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Ciao Amalfi

TRAVEL · October 2, 2011

The First of October in Positano

While clearing the breakfast dishes from the kitchen table yesterday morning, I heard on the news that this September was the warmest recorded in Italy in last 150 years. Looking out the window at a slice of vivid blue sea sparkling in the sunshine, I thought that was just about the nicest way to celebrate the 150th anniversary of Italy that I’d heard of so far this year. By the first of October, we’ve usually changed to our autumn wardrobe and are waking up to a chilly house in the mornings. Fortunately, this year the warmest September in 150 years has decided to spill over into the beginning of October. Yesterday with the sun shining and summer-like temperatures, it was the perfect day to take the ferry to Positano to enjoy this lovely gift – one last taste of summer before autumn arrives!

Church of San Biagio, Amalfi
Beautiful October morning in Amalfi

Amalfi was busy and crowded like a summer day with groups of tourists arriving by boat and bus. I squeezed through a large group of visitors that the Tour Guide was showing around Amalfi and made by way down to the end of the pier to catch the ferry to Positano.

Amalfi from the Sea
View looking back toward Amalfi

While the top of the ferry filled up with tourists, I found my favorite spot on the lower level next to an open window. The same fabulous view without the wind and being baked in the hot sun! I like to watch the rainbows dance on the waves created by the boat. I caught it a little bit in this video, which also shows the pamorama from Praiano on the left to Capo di Conca on the right.

Once around Capo Sottile in Praiano the view opens to Positano in the distance. Set in a steep valley, the town sprawls out in all directions fitting into every knook and cranny of the mountainside.  Always a beautiful sight to see!

Positano from the Sea
View of Positano in the distance

If Amalfi felt like July on the first of October, it was fully August in all its glory in Positano! It is always warmer in Positano than Amalfi, but yesterday the difference was really striking. The beach was filled with sunbathers when I arrived at noon, and the colors throughout town made it feel every bit like summer was holding on strong in Positano.

Positano in October
Hibiscus flowers in Positano

I walked around town just a bit mesmerized by the colors and the beauty of Positano. It always gets me! Even though it’s only a 25 minute ferry ride away from Amalfi, I feel like I can still go on vacation, so to speak, in Positano. The town has such a different feel from Amalfi and Ravello, and a day there away from the cars and traffic is such a treat.

Romantic balcony in Positano
A charming balcony in Positano

I was filled with a bit of nostalgia as I stopped to take photos and enjoy the colors of Positano, because I know that winter will be here very soon. While I love the change of seasons, it is hard to let go of these colors and the warmth until next spring! Pushing thoughts of the cold and damp winter out of my mind, I wandered back through town in the direction of the pier in Positano.

Spiagga Grande in Positano
The Spiagga Grande in Positano on a beautiful October day

The large beach was very tempting in the sunshine, but I had even more alluring plans for the afternoon to visit a tiny beach near Positano where I had never been before. Stop by later this week and I’ll share with you a little secret that a good friend shared with me in Positano. You’ll love it!

Posted In: TRAVEL · Tagged: Amalfi Coast Seasons, Amalfi Coast Videos, Autumn, Fall, October, Postitano, Praiano, Seasons, Weather

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Comments

  1. Erica says

    October 2, 2011 at 14:44

    I visited the Amalfi Coast a few years ago and your photos and videos always bring me back! Enjoy the beautiful weather 🙂

    Reply
    • Laura says

      October 2, 2011 at 17:05

      Ciao Erica! I’m so happy to read your comment and hear that you enjoy Ciao Amalfi. Thanks for stopping by! Always happy to share the beauty of the Amalfi Coast … and bring back happy memories!

      Reply
  2. Rd522 says

    October 2, 2011 at 19:57

    Grazie! Your blogs are great! Looking forward to my sorrento / amalfi trips next week.

    Reply
    • Laura says

      October 2, 2011 at 21:58

      Ciao Rita! I wish you a fabulous trip to Sorrento and the Amalfi Coast next week!! 🙂

      Reply
  3. Eleonora says

    October 2, 2011 at 22:49

    😉

    Reply
    • Laura says

      October 6, 2011 at 18:31

      Hee hee! 🙂

      Reply
  4. James says

    October 4, 2011 at 15:32

    I dont know what it is about positano that draws you in. But once there you can never forget it. I cant wait to come back next year.

    Reply
    • Laura says

      October 6, 2011 at 18:31

      That’s so true, James! 🙂

      Reply
  5. nicki says

    October 5, 2011 at 18:32

    I love this weather. I went to Laurito on Sunday, missed you by a day! It was so hot that I gave up and went home at 4! See you this weekend hopefully…text me if you come!

    Reply
    • Laura says

      October 6, 2011 at 18:30

      Ciao Nicki! I’m loving this weather, too. Hang on summer!! I’m so sorry that I missed you last weekend. Hope we can meet up soon! 🙂

      Reply
  6. Lorrie says

    October 29, 2011 at 02:39

    Love your photos! Now they have more meaning since I’ve been there!
    Have a couple of questions for you… None of my photos turned out that great, do you have any recommendations of where I could buy a poster of the Amalfi Coast? I’m also looking for a good cookbook so I can try to make some of the great food I had during my trip.

    Grazie mille, Laura! 🙂

    Reply

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La Marinella Beach in Amalfi

Ciao!

My name is Laura and the Amalfi Coast is my passion and my home. I’m a writer and photographer who is endlessly inspired by the incredible beauty of the Amalfi Coast. Welcome to Ciao Amalfi!

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This month’s newsletter continues the travels in This month’s newsletter continues the travels in Italy with American poet H.W. Longfellow in 1828 as he made his way down to Naples. Plus a look at Grand Tour volcano tourism and a bonus of 19th-century tips for now not to be a tourist. Link in bio!
Mmmhmm autumn is definitely my favorite season. 🧡 This morning I woke up a bit earlier than my alarm and looked outside somewhat perplexed. The entire sky, the town—everything—had a burnt orange hue. A hurried lacing up of the shoes and still bleary eyed, but I just had to see it better for myself. It was a glorious sunrise. Now the rain has just gently started falling and I’m in full autumn ecstasy.

Later I’ll return to the piano to pick up where I left off yesterday learning this beautiful autumn waltz by @andreavanzo_composer. 🍂
Just by chance I happened to catch the very beginn Just by chance I happened to catch the very beginning and end of season at @cantine_marisa_cuomo this year. It was fun to see the grapes on the same vines just before harvest begins. Swipe to the right to see the same grapes back in May. Happy autumn!
Huge thanks to @italia_magazine for the lovely fea Huge thanks to @italia_magazine for the lovely feature of the second edition of Moon Southern Italy in the August/ September 2025 issue. Love the great description of @moonguides as well. Grazie mille! 🇮🇹
My heart might forever wander, but it’ll probabl My heart might forever wander, but it’ll probably always take a crosswalk. E si fermerà chissà…
This morning was a little cloudy when I went out f This morning was a little cloudy when I went out for my morning walk like I do most mornings in Amalfi. Down the coast, across the Gulf of Salerno, rays of light were shining right on the city of Salerno. I had set out with Salerno on my mind because it was there that 82 years ago today—on September 9, 1943—the Landing of Salerno began during WWII. My Grandpa was in the Army during the war - a lot of it in Italy. Yet he would never speak of where he was or what he did, and certainly had no desire to ever see Italy again after the war. While he probably wasn’t in that first landing in Salerno, he would have been somewhere in Italy, perhaps further south in Calabria or in Sicily. I always think of him during these days and wonder about those hard experiences he must have had in Italy. And very grateful for what he and so many fought for and endured. 

If you ever visit Salerno, south of the city there’s an Allied War Cemetery that is a moving and important place to visit. 🤍
Have I ever shared one of my favorite poems about Have I ever shared one of my favorite poems about Amalfi? It’s by the American poet Sara Teasdale (1884-1933). It’s simple and it’s heartbreaking - like first loves so often are. But I think about it often, especially on night walks in Amalfi. 

Night Song At Amalfi

I asked the heaven of stars
What I should give my love —
It answered me with silence,
Silence above.

I asked the darkened sea
Down where the fishers go —
It answered me with silence,
Silence below.

Oh, I could give him weeping,
Or I could give him song —
But how can I give silence,
My whole life long?
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