DAY 1: May 1st Let the journey begin! It is 6:45pm and we are boarding our flight at the Pearson Airport in TO, heading the Charles de Gaulle Airport in Paris for a stop, and boarding our final flight to Naples, Italy at to arrive at 11:55am for a total travel time of 11hr 20m. Once in Naples, we will catch a 2hr shuttle bus at 6:30pm and we will have made it to Positano, Italy! It is a pet peeve of mine to dampen the excitement of arriving somewhere new my immediately going to bed, so by sleeping overnight on the train we will be able to make to most of our day in Naples. Although we don't have much time, we will dive into the culture at the Naples National Archeological Museum and walk grabbing some food in the streets. We will lock our luggage in lockers offered at the Museum while we wait for our bus. Once arriving in Positano, we will be staying at an flat rented out though airbnb. DAY 2: May 2nd I would like to take this day to discover Positano at my own pace. The first day of any vacation I like to leave pretty blank, so spend time adjusting to the time change and checking things out that I may want to fully explore later in the trip. As Marcel Proust said, 'the real voyage of discovery consists not in seeking new landscapes, but in having new eyes.' This day will be devoted to adjusting my eyes to the culture I have just entered. The perks of walking are that you get to go at your own pace, omit places that are not that interesting and spend time in places you truly are interested in. I plan to get some fresh food, and head to Di Vincenzo for dinner outdoors
DAY 3: May 3rd Time to explore! Today is the day we will be heading to Capri! We will ferry to the island with the help of www.capri.com/en/ferry-schedule, where we will be taken by individual row boats through the Blue Grotto. This beautiful cave is a must see on my bucket list and I will be excited to check it off. Since this is a busy tourist attraction and only one row boat can pass at a time, I expect this to take most of the day. Although the only girl in my family of three boys, I have always been the child that is referred to as being outgoing and adventurous, if sometimes a little too adventurous. This day trip will be right up my alley, and I think of a better way to spend this day.
DAY 4: May 4th When on vacation, I like to take breaks from planning out all of my days and just see where my day will take me. On a previous trip I took to India, the unplanned days were often the ones where I was most submerged in the actual culture of the place, being separated from tourists that are found during many excursions and sites. Although I can assume I will find myself on Fornillo beach, which has been recommended to me by almost everyone I know that has been to Positano, as it is more secluded and laid back then many of the mainstream beaches.
DAY 5: May 5th Back at it and onto the footpaths! I plan start the day early by starting the 3-4hr hike of La Baia Di Larento, with the help of the maps provided by http://www.positano.com/en/e/la-baia-di-ieranto-2. This is special hike for me as it is one my grandpa has always spoken of taking on weekends with friends. Along the hike, you reach warm-watered Larento beach. Swimming in this spot will be really special to me, and I can't wait to be able to talk about it with him. I have been told the shops around the harbor are a must see, and will spent the rest of the day collecting keepsakes to bring home, while getting as much lemon biscotti in me as I can.
DAY 6: May 6th I am a sucker for a good Italian meal and have never been known as being a light eater. When I was little I spent hours in the kitchen and told my parents I wanted to be a chef. Although my career path has shifted, I still have a huge appreciation for good food, so on the second last day in Positano I will be fulfilling the reservation to Li Galli I will have made months earlier (and factored into my budget). Woohoo! Have heard great things about Postiano night life so will be hoping to take advantage of that as well.
Day 7: May 7th Next stop: PRAIANO! This is the small town where my Grandfather actually lived. He often explained Praiano as where he slept, and Positano where he lived. As Positano is only 19km down the road, it is much larger and held his school and church which is why both locations are sentimental. We will board our Sita bus for an ambitious 4:30am to be ready to catch the sunrise in Praiano. Praiano is often referred to as being blessed by the sun and sea, and is known for having the most amazing sunsets of the whole Almafi Coast. At our cottage on Lake Huron, my Grandpa was known for getting us all up early to catch the sunrise, so watching it in this place will be breathtaking. After eating as much sfogliatella (an Italian pastry) as I can manage, we will return on the 3 pm bus back to Positano to visit Collegiata di Santa Maria Assunta, a very famous church where my Grandfather was baptized and spent a lot of time. It will be amazing to feel all the history the church holds.
Day 8: May 8th Fortunately, our shuttle back to Naples does not leave until 11 am so we won't be stranded out of our airbnb (checkout times are 11am). We will arrive in Naples for 1pm, and will be ready to head to the next location! It will be bittersweet that my dream trip will be coming to an end, but I know I will leave with a new perspective of who I am that I will carry with me for the rest of the trip.