On day 7 we said goodbye to the ancient city Matera, and hello to Paestum, Positano and the Amalfi Coast.
With a comfort stop along the way, we detoured to Vannulo, with a visit to an organic water buffalo farm which produced an excellent cheese, mozzarella di bufala. This turned out to be a fabulous spot for a gourmet lunch of fresh cheese, pasta and salad.
Departing Vannulo we made our way to the ancient Greek city of Paestum, another UNESCO World Heritage Site, where we toured an archaeological site of well preserved temples and a comprehensive museum. These temples date to around 450 B.C. and are in incredibly good condition. Paestum had at one time been a port city, but river sedimentation filled in the bay and left the city about a mile inland.
We were then on to Positano, another gorgeous gem on the Amalfi Coast, where Day 8 was a free day to enjoy life as we wanted. We elected for a boat ride to Amalfi Town, a short distance down the coast from Positano, wandered narrow streets, had a great lunch and enjoyed more gelato.
With a comfort stop along the way, we detoured to Vannulo, with a visit to an organic water buffalo farm which produced an excellent cheese, mozzarella di bufala. This turned out to be a fabulous spot for a gourmet lunch of fresh cheese, pasta and salad.
Departing Vannulo we made our way to the ancient Greek city of Paestum, another UNESCO World Heritage Site, where we toured an archaeological site of well preserved temples and a comprehensive museum. These temples date to around 450 B.C. and are in incredibly good condition. Paestum had at one time been a port city, but river sedimentation filled in the bay and left the city about a mile inland.
We were then on to Positano, another gorgeous gem on the Amalfi Coast, where Day 8 was a free day to enjoy life as we wanted. We elected for a boat ride to Amalfi Town, a short distance down the coast from Positano, wandered narrow streets, had a great lunch and enjoyed more gelato.
Andiamo. Let's get on the bus and head for our next stop, Paestum.
After a day visiting the water buffalo and spending time with the ancient Greeks of Paestum, the time had come to head to the beautiful Amalfi coast and the beach town of Positano for a free day of relaxation. The drive from Paestum to Positano isn't all that far but we had to take a round about way because the highway becomes largely a one way, circular loop. It seems traffic has become so congested that entry could only be from the north. The narrow, windy road also necessitated transferring from our touring coach to smaller passenger vans and driving the narrow road into Positano. Once there however, we were ready to walk the beach, eat, drink and be merry.
On our free day we had many choices of activities. Some of our group elected to take the ferry to Capri while we decided to take the passenger ferry from Positano to Amalfi Town, just a half hour away. Amalfi Town was very touristy. We arrived early in the day when it was fairly quiet, but in a couple of hours the streets became filled with people. We had a wonderful lunch at a quiet restaurant, La Taverna del Duca, but as we finished our meals every seat was taken, and a line had formed for street seating. It made for great people watching.
After spending the morning and early afternoon in Amalfi, it was time to return to the quiet of Positano.
When we went back to the marina for our return trip to Positano, we noticed many large tour buses lined up so we wondered if a cruise ship had arrived which led to the influx of people.
Back in Positano we spent the remainder of our day wandering the quaint streets and just enjoying the scenery. The main street by our hotel was narrow and busy, but we were able to easily find a walking street with minimal traffic. The side streets were lined with small shops filled with linens, jewelry and souvenirs.
On our free day we had many choices of activities. Some of our group elected to take the ferry to Capri while we decided to take the passenger ferry from Positano to Amalfi Town, just a half hour away. Amalfi Town was very touristy. We arrived early in the day when it was fairly quiet, but in a couple of hours the streets became filled with people. We had a wonderful lunch at a quiet restaurant, La Taverna del Duca, but as we finished our meals every seat was taken, and a line had formed for street seating. It made for great people watching.
After spending the morning and early afternoon in Amalfi, it was time to return to the quiet of Positano.
When we went back to the marina for our return trip to Positano, we noticed many large tour buses lined up so we wondered if a cruise ship had arrived which led to the influx of people.
Back in Positano we spent the remainder of our day wandering the quaint streets and just enjoying the scenery. The main street by our hotel was narrow and busy, but we were able to easily find a walking street with minimal traffic. The side streets were lined with small shops filled with linens, jewelry and souvenirs.
After our relaxing and rejuvenating days in Positano we were ready for the short drive to Sorrento and Pompeii, our next stops.