On the Beach in Positano

Positano is certainly where the beautiful people are. At the Grande Spiaggia (big beach) you can join them at La Scogliera (the reef) for drinks and snacks or for lunch and dinner on the terrace at L'Incanto. The restaurant is open-air and offers a myriad of seafood options and a view of the sea. They will gladly reserve a beach chair and umbrella for you-and bring your lunch to you as you lounge in the sand.

Mariska Hargitay's Favorite Meal Ever

Bon Appetit interviewed television star and self-proclaimed foodie Mariska Hargitay about her favorite meals. At the top of her list was a simple meal of caprese salad and seafood at La Conca del Sogno in the little hamlet of Nerano near Positano. To quote Ms. Hargitay: "I took a bite of tomato and suddenly I was eating Italy." The family-owned restaurant is on the beach and has gorgeous views of the sea and nearby islands. It's the perfect spot for a leisurely lunch. Via San Marciano, 9.

Emporio Le Sirenuse in Positano

Le Sirenuse (The Sirens) is indisputably one of the best hotels in Positano. But not only is it unique, luxurious and quintessentially Italian, but it is also right across the street from its own boutique, Emporio Le Sirenuse. The shop is run by Carla Sersale, the daughter-in-law of Antonio Sersale, the hotel's owner. Here you can find everything in exquisite taste: ballet flats by Porselli, Laura Urbinati swimwear, Faraone Mennella jewelry, Venetian glassware and bohemian textiles by Lisa Corti. The shop is Suzy Gershman's (Born to Shop Italy) favorite store in all of Italy. Diverti te! 30 Via Colombo.

Donna Rosa in Montepertuso

Up above Positano in Montepertuso ("Hole in the Mountain") is a restaurant that embodies Italian sensibility. Ristorante Donna Rosa is truly a family affair. The staff is small and the setting is intimate-the kitchen is open for guests to watch the meals being prepared. Classic pastas, meats, rare wines and delicious desserts are on the menu, and if you really like a dish they will give you the recipe (straight from Donna Rosa's cookbook!). Be sure to stop in and see the "Hole in the Mountain" at sunset on your way to dinner. Reservations recommended. Via Montepertuso 97/99. +39 089 811806.

Mario Batali's Amalfi Coast Picks

Star chef Mario Batali knows Italian food and admits that the Amalfi Coast is his favorite foodie spot. Don't miss the alici marinate (marinated anchovies, a specialty of the region) and be sure to visit these restaurants in Positano, Amalfi and Massa Lubrense. In Amalfi he recommends da Gemma and la Caravella.
In Positano be sure to try Il Capitano, Chez Black and La Sponda at Le Sirenuse.In Massa Lubrense, out of the way and hard to find, he loves Taverna del Capitano and Quattro Passi.

Travel and Leisure's Top 500 Hotels:Amalfi Coast

Every year Travel and Leisure publishes THE LIST. This year, 5 hotels on the Amalfi Coast and one in Sorrento made the coveted ranking, however none of them are new to the list. All are luxurious and all are VERY expensive. But even if you can't stay at any of these properties, stop in for lunch or a drink. The views and service are definitely a worthwhile experience. On Capri, the Capri Hotel & Spa and the Grand Hotel Quisisana are recommended. In Positano, Travel and Leisure ranks Il San Pietro di Positano and La Sirenuse as the best. In Ravello, the lovely and exclusive (43 rooms) Palazzo Sasso (pictured) is the hotel to visit. If you make it over to Sorrento, the Grand Hotel Excelsior Vittoria overlooks the Bay of Naples and provides an excellent jumping-off point for visiting ruins, islands, and the Amalfi Coast.

The Best of the Costiera Amalfitana

The Amalfi Coast offers unlimited opportunities for experiencing the best of Italy. For day trips, head to Paestum and Capri. Be sure to visit the 13th century cathedral in Amalfi. For spectacular views don't miss Ravello, a tiny town tucked high in the mountains. Positano offers shopping, beaches and a lively nightlife. From the Amalfi Coast you are in the perfect position to visit Pompeii, Herculaneum and Naples by car or bus. Plan to spend several days in the Costiera Amalfitana-you will fall in love.