Italy 2009 - Day 1

Photo taken upon entering Positano

Brian & I just returned from an absolutely amazing vacation to Italy. I hadn't been to Italy since 1992, when my college roommate, Irma, and I backpacked for 7 weeks throughout Europe. And I had never got so far south as the Amalfi Coast, which was where Brian and I would be spending most of our time. I cannot lie -- it's quite the journey getting there. We flew to Washington D.C., then to Rome, caught the Leonardo Express from the airport to Roma Termini station, than the Treni Eurostar Italia (ES -- fast train) to Naples. Once in Naples, we had arranged for a car to pick us up -- one of the best decisions since we were doing the trip non-stop (The other option is to take another train to Sorrento, than the SITA bus to Positano -- or a ferry from Naples to Positano, but they don't run as often as other ferries). The driver dropped us off at a bus station in Positano, where the caretaker of the house picked us up.

We rented our house through a company called Summer in Italy, and we couldn't have been happier. They rent by the week -- we stayed 6 nights since we wanted to see a few other places. We stayed in an incredibly charming house called Villino Supremo. It was over 300 stairs from the street to the house (and it was hot out ...), so the walk could be quite grueling. Fortunately, there was a little wading pool and outdoor shower, so we would just jump in there after reaching the top. One of the most amusing things to us was watching our luggage get delivered to the house when we first arrived. The caretaker, used a pulley system located high (really high ...) above a ravine to transport the luggage. But we were very thankful for this device.

Needless to say, we were tired. We walked into town and picked up some simple foods to prepare dinner, and called it a night.

The region is known for lemons. We were told to cut them and add sugar,
so had to try for ourselves. Add a little white wine to the mix -- very refreshing.

Cats roam all over in Italy, and our mountain hideaway had it's own share.
This little one spent three days with us. I named her Bella.

Sunset view facing Positano from our house.

Evening shot of our house -- Villino Supremo.