This is the one act of communication that is undoubtedly universal. A shake of the head or thumbs up can mean two different entirely things depending on where you are, but the meaning of a smile never changes.

​Whoever you are communicating with can get a good idea of how you're feeling based on this. So, when I'm in a restaurant or at my accommodation, I tend to overdo the smiling, just to reinforce I'm happy with the situation. 

It also relaxes them and lets them know you're enjoying yourself. It's helps to build common ground and just sends good vibes I guess!

Obviously If you're unhappy or in an emergency, don't do this!

By default, gestures end up being one of the main ways of communicating. Sometimes it's like playing a game of charades! I feel like I acted out "walking" a lot in Italy. This is probably useful in a lot of places...especially if cabbies are bothering you! Pointing is also useful.

In Italy our host spent about 5 minutes acting out someone carrying a cross on their shoulder before we realised she was trying to explain that there was an Easter procession in town. That's quite a complicated sentence to explain if you think about it, but we managed to do it without a word of English. 

Humans do a lot of the same actions in life, no matter the culture, so gestures are a good back-up way of communicating. It's surprisingly effective. Once again - don't take yourself too seriously! It can definitely be quite hilarious trying to communicate using gestures.

It's good to check that your gestures don't mean something else in the country you're in. For example nodding in some countries actually means no. Though, if you're a foreigner they tend to figure out what you really mean. Just make sure you familiarise yourself with anything that could be culturally insensitive - though most of the time you will probably be forgiven if you're a foreigner. 

Before travelling down to the Amalfi Coast I spent quite a bit of time researching how to get there from Naples using public transport. I've had a few people ask me since then so I thought I'd do a blog post about. It was actually really easy! A lot easier than I thought! We also stopped at Pompeii on the way.

The first part is really easy. You need to get the Circumvesuviana train to that is going to Sorrento - it stops at Pompeii. If you don't want to go to Pompeii you still get the same train, just stay on until Sorrento.

I have a good tip for you here - get on at Porto Nolana station rather than Garibaldi - the main station. The Circumvesuviana trains starts its journey at Porto Nolana, which means you'll get a seat on the train. Its only a 5 minute walk from the Central Station.

It was not busy at all when we got there and the lady at the ticket desk was really helpful. (There seemed to be only one ticket desk).We just asked for two tickets to Pompeii and I think they cost something like €3.20 each. The trains go every half an hour or so - here's the schedule. It was a bit tricky figuring which platform was the right one, but we followed all the locals when they ran to a train that was pulling in. It will say Sorrento on it. Also, the Italian word for platform is 'binari' if that helps... so if your ticket says 'bi 2' that means platform 2.

Jump on the train, and after 35 minutes you'll pull into Pompeii Scavi Villa Misteri. There is where you get off. 

From the train station, it's a 5 minute walk past some restaurants to the main Pompeii entrance. The train basically stops at the Pompeii entrance so it's perfect. We took the 9.39 train from Naples, and got there about 10.15...by which time the line was really long. I had tried to buy tickets online and really wish I had tried harder because there was no line at that window!! I think now I've found the site where you can buy them online. It's €13. Biglietti means ticket by the way, that's a word worth knowing.

When you get to the main entrance, on the left before you go in you'll see a brand new luggage storage area. This is free! There are loads of lockers to choose from, big or small sizes. You use a machine to get the ticket out and then keep hold of the ticket as it has the password on it that you use to get your luggage back. There is no time limit so it was perfect for us. We dropped our bags and headed out exploring. 

Pompeii is very cool by the way. So big though...I would never go in the height of summer as there is barely any shade...it will be stinking hot. It involves loads of walking so don't wear heels.... 

Sorry, I just have to share some Pompeii photos before we continue.

tOk, now you pick up your luggage and head back to the same station you go off at earlier. You can buy your ticket from the one ticket window. Maybe pick this up when you get off the train so you don't have to stress if there is a line there later on. Don't forget to validate your ticket on the yellow machine to the right of the door as you go out! I assume we were meant to do this on the way down too...but we didn't.

Keep an eye out for the Sorrento train (treni) and jump on. It will come every half an hour. I always just use google maps... it will tell you when the next train is. Or refer to the schedule above!

Once again - this was easy. Get off the train at Sorrento, and as you exit to the outside you'll see a little shop (tabacchi). Pop in here and ask the man for two sita bus tickets to Positano. If you just say 'sita' and 'positano' he'll probably understand you. It was €2.20 each.

The bus station is literally right where you walk out of the train station. The buses will say 'Amalfi' or 'Praiano' - get on one of those. Just ask the driver if you're unsure. They're extremely used to tourists and know where you're heading.

They leave hourly I think, maybe more often during peak times. I'd time it right so you don't  get on the bus last! You want to get seats on the right hand side of the bus so you can see the stunning views on the drive. We ran on to a bus at last minute so poor Chris had to stand the whole way. The ride is about an hour.

We got off in Positano where most of the bus exited. We could have stayed on and pushed the button to get off closer to where we were staying...but thought a walk would be a good idea after all that transport! 

All in all, a pretty cheap and fast way to travel down to the beautiful Amalfi coast. 

The Amalfi Coast is not cheap... it was a slight relief to get to Rome, and Rome isn't exactly the cheapest city on earth!

This was our first holiday in four months, so, out of pure excitement, we definitely blew our budget while in Positano...however it is possible to visit and not break the bank.

Public transport on the Coast is very cheap - you usually won't pay more than €3 for a bus, and the train from Sorrento to Naples is only like, €3.20. We got an hour long ferry to Salerno for €12. Our most expensive trip was the ferry to Capri and back which was €21 each way, per person. 

There really is no need to hire a driver, the Sita buses are comfortable enough (Chris only had to stand once, and I never did). They run along the Coast all day long. We also stayed about a kilometre out of Positano so occasionally jumped on the Praiano bus to get home... it was only €1.20 I think.

Accommodation is most likely going to be your biggest expense. You're going to paying a pretty penny if you stay right in Positano. We stayed about 1km away, near Arienzo Beach, at Holiday House Gilda. We paid €360 for 4 night....not cheap but definitely cheaper than a lot of other places. I've been wanting to go to Positano for ages so I didn't mind spending a bit more for a view of the town.

We really got value for money though. Holiday House Gilda is one of my favourite places I've ever stayed, the view rivalled the hotel we stayed in in Ella, Sri Lanka.

Gilda and Guiseppe, the owners, felt like my long lost Italian Grandparents (I'm assuming they're a couple by the way... it's hard to know when you don't speak the same language!). It was lovely having them greet us with a passionate buongiorno every morning. They can't speak any English, but you can tell they're lovely people. I feel so sad that I'm not still there, hanging out amongst their lemon trees.  

Anyway, for that price we got a giant apartment with a sea view. It was incredible. There was room for at least another four others in that apartment... so if you're a big group you should definitely consider it as an option. 

From Holiday House Gilda you can also get directly down to the relatively secret Arienzo beach. This is really just an excuse to share more photos...

Ok I don't know about you, but for me this is where things tend to get a bit expensive. I love going out for dinner, especially in a new place as I want to make sure I try all of their foods! And especially in Italy! So, we definitely blew a lot of money on going out for dinner here, but if it wasn't my first time in Italy I think I would have been a bit more conservative with my money. 

We weren't able to go to the really highly rated restaurants in Positano as they were just a bit too expensive for us. And the one night we did eat in quite a 'touristy' restaurant by the water, La Cambusa, it was disgusting. I actually didn't eat my food and had to grab a slice of pizza afterwards. Most of the mains around town are about €15... so not cheap! Though the pasta is often a bit cheaper. 

We found Collina bakery restaurant quite reasonably priced and very delicious. Check them one out for cheaper meals. And they have Italian craft beer! Try the Carminia IPA. We also went to the bakery itself numerous times and took food away which was a lot cheaper than dining out for every meal. Try the pastries and other delicious desserts here, you won't regret it! Well, your waistline might...

The supermarket near Ristorante Max is another good place to stop. You can get breads and salads etc and take them away. They even make fresh sandwiches for you! Or try La Zagara, for more tasty takeaway treats. You can also get takeaway pizza from various holes in the wall...just keep an eye for them as they tend to blend it, and I didn't really notice them until our last day.

You pretty much need to avoid dining out and use the supermarkets to avoid spending a lot here. And why not? You can get your snacks and head to any of the beaches. Also a lot cheaper to buy your booze from the shops. We had an amazing view from our living room so it didn't make sense to pay loads for a drink with view at any of other fancy restaurants. 

Positano is definitely not a cheap place, but there are ways to save money. So...to summarise...

1. take public transport - it's cheaper than the tube! And even though it might seem like they don't speak English, the drivers will understand you! Well, sometimes...
2. stay out of Positano town - it's easy to get back and forwards to the town. Montepertuso or Nocelle are other good options nearby
3. get takeaways from the bakery and eat on the beach. Go find your own view!

Now I'm just going to overload you with photos...