After returning to the port of Venice from our fantastic 8 day cruise of the Mediterranean, we took a train to southern Italy, and began our Italian trip with 4 days in Sorrento. With it’s picturesque peak cliffs and beautiful views of the ocean, this southwestern town is a fantastic destination to unwind and relax in.
We quickly got cozy at our lovely Bed and Breakfast accommodations (Relais Villa Angiolina).
Once we relaxed after our long journey to Sorrento, we decided to walk into town and have dinner at a place recommended by a colleague: Il Leone Rosso Ristorante.
Although quite busy, they were able to squeeze us in and we enjoyed our first authentic Napoli pizza!
Day 1
Our first day was spent exploring the town.
We wandered the streets…
fell in love with the lemon and fruit trees…
enjoyed some morning treats…
and truly took in the scenic buildings that the town had to offer.
We made a quick stop at Bar Del Carmine for some pizza and beer before continuing our journey through Sorrento.
By chance, we passed an upscale hotel (Grand Hotel Excelsior Vittoria) that was having a suit and tie dinner the following night (July 27 2015) and we booked it right away!
For dinner, we felt it best to make the most of our back patio area and eat in. We grabbed bread, cold cuts and drinks and had a wonderful evening.
Day 2
Our second day was spent with a large (way too large – 40 people) tour group to one of the most well preserved archaeological sites in the world – Pompeii.
The site, situated about 10 kilometers from the towering Mount Vesuvius is a wonder to explore.
We learned not only about ancient Roman culture, but as well about how they lived day to day, as we explored the well preserved buildings (as well as the agony of the Pompeii’s citizens final moments, frozen in time by the volcanic ash).
I believe this was the highlight of Jason’s trip!
It was a spectacular full day tour, and really well worth visiting if you are in Southern Italy. Our advice would be to get there early (as we did around 8:30-9am) and book your tickets ahead of time with a SMALL group.
This historically magical day was made even more amazing by what followed: our exquisite dinner at the Grand Hotel Excelsior Vittoria.
As we arrived, we were greeted with champagne and live music and felt like celebrities.
The courtyard was beautifully decorated and we enjoyed a beautiful sunset.
We even met some great people (also from Canada!).
We ate, drank and danced the night away!
To top it off, they had fireworks at the end of the night.
It was a spectacular end to a spectacular 5-star evening!
Day 3
Our third day was spent with a small group tour to the beautiful Island of Capri.
The island is a short distance by Ferry.
While we had quite a bit of rough waters on the way to the island, our Captain kept us happy with multiple shots of Lemoncello and Grappa!
When we finally arrived to Capri, we had a quick lunch (included with our tour) at the seaside bar.
We spent a few hours wandering the streets, taking in the sights and shops before venturing back to the small cove where our boat was docked.
We even had time for a few quick dips throughout the day.
Unfortunately, the tide was high so it was impossible to get into the Blue Grotto.
However, we did get to tour the rest of the island’s natural beauty by boat before setting sail back to Sorrento.
Day 4
Our final day was spent doing a private tour of the Amalfi coast.
With it’s beautiful coastal views and winding roads, this full day trip was unforgettable.
We made a few stops, walking around Positano, Ravello, Villa Rufolo, and the town of Amalfi before circling back to Sorrento.
This superb chef decided to pose for me just at the right moment! I should have written down the restaurant’s name for future reference!
The natural beauty of this private tour was unforgettable. Speaking of unforgettable, we had the most amazing lemoncello risotto at Ristorante Sigilgaida, available in the Michelin Guide 2015 in Ravello.
It was certainly in the top 10 meals we have ever had!
Our last meal in Sorrento was at Old Taverna Sorrentina where we enjoyed amazing beer and of course finished off with pizza!
This beautiful city will always be remembered as one of the most romantic places I’ve seen, especially at night.
Our 4 days in Sorrento was jam packed, and we still aren’t done – next is Rome from another 4 days!
Hi! Bonjour! I’m Sophia, a traveler since birth, a lover of nature and culture and a linguist! I want to share with you all the wonderful things you can do and experience if you just set your mind to it and travel!