Positano

[bbqbears]

Positano

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I tried posting this under another thread, but I think it got lost in the shuffle.

I understand that the city of Positano is quite hilly and that cars are not allowed into the city. We have a private tour of the Amalfi coast, with a scheduled stop (and perhaps lunch) in Positano. My husband walks with a cane, so he is not fast and generally does not walk more than a few blocks without a stop for rest. We're trying to decide whether or not to make alternative plans. How difficult and how far is it to get down into town? Is there ANY public transportaition (shuttle?) that can take a less able-bodied person into town? TIA, Kathy

[mlbcruiser]

The town is built on a steep hillside. We were picked up at our hotel (mid-way up the hillside) by someone from the restaurant we were going to and driven to the restaurant WAY above the town. And we saw a Mercedes parked along the wharf down near some restaurants that was waiting for a bridal couple who were parading through the tiny streets, down the hill from the church. So MAYBE there is some sort of taxi for SOME of the roads (?). But taking a car into the "heart" of the town would be nearly impossible for most as the streets are very, very narrow.) I do think someone w/a cane would have a horrible time trying to get around there. There are some short, flattened sections of road, but much of the fun of Positano is hiking up and down, past the little shops and so forth, digesting the GEORGEOUS view! Then eating on the wharf or someplace w/a nice view. Perhaps you should check w/your ship's excursion people to see what they say about handicapped accessability if you are taking a ship's tour. If you can possibly go there, do it. It's a stunning town perched as it is above and down to the sea.

[bbqbears]

Thanks to both of you for your replies. We have a private tour of the Amalfi Coast, and we were hoping to stop in Positano for lunch. I think we may need to re-think our itinerary. Better to learn this now then when we get there. Kathy

[VickiVSN]

Check with your tour guide. We were taken directly to our restaraunt (da Constantino) on this trip. I don't recall there being any hills or stairs, but I'm not remembering very clearly as I wasn't on the look out. Your guide should be able to say if his recommended tour will work or if he has an alternative that will.

[bbqbears]

Vicki-I just emailed our tour guide and then saw your post! I'm hoping there are some exceptions to the no car rule-i.e. that perhaps he can take us down even part way. If not, the drive alone will be a treat. Thanks for taking the time to respond. Kathy

[VickiVSN]

I'm confident it will work out for you. Keep us posted!

[eaglewar]

cars are allowed in Positano. In the summer the traffic is very heavy and the roads curvy and narrow; therefore when you encounter a tour bus something has to give...you back up ! This sometimes takes a while since word has to get back to the last car to back it up. All the streets in Positano are ONE WAY so if
you miss your destination, you must go around again. Most restaurants will send a car for you and take you back to your hotel !
It is a great city and super restaurants ! My favorite is La Tagliata high up in the mountains.....www.latagliata-positano.it
The food and atmosphere was outstanding and it was not very expensive BUT,
watch out for the Lemoncello !!

eaglewar

[bbqbears]

Thank you eaglewar, this is basically what our guide wrote in an email this morning. We are so happy that my husband will be able to experience the town-one way or another. Thank you for the tip about the restaurant. We have friends here in California who are from Italy (he is a gelato maker and moved here 7 years ago), so we have experienced the lemoncello. Goes down so easy, then.... !
Kathy

[rhopkins]

My husband just had total ankle replacement a few months prior to our cruise, walks with crutches and has an artifical limb. We took a private tour of the same area and it was very workable for him. It was my favorite port of the cruise. Don't let a cane cause you to miss this beautiful area. We found that the drivers went out of their way to make it easy for my husband and as a result the others that we shared the tour with got the advantage of fewer steps as well. Have fun and don't worry! CAthy

[bbqbears]

Cathy-after reading your post, John's response was "oh, cool!" We are much relieved.

Thanks, Kathy