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The little town of Praiano, perched exactly halfway along the Amalfi Coast between Positano and Ravello, is a perfect place to stay if you want to experience the authentic charms of this breathtaking area, rather than just hang around the boutiques and night spots frequented by tourists. Besides being one of the few places where you can see both the western and eastern ends of the coast, Praiano is a small nucleus of whitewashed houses inhabited by friendly families whose kids play soccer in front of the cathedral, often joined by the priest in his long black cassock. Almost every day of the year there's a spectacular sunset at the edge of this piazza, after which the moms call the youngsters and their dads home for a big plate of homemade pasta. Things don't change very rapidly around these parts, which is just how we like it. And if you're hankering for an evening at the discotheque, don't worry -- there are several just down the road.
On a side road just above the town, there's a public garage and a very good food store. Off to the side is an inviting sidewalk that wends its way along the side of the hill, past the rear doors of homes and past terraced gardens where lemon trees flourish next to vineyards, olive groves and vegetable gardens. Now and then you go up or down a few steps, and after 800 yards you come to a three-story family home, whose entire top floor is occupied by this delightful 1000-square-foot air-conditioned apartment. You enter via the private 750-square-foot terrace, but not before stopping to marvel at the amazing view, with Positano on your right, the whole eastern coast on your left, and the pretty little half moon bay beach called Marina di Praia straight down below. If you miss your Stairmaster, you can walk to that beach in ten minutes, thanks to the steps that were carved into the hillside back in the days before the Amalfi Coast Road existed. (Or you can take the bus down the hill!).
The house's two bedrooms are on either side of a hallway. One is a spacious bedroom with queen bed, big wardrobe and sliding doors onto the terrace. The other has a sitting area with sofa, a queen bed, wardrobe, and en suite bathroom with shower. Farther down the hall is the big living room, fitted with good-quality furniture, including a single sleep sofa, gathered around the fireplace, as well as a satellite TV, telephone, table, and sliding glass doors to the terrace.
At the other end of the living room are the dining area and kitchenette, equipped with a four-burner stove, electric oven, microwave, fridge/freezer and dishwasher. Next to the kitchen is the second bathroom, which has a stall shower and washing machine. On the private terrace is a wood-burning barbecue grill, a sink, a table and chairs, and this most enjoyable property is completed by a private paved garden, which also overlooks the sea and has a dining table and built-in seating.
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| Weekly Rates for 2008 (for the villa) | |
| Jan. 5-March 22 Oct. 25-Dec. 20 |
1368.00 EURO |
| March 22-May 24 Sept. 27-Oct. 25 Dec. 20-Jan. 3, 2009 |
1536.00 EURO |
| May 24-June 28 Aug. 30-Sept. 27 |
1715.00 EURO |
| June 28-Aug. 30 | 1947.00 EURO |
Prices include: all taxes, services, electricity, air conditioning, heating,
and one set of linens per person
Mandatory extras: 160 Euro/week for weekly or final cleaning and for baggage porterage at arrival and
departure)
Optional extras: 52 Euro/week for baby crib and linens, paid In Italy
To get to the property you walk along an 800-yard path for pedestrians only that incorporates 90 steps. If you have a car, you will need to park in the public garage at the end of this road, for 85 Euro/week. Also at this end of the road is an excellent food shop. Other shops and restaurants are about a 20-minute walk or 5-minute drive away, on the main road.
The bus stops 20 minutes' walk from the house and takes you to the pebble beach below the house, or to Positano (7 km), Amalfi (12 km) or Ravello (16 km). Sorrento is18 km, Salerno 45 km, Naples airport 55 km. Ferries and hydrofoils ply daily during summer months from Amalfi to Capri (1½ h.), Positano (20 min.), Ischia (2½ h) and Salerno (1 h.).
Check-in: 3-8pmClick here for information about regular boat service between Naples, the Amalfi Coast, Capri, Agropoli and Cilento.
