Afternoon Cocktails at Le Sirenuse

Facebook - Drinking all my cares away at afternoon happy hour at the legendary L

PHOTO: Le Sirenuse exterior poolside (c) Sery Kim

Luxurious Positano living can be a heady lure to the stressed out traveler. Dreams and fantasies of quitting work, drinking Limoncello every day, eating pizza non-stop and doing nothing but La Dolce Vita seems to be the sane thing to do.

Of course real sanity returns the moment you ride Italian public transportation. While I had a private transport in a brand-new Mercedes from Naples to Prariano, I thought a bus ride would be quite the adventure.

You are definitely taking your life in your own hands by forking over 1,10 euro for a public bus ride -- my bus driver texted and spoke on the phone while driving a bus crammed with every manner of tourist hugging inches from several hundreds of feet of cliffs.

After one ride, I decided to walk; yet, who would have known the Italians would think you are crazier for walking than taking the bus!?! Apparently, walking the 7-8 miles from Prariano to Positano along the windy, breathe-taking and death-defying curves of the Amalfi Coast highway seems to be reserved for the crazy tourist, such as myself, but the views are impeccable. Of course, feeding into the stereotype, I had several Italian men stop to ask me if I needed a ride. The answer is and always will be "Gracia but no thank you!"

Once I explored Positano, taking a binge-worthy bucket of photos, I was ready for an afternoon cocktail. When in Positano, the only place for an afternoon cocktail is at Le Sirenuse, one of The Leading Hotels in the World.

Do not stop upon entry for the flowery greetings of "Buorgino!" and immediate head downstairs one level to the restaurant // pool // bar area. The restaurant La Sponda is a one-star Michelin establishment famed for their breathtaking views illuminated by endless candles. Romantic beyond belief, this is the idea place for dinner cena per due, i.e. dinner for two.

For the traveler alone (though never lonely), nestle up to one of the tables overlooking Positano. Since this town is famous for lemons, I ordered the "Positano" cocktail. With its sweetly bright infusions of lemon, this drink could have easily turned into twelve. I resolved not to leave drunk and mustered the fortitude to limit myself to just one; however, when I return for a more extended stay at Le Sirenuse, the Positano will need to be ordered in bulk!

Cheers to La Dolce Vita!