​Praiano is a beautiful fishing village on the Amalfi coast, situated between the towns of Positano and Amalfi. I stayed here for about a week and I absolutely loved it. It’s a picturesque oasis that offers everything the other more popular towns do, but is less crowded and a bit more laid back. My family and I rented a beautiful villa on the highest point of the coast, and woke up every morning to stunning views, were able to get reservations very easily and didn’t have to fight for a spot on the beach. Here are some tips and recommendations!

Hit the gorgeous beaches

​I look forward to swimming in the sparkling blue waters of the mediterranean every year. The way the water feels on your skin, like silk, is enough to take years of stress off your life. One of the highlights was when I was taking a dip, saw a restaurant in the distance and swam about 15 minutes to get to it. I climbed the ladder, walked up the pathway and as I stood there soaking wet in my bathing suit, I made a reservation with the 4 foot 8 inch Italian owner named Pasqualina! Only in Europe! The beach I went to every day was called Marina di Praia. The cost of an umbrella and 2 lounge chairs is about $25 euro and it’s best to get there by 10/10:30 to secure a good spot. The beaches are rocky (there’s no sand) and the sun is very strong so pack that sunblock!

Take day/night trips
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The best part of staying in Praiano is that the other more bustling towns (Positano and Amalfi) are only about a 15 minute bus ride away. (Sorrento is closer to 50 mins) You can get your fix of the more lively, loud and upbeat areas, and then head back into the peaceful village of Praiano to turn in for the night and get away from the overly saturated tourist spots.

Bus tickets to Positano and Amalfi are less than 2 euro a person each way and you can buy them at the tabaccherie “cigar shops”, coffee shops or newspaper stands. Sometimes the buses are crowded and a cab ride costs about 30 euro. I drove to Sorrento and it was worth it. The markets on the winding narrow streets are beautiful!

​You can also take a private boat to Capri from Praiano for 80 euro a person. The boat takes you to Capri, tours the grottos and stops in the glorious blue grotto where you can jump in. It’s a full day event from about 8am until the boat drops you back off in Praiano at 5pm. Tickets available at Marina di Praia

Eat your heart out until it turns into a ball of spaghetti!

I say this with such conviction: The food you will eat on the coast of Italy will be some of the best in your LIFE. The simplicity of dishes like spaghetti con pomodoro e basilico (tomatoes and basil) taste like a masterpiece as the ripe and vibrant red tomatoes burst in your mouth, accompanied by the perfect bite of al dente pasta topped with the aromatic touch of basil. I ate pasta every day for 6 days and the pasta was ALWAYS cooked perfectly. And the seafood? I implore you to get it in any way you like: Clams and mussels atop fresh housemade pasta doused in olive oil, garlic and fresh parsley, or as a filet in “acqua pazza" (white fish cooked in a tomato broth). Or perhaps a cold polpo salad (octopus). Imagine eating this impeccable food while enjoying a glass of wine and looking out onto the blue mediterranean stretching for miles and miles. You have to pause, take it in and savor it. These are the moments I truly live for. 

Kasai
One of the most beautiful views you could ask while dining for lunch or dinner. The spaghetti con pomodoro is superb!

La Dolce Vista
Come for dinner, and enjoy the ambiance of the white terrace with an evening view of the nearby towns all lit up. The staff was incredibly attentive and so so sweet! And the creamy chocolate gelato with pieces of chocolate inside made me want to kiss the waiter! Scusami! 

Trattoria San Gennaro
This place is a gem! Casual outdoor seating with a gorgeous view of the San Gennaro church. The portions are HUGE (unlike the usual Italian serving) but the food does not suffer. All the pasta I tried was delicious and my branzino was so fresh. The bruschetta will knock your socks off and the prices are ridiculously low for such wonderful food. If you like anchovies they have an anchovy pie that was so good, my body builder brother who’s always dieting ate TWO of them.

Il Pirata (On Marina di Praia beach)
This is the restaurant I swam up to to make reservations. Work up an appetite with a swim and make your way over to this charming seaside restaurant. You cannot beat the view of the glistening blue water as you dine on fresh octopus and calamari dishes. Enjoy an aperol spritz as you wait for your entree and know that life in that moment is perfect!

Che Bonta
Very casual pizza spot that I recommend for take out. The pizza is great and the arancini (rice balls) are crunchy and chock full of mozzerella! Everything on the menu including the gnocchi is worth it if you’re dining in.

Bar del sole
For café and GELATO!

​I dined in Positano for two nights and would recommend both these restaurants right by Positano’s main beach.

Tre Sorelle
Many tourists but the food is phenomenal. The fried zucchini flowers stuffed with ricotta, mozzerella and ham was enough to make want to go back. 

L’incanto
Every seafood dish here was outstanding. When dining here or at Tre Sorelle, local musicians come around playing fun music adding to the ambiance. Don’t forget to tip them!

Enjoy! 

There are so many reasons to love this city. It’s like a little slice of Europe with its beautiful cobble stone streets and French speaking locals. It’s clean and very safe making it ones of my top cities for solo travel. It’s also perfect for a weekend getaway because it’s small enough where you aren’t overwhelmed by things to do, but has many neighborhoods to explore. Interested? Well read on eh?! 

Party on!
​No matter what time of year, Montreal seems to have some sort of festival going on. These Canadians know how to enjoy life. They have their famous Jazz festival, the Grand Prix, Osheaga (3 day outdoor concert), Sugar shack (where you eat all things drowning in pure maple syrup, listen to folk music and sleigh ride) and endless food festivals! As serendipity would have it, my last trip coincided with a POUTINE FESTIVAL. Poutine with lobster, truffle mac and cheese, wagyu beef, hundreds of different variations! (And it was free entry!) I also had an absolute ball at Osheaga. Dancing to my favorite artist while sipping from a coconut filled with rum and being sprayed by a fountain on a 98 degree day? What more could I seriously ask for!? ​

Bike ride everywhere
This is one of the most biker friendly cities I’ve been too. There are bike lanes almost everywhere you want to go and drivers are very respectful. I always take advantage of traveling the city by bike where I can get a workout in and let the breeze whip through my hair as I take in all the sights. It’s incredibly peaceful for me and just really fun. You can rent a bixi bike (like citi bike) for $5.00 a day and there are stations all over for you to return it. 

Visit the old port
This is the gorgeous part of Montreal by the water with winding cobble stone streets. There are amazing restaurants, food trucks and ice cream spots, plenty of shopping to do, fireworks certain times of the year, food festivals, zip lines, a fun maze game to go through and water paddling, where you sit and peddle around. It does have a lot of tourists but locals also go there to enjoy everything the old port has to offer.

Eat everything
The food here is exquisite! Throw your calorie calculator out the window and enjoy yourself!

Taverne F
Bouillon Bilk
Aux Vivres -Great vegan
Chez Ma Grosse Truie Cherie
Ikanos
​Aloha Espresso bar

Visit the bustling Marché Jean-Talon
I have never seen such a perfectly crafted farmer’s market. The vendors line up their fresh multi colored produce and you can sample a juicy peach or piece of cheese as you shop. Who doesn’t love free samples? Also be sure to visit the delectable chocolatier next door, Chocolats Privilége!

Enjoy the beautiful public parks
Whether you’re riding your bike, reading or just relaxing with your thoughts, these lush green parks are perfect for taking a time out. I loved Maisonneuve park.

Explore the churches
Check out the stunning Notre Dame basilica for its gorgeous Gothic architecture or climb the top of St. Joseph’s Oratory for a beautiful view of the city.

​Thanks for hanging with this Starving Actress!