Walking around The Sorrentine Peninsula
- At May 20, 2015
- By Zia Lucy
- In lifestyle in Positano, Paths
- 0
When I started to be a guide my boyfriend introduced me to Giovanni Visetti, aka Giovis.
With Giovis I discovered many paths along the Sorrentine Peninsula.
Many paths on the area are not as famous as the path of the gods but they have breathtaking views and you can enjoy the off the beaten paths walks.
In my opinion, as well as local people believe, the best path on Peninsula is called Athena: it starts in Termini, a small village nearby Nerano, it continues to Punta Campanella (the extreme side of the Peninsula) up to Mount San Costanzo and then down to Termini. The trail is called Athena because of the Temple situated on the cliffs of Punta Campanella, dedicated to Athena during greek time, then to Minervae into the 2nd century BC.
This site has an important archeolgical interest but also amazing views: it seems that you can touch Capri with your hands and hiking up to the hill of San Costanzo you can see the amazing bay of Ieranto with its incredible waters. During clear days you can see all the gulf of Naples. The first time I did this hike was at night and we walked under the moon light. I don’t recommend to walk on this path during the warmest hours of the day. My best suggestion is to start the hike after 4pm during the summer so to enjoy the sunset ( always check at what time it becomes dark in order to avoid problems). For more info you can visit http://www.athenatrail.com/
Another beautiful hike is called Path of the Sirenuse. This loop trail is developed mostly on the southern side of the Sorrentine Peninsula, between the town of Sant’Agata sui due golfi (above the two Gulfs), the hamlet of Massa Lubrense and Colli di Fontanelle. It takes its name from Li Galli Archipelago which is considered the place where the sirens of greek mythology lived. Of course you won’t see any Siren but there are amazing views along one side of the Amalfi Coast, Punta Campanella and Capri, the gulfs of Naples and Salerno. During the spring, it is possible to admire amazing wild orchird and other plants which bloom such as the Asphodel, the Broom, the Rock Rose and many other.
Walking up to the Pizzitiello there’s the house of my dreams: a small rural house which looks like a tower, surrounded by small prickly pears facing the blue sea. Fore more infos http://www.pathofthesirenuse.com
I higly recommend those two hikes but there are other beautiful walks around the area. Would you like to discover them with me?
Discover Positano: the dead city
- At April 27, 2015
- By Zia Lucy
- In lifestyle in Positano, Positano
- 0
A walking tour of Liparlati could be a good occasion to discover one of the oldest districts of Positano, also known as “Ngopp è camere” (above the rooms) for the presence of many caves probably used as a refuge during the past.
The nick name of “dead city” was given by locals because after the Unification of Italy many people emigrated to the north of Italy and the USA in search of fortune and of a new life.
In Liparlati you can find the Church of San Giacomo (St James) which is one of the oldest in Positano. This church was buit during the 12th century by the family Parrata who were trading with the spanish so they decided to dedicate the Church to Santiago de Compostela (so St James).
During the 18th century in Liparlati some beautiful and luxury residence were built.
These villas are also known ad the “long houses” because of their architecture and during the Great Wars they were refuges for jews and artists. In 1926 Eduard Gillhausen, known as Don Eduardo, an exponent of the Bauhaus School, hid himself in one of the villas together with a woman who became his lover, Eva Maria Vivaldi. They spent their lives here in Positano, playing music and painting. They loved walking and hiking here in Positano as they loved meeting local people.
Among their guests at the villa it’s worth to remember Pablo Picasso, Carlo Carrà, Alberto Moravia and John Steinbeck.
A picture of Don Eduardo and the beautiful Eva Maria during a picnic above Positano:
One pathaway in Liparlati is dedicated to Stefan Andres, a writer who lived here from 1937 to 1948. He decided to move to Positano because his wife was a jew and after loosing their jobs they escaped in Italy. He had 3 children and the elder died for typhus, she was buried under a carob tree in the cemetery of Positano.
Local people always tell me “they want to be buried under a carob tree” and if you have the possibility to do a walking tour on the upper side of Positano you will notice many carob trees in the cemetery, which is also one of the most beautiful places of Positano for the breathtaking views you can admire from there.
Positano was chosen for many reasons: many other artists and writer did it before, for the quiet and the beauties of our village and above all because local people were helping them, hiding and giving them something to eat. Andres wrote a book which is considered a tribute to Positano: “Positano, Geschichte aus einer Stadt am Meer”, (Positano, stories of a city above the sea).
Liparlati, with all its stories about locals and artists, can’t be considered “dead”, but if you ask a local about the “dead city”, he will point out that small neighborhood perched on a hill in the upper side of Positano.
The Roman Villa in Positano
- At March 17, 2015
- By Zia Lucy
- In lifestyle in Positano, Positano, Positano Art
- 0
In Roman times, many villas were built along the Amalfi Coast.
Those villas were called “maritimae” as they were accessible by the sea.
Positano and the archipelago of Li Galli were chosen by rich romans or freedmen to build their luxury villas between the 1st BC and the beginning of the 1st AD.
Unfortunately, nowadays the two villas are difficult to visit.
The ruins of the Villa in Gallo Lungo (Li Galli) have been covered by the modern Villa of Leonide Massine and only when the sea water is really clear it is possible to see the small roman pier of the islands.
Regarding the Villa in Positano, it is situated into the center of the town, between Mulini Square and the Parish Church of Santa Maria Assunta.
The villa was probably covered and half destroyed by lapilli and mud during the Vesuvius Eruption of the 79 AD. It was discovered during the 17th century and then explored by Carl Weber during the 18th century.
According to some scholars (Della Corte), the villa was probably property of a gladiator, called Posides Claudi Cesaris libertus (a freedman to whom the emperor Claudius gave the “pure sword”, a trophy for victories on Britons). If this theory is right, the name of Positano could derive from Posides as the villa can be considered the “praedium posidetanum” (property of Posides).
For now, only one section of the villa has been explored and with a new structural restoration it will be possible to visit it.
photo by Francesco Fusco Positano
(courtesy of Francesco Fusco Positano)
10 things to do on the Amalfi Coast
- At March 12, 2015
- By Zia Lucy
- In lifestyle in Positano, Positano
- 0
First time on the Amalfi Coast?
Never tired of it?
Here you can find a list created by a local (me) of the 10 things to do when in Positano and the Amalfi Coast.
1. Path of the Gods: The path of the gods has been declared one of the most beautiful walks in Italy. There are several ways to do the hike but as a guide I suggest you to do it East to West, above all for the spectacular views.
2. Amalfi-Mills Valley, Paper Museum and pastries: The “Valle delle Ferriere” is one of the most interesting walks on the Amalfi Coast. Amalfi was a great Republic during medieval time and it was famous for the production of a luxury paper which is still produced nowadays. In the Valley it is possible to admire the old papermills surrounded by an incredible nature. Starting the hike from the village of Pontone could be the easiest way to walk in the Valley. The path could be slippery in some places so always remember to wear the right shoes and… don’t forget to bring your swimming suit and have a real refreshing bath into the River Canneto. Ending your walk into the paper Museum could be a good idea to discover how paper was created during the past and if you’re luky, you can personally create a sheet of paper. 1O minutes walking down from the museum you will reach the centre of Amalfi where an iscream or a pastry (I like eating sfogliatella at Bar Pansa) is waiting for you.
3. Ravello-Villa Cimbrone: maybe the most romantic place above the Amalfi Coast. Villa Cimbrone and its incredible gardens are considered the best example of the English botany culture in the South of Italy. Here, between roses and exotic plants, you can find beautiful decorative elements such as fountains, statues and small temples.
The most amazing view from the Villa is the Infinity Terrace, not recommended to those who are scared of heights. During the spring it is possible to admire amazing wild orchids.
4. Have a drink at la Brezza: After a boat tour and a day spent on the beach of Positano is nice to have an “aperitivo” at la Brezza. Their special 6 pm drink is with lots of delicious snacks. My favourite drink there is “Brezzito”… their special mojito variation, but korean love their lemon beer.
5.Positano: Lunch at Adolfo! Local people (and not only) love eating at Adolfo’s. The Restaurant is located in Lautiro beach, 10 minutes boating from the pier of Positano. You can arrive there with Adolfo’s boat (a “gozzo” with a sign of a red fish painted on wood) or by many steps from the district of Laurito (between Positano and Praiano). Adolfo is a place where you can have lots of fun and very good food. The waiters are nice, friendly and fast. My favourites at Adolfo: Grilled Mozzarella on lemon leaf, Zuppa di Cozze (mussels soup with tomato and garlic), Tuna Carpaccio, Grilled Mangialici (local fish) and Nino’s cakes (all good even if the best are croccantino and caprese). And…don’t forget to order their special Sangria!
6. Praiano: Sunbathing, dancing and drinking a spritz at the One fire. The One Fire Beach club is located in Praiano, on La Gavitella Beach. You can arrive there by lots (lots) of steps from the centre of Praiano or by a water taxi. From Positano it is possible to go there by a boat service twice a day. Here you have sun until 8pm so it is suggested to go after 2pm. The view is incredible: all along the coast until Capri Island! But the best thing is the welcoming of Piccoletto and all the One Fire staff: music, drinks, good food and lots of fun… it looks like Greece but you’re on the Amalfi Coast! That’s great! I love having a spritz at sunset here!
7.Shopping in Positano and a romantic walk : during the 60s Positano became popular for its fashion. The red and blue patchwork bandanas and hand painted the dresses with sunny colors which reminded the houses and the lemons of the coast became a must to have for fashionistas. Nowadays the local shops offer a great production of linen and cotton silk dresses which can be combined with a 30 minutes hand made pair of sandals. And after all that shopping… why not having a romantic walk to Fornillo beach trough via Positanesi d’America? The small path has been dedicated to locals who moved to the USA and it’s one of the most romantic walks in Positano, especially at 8pm.
8. Kayaking from Praiano to Positano: if you think spending a full day on the beach is boring and you would like to have a funny experience, I suggest you to contact Luca and Alberto from windsurf Praiano (http://www.windsurfpraiano.it/). You will love their friendly way to show you the hidden sites of the coast while kayaking to Positano.
9 .Boating and driving: do you know why the Amalfi Coast is so beautiful? Because you can admire it through different points of view. If you have enough time to do more than one excursion, I suggest you to do both a driving or a boat tour as you will love discovering new places.
10 .Counting the steps: do you have nothing to do? Why don’t you try to count all the steps you find around you? This was our favourite sport while kids… trust me! Walking up and down the steps is a sport!!!! and, guess what? Every time we counted the steps there was a different amount, so we never knew how many steps there were into a stair.
Evening Walks
- At August 03, 2014
- By Zia Lucy
- In lifestyle in Positano, Paths
- 0
It’s so marvellous to walk in the evening.
Ali nel vento
- At May 03, 2014
- By Zia Lucy
- In lifestyle in Positano
- 0
As a child I always imagined how it had been the life of Frederick II Hohenstaufen and of his falconers, dreaming that one day I could see these beautiful creatures up close.
Besides to hawks, I was intrigued by owls and barn owls at night I was trying to see them out the window… but without any result.
About a month ago I had the fortune to meet Andrea and Ludovica and be introduced into the wonderful world of birds of prey.
The beauty of the Amalfi Coast and Nocelle has meant that they would abandon their job in other parks and they moved here with all their birds of prey; choice dictated by the beautiful Amalfi Coast and I think by the desire to get away from city life.
A risky choice because of the complexity of the place but they soon led to great results due to the ongoing commitment and the passion for what they do.
My first meeting with Ludovica was accompanied by a barn owl named Chobin, then I met the noble eagle owl named Hannibal.
In addition to being fans and lovers of the world of birds of prey, Ludovica and Andrea are extremely professional and painstaking people, scholars with years of experience.
About a week ago I went with my niece to a flight demonstration organized by Ludovica and Andrea; it was exciting to observe the flight of barn owl, owls, falcons and vultures but what struck me most was the extreme skills and professionalism demonstrated in introducing children and adults to these magnificent creatures.
The work of Ali nel Vento (this is the name of their business) expresses a unique and rare passion and in my opinion it is worth investing an hour or maybe a day to know the incredible and for many people still unknown world of birds of prey.
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