Aussie shutterbug Ashleigh Larden shares an album of sun-soaked snaps from summer on Italy’s pic-perfect Amalfi Coast. With its glimmering aquamarine seas and clusters of pastel pretty buildings, this exclusive waterfront desti has plenty to offer, though you’ll need more than a couple of days discover every nook of the 50km coastline.
From Rome, Positano can be easily reached by train to Naples or Salerno, followed by ferry boat.
Positano at sunset is so beautiful. The light filters through the salty air while the mountains create amazing rays of light. Not to mention the iconic Positano mountainside dotted with pastel buildings.
I highly recommend doing a few day trips to neighbouring beaches – simply book into a beach club and they’ll arrange a boat to pick you up from Positano and take you to another beach. Looking back on Positano from the water is truly magical.
The classic European swim short, in all it’s glory. The rocky coastline makes for some excellent jumping platforms. (Left)
You cannot go to Italy without having ample pours of Aperol Spritz. Hydration in the Italian summer is very important – this is my favourite kind. (Right)
I’ve been to Da Adolfo twice now on both my visits to Positano, and I’d go back again. Make sure you book your lunch reservation and your sun bed. You’ll get picked up from Positano in the morning and driven around to this tiny beach where you can spend the rest of the day in the sunshine. At the restaurant, you’ll sit at tables in the sand as shoeless, topless waiters run around, yelling in Italian. The food is incredible, all that you’d expect from a classic southern Italian: simple and effortless, but so delicious. It’s an experience!
Another beach club, Lido Bagni D’Arienzo, at which we spent the day. We were celebrating having finished a huge campaign shoot the day before, and it was the best way to unwind and relax. The day featured Aperol Spritz, rockmelon with prosciutto and mussels cooked in a classic tomato sauce.
A day trip to Capri is a must when staying in Positano. This beach club was at Marina Piccola, which is a bit of a walk but so worth it. Another day of sunshine, Aperol, and a beautiful lunch. The luxury island attracts an eclectic group of people and there’s some great people watching.
We had such a lovely day in Capri, and it ended with meeting up with friends for a cocktail before making our way back to Positano. This was the view from the bar which was incredible. We enjoyed ourselves so much, we failed to realise the time and ended up missing the last ferry back to Positano. Initially we didn’t think it was a big deal, but turns out it is a big deal. We managed to find a friend of a friend of a friend of a resident we met who took us on his boat back to Positano. Looking back on it, it wasn’t the worst island to get stuck on, and we’ll always remember to set an alarm from now on…
See more of Ashleigh’s work at ashleighlarden.com. If you’re passing through the Italian capital, nab a copy of the LUXE Guide to Rome to uncover top sleeping, eating and shopping spots.
