Positano is sometimes called the "Pearl of the Amalfi Coast", and this small extraordinarily beautiful coastal town really is like a shining jewel nestled into the steep hillside at the feet of the Lattari Mountains between the sea and the sky.

One myth says that Positano was founded by Poseidon (god of the sea) for the sake of Pasitea the nymph who was his beloved. According to Homer's Greek Odyssey, it was along this coast line, that Ulysses, on the way back to his homeland Ithaca, heard the mermaids singing. To keep their hypnotic songs from beckoning his ship onto the dangerous rocks, Odysseus plugged his crews ears with wax and made his men lash him to the ship's mast.

Whatever the true origins of this ancient fishing village, it's position overlooking the sparkling blue Tyrrhenian Sea along Italy's most spectacular coastline has long made it one of the most prized tourist locations in the world.

Over the years Positano has been a favourite refuge of internationally renowned figures. The American novelist John Steinbeck, Italian filmmaker Franco Zeffirelli, "and many others have lived, worked, and found inspiration here. The ballet dancer Rudolph Nureyev, bought one of the 3 small islands called in the archipelago called Li Galli that are visible a few miles offshore, and used it as a vacation home. You can take a small boat from the dock to explore Li Galli from the water.

Despite the tourist boom that has continued almost uninterrupted since John Steinbeck first fell in love with it in the 1950's, Positano has never lost its original charm. Hotels and villas of every sunny color tumble past each other down along the impossibly steep winding streets and stairways to the stony beach at the edge of the small gently curving bay, home to a variety of brightly colored fishing boats .

Depending on the season, one can see a colorful profusion of flowers spilling over every balcony and terrace. The town is filled to overflowing with fashion boutiques, and each one creates original lovely beach dresses and hats. There is even a sandal maker who has a shop near the docks where you can buy a pair of custom-made sandals! Although it becomes very crowded during the summer season, Positano is the sort of place you shouldn't miss. A place that calls you back again and again, like a siren song!.

There is a wide variety of places to stay for every budget and even tiny pension where it is possible to have a better Italian feeling in a town exclusively accustomed to receive Americans, very exclusive restaurants and unforgettable home made trattoria's.

Amalfi

We would need many pages to talk about Amalfi, it has been the light tower of civilization in the 9th century, in this part of the world, they had their money it was called "tari" it was second only to Venice for importance and prestige. It had commercial trades with all the Mediterranean basin. They coexisted with people of different religions and languages. Amalfi was the first cosmopolitan city in the world. Police (PHONE: 089/871633). Ambulance (Piazza Municipio, PHONE: 089/872785). Pharmacy (Piazza Duomo 42, PHONE: 089/871045). Tourist Offices Amalfi Azienda Autonoma di Cura, Soggiorno e Turismo (Corso Repubbliche Marinare 29, PHONE: 089/871107), open Monday-Saturday 8-2; Centro di Cultura e Storia Amalfitana (Via Annunziatella, PHONE: 089/873143), open Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday 9-1; Monday, Wednesday, and Friday 4 PM-8 PM.

Ravello

Ravello is a village perched on a 350 feet high cliff overlooking the blue sea of the Amalfi Coast. It has conserved its historical monuments through the ages in a natural setting which has few equals in the world. The most important monuments are the Cathedral, founded in 1086, Villa Rufolo, i.e. the garden where Richard Wagner found its magical garden of Klingsor for the second act of Parsifal, Villa Cimbrone, which is the other garden of Ravello, famous for its breathtaking belvedere and several other monuments and villas. Ravello is also located near Positano and Amalfi, two of the most well-known Italian summer resorts.

Police (Via della Marra 4, PHONE: 089/857498). Ambulance (Piazza Fontana 9, PHONE: 089/867248). Pharmacy (Piazza Duomo 5, PHONE: 089/857189). Banca Popolare di Salerno (Via Roma 15, PHONE: 089/857872); Ufficio Cambi Spot (Via Roma 38, PHONE: 089/858086). Azienda Autonoma Soggiorno e Turismo (Piazza Duomo 1, PHONE: 089/857096), open Monday-Saturday 8-8 (summer); 8-7 (winter).