Ciao, friends!
If you follow me on Instagram, you probably noticed that I spent a few weeks overseas last month. And now I’m here to share the full journey with you!
(Since there’s so much to cover, I’m going to divide the posts up by location: Amalfi Coast, Capri, Barcelona, and Paris.)
Let’s get right to it, shall we?
The adventure started on the Amalfi Coast of Italy…AKA the destination I’ve been swooning over for years via Pinterest (haven’t we all?). We stayed in Praiano, but actually didn’t spend much time there! The most of our time was spent in the town of Positano. We didn’t realize the distance between the two, which didn’t turn out to be too bad, but in retrospect it probably would have been easier to just stay in Positano.
The highlight of our time there was spending the entire day on a private boat that Sydney’s parents were kind enough to let us join them on (our trip overlapped with their’s for a few days, which was so fun). If you visit Amalfi, I HIGHLY suggest investing a day where you can be out on a boat. It’s a great way to see the sights but also enjoy what I think is the best part of the area – the sea!
We spent the day cruising up and down the coast, laying out in the sun, and we pulled up to the most incredible restaurant in Sorrento.
Ristorante La Conca Del Sogno
This was one of my favorite dining experiences of the entire trip. Not only was the food incredible, but the service and overall experience of La Conca Del Sogno was everything I love about dining in Italy (this is where they let Sydney “catch” our lobster, ha!). The Italians are just SO kind and fun, and in this case it made for one of my favorite experiences in Amalfi.
My favorite dish here was their Linguini with Venus clams, basil + Parmesan.
Fresh tomatoes with basil and olive oil:Grilled lobster with vegetables and sauces:
Here are my other favorite places that we visited.
Le Sirenuse
Sydney’s parents stayed at Le Sirenuse, so we ended up spending a lot of time there. It is one of the most beautiful hotels I have ever been to, with incredible views of Positano, stunning decor, and an overall luxurious experience.
We dined at their pool bar for lunch and spent a few evenings having cocktails at the Champagne before dinner. If you’re visiting Positano and really want to go all out, this is the place to stay. Or at least stop by for drinks there!
Monastero Santa Rosa
One day for lunch Sydney and I visited Monastero Santa Rosa in Amalfi, just about 15 minutes from Positano. They were kind enough to treat us to an incredible lunch along with a tour of the property. Monastero Santa Rosa is actually an old monastery that was transformed into a beautiful hotel & spa. I fell in love with everything about it – the historical aspect mixed with the modernization was unlike any place I’ve ever been. Monastero Santa Rosa also had the most incredible views of Amalfi because it’s located much higher on the coast.
Our lunch there was absolutely perfect as well. We sat outside overlooking the Mediterranean while sipping delicious white wine and feasting on delicious eats.
Local olive oil:Chicken salad:Carbonara pasta:Broiled halibut:
My favorite dish here was their “Pizza Meets Sandwich” – classic pizza dough folded with Parma ham, fresh mozzarella, tomatoes, basil + extra virgin olive oil. Seriously…I have DREAMS about this sandwich!
Oh, and of course we finished with dessert! Chocolate Almond Cake + White Chocolate Cheesecake.
Monestero Santa Rosa also has a full spa, sun terrace, infinity pool, and beautiful gardens.
You can learn more about Monastero Santa Rosa by visiting their website!
Chez Black
Chez Black turned out to be one of our favorite spots, as it was located right on the beach in the lively part of Positano. We ate their twice and ended up making so many friends there! It’s a great place for casual dining and classic Italian food like pizza and spaghetti with meatballs.
Il Ritrovo
Located high in the hills of Positano is Il Ritrovo, which was yet another great dining experience. They had some of the best pasta dishes I had while in Italy, most notably their signature Il Ritrovo pasta. My other favorite dishes at Il Ritrovo were their Eggplant Parm and Tiramisu for dessert.
Unfortunately I lost all of my photos from Il Ritrovo when my phone got stolen in Barcelona (more on that to come, ha), but it was a lovely restaurant and definitely recommended.
Buca Di Bacco
Buca Di Bacco is another casual spot in the lively part of town by the beach. It’s a great place to have a quick cocktail and snack before or after dinner, and they have great gelato.
Music On The Rocks
As expected, us New Yorkers couldn’t go too long without a night of dancing 😉 On our last night we went to Music On The Rocks, a dance club underneath the trendy “Fly Lounge.” We ended up having such a fun time there, meeting more Positano locals and dancing the night away.
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Overall, it was an incredible few days in Positano / Amalfi Coast – everything I hoped it would be and more.
After Positano we headed to the island of Capri, just a short 45 minute ferry ride away.
Look out for my recap of Capri in a few days!