AMALFI COAST


Arriving in Positano by road isn’t doing it in style, though. The real way to arrive at this photogenic beauty is by boat; a water-based arrival gives you the benefit of a full-frontal view of the town’s endless sun-bleached beach and blush-coloured buildings, which appear to merge into the sea like a watercolour painting On land, Positano is just as pretty, with steep and winding cobblestone streets drizzled with purple wisteria and lined with cafes and restaurants. It’s not hard to see why the town attracts a fashionable crowd, especially when you throw in some summer sunshine and a glass of fine talian wine. a dolce vita, indeed. Our home-from-home here was La Perla, part of Abercrombie & Kent’s villa collection, which is a seven-minute drive from the centre of town – so it’s ideal for jumping in and out of the action.


This six-bedroom, all en suite property sleeps 12 people, with ample space across three storeys connected by grand staircases, or a lift for the lackadaisical. Like the properties I’d seen on arrival, the villa clings to the side of the mountain, with each window framing stunning views of the town and across the bay. With two lounges, a huge terrace and an indoor swimming pool, La Perla is something special. The property even has its own spa, and Abercrombie & Kent’s team is on hand to book a masseuse to visit and tend to the aching muscles you’re bound to have after days of negotiating the steep streets of Positano and its neighbouring towns. My favourite aspect of the stay was housekeeper Monica’s daily breakfast. She arrived each morning to prepare a feast before we’d even raised our


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ABOVE: Abercrombie & Kent’s La Perla villa OPPOSITE, FROM LEFT: T  e irenuse; alfi cathedral; SECOND ROW: Sorrento; Hollie-Rae; Abercrombie & Kent’s La Perla villa; THIRD ROW: The beach at Vico Equense FOURTH ROW: Ravioli served at La Sponda; Positano FOLLOWING PAGE: Atrani Credits: Shutterstock; Hollie-Rae Brader; Maurice Naragon; Vito Fusco; Andrew Slifkin


56 ASPIRE FEBRUARY 2019 aspiretravelclub.co.uk


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