POSITANO
Positano, situated on the Amalfi Coast, in southern Italy, is an incredibly beautiful town that went from being just a small fishing village, to one of the most renowned tourist destinations in the world!
A brief history of Positano
Positano was an essential stop for the ancient Greeks and Phoenicians on their expeditions to western areas. According to legend, Positano is named after Poseidon, God of the Sea and prospered as a wealthy market port from the 15th to 17th century. The town went into decline during the 19th century and saw a half of the residents immigrate mostly to the United States. However, in the early part of the 20th century, Positano became a haven for off-season visitors such as painters, musicians, and aristocrats, mainly from Northern Europe. They were in search of relaxation, inspiration, and winter sun in this unique place, located on the cliffs of the Campania coastline. After the War, more visitors followed to discover beautiful Positano, they visiting during the spring and summer holidays. This inspired the tailors and dressmakers of Positano to produce clothes to sell to the tourists, they made use of hand-dyed lengths of cotton (known as rags) to create low cut dresses, roomy blouses, lace-fringed skirts to match bathing suits and the famous "pantaloni alla pescatore" or fisherman's trousers, which are wide-legged trousers that are cropped below the knee. The leather artisans also developed flat-heeled sandals with spider or single web strap. People who visited were inspired to wear these comfortable and light clothes, which created the fashion movement Moda Positano. The town was also the first in Italy to import bikinis from France. When the rich and famous started to flock here in the 1960s, images of stars such as Brigitte Bardot and Jackie Onassis, sporting this fashion spread all over the world and Positano became forever linked with chic fashion and celebrities.
What to do in Positano
Just walking around the little streets of this town is a pleasure; the views of all of the pastel-coloured houses next to the sea are magical. John Steinbeck famously wrote about Positano, 'it is a dream place that isn't quite real when you are there and becomes beckoningly real after you have gone'. The church of Santa Maria Assunta is also worth visiting on your stroll; it features a dome made of majolica tiles as well as a thirteenth-century Byzantine icon of a black Madonna. While in this area, it is almost impossible to not drive along the section of road that runs between Sorrento and Amalfi. Initially built by the Romans, it is one of the most beautiful driving routes in the world. For those who enjoy getting around on foot, then why walk along the Path of Gods, a hiking route that links the tiny hilltop towns of Agerola and Nocelle, ideally take the downhill route beginning in Agerola and ending in Nocelle for magnificent views of the Amalfi Coast and the island of Capri.
Beaches around Positano
The Marina Grande beach is at the base of the cliffs and is the most popular beach in the town. Other beaches include Fornillo beach, a smaller one with similar crystalline waters, a bathhouse, sunbeds, and a restaurant. Finally, Bagni d'Arienzo Beach Club is very famous and is known for its magnificent location, food and cocktails. Beach services include sunbed and umbrella rental, shower, changing room and toilet.