Truly “Mama Mia” driving – a narrow road twisting and turning on the mountains, the sea below, barely room for two lanes of cars.  Although the beginning of April is barely even shoulder season, the crowds were starting.The towns looked just like the movies – gleaming white or colored buildings carved into niches in the hillsides, sparkling blue water, steps and more steps if you want to stroll around. Positano was our first stop and we wended our way through pedestrian streets that were little more than alleyways ending up ar the beach. The hotels were getting ready for beach weather and the restaurants that line the beach preparing for diners. Lemons everywhere —real lemon trees all over Sorrento as well as he Amalfi cost and lemon prints on everything—clothes, aprons, tablecloths, pottery, bottles

On through Amalfi to Ravello which I loved.  Ravello is higher than the other towns which makes accessing the beach more difficult and therefore it is less crowded.  We had lunch in one of the small ristorantes — delicious pasta and an aged woman owner who insisted we have a slice of tiramisu . The coast is  special but I would not want to be there amidst the crowds and heat of the summer.