It’s already been discovered long ago by traveling Greeks, a few Roman emperors, Saracen pirates and even Beyonce. Positano, Capri, and Ravello inspired Frederico Fellini, Roberto Rossellini, and even John Huston who loved filming here. You may hate all day-trippers piling out of tour buses for a quick peak of this once sleepy fishing village on the Tyrrhenian Sea. On the other hand, you just might fall unashamedly in love with Positano as I have!

I love visiting in September when the peak summer crowds are less. Visitors are enchanted with the lovely villas and hotels stacked on the hillside, the impossibly steep stairs, and the daily ferries to Capri, Amalfi, and other ports on the coast.

There are blissfully lazy days just staring out at the impossibly azure bay, people watching, gelatos, more limoncello, and hearing “I must have these sandals” in English, Chinese, or Spanish. It is still a place to be seen and to watch the passeggiata strolling in the evening by Chez Black. The only important decisions to be made are where to eat, whether up the road on the cliffs, by the beach, wine and delicious nibbles on your hotel terrace, or even up outside of Montepertuso at La Tagliata.

Marla heads down to the beach on an early trip.

For a peak experience opt for a room with a terrace like this one at Buca di Bacco! Let carpe diem be your guide and spend the extra money. You will be very pleased you did!

Marla relaxes on an early trip at Marina Grande Beach.

Strolling beachside.

Nestled in the rock wall above Fornillo beach is a favorite of mine for lunch or dinner, Lo Guarracino

You can tell by the smile on our daughter Lisa’s face she is a big fan as well!

Window shopping.

In front of the beautiful Hotel Palazzo Murat.

La Zagara is unique as you can have nice snacks during the day and, in the evening, you can listen to live music and have drinks in the back. Very fun at night!

Marla said there were a lot of very handsome men in Positano!

On the way to Fornillo Beach.

Gorgeous views along the pathway.

And this beauty as well!

Fornillo Beach is pebbly and a little rough on the feet, but it is more secluded than the main beach, hence the water shoes.

Ready for lunch at Ferdinando. I love a Peroni on a hot day!

A beautiful sunset dinner at La Tagliata.

The view of Positano far below.

Time for a little nap.

I highly recommend taking a fast jet-ferry to Amalfi and Capri.

The steps leading up to the Duomo di Amalfi.

Amalfi has tour buses to take you to fabulous Ravello up the hill. Plan to have lunch at a restaurant with a view of the sea below. One of our favorite places is Villa Cimbrone Gardens.

The ferry arrives in Capri’s Marina Grande. The funicular runs between the port in Marina Grande and the Piazzetta in Capri town.

The views on Capri’s Via Tragara are beautiful. Continue down the winding path to the trendy La Fontelina. Be sure to make reservations for lunch in their beach club restaurant.

Marla and our friend Dixie enjoy the restaurant.

You can reserve your own real estate on the rocks of La Fontelina, but it isn’t my favorite. Marla liked climbing down the ladders straight to deep sea.

We took a motor launch over to Marina Piccola.

Le Sirenuse is a high-end hotel up the hill in Positano. Go for sunset cocktails instead. Marla’s good friend Ferol called it home on many a trip.

We love dinners by the roadside on the Viale Pasitea clinging to the hillside in Positano. We’ve heard a number of fabulous musicians playing in the restaurants.

For late-night party people like our daughter Lisa and her husband, the place to be is Music on the Rocks.

The allure of this magical village and sparkling sea has hooked even the most jaded travelers; Hemingway, Steinbeck, and Rudolf Nureyev, to name a few. It will bite future luminaries as well with its beauty.

Please don’t come to Positano unless you are ready…to fall in love! You can tell it has Lisa in its grasp!

Photos: Dick Gentry, Lisa Decker, video: Tedd Patterson. Not to be used without permission.