Our first trip to Positano, Southern Italy, was during October, 2016. My family and I visited this stunning location, with its mountainous terrain, and the locals were very friendly. We stayed for five days, at the ‘Covo Dei Saraceni Hotel’, Positano.

We flew from Gatwick Airport, to Naples, and my husband booked a taxi to meet us, from Naples, to take us to Positano, which had been very useful, as we arrived very late and very tired. Far better then trying to find transport on our own, so late at night (10.00pm). Even though, it was dark, the delicate lighting, from the homes, on the mountain, enabled us to appreciate, the Almafi Coast, at its most romantic and tranquil. After an hour’s drive, we arrived, and had to walk down, and along the cobbled streets, to our hotel, as there is no vehicle access at all, at the bottom.

The staff, at the hotel, greeted us, with a warm welcome. We were shown to our exquisite room, which had  a balcony with a spectacular sea view.

 

The interior of our very spacious, 5 star rating room, was very stylish, and decorated in white and gold. The light fittings; were very ornate and intricate. We even had our own dressing room, and well-equipped bathroom and spa/shower. Initial impressions of the hotel, were very impressive.

Even though our visit to Positano, took place during the autumn, the weather for the most part of the five days, we were there, was superb. The temperatures reached low to mid 20s (low 70sF).

We slept very well, in our luxurious bed, and our son (who is nine), slept on a sofa bed. We realized, the sofa bed, was uncomfortable, as it sloped to one side. Unfortunately, we did not raise this matter, with the staff.

No complaints with the extensive buffet and cooked to order breakfast. We had so much choice and the menu was very diverse and extensive. The staff at breakfast, were extremely charming, and accommodating, and nothing was any trouble for them at all.

The facilities of the hotel, was second –to- none, and it had a Jacuzzi and a swimming pools, where the views enhanced our stay at Positano, even further. We had fun at poolside, for a morning, where we swam and ordered drinks.

Positano has a very good standard, for shopping (day or evening), especially for ceramics (beautifully decorative jugs, plates etc.), glassware, shoes etc. There are plenty of restaurants and cafes, so anyone can dine throughout the day or evening.

We used the local transport, to visit Pompeii, for the day. The cost, for the bus and the train, worked out to be cheaper (than hiring a guide), and the experience was invaluable.

We met the bus for Sorrento, at the top of the hill.  (Ask at Reception, of the hotel, you are staying at, or any Tourist Information Bureau, for the best way to travel to Pompeii). However, from our guide (or websites), travelling to Pompeii, was not as clear, as you may think.

Another traveller, (on the bus we were on), told those, who were travelling to Pompeii, that for those of us who were visiting Pompeii, that we should leave the bus, at Meta railway station. We were at Meta, so the majority of us, left the bus!!  Crossed the road, and bought our train tickets for Pompeii. Sorrento had been an extra 20- 30 minutes away, from Meta, (so Sorrento was further from Pompeii, than Meta had been!!)

The train from Meta, had been crowded, however we were relieved, to be on our way to Pompeii. The journey probably only took half an hour, and Pompeii, was only minutes from the railway station.

The guide books (and other sources of information), do advise travellers visiting Pompeii, that the food and drinks are far more expensive within the walls, than the food places outside the walls. We lunched within the walls, and found the only canteen very good, well-stocked and good value for money.

 

 

We spent almost six hours at Pompeii, and have not seen everything. Pompeii was very crowded, however we were able to go where, Pompeii can be very quiet, which enabled us, to absorb the atmosphere, of life before and after, Mount Vesuvius erupted.

We paid a few euros each, for tickets, to a visit a specific exhibition, however we were unable to find it! There is so much to see, that paying for other exhibitions, was a waste of money.

At the end of our visit to Pompeii, we had to travel by train to Sorrento, and from Sorrento catch the bus to Positano.

My family and I, were extremely glad that we made the effort to visit Pompeii. We were surprised, that Pompeii had been so crowded, even in the autumn. We still had an amazing time at Pompeii.

We really loved our stay at Positano, and enjoyed our stunning hotel room, at the ‘Covo Dei Saraceni’. One day, we would love to return…