UNFILTERED: Positano, Italy

Travel

Audio By Carbonatix

There’s something audacious about Positano. Like it knows it’s too beautiful to be real—but insists on showing off anyway. And I didn’t mind one bit.

This Italy Unfiltered entry began at sea, gliding from Sorrento toward Li Galli—known by locals as the Dolphin Islands. These fabled rocks between Capri and the Amalfi Coast are said to have tempted Odysseus with sirens. But the real siren call was the clear, glittering water that invited me to dive in. A moment of Mediterranean magic—sun-drenched, salt-touched, and soul-resetting.

From there, our boat curved toward Positano itself, the vertical village that clings to cliffs like a miracle. Arriving by sea is like entering a fairy tale through the back door—one where the beaches sparkle and the colors are alive.

First stop? Da Ferdinando Beach —Positano’s best barefoot luxury hangout. I kicked off the shoes, sunk into the dark rocky sand, and ordered what might be the finest thing you can sip with sea spray in your hair: a limoncello spritz. Tart, crisp, and sun-chilled—like Amalfi in a glass. I sipped slowly, let the waves do their therapy, and settled into the rhythm of the coast.

But Positano isn’t a place that lets you laze for long. It dares you to climb.

And I did.

The hike through the stacked homes and ivy-covered walls of the village was part cardio, part spiritual awakening. Every few steps, the view got better. The rooftops, the domes, the sea stretching out like a dream too big to hold—it made every breathless pause worth it.

I didn’t stay overnight on this trip, but if I had, I would’ve chosen Hotel Villa Franca Positano. Perched above the village, this boutique luxury spot has views for days, but what really sets it apart is the feeling. The staff doesn’t just greet you—they remember your name, your espresso order, and exactly how much limoncello makes you smile. The rooftop pool, the Michelin-starred dining, and the curated art make it high-end, yes—but the warmth makes it feel like home. It’s the kind of place where you unpack more than your suitcase—you unpack your stress.

Instead of staying, I lunched.

And oh, what a lunch.

At Chez Black, a legendary beachfront restaurant with just the right amount of old-school charm, I settled in under the hand-painted tiles and watched the waves roll in. The order? Lobster, prawns, deep-fried squid, and a rocket salad tossed with cherry tomatoes. Simple ingredients, extraordinary flavor. Every bite reminded me that in Italy, freshness is the luxury. And the view? Let’s just say it’s hard to focus on your fork when the sea is flirting with your peripheral vision.

As the afternoon waned, we ferried back to Sorrento. The sun dipped lower, but my mood only lifted. Positano has a way of leaving you full—not just with food, but with something harder to describe. Maybe it’s wonder. Maybe it’s joy. Maybe it’s just the sound of waves staying with you even after you’ve left them.

Dinner that night was back in Sorrento. But my heart? It was still somewhere high above the Amalfi cliffs, sipping spritz and chasing sirens.

If you go to Positano, don’t just visit. Live it. Beach it. Hike it. Eat like a local and drink it in like the sun’s never going to set.

Because Positano doesn’t just impress.

It stays with you.

The Italy Unfiltered series is based upon a recent 14 day tour of Rome and The Amalfi Coast. We are offering you a complimentary copy of the exquisite e-book by the same title for free just by requesting one here. We are also working on plans to offer you a condensed version of this identical tour in 2026. Space will be limited. Keep coming back to That Passport Life for more details as they become available!