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Positano was once a part of the powerful Republic of the Amalfis, but
hardships in the late Middle Ages and Renaissance made this beautiful
coast all but uninhabited. Positano is said to have been "discovered"
by the American General Mark Clark after World War II, when his troops
were stationed in nearby Salerno. Soon thereafter, people, mostly
artists and painters, flocked to Positano's idyllic setting in search
of inspiration in its perfect peace and tranquility. Today this is a
major tourism venue, but it still remains intimate, filled with cute
little shops, cafés and restaurants. Positano's streets are rather
steep, so fit legs and comfortable walking shoes are a must! The
beaches are pebbly, but nice, and filled with elegant and beautiful
people casually sunbathing.

Since pleasure is the town's main attraction, eating and drinking is
done in exquisite fashion in Positano whether you are sitting at the
beach or outside at a fine restaurant. As we are in a seaside town in
Compania, seafood and Neapolitan cuisine are the primary players. All
visitors are encouraged to order anything made from buffalo mozzarella
(the best kind, made with water buffalo milk) and the region's
excellent sun-ripened tomatoes: excellent options are the omnipresent
insalata alla caprese or a delicate salad made up of these ingredients
with some fresh, peppery rucola. A favorite and very tasty way of
eating seafood in Positano is as a light olive-oil fish fry. Shellfish
is also great, which makes excellent soups like zuppa di cozze (mussel
soup) or a linguine dish topped with lobster or spider crab. Of course
the pizza is excellent, and if seafood is not your thing, Positano has
great pasta options with the Amalfi coast's fabled tomato sauce.
Refined wine bars are also very popular throughout Positano's winding,
hilly streets, offering the region and country's best wine. But try to
stick with local wines, both because they complement the food perfectly
and because wine is an excellent way to absorb, so to speak, a land's
culture. Excellent, refreshing whites are Greco di Tufo, Fiano
d'Avellino, and Falanghina. Grilled red meat from the mountains is also
prepared nicely, and is ideally complement by Aglianico, a local red
wine. Bear in mind that all exquisite dinners along the Amalfi Coast,
Postiano included, are finished with glasses of its vibrant yellow
liquor limoncello (a refreshing lemon liquor).