It has literally been 6 years since I have last been to Sorrento, and I can’t believe I have either forgotten or pushed wayyyyyy to the side, my journey to such a beautiful and wonderful place. Sorrento Is the perfect home base when exploring the Amalfi Coast. I spent 4 fabulous nights there. Let me take you on that journey.

But first, a little history about Sorrento, via our good friends at wikipedia .

The Roman name for Sorrento was Surrentum. From the 8th century BC the area had the presence of a community of indigenous villages, which was a crossing point for Etruscan traffic. Subsequently, the area fell into the hands of the Osci, who exercised an important influence there, in fact the oldest ruins of Surrentum are Oscan, dating from about 600 BC.[4]The myths  has hovered over Sorrento since the beginning of time. Three mermaids settled near Punta Campanella enchanting the seafarers in transit through those waters. Even the great Ulysses had to use stratagems to resist the deadly song of the Sirens. That is how Sorrento got her name.

Ok that’s enough of a brief history 🙂 .

As previously mentioned, I chose Sorrento as my home base because of its excellent proximity to the Amalfi coats, its ease with transportation getting there, and its proximity to Pompei. Many of my friends always opt for Positatno, but I knew that with the type of active schedule I was going to somewhat have that Sorrento would be the place for me.

Getting there:

There are a few ways to get to Sorrento :

  1. TRAIN: one of the most popular ways to get to Sorrento is by train.
    • a.Take the EAV Circumvesuviana train from Naples to Sorrento.
    • b.Take the Campania Express train from Naples to Sorrento.
  2. BUS:Take the bus to Sorrento from Naples.
  3. PRIVATE TRANSFER: By private transfer.
  4. FERRY:Take the ferry to Sorrento from Naples.
  5. TOUR:Join a guided tour to from Naples to Sorrento.
  6. DRIVE

I opted for a private transfer ……

Having just landed into Naples off of the little over an hour ,fast ITALO train from my 1 week journey in Rome… The Eternal City, I hired a private transfer to Sorrento. By this time I had done some serious damage shopping throughout Italy and had brought out my second, shopaholic bag that is now filled to the brim. I could not see myself lugging things around anymore so the private transfer was just what I was looking for. I used : Transferelax http://www.transferelax.com info@transferelax.com ph. +393349118655  And they were absolutely perfect. I felt a little silly riding in that large Mercedes passenger van all by myself . My driver knew how to whip and turn past all the death defying curves on the beautiful yet pearl clutching winding drive to Sorrento. To see the ocean and the gorgeous little valleys and bays along the way was just awe inspiring . It felt right and it felt so welcoming.

By this time I have been traveling for over 3 weeks in Bella Italia. I started up North in Venice, The Floating Kingdom of Opulence , then to the beautiful Tuscany towns of Florence: The Beautiful Tuscan Capital and Siena, Under the Bright Tuscan Sun and as previously mentioned, just came from Rome… The Eternal City Making my way down south provided such an eye opening experience with the different micro climates, speech and styles of each city and the change in cuisine. I also need to mention that by this point I have been traveling with a dear friend Debra. We separated paths In Rome where she headed home and I continued to Sorrento and the Campania coast . Now my journey begins alone. While I’m intrigued and excited , I can’t help but miss my travel partner already.

In no time I was pulling into Sorrento and passing the famous Piazza Tasso square to the meeting point to meet my hotel’s Porter.

I had booked the central located and super cool hotel, Maison Tofani Hotel . Located on the pedestrian only street of Via Cesareo, where the smell of fresh lemon is everywhere , this 12 room Palazzo style Manor was the perfect reprieve to relax , relate and release. The epic breakfast that is included is phenomenal, the staff super kind and attentive, the security warm and protective and the rooms fantastic. I had booked a Junior Suite. Large and with a little view over the shopping street. It’s a 3 minute walk to the main town Piazza Tasso and a 1 minute walk to restaurants and a plethora of stores. I loved it

I am here for 4 wonderful nights . but for now I’m hungry

Here are some photos of the hotels grounds

Day 1, Sunday May 20, 2018

After checking into the hotel and taking a fabulous tour of the property, I was starving and heard out to the shopping street outside my hotel door. I found a little nook with a restaurant and ate outside. I wish I could remember the name of the restaurant but sadly my pictures don’t even show where I was. But I can’t tell you this. The food was amazing and different. I also ordered a half bottle of wine like I have been the entire trip with my travel partner, thinking that is perfect, well it was too much as so was all the food I ordered. It was a huge wakeup call to myself to realize that I am traveling solo.

I walked around the via Cesareo and down a few other streets also packed with epic local shopping. Every store selling their own Limoncello, soaps, lace, pottery, clothing and olive oil. I decided to head back to the hotel real quick not take a nap . It was around 3pm, and the afternoon heat was slowly creeping up on my drunkard arse….. I mean I couldn’t let that bottle go to waste.

After my lovely nap I took a fabulous stroll around Downtown Sorrento, making my way to the split by the cliff where the drop dead gorgeous Grand Hotel Vittoria Excelsior. I sat in the front court yard and enjoyed a fabulous glass of Italian Prosecco and looked down into the gorgeous gorge the lead out to the sea. Ahhhh that sweet salty air reminds me of home in Hawaii

After my cocktail I enjoyed a lovely passeggiata and noticed how the fabulous cafe’s around Piazza Tasso were filled with smiling faces , enjoying the early evening summer air. I walked the very steep steps down to the water where there seems to be a whole other city just waiting to be explored. A small looking fishing village that is no doubt a place inhabited for millennia . I sit at a typical tourist bar, order an apperol spritz and watched the sun go down. It was so beautiful. After I took the elevator that cost a fortune and made my way top side …. The elevator opens up to another gorgeous leafy piazza

The air was starting to cool, the sun dimming in the horizon , it’s almost 8:30 pm and I am ready for eventually food. I walked around a bit and noticed that everyone had the exact same idea as I did. I settle on Bar Monalisa Ristorante with its million tables and chairs and sucked it up to being a tourist . I had a gorgeous meal of appetizers and a “small” bottle of Falanghina , an ancient grape and a fabulous white wine. Toasted I think it is time to call it quits for the day. It’s been a long one of travels from Rome, too much wine and actually I think my body is really looking forward to a slower pace and some rest after so much touring for the past 3 weeks.

Day 2 : Monday May 21, 2018

Buon·giór·no!!!

Ahhhh what a fabulous rest I had. The streets and town seem sooo quiet . No wonder it’s only 7 am. I get myself together to go downstairs to enjoy breakfast provided by the hotel. Wow!!!! breakfast is in a fabulous formal looking dining room with beautiful frescos on the walls and a gorgeous mural on the ceiling that reminded me of Michelangelo’s painting of the Sistine Chapel , it was such a welcoming and beautiful n environment. . There is a large dining table for at least 25 people, and many small little tables for couples and small families as well as little tables lining the corridors for some outside seating . The food spread if phenomenal. Up until this point I have been dining at little bars, cafe’s or at home from a day of local produce shopping. So this is my first continental style breakfast in ages and I welcome it. Breads and pastries , jams of all sorts, charcuterie set ups, champagne Prosecco and coffee. I mean who could ask for anything more…..?

After that absolutely epic and welcomed breakfast, I slowly gather myself together to get ready for the day. Now the I am solo I have only myself to think about , and I’m thinking that for the next few days I’m going two be slow like molasses . I spent the day walking around town being nosey . The orange trees were in full bloom dotting the streets, people were up and about going to start their day. I stopped into Cathedral Corso Italia and it was gorgeous . I spent the rest of the day just meandering around town. Once the stores opened I popped my head into a few and even found myself a drop dead gorgeous new perfume … that was actually from France hahaha ! I also visited the Basilica of St Anthony . I never get tired of the churches, cathedrals or basilicas they are so beautiful .

After wandering the gorgeous twists and turns of the streets with all their super enticing shops, I found myself in  Piazza Gargiulo, with its gorgeous leafy park. What a perfect place to relax and stop and smell the fresh salt air. The views from here are absolutely breathtaking and if I’m not mistaken, that is both the bay of Napoli and Capri I see in two different distant directions.

It’s time for lunch I’m starving now ….. and it’s also time for a nap … I’m loving this nap thing …. I think im totally catching up on rest. After a fabulous rest I decided to actually start some serious shopping. I need to bring home some Limoncello ….. for everyone !!!!! The best part is sampling all the different stores versions 🙂 My day consisted truly of just hanging around town. I may have had a few sprtiz here and there at the different bars, but hey who’s counting. Tonight….. Pizza !!!! that is all I have room for … And my oh my was it fabulous.

Day 3, Tuesday May 22, 2018

POMPEII!!!!

Today is all about Pompeii, so that means I need may comfort shoes and smart dress with rain jacket and hat in hand because you are truly at the mercy of the weather there as there are next to no over head cover ….

I got fully dressed and walked down for a super full and epic breakfast as this is going to need to cover me for many hours …

l left my hotel and walked up towards the train station. To get to Pompeii is very simple and easy All you need to do is take the line 1 from Sorrento to Pompeii Scavi There is an actual Pompeii stop but that’s for the city itself not for the excavation (Scavi) site. The train is covered in Graffiti and it reminded me so much for the trains in NYC. I have read that this is a train where you would like to exercise caution and be aware of your surrounding.

POMPEII

After about 35 minutes ( such a quick trip ) I arrived at Pompeii Scavi entrance. I paid my entrance ticket and looked around to see if I could find tour guides at the gate offering tours in English. I have read that this is the preffered way as they are actual licensed guides and are a hell of a lot cheaper than the ones associating with tour companies charging hundreds of euros. Sure enough I heard …. Tours in English … tour in English… I said… “Ciao! Quanto Costa?” he smiled and said if we have enough people its just 20 euros a person . He won’t do the tour unless there are at least 10 people. 15 people later and we were heading in. WOW!!! to say its surreal is an understatement. It is definitely one of those places that seeing it in person just blows your mind. the streets are very uneven and made for an even more authentic experience The amount of excavation is so impressive and so beautiful. I can just imagine what life was like before the devastation. There were full on rooms with mosaic floors non excellent condition unearthed. This was definitely a highlight. I would say about an hour half is what his attention span offered us for this tour. Really worth it . After his tour concluded I spent another 2 hours just slowly exploring other areas to covered in the tour and really taking things in. It was starting to get scorching hot has the weather was absolutely gorgeous with not a cloud in the sky , which meant SUNBURN!. That you hat!!!!!

You could easily spend the entire day in Pompeii . For me I had seen enough and now I’m hungry… When researching places to eat around the excavation site it was pretty nil. However right in the city center there was a 1 Michelin star restaurant called Ristorante President Pompeii For 75 Euros I had an epic course meal with white glove service and excellent wine. Talk about a treat. It was an amazing treat. Finding the place was a little hard but I did. After that fabulous long lunch, I headed back to Sorrento via train again but this time from the city centers train station. 40 minutes later and I was back at my hotel ready for another long nap… Am I starting a trend with myself? Italians don’t do “Siesta” but I do now and it reminds me of Spain …

Tonight is dinner at yet another Michelin star restaurant in the city that I have been looking forward to for months called Il Bucco . I’m going to cut this really short…. the meal and the service was terrible and I was left very upset and unsatisfied. I don’t want to get into the specifics, but I’ll just say fortunately for me. I’m not a woman to be messed with or even attempt to harass….. second bad meal in all of my time in Italy. Well tomorrow is another day.

Day 4 , May 23, 2018

Today is my last full day in Sorrento…. So of course I decide to leave it…. Positano here I come. I went down to the marina and purchased a ticket to Positano on one of the Ferries…. The day was cloudy and chilly but it was still early morning. After about an hour I started to see a city come into view. So I went to then top of the ferry and watched and the misty clouds dissipated and beautiful Positano came into view. I feel like this is the best and only way to first experience Positano. My goodness gracious are there a lot of people… Are these the locals? The tourists who spent the night there ? Or are they also the day trippers just like me. The magic was quickly sucked right out …

Alright I need to relax…… The anxiety was hitting me hard. .. It looked like an ant hill covered with ants. I thought people were exaggerating about how busy Positano was, but they were not lying at all. Mind you, this isnt’ even the era of revenge travel yet. I decided to go at a very slow pace. and make my way to the top. Back wards I know. But why not…. I would be leaving this fabled town by boat anyway , so I should probably get to know its cliffs. I will save the rest of this journey for a more in depth look at Positano …

I spent a good 6 hours there, but I have to say, I was so looking forward to returning to Sorrento.. Sorrento has been my place of rest, of rejuvenation. I had a lot to think about, to reflect upon and to just be with me. Later that evening, for my final meal, I chose Bar Monalisa… I sat inside, on a lonely single table, ordered a half bottle of Falangiha white wine, a fabulous pizza and indulged. The place was slammed backed… After dinner I wandered around the streets of Sorrento, enjoy the slightly warm night with hints of cool kisses here and there. The night was perfect.

Day 5, May 24, 2018

This morning I arose with a feel ing of accomplishment, gratitude and excitement. I am heading off to Capri and I can not wait. I fueled up with a fabulous breakfast at the hotels buffet

I left wonderful Sorrento, sad to leave but excited to see Capri around 10:30 am. I checked out of the wonderful Maison Tofani Hotel, and caught a 15 € taxi for the 4 minute ride to the port. I’m ridiculously heavy with luggage as I’ve shopped way too much for the past 3 1/2 weeks through Italy. As I’m sipping my wine writing this to you, I’m getting a bit teary eyes remembering my amazing journey. 😭😭😭

Ok concentrate Erika

Im feeling fabulous in my white linen pants and green, rose, white and black top and white blazer. Why not right?

I arrived at the port to an EPIC line.

Omg everyone’s going to Capri.

3 lines full, I purchased my 20.5€ ticket for the 11:25 departure.

Hauling luggage at the marina in Sorrento is not pretty, especially with the amount and weight that I have.

At gate 9 the lines stretched forever. The 10:30 boat is arriving, and a guy told me its possible for me to catch it. Ok!! I will hahaha

I waited till most got on, and I rolled my bags down the right side and got in the boat. It was packed.

Knowing that it was only a 20 minute ride, I didn’t mind standing

I turned and watched that beautiful coast and the gorgeous town of Sorrento get smaller and smaller.
I could t help but feel a bit emotional

What a wonderful journey it’s been. And now off to …..

Capri, The Island of Golden Dreams

Thank you , Gracie Mile