Reviews of Amalfi Coast Vacation
Belsole
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Customer Reviews
Overall:
We loved. It is one of the most beautiful places we have ever seen.
Enjoyed Most:
Beautiful view, the owner, and our villa.
Unpleasant Surprises:
The buses were crowded, and we did have to walk into town or go on the bus schedule.
Surrounding Area:
It is all so beautiful. We loved the pottery, the food and shopping.
Nearby Events or Locales:
Positano. We were in walking distance but a lot of steps when returning to the villa.
Tips or Restaurants:
Do not drive there. It looked dangerous to us. we loved our landlady Maria.
Directions:
We had a driver from Naples, who knew where to go.
Check In Out:
Very easy and our hostess who came was great.
Marty, September, 2009
Overall:
Awesome!!!
Enjoyed Most:
The veranda
Unpleasant Surprises:
The climb up the steps.
Surrounding Area:
Great views....Great history.
Directions:
We had a driver pick us up in Naples....much easier than driving in the area.
Christina, June, 2009
Overall:
Wonderful. The family downstairs was very welcoming and we had one of our most memorable nights in Positano with them and their friends at Belsole.
Enjoyed Most:
The size and outside area.
Unpleasant Surprises:
The 90 steps leading up to the road!
Surrounding Area:
It was beautiful everywhere you looked and went.
Nearby Events or Locales:
Positano. Yes, it was a nice walk although walking in was easier than walking home up from Positano.
Directions:
We spotted it from the road as we came around the bend. We recognised the it from the picture on the Internet.
Check In Out:
It was relatively painless.
Kate, June, 2008
Enjoyed Most:
The view was amazing and the rooms were very spacious. The drivers that brought us and returned us to Naples were informative and friendly as well as prompt.
Unpleasant Surprises:
The distance from everything, and the number of steps. However, we knew about them before we came. They kept us in good shape!
Surrounding Area:
The shops, the views, visiting other sections like Amalfi, Sorrento. Capri and Pompeii.
Nearby Events or Locales:
Positano - We were able to walk to town, but it was far. A bus was available to take if you wanted.
Tips or Restaurants:
The villa had everything for cooking and there were provisions to get you started which were a nice touch! Definitely bring a camera for the fantastic scenery in Positano. We ate at a local restaurant that arranged to pick us up and bring us back at night and also at Cambusa in Positano - delicious!
Check In Out:
Our contact was very helpful. She gave us info about the buses and restaurants. The owners were also very helpful, courteous, and friendly.
Donna, November, 2007
Enjoyed Most:
The view was stunning, and it was nice being on the edge of town, a bit removed from the traffic and bustle of downtown Positano. The owner was most friendly, as was her son. We enjoyed the cat, dog, chickens, and sheep - all were rather charming and not particularly noisy.
Unpleasant Surprises:
On a couple of occasions folks not associated with the property took our parking spaces at the top of the stairs, but we managed to get around this problem. We agreed we would all love to return
Surrounding Area:
We loved walking through Positano and up into the hills. It was certainly worthwhile driving along the coast. Ravello was beautiful, and the variety of ceramic ware in Vietri was stunning. After a few days, driving the twisting roads was fun, although the first time on these roads was a bit hair-raising. One evening we made the trip to Sant' Agata sui Due Golfi, a town perched on the crest of the peninsula between Sorrento and Positano. From Sant' Agata one can see both the Bay of Naples and the Bay of Salerno. We dined at Don Alfonso, a superb restaurant where we had an exquisite multi-course meal.
Nearby Events or Locales:
We did much of our dining in Montepertuso, which was about a forty minute walk from Belsole although we only walked it once. The restaurants in Montepertuso all seemed to be family-run operations, and the food was excellent, with prices a bit lower than Positano. Il Ritrovo and Donna Rosa were both excellent, and we got fine take-out pizza from Da Constantino, about halfway up the hill to Montepertuso. The only downtown Positano restaurant in which we dined was Cambusa, where Vito is the manager, and we had excellent service and wonderful seafood, in addition to getting a guide to the fresh seafood tank from Vito himself.
Tips or Restaurants:
Be prepared for a lot of walking! The house is well supplied, and there was nothing we lacked. We found it helpful to have a car to visit towns along the coast, but if we drove into Positano itself, we never could find parking and had to resort to one of the parking garages in the center of town.
Peter, June, 2007
Enjoyed Most:
The location was hard to beat, unless you are scared of a little exercise! The steps down to the villa as well as the steps down to Positano kept us in shape while allowing us to enjoy all the wonderful food! We fell in love with the family who own the property and live downstairs. They were more than helpful.
Surrounding Area:
We enjoyed getting our walk into Positano everyday!
Nearby Events or Locales:
We had Gianni, the son of the family below, drive us along the Amalfi coast with stops along the way. It was a great way to spend a day and see several small cities. He is an excellent driver which you will discover is extremely important for those roads!
Tips or Restaurants:
If you have any problem with walking a lot or taking stairs, you should perhaps consider a different location but we enjoyed working off the food!. La Cambusa was our absolute favorite restaurant. We ate there too many times to count. Vito from the family is the manager. Mario was the greatest. He was our waiter every time and we really felt like we got to know them. The food and service is excellent! Il Canto down the beach was our favorite for pizza.
Sena, June, 2007
Enjoyed Most:
The view, the large villa, large terrace, the owners were incredibly nice. One took us to go grocery shopping and helped with all loads up and down the steps.
Unpleasant Surprises:
The parking was difficult, typical of Positano. Constantly hear cars because near main road, but everything is.
Surrounding Area:
View.
David, August, 2006
Enjoyed Most:
The view of the bay was spectacular and one you probably wouldn't get if you stayed in a hotel in Positano. I practiced my yoga by the pool - very serene in this beautiful setting.
Unpleasant Surprises:
I wasn't aware of the family living in the lower level, who have sheep with bells and a dog that likes to bark at all hours. I know comments were made about the traffic on the road above, but that didn't bother me at all.
Surrounding Area:
I loved visiting the small towns on the coast, although Positano does not have any real historic value the shops were fun to browse. The people I met in the town were wonderful, accommodating and most helpful.
Nearby Events or Locales:
Who wants to walk up all those hills? The bus took you so far then there was a good half hour walk to the villa. We managed and it was good exercise and it was because of this I kept my weight down even after eating so much of the delicious food.
Tips or Restaurants:
The kitchen lacked good cooking equipment.
Directions:
I hired a driver to take us to the villa, fortunately he lived in the area and knew the property. His fees were very reasonable and his service was excellent. I highly recommend him to anyone travelling in the area. Limousine Service Sorrento Renato Cuomo: www.cuomo.net.it
Check In Out:
The local agent was very polite and cooperative - explaining the charges, etc., to my satisfaction. Our Travel Advisor with Rentvillas, was the best. She resolved and answered all ofl my problems and questions promptly and politely.
Paulette, July, 2005
Overall:
I wish to return and bring friends to share the beauty and joy of this area.
Enjoyed Most:
The wondrous view from the property and the warmth of the villa, especially the gracious hospitality shown by the family... and the animals.
Unpleasant Surprises:
Nothing.
Surrounding Area:
The joy of being in Positano, a perfect place to venture out to the surrounding areas of the Amalfi Coast - Amalfi, Ravello, Capri - and a perfect place to return to after such adventures.
Nearby Events or Locales:
Positano was in easy walking distance. The many stairs and winding streets were a great way to increase the appetite as one walked to dinner as well as a great way to wind down after enjoying a meal.
Tips or Restaurants:
La Cambusa was our favorite spot. We ate there often. The owner's son worked there and made the time so much fun! The food was glorious and the waiter Mario was full of smiles. Right on the beach, it was a great vantage point.
Directions:
Rentvillas set up a driver to take us to and from the Naples airport. I would suggest that as a great way to make your way into the area, as well as a nice way to leave without any undue worries.
Karen, April, 2005
Overall:
All told, we enjoyed the property but it requires either a lot of walking or taking taxis.
Enjoyed Most:
The property was spacious.
Unpleasant Surprises:
The sounds of cars, buses chickens, and sheep that make noise all day and night. The distance from the town.
Nearby Events or Locales:
It was easy to walk down to town 15 minutes, but quite a hike back up. The local buses are handy, but the only one that we found going back up the hill was still a 20 minute walk from the top of Positano to the property not counting the 90 steps down to the property.
Cindy, October, 2004
Overall:
We fell in love with Maria and her son, Vito. As we were leaving, we gave Maria a bright orange hat that one of the group members was leaving behind. As we drove away and the taxi rounded curve after curve, we could see Maria on the terrace waving goodbye with the bright orange hat. We will always have a special place in our hearts for Maria.
Enjoyed Most:
The villa was attractive, comfortable, very clean and well equipped with breathtaking views of the sea and surrounding cliff-side. The best part of our stay was the opportunity to spend time with the property owner, Maria and her son Vito. They treated us like their personal guests rather than customers. It was a great opportunity to experience Italian life close up. If we had stayed on a tour bus or in hotels we would have been surrounded by other tourists from somewhere other than Italy! We had read on the web site that the bells on the sheep had bothered a guest. We found the tinkle of the bells comforting and charming. When Maria asked if we wanted her to remove the bell collars, we all said NO.
Unpleasant Surprises:
We didn't even mind the 92 steps down from the roadside - it gave us an opportunity to work off the extra calories from the good food and wine we enjoyed.
Surrounding Area:
We were amazed by how the Italian people could make use of this rugged land. On the side of a cliff, Maria was able to grow figs, lemons, olives, herbs, potatoes and flowers. She also had chickens, sheep, cats and a dog, which added charm and a sense of home to the villa.
We loved learning to form an Italian Line! We tried it out the first day back in U.S. and had to back up and continue with following the American rules of the road!
Nearby Events or Locales:
The center of Positano and beach area was a reasonable walk along the road and down the hill from the villa, but only after many narrow steps that meander through the village. Of course this provided more photo opportunities of Positano's breathtaking views.
Tips or Restaurants:
The service was excellent no matter where we had dinner, but a couple of favorites were the Rivotro and La Cambusa.
Directions:
You can see the villa on the cliff-side as you round one of the many corners as you approach Positano.
Check In Out:
Our bus from Sorrento was late arriving in Positano. We were able to reach our contact by phone and we made arrangements to meet Andre at a location closer to the villa. Andre even carried our luggage on his scooter, since we had a short walk to the entrance of the villa.
Linda, September, 2004
Overall:
Overall, it was a wonderful stay. The villa is perched on the side of the mountain, so you overlook the sea. It is well-equipped and spacious, with a balcony all around. We took many day trips - to Amalfi, Capri, Pompeii, among other places. It would be difficult to get around the area without access to a car.
Enjoyed Most:
The view and the physical layout and condition. Also, the owner was extremely helpful and charming.
Unpleasant Surprises:
The location far outside center of town. Since parking in town is limited, there was a lot of walking up and down or waiting for a bus. There are fewer buses than at height of season
Surrounding Area:
Beautiful location overall, excellent food, reasonably accessible to places of cultural and historic interest.
Nearby Events or Locales:
Positano - villa is in town limit - but it is a very long and steep walk to center of town and all uphill going back.
Tips or Restaurants:
Just be aware that either a lot of step-climbing or else driving and parking. Driving through town is not that easy. We did eat a several excellent restaurants at different price ranges.
Martha, June, 2003
.Overall:
Our experience was wonderful. The villa is spectacular from the 1st step all the way down to the 93rd step. The views are like a postcard only you are really there. Dramatic cliff views as far as the eyes can see. Maria, the owner keeps the place perfectly clean. Maria and her family are the perfect hosts.
Enjoyed Most:
The locals in town are friendly once you get to know them. We loved renting a scooter for a few days right there in Positano. We loved walking through Positano at night. Stand on the beach and look back at the town it is blanket of lights resting on the cliffs.
Unpleasant Surprises:
The buses coming and going from Sorrento need to beep their horns on the numerous blind curves along the road. It is loud but ear plugs for the early morning will remedy that problem.
Tips or Restaurants:
It will cost about $15 by taxi each time to go from the villa to the depths of Positano. Beware, if you have not ridden a scooter or motocycle before, this is not the place to try for the first time. The roads are very curvy and the locals drive very fast. Eat at Le Tre Sorrelle. Ask for Paulo our favorite waiter.
Donna, October, 2002
Overall:
The views from the property are spectacular. We found the house itself to be very spacious, nicely appointed and very well-equipped. Two of the bedrooms have double/queen beds which were very comfortable as did the small third bedroom (the beds were actually singles made up together in this room). Aside from the view, the house’s best feature is the big eat-in kitchen with french doors to a balcony/patio. I have rented multiple homes in Europe and this house had by far and away the best equipped kitchen that I have ever seen.
Enjoyed Most:
The comfort and amenities of the house itself. The view. The owner of the home, Maria, is a wonderful woman who was kind to us and especially to our children.
Unpleasant Surprises:
The house is literally built on the side of a cliff so this means: lots of steps from the street level to the house, no level ground area for children to play which wasn’t great for our 3 young children. The water pressure is very low in the bathrooms.
Surrounding Area:
Spectacular, rocky, steep Amalfi coastline.
Tips or Restaurants:
There are many good restaurants in Positano. Our favorite meal was at Il Scoglio in Marina di Cantone – it was expensive but the setting was worth it.
Georgeann, October, 2002
Overall:
I had a wonderful time and would use your service again.
Unpleasant Surprises:
The owners are raising sheep and chicken on the premises. While this could be quaint, the sheep have cow bells tied to their necks - waking guests at all hours of the night.
Joshua, August, 2002