_edited.jpg)
Sorrento and the Amalfi Coast
- dana8025
- Aug 19, 2022
- 2 min read
We are so glad we added this region to our itinerary. Sorrento has been a fabulous base camp to explore and to tour from. Mathis and I are not boat people (variations of green come to mind), so we selected adventures that can be accessed via car or bus. Unfortunately, trains do not go through the Amalfi region. We crossed Capri off of our list due to long boat rides and tourist congestion.
We are still in Sorrento now and have explored a lot! Yes, it’s still hot and filled with tourists, but we wind our way around and off the beaten path. The fish and grilled veggies are excellent here, and the morning ritual continues to be yummy croissants and coffee.
Our first excursion out of Sorrento was an all-day private guided tour through the Amalfi Coast. Our licensed tour guide, Genarro, picked us up and drove us over Monti Lattari (Milk Mountain), where we crossed over from Naples Bay to the Gulf of Salerno. The southern side of the mountain overlooks the sea at the Amalfi Coast. The chain of the Lattari Mountains extends for 34 kilometers, twists and turns, and delivers impressive views.
Our first stop was the town of Amalfi, where we walked around, learned the history, and saw the scenery.
We passed through Positano, due to time, and drove the long distance to Ravello. We’re so glad we did since it would take two bus rides on our own. Plus, Ravello was very special and so different than all of the other towns. It had very few tourists, gorgeous parks, and fabulous views.
Our last stop was Napoli (Naples) to experience the best Napoleon pizza. Gennaro took us to his favorite place that makes 2000 pizzas per day and only has four choices, one of them being a fried pizza. The brother of our pizza restaurant owned the restaurant in Eat, Pray, Love when Julia Roberts introduced the world to authentic pizza.
Overall, a beautiful and thrilling ride through the Amalfi Coast. Long day, for sure!
Our second outing was to Pompeii. We opted for the 4-hour version vs. the 8-hour trip, which added Herculaneum. After an hour bus ride, our small group tour was escorted past all the lines and guided through the highlights of the Pompeii ruins. We are astonished at the advanced engineering and the remaining artifacts following the eruption of Mt. Vesuvius. Watch YouTube tours!
We have three more days here in Sorrento and the surrounding area, then off to Rome!
Oh, for those of you who are hungry or like to see the mounds of food we are eating...
I believe you will finish in Rome. A friend who was a chef we knew in So. Cal. was from Rome. Before we went he wrote down several restaurants we should try and what we should order. One was Taverna Trilussa it is in the Trastevere section of Rome which in the S.E. when looking at a map along the River Tiber. When we got in the taxi and gave him the name and address, we asked if he knew the place. We were surprised when he said Oh yes I take my family there!! Needless to say it was excellent. I don't remember what we ordered, six years ago, but several of the dishes are cooked at the table…
What a fabulous time you both are having - such views, such culture, such history - magnifico!
It's too bad you both are not boat people. 😁 The views from the water along the Amalfi coast are fabulous. We loved that regions towns and food. Totally agree with the comments on Pompeii. Love it!!