which was $38 a night, so I figured I’d stay there.   

   So, also in the Frommer Guide, I got my info on how to get to Capri. After spending a few days in Rome, I took a train from Rome to Naples Central Station. I then jumped in a taxi that took me to Porto Molo Beverello where I bought my ferry ticket and waited for the next boat to Capri. Back then, they had beautiful old ferry boats which were much nicer than the ugly modern ones they have these days. I wish they still had those nice old boats, but they don’t, so C’est la Vie. Anyway, I waited for the ferry, walked on the gang-plank, gave the guy my ticket, and found a seat on board. It was a lovely one-hour ride to Capri, and the weather was just perfect, and the boat didn’t make any noise like these new ones do today. I sat outside and enjoyed the ride, as the sea breeze blew in my hair, “I was on my way to Capri. How Lucky am I,” I thought? And I was, very much so. Yes, it was all quite a delight. As we got closer to Capri, I became very excited at the thought of it all. In a few minutes I’d be on the beautiful Isle of Capri. A place I’d only dreamed of, and yearned for, before, and now I was there, I made it happen. I could see it in the distance. The boat got closer and closer, and Capri was looking larger and larger, as it seemed to just burst out of the azure blue waters of the Tyrrhenian Sea. “What a sight? Capri. It was absolutely gorgeous, and I was going there. Again, “Lucky me.”   

   The boat pulled into Marina Grande.  Me marveling at it all. When I got off the boat, I made my way over to a caffe to make a telephone call to Villa Tosca to see if they had a room available for me. That’s how you did it back then (booking a hotel). They did have a room. Again, lucky me.”

   I walked over to the Funicular that takes you from down by Marina Grande, up to the main part of Capri known as Capritown. When the Funicular arrived at the top, I hopped off, and immediately spotted the cute little Lemonade Stand across the way. I walked over and ordered one. A Lemonade. So refreshing, made with Capri Lemons, “wow, what a treat?” This was the first of many Capri Lemonades over the years, at this stand, at the end  of the Via Tragara, and the one on the Via Certosa near my hotel.

   I drank my lemonade, then made my way down the street to get to the Villa Tosca Pensione. I got my first glimpse of the Piazza Umberto where I would have many wonderful times later on in the trip. After about 200 feet you come up to The Grande Hotel Palma, another place where I’d have quite good times as well. About 300 feet past The Palma, I caught my first glimpse of the Grande Quisisana Hotel, where the man on the phone from the hotel, told me to go down the alleyway next to the Quisisana, walk down to the end, make a right, walk a few feet and make the first right and there I’d see the signs to Villa Tosca, just follow them and you are there. 

   The hotel Tosca was lovely. Well it was pensione at the time. Nothing that special other than the fact that it was very affordable, I had a roof over my head, it  was clean, and it is located in one of the most gorgeous spots on Capri. It was amazing, and it still is, though now it’s a little boutique hotel, called not Villa Tosca anymore, but La Tosca. It’s still owned by the same family. The son took it over from his parents, and turned it from a modest pensione into a cool little boutique hotel. Anyway, there is a nice terrazzo where I tell you, the place has one of the most beautiful views in all of Capri. As I sat there on the terrazzo back in 1986, the Carthusian Monastery is just about 500 feet away, you can also see off to the Via Tragara and spot the lush Villas that line it along the way, but most of all are the majestic Faraglioni Rocks that shoot up out of the sea, and are the islands main attraction, along of course with the Famed Blue Grotto nearby. Yes the view from the terrazzo of the Villa Tosca is gorgeous, and I couldn’t take my eyes off of the Faraglioni, they were pulling me to them. Seriously, I had no idea. I looked at them, shooting out of the sea, and they pulled me. I just had to go over there. And so I put on my swim trunks, and I asked Giuseppe how to get there. He gave me directions, and I was on my way.

   I had to go back towards the Quisisana, and turn right onto the Via Tragara, and take it all the way to the end before taking the walking path that leads you down to the two beach clubs by the Faraglioni Rocks, Da Luigi and Fontelina Beach Club. I have to tell you, right before you go down the pathway to the beaches, there is another Lemonade Stand there at the very end of the Via Tragara. “You just know, I had to get another Lemonade.” And so I did, and along with the beauty of Capri, the swimming that I love so much, the piazza, the trattorias, and caffe’s, the lemonade stands of Capri are something I’ve always adored. Everytime I’m on Capri, you know I get my fair share of Capri’s tasty Lemonade. It tastes so good. “It’s the best in the World.”

   On my trip to Capri, in the Summer of 2015, I made my way back to the Faraglioni Rocks, to swim once again at Da Luigi Beach Club. I hadn’t been to Capri in a few years, so as always, whether swimming at Marina Piccola, La Fontelina, or at Da Luigi, that day in 2015, I had the most wonderful day. I had picked up my tasty beach lunch of an Arancini, Eggplant Parmigiano, and a small bottle of Aglianico at the Salumeria Capri. I got lunch and it was down to the Via Tragara and off to Da Luigi. I couldn’t wait.

  As usual, I spent the day lying around on my chaise lounge, looking out to the Faraglioni, the yachts, Goza Boats bobbing off the shore. It was a gorgeous sunny day in Capri. “I Love it.” And though I’m not normally a beach person, when I’m in Positano, on the Amalfi Coast, or on my beloved Isla of Capri, I just adore swimming there. I hang out doing nothing, that’s what you do on Capri. Well, you swim, lounge around, eat lunch, and have a cocktail or two when it’s Aperitivo Time. This is what you do on the beautiful Isle of Capri, pretend you are Sophia Loren, Or our old pal Marcello. One can “Dream, can’t one?”

    On that first trip to Capri, I was so lucky to wander into the Palma Hotel one night. There was a girl singing at the piano bar, and it was quite a lovely little scene. The crowd was cool, and a good crowd more than anything else is what makes a place, whether you’re in a bar, a cafe, club, or cocktail bar, it’s all about the people, “are they cool.” And the fact that you are in a lovely hotel, and you are on Capri, you just can not help having “the time of your life.”

   As I sat at the bar, I couldn’t believe my eyes when I spotted Tony. Tony used to own a little clothing boutique on Broadway in the East Village of New York. I had bought some pants, and a couple shirts a few weeks earlier. And there he was, Tony from New York was at the bar on Capri. “I love it.” And so we had our cocktails and chatted, and then I met a girl Alessandra, who was from Napoli. She lived in New York, and had a little house in Capri as well. I chatted with Alessandra, and so we became friends, and I had fun hanging out with her for the rest of my time in Capri. 

   Boy I tell you it’s crazy, I met Maria and her daughter when I was swimming at Marina Piccola one day.  Actually, her daughter started talking to me and was so excited to meet other people from New York. Maria was from Naples originally and moved to New York and she and her husband owned Benitto II Restaurant in Little Italy, New York. Actually, I was hanging out on the beach at Marina Piccola, and this girl started talking to me, and when she found out I was from New York she got quite excited, and told me, “please, you have to come and meet my mother and my nonna.” And so I did, and that’s when I met Maria who owned a Benito II restaurant in New York City. So when I got back to New York, I went down to Benito and met Maria’s husband Sal. For a number of years I’d go down and eat at Benito a few times a year, but eventually I stopped going and I sort of lost touch with Maria and Sal, and their daughter Maria. And it’s such a funny thing, that a couple days later when I was leaving Capri and going to Positano, when I was sitting in a caffe for a few minutes before I was getting on the Funicular, I met another woman and her daughter at the cafe, and I couldn’t believe it, the lady (forgot her name from 30 years ago) owned a restaurant in New York as well. She and her husband owned Martel’s on 3rd Avenue. I couldn’t believe it. What are the chances of meeting two different women on the island of Capri, and they both own restaurants in New York? Quite high I’d say.

  So, as usual when I’m on Capri, Positano, Ischia, or anywhere on the Amalfi Coast, what do you do? Well it depends. Mainly, you will eat at different restaurants and trattorias, and just enjoy all the wonderful food of the islands and the Amalfi Coast, and you drink the local wine, chit chat with your friends, go to the beach, swim, sun bath, and soak up the lovely Mediterranean Sun. You “Live the Good Life” if for only a week or two a year. Now you might do a little sightseeing, or you might not, you don’t need to. Some people just want to go to the beach, go for lunch, go to another nice place for dinner, have some espresso, gelato, and aperitivo in-between, then go back to the hotel to sleep, and do it all over again the next day. You do whatever you want, it’s your vacation. And that’s what I always do. The first 3 times to Capri, Positano, and the Amalfi Coast, that’s what I did, I didn’t do much sightseeing, but all the subsequent times I did, here and there, seeing Pompeii, exploring Napoli, going to Ravello, Cetara, some vineyards, and Vesuvio, but mainly when I'm on Capri, I just swim, eat, relax and live the good life, "La Dolce Vita"

Basta !

Daniel Bellino Zwicke

Excerpted from my forthcoming book - 

POSITANO The AMALFI COAST

TRAVEL GUIDE - COOKBOOK

AMAZON.com

The BOAT to CAPRI

Author Daniel Bellino Z

CAPRI TAXI

My FAVORITE LEMONADE STAND

BEHIND THE QUISISANA

CAPRI

The WORLDS COOLEST BARBER

The CARTUSHIAN BARBER SHOP

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