Getting to Positano was to be our first major train journey, and it could have been a bit of a juggle. As it was, we cheated a little — we caught a train from Roma Termini to Salerno, then jumped into a taxi for the remaining distance. Hefty price, yes, but we avoided connection complications, and was able to see some amazing scenery along the way. I liken it to Victoria’s Great Ocean Road, twisting and turning along the coastline, only with very ancient homes and bridges clinging precariously to the rocky hill-side.

Upon arriving, I realised that our extensive walking in London and Rome had been my training — Positano is perched on a very large hill, with the beach at the bottom and our accommodation at the top. Approximately three times a day we made the trek from bottom to top, with countless stairs in between. But I wouldn’t have it any other way — the view from our balcony window was breath-taking. The first time we entered our room and I opened the curtains and shutters, I couldn’t believe my eyes. It was so beautiful.

Mind you, I dare say the front desk attendant had a chuckle at my expense — I didn’t count the stairs leading from the road to our hotel, but there were many. By the time I got to the top and had to ask for our room key, each sentence was broken with huffs and puffs: “Buongiorno! Room. Three. Twenty. Six. Grazie. Ciao”. 

Positano begun life as a little fishing village, and there is still great seafood on offer. Our first night in the town we shared an entree of ricotta and proscuitto stuffed courgette flowers, which were fried and sprinkled with parmesan — so yum. We then shared a Grigliata mista — seafood mixed grill, with every delight from the sea you can think of — swordfish, mussels, calamari, prawns and scampi. We followed that up with profiteroles and a chocolate fondant, soft and oozing in the centre, served with ice-cream.

Oh and don’t get me started on the breakfast buffet. The croissants were to die for, easily the best I’ve ever tasted. We got up early on our final morning, and the they were still warm — baked fresh daily! Crumbly crusty outside, soft and buttery on the inside. Slap on a little raspberry jam and I am in heaven.

A couple of things I’ve learnt in Italy thus far:

• There is a town called Latina — we passed it on our train to and from Roma. We didn’t try their pasta.
• It’s true what they say about the European sun — it is gentle. But, it is still possible to get burnt while reading for hours on the beach, if you misapply your sunscreen.
• It is possible for places in the world to be as pretty as a postcard — no photo manipulation required!
• The sea surrounding Italy is especially salty. I could float all day. As I air-dried in the sunshine, the salt formed white sparkly crystals on my skin.