August in Positano

 

View from the living room of our apartment. 

  

We had an amazingly fun time in Positano last month..meeting Paola and her family, meeting her adorable parents, exploring the city, swimming in the Mediterranean,

 

eating some of the best food I've ever tasted in my life, visiting Pompeii. It was such a gorgeous, otherworldly experience. Everything about the visit was magical and breath-taking. (And I'm not just talking about the food. Or, maybe I am. Partially.) 

 We spent a total of five nights and six days in Positano. Even on such a short stay, we really did feel as though we got to know the city. We walked along the busy streets looking in the little shops.

 

The kids loved swimming down at the beach every day (while their Momma did some hard-core people-watching...such fun).

I loved going to the little Mom-n-Pop grocery/deli across the street from the apartment for homemade Paninis (to DIE FOR). We ate out at Paola's cousin's restaurant which, seeeeeeriously, was the best food we've ever eaten in our lives.

 

We ate absolute gobs of Gelato each night after dinner. We drank local wine and bought a case of Peroni...which I single-handedly attempted to finish-off before we left (and failed). But not for lack of trying! In short, we did almost nothing but eat and drink for six days straight. The end.
 
I kid.
 
Sort of.

 

Our second night in Positano was the celebration of the Madonna Assunta, which was something like the 850th year of returning the Black Madonna, via the sea, to the Catholic church in Positano.

That night the whole harbor was full of boats. We had a late home-made pasta dinner (complete with fresh eggplants, tomatoes and peppers from Paola's family gardens) out on the apartment balcony and watched the beautiful, lighted-up church procession down on the beach below. Later in the evening, we sat together in the dark watching fireworks light up the sky over the water.

It was really stunning. None of us went to bed until about 3AM.
 
We spent the next morning in Pompeii, with a private tour guide.

 

It was fascinating to see. I was really glad the kids were able to experience it. Getting there early enough helped us miss the crowds and avoid some of the heat of the day. It was well worth the effort.

 
 
Later in the week, we went over to Paola's house for an out-of-this-world five course dinner, cooked by her handsome husband. We sat out on the patio, which has a giant lemon tree shading it (with the most unbelievably monstrously large lemons you've ever seen). Hanging from the tree were paper lanterns.

 

The view from the patio was of the most pristine beach below and the old stone tower out on a rocky crag over the water. Add to that an endless horizon of crystal blue water as far as the eye could see. Clearly, Paola lives in heaven.

As night began to fall, we sat at the table together eating the freshest, most delicious sea food and watched shooting stars light up the sky. After dinner, Paola's husband got out his gigantic telescope and we all looked at the loveliest view of Jupiter, with its dark rings clearly visible. Without the telescope we could see the Milky Way and countless other stars.
 
It really was memorable.
 
As for Paola, she was exactly as I thought she'd be. I just really fell in love with her and her family. All of them are the most thoughtful, welcoming, friendly, kind, outgoing, personable, lovely people. Getting to know them made the whole visit perfect.

 

Thank you, Paola, for the vacation of a lifetime.

Comments

[Tuli]

I'm going to go fix a cup of tea and re-read this post -- take a mind vacation of sorts.

[Green Girl in Wisconsin]

Lucky you. What a view. *sigh*

[kmkat]

What a gorgeous place! Hard to say if it is more beautiful in sunlight --crystal blue water, etc. -- or after dark -- magical lights everywhere. Maybe at dusk...

[The Coffee Lady]

I'm not going to even try.

Lovely.

[Julia]

Tuli has the right idea, I just read your post twice for the fun of the experience. So cool that you were there while the boats were taking the madonna back to the island!

[Readersguide]

Oh how beautiful --

[Lynn]

Heavenly!

Except for the photo of all of the Ghosts of Farrah Fawcetts past. They frighten me.

[fifi]

WOW.

[blackbird]

I'm breathless.

[Paola]

Hey, you ATE my comment!
Anyway all I said is THANK YOU for the extremely sweet and kind words you had for us. All the rest, nature provided.
Hugs and kisses to all Mr. Eurolush and young Lushes

[Paola]

Also, you have any ide awhy the feed is not working for me?
I'm hopeless in this ...

[kristina]

Oh my gosh. I don't even know where to begin! K x

[suse]

Ack, you went to see Paola!

Ack, you went to Pompeii!!!! (I am immersed in Pompeii research right this very minute)

[Badger]

Okay. Beaches, beautiful scenery, old crap, whatever. But wait a minute... YOU GOT TO SEE PAOLA'S LEMON TREE IN PERSON?!

SO. JEALOUS.

I hope you gave it an affectionate pat from me.

[wishfulbohemian.wordpress.com]

*Gorgeous* photographs! Especially night in the harbor: that one is just enchanting. As it sounds your entire visit was~ What a perfect end to summer! Lucky you!

[Alice C]

Lovely, lovely, lovely.

I adore that photo of the harbour at sunset - just the image to hold in your heart in the cold days of January.

[monica]

I'm glad you had a fab time in Italy. I'm always nervous when people holiday there as I want my country to leave a good impression.

Phew.

And that is an unbelievable part of Italy too...

[SmitoniusAndSonata]

The view from the balcony was worth the trip on its own ! Throw in all that delicious food and good friends .....I don't know how they tore you away !

[Amelia]

So beautiful! What a great trip, thanks for sharing it with us.
I've just added Positano to my list of places to visit :-)
And growing a lemon tree over a pergola to my list of things to do in the garden!
xo

[Miz S]

I be jealous. But very happy for you.

[Just Plain Jane]

What a memory you constructed. Very sigh producing.

[Linda]

What wonderful photos! I love the stream of light in the family photo. I can almost smell those lemons, and feel the breeze on my face. Thanks for reminding me there are such beautiful places in the world.

[blackbird]

Dear one,

We cannot thank you enough for your warm welcome and wine (well, we cannot thank you enough via email as it is a bit wonky to do from here).
I am thinking of you and hoping I am continuing your dream vacation. Do you need a gorgeous pair of Italian eyeglasses? I think you do - I shall have K buy them and I will wear them FOR you - if you follow me....

xo

bb

[Scintilla]

Those mannequins that you are standing under are probably older than you are. I remember them an odd 25years ago...At least something hasn't changed!