Back to ITALY 2018

At The TWIN CHURCHES of SANTA MARIA

PIAZZA di POPOLO

ROME

ITALY

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Nunns walking in TRASTEVERE

ROME

ITALY

This Cool Old Truck is owned by Trattoria Carlo Menta

and is Parked in Front of the Restaurant

Old FIAT

TRATTORIA CARLO MENTA

ROMA

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BACK in ROME

The COLOSSEUM

May 2018

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Me & My Buddy AUGUSTO

Owner of ALLORO RISTORANT , ROME

Near The TREVI FOUNTAIN

Fotana di Trevi

Roma

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POSITANO

ITALY

VISIT

 Positano-Amalfi-Coast.com

POSITANO The AMALFI COAST

TRAVEL GUIDE - COOKBOOK

AMAZON.com

. .

COUSINS MIMO and MARTA

PREPARING OUR ANTIPASTI

SORRENTO

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POSITANO

Shot From Le SIRENUSE HOTEL

Positano on The AMALFI COAST

ITALY

View From My Balcony

At VILLA MARIA AGRITURISMO

MINORI

ITALY

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Me & VINCENZO MANZO

Owner of Villa Maria Agriturismo

MINORI

ITALY

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Pasta al Forno alla Maria

VILLA MARIA

MINORI

ITALY

The AMALFI COAST

PANSA

PASTICCERIA

AMALFI

PANSA

This is One of The Most Wonderful Pasticerria Caffe in all of Italy

LOVE IT !

Have a Cappuccino and Sfogliatelle

PASTICCERIA  ANDREA PANSA

The history of this company is naturally interwoven with the vicissitudes of a family that has proudly guided it for five generations. Founded in 1830 by Andrea Pansa, the Pastry has kept unchanged the fascination conveyed by the nineteenth-century furnishing which still smells of the essence of the Fathers, among those gilded mirrors that still reflect the images of famous people like Ibsen, Wagner, Longfellow and Quasimodo, below the elongated cruises heritage of past glories.

 

In February 2001 Pansa received the prestigious recognition of the registration of the cultural association of the Historical Premises of Italy, because it is rightly considered one of the oldest confectionery production and tasting of the Amalfitan region.

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Cousin TONY and I Enjoying Aperitivo Time

at CASA SORRENTO

SORENTO , ITALY

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My CAMPARI SPRITZA

At Our House on VIA CAPO in SORRENTO

ITALY

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Cousins MIMO & MARTA (Front)

ME , COUSIN TONY and ALAN

SORRENTO

ITALY

View from our Apartment on Via Capo

SORRENTO

May 2018

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Cugina Marta

Sorrento

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RAVIOLI con TARTUFO

Made by MARTA & MIMO

For our Dinner in SORRENTO

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PAESTUM

Ancient Greek Ruins

ITALY

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Cousin Marta , Mimo, Tony and Me

SORRENTO

ITALY

CETARA

The AMALFI COAST

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A Fisherman in Cetara

Mending His Nets

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Cutting The PORCHETTA

For My PANINO

At Er BUCHETTO

ROMA

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Another APEROL SPRITZ

At a Caffe at MARINA GRANDE

SORRENTO

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The COOK

at O'PULEDRONE

A Family Seafood Ristorante

Where they CATCH THEIR OWN FISH

THIS PLACE was AWESOME

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Michael The Fisherman

of O'PULEDRONE

KISSES a BABY

"For GOOD LUCK"

SORRENTO

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O'Puledrone

MARINA GRANDE

SORRENTO

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Spaghetti Vongole

O'PULEDRONE

MARINA GRANDE

RECIPES

FRITO MISTO

PULEDRONE

MENU

O'PULEDRONE

Marina Grande

SORRENTO

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Atop The SPANISH STEPS

PIAZZA De SPAGNA

ROME

ITALY

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 A Church in SORRENTO

"DON'T ASK ME THE NAME"

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ROME

???

May 2018

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Drinking FRASCATI in FRASCATI

FRASCATI, ITALY

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The Bar at Bar Fauno

SORRENTO

ITALY

PIAZZA TASSO

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Insalata di Polpo

OCTOPUS SALAD

RECIPE

BAR FAUNO

SORRENTO

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Per Palummo

CASA AMBRA

ISCHIA

We had this wine, along with a Bottle of the same house's Biancolella

and Casa Ambra Aglianico with our dinner we made at Cassa Sorrento, the beautifuk apartment with a lovely garden we rented on Via Capo, Sorrento, Italy.

The dinner was with my Cousin Antony Bellino, and cousins Marta and Mimo from Salerno and our friend Alan from Lodi. Marta and Mimo served their Mozzarella di Bufala (from their Mozzarella Fattoria in Salerno), they also made tasty Ricotta Ravioli with Black Truffles shaved on top. We also ate Salami and Pecorino, and I made Lamb Chops with roast potatoes for the main. For dessert, Mimo and Marta made fresh Strawberries with Limoncello and walnuts. It was an amazing dinner, and one I'll always cherish.

The Amalfi Coast

Approaching MAIORI

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This POST is DEDICATED to UNCLE FRANK

Who Sponsored this Trip to Italy

for My Cousin Anthony Bellino and I

FRANK BELLINO

1918 - 2017

Vetetan Of WW II

Serving in The UNITED STATES MARINE CORP

Beloved Uncle and Leader of Our Family

The BELLINO'S of LODI , NEW JERSEY

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View of MOUNT VESUVIUS ad MARINA PICOLO

SORRENTO

ITALY

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View From Our Balcony at The Cuomo Suite

Piazza Tasso

And BAR FAUNO

SORRENTO

ITALY

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Cousin Tony and I

At BAR FAUNO

Our HDQts in SORRENTO

PIAZZA TASSO

.

DINO

BAR FAUNO

SORRENTO

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It's Always Jumping at Bar Fauno

Piazza Tasso

Sorrento

Breakfast at BAR FUANO

CAPPUCCINO CORNETTO & OJ

Looking Towards our Room at CUOMO SUITES

POSITANO The AMALFI COAST

TRAVEL GUIDE - COOKBOOK

AMAZON.com

.

Legalize MARINARA

MARINARA RECIPE

SEGRETO ITALIANO

SECRET SAUCE

FIAT 500

Cinquecento

Just another Cinquecento

Sorrento , Italy

FIAT 500

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Lemons & Oranges

At a Fruit & Vegetable Stand

My POSITANO Amalfi Coast

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Approach to POSITANO From The SEA

    I first went to Positano in the Summer of 1985. This visit was on my seminal first exploration of the Continent of Europe, a trip I had been dying to make for some 10 years or so at the time. It was a month long journey in my 24th year of my life. The trip would take me to first Rome, then on to Florence where I would meet up with a high school friend who went to school there, met an Italian and got married. I had a great time with JoAnne and Leo before heading off to Barcelona to meet up with my friends. Efrom and Christina in Barcelona with a stop at the seaside town Blanes on the Costa Brava in Spain. All these spots were amazing, especially those first few days in Rome which completely blew me away. I was so excited and enraptured in those moments in the Eternal City, from my very first discoveries as such little but oh so very important things as the discovery of the Italian Sandwich known as a Tramezzini, perfectly ripe Appricots (Albicocca), Gelato, and perfectly made Espresso. I was absolutely captivated at the site of the Roman Colosseum for the first time and walking among Ancient Roman Ruins in the Roman Forum. And renting and riding a Vespa was one of my life's greatest thrills. All these experience and discoveries one-after-the-other had me in quite a state of euphoria as I truly felt like a young child on Christmas day, if you know what I mean. After my stops in Spain, it was on to Nice, Monaco, Monte Carlo, and the French Riviera which was most spectacular and full of great discoveries and wonderfully memorable experiences as well. More dreams coming true, going to Monaco, seeing the Casino of Monte Carlo and swimming in the Mediterranean on a Beach in the South of France, The French Riviera, on a beach in Monaco no-less. "I was in 7th Heaven," literally. A little footnote. I met a French Girl on the train while on the Italian Riviera. She came with me to Spain and we had a little Romance. I left Spain, and went to Nice, where I had another little fling with a French Girl named Chantell. I do not want to forget these wonderful little flings as I young man, so I mention it here. Anyway, on to the next thing. After my fling with the French girl on the Riviera, it was on to another dream, of going to Venice. Ever since I was a young of about 6 and saw Katherine Hephurn in the movie Summertime, shot so beautifully by David Lean all over Venice, I was captivated by this magical city, and knew that one day, I must go. It was early in the evening (about 6 PM) when I arrived at Santa Lucia Station in Venice on my train trip from Nice to Venice. There was no internet back then, and I would find and get my hotels through looking in a Frommer Travel Guide Book, and making a list of a few possible hotels to stay at, in whatever city or town that I was on my way too. The other option I discovered was that many cities in Italy would have small tourist booths in a train station and or in the main square of the city. I spotted one of these little booths at Venice's Santa Lucia Station as soon as I walked into it. I went over to the booth and chatted with the young lady. She booked me into a nice affordable hotel (Fierenze) right in the heart of Venice at San Marco Square. She told me to take the # 1 Vaperetto and get off at the San Marco stop, and it was a short walk to the hotel from there. So I did as the young lady said and I hopped on the Vaparetto to make my glorious first trip of the Grand Canal of Venice. Well, without question, riding up the whole length of the Grand Canal is an experience not to be missed. There can not be many more wondrous things to do anywhere in the World. The Canalzzzo Grande is S-Shaped and starts at the lagoon near Piazza Roma and Santa Lucia Train Station and goes up 2.5 miles to the basin just passed Piazza San Marco.  Along the way, you pass some 170 buildings and Grand Pallazzos made of marble and date from the 13th to 18th Centuries. It is quite some sight to see as you pass Gondolas and and Pallazzos along the way.  As I took that first voyage on the # 1 Vaporetto, I was enchanted and captivated once again, by yet another of Italy's many splendors along the way. I took it all in, and finally arrived at the San Marco stop. I got off, and it was a mere 2 blocks down the Venetian calli as I made my way to the Hotel Fierenze. I checked in, went upstairs, took a shower, got dressed, and then it was off into the night, for some more exploration of this mystical city known as La Serenissima, The Most Serene Republic, Venice, Italy. Yes Venice was amazing, what more can I say. Now it was off to Positano and the Amalfi Coast, and where I would discover Heaven on Earth, or quite simply Paradise incarnate.  I first went to the beautiful little town of Positano in the Summer of 1985. Positano was not nearly as well known to Americans as it is now. Nor to the Japanese who go there in droves and get married there, nor to many around the World as it has been for the past 15 or 20 years.  Positano jumps up out of the Sea. It starts at Sea Level and shoots up to the Heavens on sheer cliffs, with white and pastel colored houses stacked one upon the other. The beauty that is Positano will go penetrates deep into your heart and soul. Questioning why and how these homes cling to the cliffs of this wondrous town will fade, and all that will matter is the shear beauty of this incredible little town on the Amalfi Coast of Italy. The late Poet Rene Ricard who was a friend of mine, gave me place to stay in Positano along with the sage advice that I absolutely had to dine at his favorite restorante Da Vincenzo and partake in a plate of their fabulous Spaghetti Vongole, which Rene claimed was the best in the World. Well I did go to Da Vincenzo and had one of the most wonderful meals of my life. I met Victor and Jesse who both took care of me that night, and I fell in love with the place. I had a plate of Spaghetti Vongole and just as Rene Ricard proclaimed, yes it was "the best Spaghetti Vongole on Earth." Da Vincenzo has always been my favorite restaurant in Positano, there are other fine restaurants as well, and are for you exploring and discoveries of your own. And I'll tell you about my favorite hotel as well. It's not Villa Maria Antonietta, where Rene sent me too, knowing I didn't have much money and was on a budget, the young man that I was back then. I did stay there. It was nice, very affordable and centrally located. So Villa Maria Antonietta was nice, yet very basic, and I wanted something a little nicer on my next trip, so the following year I found another place to stay. I was looking around and scouting out places, when I came upon Casa Albertina just behind Da Vincenzo's. I walked in and spotted Lorenzo at the front desk. Lorenzo is the son of the owners and seeing I was a young man and probably wasn't loaded with cash, he took a liking to me and made me a special "young persons price" of just $65 a night. Quite nice of Lorenzo. He showed me a room and I snapped it up and was checked into Casa Albertina in no time flat. Well it was a great find. Casa Albertina is a wonderful hotel, quite a little gem and great value for the money. It's pretty much like a luxury hotel, but at more affordable prices. The hotel is beautifully appointed with white-washed walls, lovely art pieces and furniture, with gorgeous marble and tile floors and oriental rugs. The common areas are very lovely. The rooms are elegantly simple and serene, and the service warm and friendly. I stayed there on 3 separate occasions and always had a lovely time. Now, I'm sorry to say that because Positano is without questions one of the World's most beautifully romantic places anywhere, because of this fact the place has become overly popular and overrun with way too many tourist for such a small town. This being said, the abundance of people has not detracted from the towns sheer beauty. The town gets super crowded at the very bottom, so I suggest staying in the hill a little further from the vey bottom to get away from the crowds. You might want to stay at Casa Albertina or somewhere near by. So even though Positano is overrun, if you've never been there before, you must absolutely go at least once in your life, if you ever get the chance. So Positano is well known by most, but there's much more to do on the gorgeous Amalfi Coast, one of the most gorgeous spots on God's Good Earth. I love staying 3-5 days on Capri which I love just as much as Positano itself, and I made one wonderful new discoveries in 2015 when I stayed at a lovely little agriturismo called Villa Maria in the coastal town of Minori south of Positano and closer to Amalfi and nearby Ravello. Villa Maria is way up in the hills of Minori and quite close to another famous town, Ravello just above. Villa Maria is a working Lemon Farm run by Vincenzo Manzo, his wife Maria, his daughter and son. Besides the beautiful Lemon Groves that supply the Lemons for a refreshing glass of Lemonade upon arrival, Vincenzo's homemade Limoncello, and the ingredients of Maria's Lemon Cake and other dishes, there are many other fresh products that come from this farm. Vincenzo has grape vines from which he makes both Red & White Wine and they have Olive Trees from which they make their own Olive Oil. They grow many vegetables and fruits that provide the base of Vincenzo's homemade Jams, and Pigs from which they make Prosciutto and Salumi. Villa Maria makes what I call the "World's Best Breakfast" and one of the highlights of staying at the property along with their fabulous breakfast is the four-course dinner made by Maria and Vincenzo's sister and their team. The phenomenal breakfast is include in the price of the room which is just about 65 Euros (as of 2015), and if you have the four course dinner, it's just 20 Euro for the food, plus whatever drink is extra, but very inexpensive, and well worth the price.

Entrance to VILLA MARIA ANTONIETTA

POSITANO

 ITALY

    .

Inside CASA ALBERTINA

POSITANO

See The LUXURY

But at Much Gentler Prices

INFO & BOOKING

 

With NICOLETTA

Breakfast on The TERRAZZO

CASA ALBERTINA

POSITANO

"I LOVE POSITANO"

TEE SHIRT

 

The WORLDS BEST BREAKFAST

   

One Days Posts

Summer Vacation 2015

NAPOLI , CAPRI , MINORI , POSITANO , CAPRI

Author DANIEL BELLINO ZWICKE

@DanielBellinoZwicke 's Instagram

Pictured Above : An ESPRESSO at The HOTEL QUISISSANA Capri, Da LUIGIBeach Club at the Faraglioni Rocks CAPRI  , Shuttle Boat at Da Luigi to Marina Piccolo CAPRI , MARINA PICOLO Capri ITALY , CAPRI at Marian Piccolo . View at Marian Piccolo looking towards the FARAGLIONI ...

POSITANO 

The AMALFI COAST COOKBOOK

And TRAVEL GUIDE

GREATEST HITS COOKBOOK

AMALFI COAST POSITANO RECIPES

CAPRI NAPOLI and More ...

AMAZON.com

.

   

The 1st Place I stayed in POSITANO

1985

NEED a ROOM

POSITANO The AMALFI COAST

BOOKING.com

ITALY & The WORLD

.

 

Me in POSITANO

June 2015

POSITANO

The SNEAKERS

by Bellino

At The POSITANO SHOP

"GET YOURS TODAY" !!!

   

San MICHELE

Anacapri

CAPRI , ITALY

This beautiful little church up in Anacapri on The Isle of CAPRI is one of my favorite churches in the World. This beautiful church features a stunning Majolica Tile Floor ...

The church of San Michele in Anacapri presents several interesting aspects, but surely it is the majolica floor to capture the attention. The Expulsion from Paradise of Adam and Eve leaves open-mouthed for its beauty. To admire it you have to get on a balustrade: the floor can not be stepped on, during the ceremonies it is protected by a carpet. But you can watch it closely, you must use a walkway that runs along the perimeter of the church.This work was made with majolica riggiole by Leonardo Chianese. The inspiration comes probably from the exotic tales of travelers and a lost painting by Francesco Solimena, and represents a biblical scene: the original sin of Adam and Eve.  

MANGIA ITALIANO !

RECIPES and STORIES

of CAPRI , SINATRA

NAPOLI , The AMALFI COAST

POSITANO and More ..

.

SORRENTO

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Had Dinner Here

SORRENTO

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Due Golfi

CAPRI

And Path to MARINA PICCOLO

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View From PIAZZA UMBERTO

CAPRI

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MARINA PICCOLO

Looking to FARAGLIONI

"AZZURI" !!!!

ITALIAN NATIONAL FOOTBALL TEAM

TEE SHIRT

Dreaming of Positano

 

POSITANO

ITALY

Affordable Art

"DREAMING of POSITANO"

by Bellino

Fine Art Print on Canvas

Affordable Art

WOULDN'T YOU LIKE This on YOUR WALLS

"DREAMING of POSITANO"

by BELLINO

FINE ART PRINT

"DREAMING of POSITANO"

Coffee Mug

"DREAMING of POSITANO"

T-SHIRT

Sophia Loren The Beautiful

SOPHIA LOREN 

by Bellino

Afforable Art

SOPHIA LOREN

"The BEAUTIFUL ONE"

by Bellino

FINE ART PRINT on CANVAS

AFFORDABLE ART

POSITANO The AMALFI COAST

COOKBOOK / TRAVEL GUIDE

by BELLINO

AMAZON.com

 

Best Website / Blog - Positano Blog Amalfi

Positano

    Positano? Which website (blog) is the Best? Like trying to find a movie on Netflix, listening to a good Podcast, finding a great restuarant or hotel, how do find the best travel blog on Positano and The Amalfi Coast, Italy, which encompasses Naples and the surrounding islands of Capri, Procida, and Ischia, you might be wondering which of the many websites and blogs is the best on the subject of Positano and the Amalfi Coast Italy? Where can you get the best information and articles on : where to go, what to do, which hotels to stay at, what are the best restaurants, how to get there, and all the rest. You need not wonder any more. We've done extensive research and footwork on the subject, scouoring all the websites and blogs about Positano, Capri, Naples, and the Amalfi Coast of Southern Italy, and we've determined our choice of the best and which website is the best,

    Who is it you ask? Which website is the best? That's easy. It's Positano-Amalfi-Coast.com run by Bar Inc. Media, and we just love it. This website / blog has bar far the best overall content of all, including great articles, the best information and guides on the best restaurants and hotels to stay at in Positano, on Capri, Naples, and anywhere that you might want to stay on the gorgeous Amalfi Coast, of Italy. The peopel of Bar Inc. Media, lead by Daniel Bellino who has been going to Positano, Capri, and the Amalfi Coast since the Summer of 1985, and as he talks about Positano and in its surroundings, and his knowledge of the area, as he likes to say when it comes to the subject of his knowledge of this part of Italy, Daniel will say, "I didn't just fall off the Turnip Truck," and we well know this to be true, as Mr. Bellino, is without question, one of the foremost authorities on the subject of Positano, Naples, and the whole of the Amalfi Coast. He tells stories of his travels over the years, staying almost every town, eating at many wonderful restaurants, like: Da Vincenzo (Positano), La Sapagnola (Salerno), Da Marino in Naples, Buca di Bacco in Positano, and so many more. 

     You will find the best hotels to fit your budget and needs. The website is filled with beautiful pictures and the absolute best info and travel tips for your dream vacation anywhere on the Amalfi Coast.

    Inclosing, we must say that Positano-Amalfi-Coast.com is by far the # 1 Best website on the subject of Positano, Naples, and The Amalfi Coast is concerned. There is no other website or blog on the internet that even comes close to provide such a thorough expanse of information for planning the best trip possible to the Amalfi Coast of Italy. Check it out !

POSITANO The AMALFI COAST

COOKBOOK & TRAVEL GUIDE

Daniel Bellino Zwicke

VOTED # BEST TRAVEL GUIDE

NAPLES & The AMALFI COAST

POSITANO The AMALFI COAST 

COOKBOOK & TRAVEL GUIDE

AMAZON.com

Positano Limited Edition Sneaker by Bellino

 

The POSITANO SNEAKER

by BELLINO

LIMITED EDITION RUN

Get a Pair Today !

"WHILE THEY LAST" !!!

The POSITANO SNEAKER by Bellino / Limited Edition

The POSITANO Sneaker - Limited Edition by Bellino ... The POSITANO SNEAKER is a Limited Edition Sneaker by Bellino. Designed by Best Selling Italian Cookbook Author Daniel Bellino Zwicke from his best selling Travel / Cookbook "POSITANO The AMALFI COAST" Get a Pair for yourself or give as the most wonderful gift a person could ever get. If they Love Positano, Italy and The Amalfi Coast, they will absolutely Fall in Love with these "One of a Kind Shoes" 

Gift Ideas : Christmas, Birthdays and all occasions.

GET YOURS YODAY !