The ultimate guide to spending your next vacation in Italy, inspired by Hande Erçel

Rome: As the summer is coming to an end, we’re already dreaming of our next vacation, or whether we can squeeze one in before we move on from the sun. For this iteration of travel inspiration, we looked into Turkish screen star Hande Erçel’s summer in Positano, and it was a masterclass in la dolce vita.

Her Instagram feed served as a visual blueprint for the ultimate Italian coastal escape. Forget generic travel guides. Here’s how to structure a vacation that captures the essence of her trip, from Positano’s iconic cliffs to the hidden gems of the Amalfi Coast.

Hande Erçel’s photos confirm a truth: Positano is the Coast’s photogenic heart. To experience it is to embrace its vertical reality.

Here’s your guide to spending your next vacation in Italy, inspired by Hande Erçel.

Stay: Base yourself in a cliffside hotel. Erçel’s backdrop suggests accommodations like Le Sirenuse or Hotel Marincanto, known for their panoramic terraces and infinity pools that seem to spill into the Mediterranean.

Do: Your days should be split between two worlds. Spiaggia Grande is the bustling main beach for people-watching and renting a sun lounger. For a more secluded experience, take a private boat tour to coves like Spiaggia di Laurito or La Porta, accessible only by sea.

Dine: Follow the star’s lead. Evening aperitivos are taken at a terrace bar like Franco’s Bar or Il Tridente Cocktail Bar for sunset cocktails with a view. Dinner is fresh seafood at a spot like La Sponda or Chez Black.

Pro Tip: The best views aren’t just from your hotel. Hike the Path of the Gods (Sentiero degli Dei) early in the morning for breathtaking, crowd-free vistas back down onto the town.

Beyond Positano: The Coastal Circuit: A true Amalfi experience requires exploration. These neighbouring towns are essential day trips, each with a distinct character.

Amalfi: The historical powerhouse. Don’t just stroll the piazza. Visit the stunning 9th-century Amalfi Cathedral (Duomo di Sant’Andrea). Its striped Byzantine facade is an architectural marvel. Use Amalfi as a hub for a different flavour: paper. Visit the Museo della Carta to learn about the town’s ancient paper-making history.

Ravello: The refined escape. Perched high above the coast, Ravello is where George Clooney and Hande Erçel would meet. It’s quieter, more aristocratic, and home to two legendary villas: Villa Cimbrone, with its iconic “Terrace of Infinity,” and Villa Rufolo, which hosts world-class classical music concerts. It’s the antidote to the coastal bustle.

Capri: The glamorous excursion. A short ferry ride away, the island of Capri is non-negotiable. Take a private gozzo boat around the island to see the Green Grotto and Faraglioni rock formations. Then, head up to the town of Capri for designer shopping and a bellini at the Piazzetta.

The Practicalities: Getting Around: Do not drive yourself in summer. The traffic is legendary. Use the SITA Sud buses that connect the towns or hire a private driver for day trips. Ferries are the most scenic and efficient way to travel between Positano, Amalfi, and Capri.

Timing: To avoid the peak crowds Erçel inevitably faced, aim for the shoulder seasons: May-June or September-October. The weather is still ideal, but the streets are more manageable.

Visual Direction for Imager: To mirror Erçel’s feed, focus on:

Golden Hour Glow: Images of the town at sunset, bathed in warm light.

Texture: Shots of lemon groves, vibrant bougainvillea, and intricate ceramic tiles.

The Vantage Point: Photos taken from the water looking back at the pastel-colored houses cascading down the cliff.

La Dolce Vita Details: Aperol spritzes on a terrace, a bowl of fresh lemons, a stylish sun hat on a boat deck.

The goal is not to simply replicate a photo, but to capture the feeling of effortless elegance and timeless beauty that defines this corner of Italy—a lesson Hande Erçel demonstrated perfectly.