HOLIDAY - ITALIAN STYLE
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| Bistro table on one of the out |
As my husband and I just spent the majority of the month of June in Italy, this will be the first of several entries pertaining to fabulous finds on our travels. We started off in Positano, so I could get in a bit of R & R (ha ha) as my school year just ended on June 10th and we boarded our plane on the 11th. However if you have ever been to Positano, the last thing you really want to do is rest! Fortunately, we rented a sweet villa - Le Sirene - that had the most magnificent windows allowing one to feel outside; even when inside.
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| Chiesa di Santa Maria Assunta & Marina Grande as seen from our balcony |
The proprietors, Giuseppe & Chiarra, maintain a lovely garden of vegetables and herbs (oh, and gorgeous lemon trees) that they share with visitors. Upon entering Le Sirene, a beautiful selection of fruits awaited our arrival - this fruit was as delicious as it looks (reminded me of how fruit tasted when I was younger).
This may seem a trivial detail, but after traveling overnight on the plane; gathering our luggage; finding the rental car; and driving a couple hours to our destination - details matter. In fact, Chiarra & Giuseppe ensured our holiday in Positano would be relaxing as they took care of those minute details one might not think of when traveling. They provided a basic cell phone so we could call local businesses, or contact them with questions or concerns; the villa was thoroughly cleaned with crisp white linens on the beds; they have an efficient (sweet) kitchen and had already put bottled water in the fridge to chill for us; and there was a washing machine, laundry line, ironing board, and excellent iron - honestly, I was in heaven! I love fresh hung laundry so this was so exciting! My husband's jeans were washed and hung the night we arrived;-)
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| Tony's jeans with the beautiful garden in the backdrop |
Giuseppe was born and raised in Positano, so he is a wealth of knowledge - as were his mother and grandmother (who God bless them - still come out to work in the gardens pictured in the backdrop of the laundry line). Kind, wonderful, lovely people.
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| Via Gladioli (yes, that's the name of the "street") |
Le Sirene is my first recommendation as I appreciated the privacy provided by this lovely space, but also its proximity to "action" as well. Situated 80 steps down from the main road - Viale Pasitea - just about everything is in walking distance. Do not fear the steps with your luggage (although pack light as you could easily shop in Positano), Giuseppe & Chiarra will have a porter take your luggage down & pick it back up when you leave.
There's a lovely fresh market, Latteria, within a block from stairwell Via Gladioli and ~ 1000 steps (several passageways of stairs) down to the beach. Latteria offers a number of gluten free options including freshly made sandwiches on GF bread or rolls; pasta dishes; and vegetarian options. I went walking early each morning and would find the owner hand selecting all of the fruits, vegetables, and meats she would be serving or selling. As my husband enjoys a good cup of coffee, he started most of his mornings at the market, once I returned from walking the mountainous stairwells.
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| LATTERIA: Wine & Cheese Shop - and so much more! |
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Given the plethora of seasonal fresh fruits, fish, home-made and gluten-free pastas, along with the rigor necessary to "do" life here in Positano, it would be nearly impossible to be feeble or unfit. The Italians in Positano are so fit, you will find cyclist all along the Amalfi Coast - regardless of age.
These roads are beyond description; particularly for road biking. Needless to say, Italian men give a whole new meaning to "skinny jeans" - which show off their shoes beautifully. It is no wonder that Positano is known to have the best tailors in the world!
All I can say is upon arriving to Italy, I was exhausted and mentally drained. Life (as I allowed it & others to overcome me) was taking all of my passion, laugher, and love away - but Positano gave it all back and then some. Positano gave me my health back. Was it the air, the people, the villa, the food? Yes - it was all of those things. I highly recommend staying at Le Sirene if you are visiting Positano for holiday as it will allow you to get the true essence of actually living there.
Ciao Ciao,
Maryanne ~ The Gluten-Free Italian