There are some places that seduce you instantly. The Amalfi Coast is one of them. After catching two trains from Rome to Sorrento via Naples (sharing a carriage with a feisty Napoli family), my sister and I were finally relaxing on the ferry. As we cruised past luxurious seaside towns, we knew we were about to set foot somewhere spectacular.
We arrived at the Positano wharf and cast our eyes up over the pastel-coloured terraces. Well dressed men and women dripping with style sauntered past as shiny Italian cars hugged the mountain bends and disappeared from view. With gelato shops dotted on every corner, love at first sight was affirmed.
We took the shortcut of 500 steps straight up to our guest lodge. By the time we reached the top, our aching bodies were covered in sweat and we were thinking we should have listened to the local who urged us to catch the bus instead ("You are crazy ladies!"). A happy Italian man in his mid 60s named Carlo warmly welcomed us. "Bonjourno bellas, you must be sisters!"
We were feeling a nervous about choosing a budget guesthouse in a notoriously expensive location, but as we stepped onto the balcony with white lacey curtains dancing in the sea breeze, our doubts were gone. Before our eyes lay the azure Mediterranean sea in all her glory. Yachts and speedboats cruised by in the distance and below us beach-goers sunbathed and swam in the sparkling water.
When I think back of our balmy Positano nights, my favourite memory is grabbing a margarita pizza and prosecco and taking it back to our little balcony. We feasted on the flavours and sights of Positano, savouring every delicious morsel of our time together in Italy.
We stayed at Pensione Maria Luisa. Highly recommend for budget travellers wanting a 5-star view.