Sorrento and Amalfi Coast
Sorrento is a great home-base to enjoy day trips throughout the Amalfi Coast.
It is a beautiful vibrant city, situated on a cliff overlooking the harbour of Naples Bay and across from the infamous Mount Vesuvius. There is no shortage of good seafood restaurants and fun shops in this sunny town, especially all things lemon.!)Although Positano is probably the best know through song and photos, I found it very busy and touristy... the most beautiful was in the town of Ravello, the Villa Rufolo and Gardens.
Of course Sorrento is perfect for a day tour to Pompeii, and Herculaneum that was buried under volcanic ash in the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in AD 79. More is uncovered regularly and a fascinating day out.
Jim’s Useful Italian Phrases
My collection of some useful phrases to help with restaurants and getting around - using a bit of Italian.
ITALY
Useful Web Links
A collection of interesting website links that will give insight to many Italian locations
Sorrento (& Tuscany) Restaurants
My personal collection of Restaurants and Must See Attraction in the Naplesregion.
Views in Italy, Don’t Get Much Better than Marina Piccola 73
I believe that all rooms look over the busy Port of Sorrento, out on the Gulf of Naples with spectacular Mount Vesuvius looming large on the horizon. This historic elegant resort’s most wonderful spot is the rooftop terrace overlooking the gulf - the perfect place for an evening drink or breakfast.
The wonderful host, Roberta and her daughter take particular pride in her passion for hospitality.
You DO NOT Want to Drive Along the Amalfi Coast.!!
Between the winding roads, tour buses and wanting to look at the magnificent views - the only way to tour the Amalfi, is with a local driver.
We discovered the small, family run, Aldo Limos and we could not be happier. Our private driver Michela touring us through the towns of Positano, Praiano, Ravello and Amalfi. Since we aren’t big shoppers, we chose how long to stay in a place and moved on at OUR leisure.!!
Literally Dine OVER the Water on this Great Patio
Always searching for amazing family-run trattorias, glad to find Trattoria di Emelia (since 1947) is still run by Emidia’s children and grandchildren.
This seafood restaurant on the water is known for generous servings of pasta, salad & seafood dishes at tables by the port. If you are looking for a quintessential Italian scene for dining in Sorrento, Trattoria di Emelia, in the ancient fishing village of Marina Grande, is your best choice.
Famed Composer, Wagner was Overcome by the Beauty of this Place
Ravello is often an overlooked location, since it’s the further down the famous Amalfi Coast drive.
With so many spectacular views, the Villa Rufolo and Gardens overlooking the Piazza Vescovado, is one of the best. When Richard Wagner, the famous German composer, visited the villa in 1880, he made it the inspiration for his opera Parsifal - now every year the lower garden hosts a Wagnerian annual summer concert series. This has made Ravello become known as La Città Della Musica (the City of Music).
Guided tours are available in English and Italian by reservation only.
Save the Long Climb by Using the Sorrento Lift
Let the lift (elevator) from the port do the hard work for you - the long, tiring climb uphill from the port or beach is a thing of the past for Sorrento visitors and residents.
Two lifts now connect the centre of town with Marina Piccola and the nearby beaches.Travellers returning from a day trip to Capri, Ischia or Naples can be whisked up from the port to Piazza Gargiulo in the Villa Communale in 20 seconds.From there it is just a few minutes walk to Piazza Tasso and the shops, bars, restaurants and hotels in the centre of the resort.
A single trip costs 1 euro but you can also buy a return ticket for 1.80. Between May and September the lift runs from 7.30 in the morning till midnight.
Special "Unknown" Grotto on the Almalfi Coast
The Blue Grotto on the island of Capri is one of the biggest tourist traps with lots of stories of unscrupulous guides charging extra once you have committed to the tour.
Another lesser known site is the Grotta dello Smeraldo “Emerald Grotto”. The only opening is just below the water level, so refracted sunlight entering the cavern gives the water its characteristic emerald glow, (much like the Blue Grotto.) The grotto is accessible from the main road along the Amalfi Coast, Strada Statale. There is, a small parking lot beside an elevator which takes visitors down to cave level, where you board boats into the grotto.
It’s a quick, cheaper stop along the way without all the crazy jockeying for your turn as it is in Capri.
A Day Trip to the Island of Capri is a Must.!!
Although it is true that Capri may be the “Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous” of the Tyrrhenian Sea, with its yachts, shopping and vacation homes, but if you can get past that, spectacular views while hiking on the back side of the island or from the chair lift to Monte Solaro are your reward.
A funicular railway connects the main square at the docks with the Piazza Umberto I in the town of Capri - taking you up to stunning coastal walks. Unfortunately, the funicular was not running so we hiked up - then continued on through the little alleyways and past beautiful homes and gardens.
Follow the route all the way to the impressive Roman ruins of the Villa Jovis, past the palace of Emperor Tiberius and the Arco Naturale. Walk through the Grotto Matermania before reaching Faraglioni - with the peculiar rocks protruding out of the sea, called the Three Sisters.. fantastic.!!
A Note about the “Local” Price
All over Italy, (and other parts of Europe) you will find there is a posted price, and then there is the “local” price. A cafe, for example, will post that an espresso is €2, but you will see all kinds of local people come in for their shot and drop a euro on the counter.
This is also true for the service price vs the counter price. Always be aware that if you sit down there is a service charge built in, but if you grab a coffee at the counter you won’t. Sitting adds coperto of €5/head (bread and cover charge) or service charge (15%)
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