The Amalfi Coast - our last afternoon of our Insight Tour before returning to Rome

If driving up from Sorrento to the next village up on the hill was ‘hairy’, then driving from Sorrento along the Amalfi Coast to Positano on the narrow, winding road along the clifftops, with sheer drops below us, was hair-raising, especially when we encountered large trucks and coaches going in the opposite direction. And yet the views were spectacular. No wonder this coastline is world famous! 

While many buildings in Sorrento are in very precarious positions, even more buildings in the charming little village of Positano are in unbelievably precarious positions. How their builders managed to build them is amazing. I hate to think of what would happen to them and their inhabitants should an earthquake occur.

This village had many delightful shops, including one that sold the best lemon gelato I have ever tasted. And I sure needed it after walking down then up a very steep, long pathway to the beach, where many of our group dipped their toes in the water to say they have been in the Mediterranean Sea. I was certainly puffing and panting by the time I reached that shop. Interestingly, like many beaches in Italy, there were pebbles, not sand. Mind you, as our tour director pointed out, at least pebbles don’t stick to your feet and they give your an effective foot massage as you walk over them in bare feet. But really, in my view, nothing beats the fine golden sands of Australian beaches. 

This was a great way to spend our last afternoon on our Insight tour. We then headed back to Rome, and very reluctantly said farewell to each other. We had become a close-knit group and had the best of times.

I shall never forget the places we saw, the experiences we shared, our wonderful tour director or the lovely, kind friends I made. I do hope that they will remain in touch.

The Amalfi Coast from a lookout along the road.

Part of the road along the coast. It was clear the road was very old, and had to be partly built jutting out from the cliff by a system of bridges.

Descending into the picturesque village of Positano.

Along the walk down to the beach.

The last steep descent down to the beach.

The view from the beach looking towards a 'pyramid' of houses.

Looking directly behind the beach.

Lots of people enjoying the beach. 

The beautiful turquoise water and the gravelly beach.

Looking into a cafe on the long walk back up to the bus.

One of the many colourful shops. Lovely pure linen clothes were a common feature.

The people in this region of Italy pride themselves on their lemons.  A lemon theme was seen in many of the shops.

Another of the colourful shops - with a lemon flavour.