Sundowner: Autumn/Winter 2018

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Views from La Perla
left to right:
Amalfi lemons and
the pool; a sumptuous
La Perla breakfast;
Montepertuso
questions about our trip, without prying, to build up a picture
of my family. Soon discovering the holiday was to celebrate my
mum’s 60th birthday, he ensured all touch points on the ground
were aware of the special occasion. As a result, she felt like a
queen throughout.
The Amalfi Coast is world famous for its lemons, and as we
were keen to learn more about their cultivation, Maurice booked
my family on a private lemon farm tour of the region.
The easiest, and most photogenic, way to reach the town of
Amalfi, which lies further south along the coast, is by boat from
Positano harbour. We jumped aboard the ferry, with Maurice
having recommended a route and timetable before we had even
set foot on Italian soil.
Our guide Salvatore Aceto wasn’t just anyone – his family
owns the three-hectare lemon farm we were touring. Our
adventure began at the foot of the steps leading up to Amalfi’s
grand Duomo, where Salvatore in his bright yellow golf buggy
was waiting to whizz us 10 minutes inland for our Amalfi Lemon
Experience. The farm offers tours, limoncello tastings, and
cooking classes, all bookable for A&K Villas guests.
Salvatore’s connection with the land his family has farmed for
decades, and his passion for sharing their story, was abundantly
clear. Within minutes of arriving, he was cutting up gigantic
lemons and encouraging us to eat them in their entirety – skin
and all; just as the locals consume them.
And we couldn’t leave without sampling some of Salvatore’s
wife’s homemade lemon drizzle cake, served alongside a glass of
lemon juice (or limoncello!). After a morning sipping that sweet
lemon liqueur, it was soon time to think about soaking it up with
some delicious, traditional Italian fare.
Returning travellers to the area will already know of the
exquisite food scene in Positano and the surrounding towns.
The likes of La Sponda at La Sirenuse, Don Alfonso 1890, and
Zass at Il San Pietro are renowned for their culinary delights and
ambient atmospheres, with famous faces often to be seen dining
at these spots.
After an exceptional lunch at La Sponda the day prior,
I was looking for somewhere off the beaten track for our final
meal in Positano. Locals recommended we headed to Ritrovo.
Located in Montepertuso up in the mountains above Positano,
this tiny eatery offers typically Italian gastronomic delights,
plus a sweeping panoramic view of the area. The restaurant,
which boasts an extensive Italian fine wine collection, offers a
complimentary shuttle service and will pick you up and drop
you back anywhere in Positano.
The trip to Ritrovo is much easier now than years gone by,
when this quaint village could only be reached by walking up
1,500 steps; it wasn’t until recent decades that a road was built
connecting the hamlet with Positano.
Local folklore claims Montepertuso was once the location of
a battle between good and evil, with a hole in the mountainside
marking the spot where good was victorious.
We certainly saw the good side of the Amalfi Coast, and
Positano has stolen a slice of my heart – along with the rest
of Italy.
CONTACT ABERCROMBIE & KENT VILLAS & SKI
Travel next year but pay this year’s prices... For a limited
time only, we’re now taking bookings for a special selection
of the most popular A&K properties – including La Perla –
for summer 2019 at 2018’s rates. To avail yourself of this offer
or for more information, call to speak to one of our villas
specialists on 01242 547 705.
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