I planned a dream vacation to Positano. Next time I visit the Amalfi Coast, I'll stay in this lesser-known gem instead.

• I traveled to the Amalfi Coast with my family to celebrate my dad's retirement.
• We stayed in Positano, but I fell in love with Minori, a less-touristy town on the coast.
• While there, we stopped by lemon groves, ate delicious meals, and took in the beautiful scenery.

Positano, Italy, is known for its colorful, picturesque buildings nestled into the cliffs.

This charming village boasts stunning architecture, quaint boutiques, vibrant pottery, fresh seafood, and wine tastings in unique places like converted caves.

Experiencing all of this — and more — is exactly why I chose Positano as the home base for my family vacation to the Amalfi Coast to celebrate my dad's retirement.

And even though Positano was everything we dreamed it would be, we ended up falling even more in love with Minori, a lesser-known gem situated along the coast.

We visited Minori while hiking the Path of the Lemons

During our trip, one of the experiences we were most excited for was hiking "Sentiero dei Limoni," the Path of the Lemons — a dreamy terraced trail connecting the towns of Maiori and Minori.

Although you can start the path in either village, we began our trek in Maiori and reached Minori mid-hike.

Our first stop? Minori's Agricola Ruocco's, a family-owned lemon farm high up above the sea. We were welcomed by a rustic wrought-iron gate and a chalkboard sign listing the delights served there: lemon granita, lemon sorbet, limoncello spritz, limoncello, and more.

The garden was decorated with cozy seating areas and chandeliers hanging from trees, and the views were absolutely incredible.

After chatting with the owners and cooling off with limoncello spritzes and homemade lemon sorbet, they allowed us to tour their lemon groves just above the café.

Having private time to ourselves to stroll under the canopy of lemon trees — with sunlight pouring through — felt like a scene straight out of a dreamy film.

The warm hospitality made us feel right at home and felt far removed from the crowds we had encountered in Capri, Sorrento, and Positano.

We continued our hike, stopping to enjoy more of what Minori has to offer

After enjoying our spritzes, we continued our hike before stopping for a bite to eat at another family-run establishment, Cuonc Cuonc.

Here, fresh tomatoes hung from the vines, floral tablecloths swayed in the breeze, and friendly neighborhood kittens basked in the sunshine.

Perched high atop the beautiful buildings that make up Minori, this farm felt more intimate and locally rooted than the more touristy spots we found in Positano.

Here, we sipped wine and enjoyed a delightful spread of meats, cheeses, olives, pickles, honey, and seasonal jams, along with stuffed zucchini blossoms. We also had platters of handmade scialatielli pasta with creamy lemon sauce. It was my favorite dining experience of the whole trip.

Before heading back to Positano, we enjoyed the downtown scenery and popped into an adorable sea-front pastry shop, which is known for its delizia al limone (lemon delight). It was, in fact, delightful.

While exploring, we came across so many breathtaking and photo-worthy spots in this walkable town.

Naturally, my camera was working overtime snapping away as I weaved through the alleyways, Roman ruins, and boutiques selling ceramics and local finds in and around the town center.

We also stopped to admire the Basilica of Santa Trofimena, a yellow church that overlooks Piazza Ettore e Gaetano Cantilena.

Next time I visit the Amalfi Coast, I'll definitely stay in Minori

If you're looking for an extremely local, authentic stay along the Amalfi Coast, I highly recommend embracing Minori.

Although Positano was beautiful, Minori gave us a more relaxed, authentic taste of the coast. During our visit, Minori's streets felt noticeably less crowded than Positano's. We even saw local parents picking up their kids from school and children playing outside.

At both farms we visited, it felt like we were genuinely able to soak up the beauty of each experience without feeling rushed or competing with other visitors for a table. Minori provided the Amalfi Coast experience I had dreamt up before arriving.

I wouldn't trade my beloved first-time Positano experience for anything, but next time I travel to the old country, Minori will be my home base.