‘Pass on Positano’: A local shares Italian destination dupes away from the Amalfi Coast crowds

Friends have known as Lodge Poseidon in Positano breathtaking and splendid, however Liliana Mascolo has solely ever known as it house.

A 3rd-generation worker of her household’s lodge, Liliana’s earliest reminiscences recall full-season bookings and a bustling seaview terrace. 

“Positano has at all times been well-liked,” Liliana says. “However what’s modified are the varieties of company. As an alternative of staying for weeks and even months to loosen up, folks go to for a number of days, speeding to tick all the things off of their Amalfi Coast must-see checklist.”

Although she’s at all times identified why this a part of the Amalfi Coast is so coveted, Liliana has watched Positano evolve from a well-liked, long-stay vacation spot for Italians on a rich but relaxed vacation to a extra accessible vacation spot the place day-trippers and weekenders arrive with inflexible itineraries.

“Once I was finding out in London, I had a poster of Positano on my wall however none of my associates have been impressed as a result of they didn’t know concerning the Amalfi Coast. I bear in mind the precise day Positano began getting well-liked on social media: all of my associates have been surprised that it was my hometown.”

Liliana is at all times able to welcome company to Lodge Poseidon, her as soon as literal house, however she is aware of firsthand how overtourism on the Amalfi Coast creates an awesome expertise for some travellers. Listed below are Liliana’s 4 recommendations for taking an unforgettable Italian trip away from the crowds, queues, and cliché sights.

Tropea: An Instagrammable seaside with the great thing about Positano however not one of the vacationers

“The primary place that involves my thoughts as an alternative choice to Positano’s seashores are Tropea’s seashores.” 

Positano’s reputation on social media has its distinctive panorama to thank.

The rocky hillside lends the village the nickname ‘the Pyramid of Positano’. This part of shoreline options dramatic views of the village from sea degree and dreamy Tyrrhenian Sea views from numerous lodge terraces – together with Lodge Poseidon’s. 

Tropea, over 400 km south, can also be a hilltop village perched above the Tyrrhenian Sea. But Liliana says whereas its jaw-dropping surroundings is envy-inducing sufficient for Instagram it has no influencers in sight.

“I do know that households from different Italian cities go to Tropea time and again however don’t know of many overseas travellers going there. There’s not many individuals round, and the landscapes are attractive, so it’s such a peaceable atmosphere.”

Regardless of successful 2021’s Borgo dei Borghi competitors and one of many so-called pearls of the Tyrrhenian, Liliana nonetheless considers Tropea a hidden gem the place you may watch the sundown with out queuing up behind a crowd.  

Mount Abetone is an alluring various to the Italian Alps for ‘JOMO’

“Once I shut my eyes and consider Mt. Abetone, I see myself laying on a settee beside the fireside, enjoying board video games with my associates.” 

Standing among the many Pistoia Mountains, Mt. Abetone is among the hottest ski resorts in Italy, however you received’t catch Liliana on the slopes.

“It’s been years since I’ve skied; I simply go there to loosen up. It’s simply me, the fireside and a few wine on many days. Going to the ski resort is an bold exercise.”

Liliana’s household has a vacation house near Mt. Abetone. When Lodge Poseidon closes for the season, you’ll discover Liliana escaping the FOMO (worry of lacking out) present in Positano for the JOMO (pleasure of lacking out) within the Apennines mountain vary.

“Nothing ever occurs up there, however that’s my private choice. It’s not that I select to do completely nothing – I may comply with my sister to the slopes – however that I select to unwind with out feeling the necessity to hike or ski or do any of the actions most travellers come for.”

JOMO is certainly one of 2025’s high journey developments. In the event you embrace JOMO like Liliana does, you’ll undoubtedly discover rest and reconnection with family members on Mt. Abetone’s 50 km of pistes – and a laid-back various to winter recreation.

As an alternative of Atrani for set-jetting, go to Castellabate

Till just lately, the village of Atrani was thought of one of many few missed spots on the Amalfi Coast: a quieter refuge the place the savvy traveller may discover a extra genuine expertise off the principle vacationer path. 

Now, its reputation is quickly rising as cinephiles flock to filming places like Atrani’s seaside – as seen in Netflix’s ‘Ripley’, and the cliff-clinging shrine, Santuario Santa Maria del Bando, which featured in ‘Equalizer 3’. 

The ‘set-jetting’ development – planning a vacation based mostly on locations featured in TV collection or movies – is nothing new, which is why Liliana suggests embracing the development with out changing into a background additional in one other customer’s TikTok video. 

“I watched ‘Benvenuti al Sud’ a number of occasions earlier than really visiting Castellabate. It’s much more lovely in actual life and the locals are simply as pleasant to strangers.”

The Italian comedy, a remake of the French movie ‘Welcome to the Sticks’, finds a postmaster transferred to the village of Castellabate the place he discovers that the seemingly harmful south defies its prejudiced stereotypes. 

“Sit at a bar in Castellabate and the few vacationers you’ll see at all times look misplaced. Not as a result of they don’t know the place to go, however as a result of there’s nowhere to go.”

This small village, roughly 120 km south of Naples, has few sights past a citadel, an statement deck, and a small museum of sacred artwork housed in a church. 

“There may be nothing to do in Castellabate, life simply passes you by and that’s why it’s so good,” Liliana says. “It jogs my memory of what Positano as soon as was: there’s no checklist to examine off, you simply wander round and get misplaced within the second.”

Look to villages like Lake Como’s Varenna within the low season

Italy’s tourism generates over €50 billion from 57 million annual guests. Liliana agrees that some locations, just like the Amalfi Coast, might really feel too tempting to skip, however that doesn’t imply it’s a must to comply with the group. You possibly can go to at a unique time of yr for a quieter and even perhaps extra celestial expertise.

“I actually needed to see Lake Como’s panorama, not sights, so I visited in December, the low season. Varenna is the one place I’d keep if I am going again.” 

Varenna, a brief ferry journey from the bustling Bellagio, has lower than 1,000 residents, the Twelfth-century Castello di Vezio and a romantic, lakeside pathway known as the Stroll of Lovers. 

On crisp and clear winter nights when the moon is in its crescent part you may even take pleasure in some stargazing – as astrotourism can also be proper on development for this yr.

“Lake Como is unbelievable, however it’s also possible to get round northern Italy simply by prepare and go to Milan or Lake Garda.” 

The author was a visitor of Lodge Poseidon in 2021.