...Many centuries ago, there was a saying coming from the past glorious Roman Era, " all roads lead to Rome "...
So, if you follow the blogger's suggestion for a special visit to the southern Italian province of Campania (Naples ), do nothing less than landing at Rome's Da Vinci Airport, rent a fiat 500 (in any case a small car ..remember my words ) and drive ( an easy 2 hrs ) via A1 ( Autostrada del sole ), direction the region's capital Napoli.
Skip Napoli and its gulf and head towards the peninsula Sorrentina. At its northern tip lies the lovely resort of Sorrento, starting point of your..mission !
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DAY 1 : Book a room at one of the below exquisite hotels.
a). Bellevue Sirene - b). Grand Hotel Excelsior Vittoria - c). Grand hotel la Favorita.. ( all those 3 hotels are practically sited in the city center ). Finally a 15 minutes walk from center of Sorrento, in Sant'Angelo you can stay at my personal favourite, Grand
hotel Cocumella.
From there, after exploring the well developed holiday resort, have lunch at Ristorante Verdemare and relax with splendid views. Then you can take a visit to the ruins of Pompei ( a mere 25 mns drive ), and close the day with a nice dinner at ( Aldo's) Antica trattoria or even at il Buco.
DAY 2+3 : ...Having finished breakfast, secure your car in the hotel's you spent the night in Sorrento garage and go to Sorrento's harbour to catch the boat for Capri. ( 20 minutes sail ).
Check closed eyes at Grand Hotel Quisisana, a legend in the island and meeting point of the paparazzi looking hungrily for celebs ! ( Staying there, you become automatically one...).
I suggest you spend two nights there and capture the most this exciting island has to offer to its visitors.
It's not worth for me to inform you of Capri's highlights and introduce you to the Piazzeta, or the Faraglioni rocks, the Grotta azzura etc. You can find all that in all tourist maps and travel books.
On the other hand I cannot leave you in the dark by not telling you, don't leave the island withought a noon visit to Il RICCIO beach club and pool in Anacapri, where a light lunch will cost you 40 euros.
Or split your stay at hotels Tiberio Palace, Punta Tragara and Capri Palace.
Or..not to have dinner at Torre Saracena in Marina Picola, or lunch at Lido del Faro beach club in the rocks, in Anacapri Or sip a cocktail on the terrace of Hotel Caesar Augustus with a view over Naple's bay and the Sorrentine Peninsula especially during the sunset.
Or not give you a hint on Capri's nightlife with spots like : Anema e Core - Il Guarracino -Number one -Number two - Bye Bye Baby - Celeste -Panta Rei and Lanterna Verde in Anacapri....
And almost forgot, if you are ( like me ) a cofee lover, best cafe can be served at Al Picolo Bar, where else in the Piazzetta !
Day 4, back in four wheels heading to the southern tip of the peninsula, direction Positano.
For the night , don't even think, go strait to hotel San Pietro, belonging to the famous Relais & Chateaux chain, just 5 kms before reaching tiny Positano. Another option should be Le Sirenuse, the most snobbish among all hotels in the area seton a cliff in the town's center and embracing the whole resort with an incredible view from its terrace. Profit in every case from the superb aperritivos ( all with a touch of lemon from which the whole peninsula is full of..), as well their special dolci, always with lemon as the main star ! And all above 300 ms above the Tyrrhenian sea.
Essential : Have late lunch and drinks later, at Hotel Villa Treville, 15 minutes walk from the center of Positano. You will remember me !
If you cannot resist in making some shopping, Viale Pasitea is the street you are looking for..
And a small reminder, while being in that area stretching from Positano to Amalfi and then to Ravello think always you are lucky enough to walk alongside with endless jetsetters, so be prepared to cross Hollywood celebs and many others of the show business.
AND A SPECIAL TIP : While in the area, book for the night at DON ALFONSO , in village of Sant'Agata su due golfi. The owner Alfonso Iaccarino and his family, is considered the patriarch of the grands chefs in Italy.
Another smart option should be, Lo Stuzzichino.
DAY 5 : AMALFI it is ! Amalfi is the coast's largest resort town.
Check in Hotel Santa Caterina with breathtaking views , from a cliff leading to its beautifull beach club via a 300 ms elevator going down to the beach through the giant rock ! Unmissable.
Once there if you are or feel in good shape, walk along a certain part of the so called " Pathway of the Gods " , linking the coastal villages of Positano and Praiano, via the mountain hamlet of Bomerano. One of the most spectacular things you have ever experienced..
DAY 6 : RAVELLO. This village has the best views on this coast. take a visit to admire the gardens of villa Rufolo and villa Cimbrone ( also an hotel ).
There R.Wagner was inspired and composed his masterpiece, Parsifal.
Stay at hotel Caruso and dine at Palazzo Avino ( ex Palazzo Sasso ).
DAY 7 : Checking out Ravello, and depending on your mood, company etc, you can either spend a night in Naples or ( as I suggest ), go to Naple's harbor and sail for a 2 nights stay to lovely island of Ischia, not only the biggest in the gulf, but nearly as popular to its neighbouring Capri , thanks to its thermal springs and therapeutic mud baths.
Once there, check in two of below great hotels :
L'Albergo della regina Isabella, Terme Manzi ( 2 Michelin restaurant ), Il Mezzatore, Grand hotel Punta Molino Terme.
...But before letting you to enjoy the main attractions this island has in abundance, here are some details concerning this mostly green island. Ischia is 10 kms from east to west, and 7 kms from north to south. Its coastline covers 34 kms and its permanent population doesn't exceed 58.000. Up to 6 million tourists ( principally from the Italian mainland and Germany ) flock to the island for its volcanic thermal spas and as well for its beaches and food. Its largest city, Ischia has two different centers:
CLIMATE : The best time for the traveller to visit it, is from April to October. However , the weather in Ischia is always changing and visitors should expect both sunshine and rain - whatever the season.
Also called " green island ", it enjoys hot and dry summers and mild winters along with a pronounced fertility which is a result of having almost an entirely volcanic soil. These factors allow Mediterranean plants to thrive allover the island, and subtropical species to successfully occupy niches in the warmest areas. On the Southern side of the island, the continuous exposure to the sunlight favors tropical and desert vegetation, mainly represented by palms, cactus and agave plants while in the north, in the shade cast of Mount Epomeo, you will find chestnut trees, holm oak, cypress and cork trees as well as cultivated almond trees, vines and olive trees.
BEVERELLO HARBOR IN NAPLES, IS THE MOST CONVENIENT TO SAIL TO ISCHIA.
Most boats ( Aliscafi and ferries ), stop first to Ischia Porto and then additionally to Casamicciola and Forio.
There are many villas, parks with magnificent botanical gardens, mainly in the Forio region.
There are to the many beaches dispersed allover the island, I suggest to be advised through the concierge of your hotel.
Also the concierge ( in reality the heart of an hotel ), will provide you all necessary info, about restaurants and nightlife.
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....THE BLOGGER considers that his mission to provide useful information on this particularly beautiful part of the Italian South. is accomplished !
You are..dismissed now to take your way back to the Eternal city ( where all started ) !
....THE BLOGGER considers that his mission to provide useful information on this particularly beautiful part of the Italian South. is accomplished !
You are..dismissed now to take your way back to the Eternal city ( where all started ) !
Hotel San Pietro Positano
Hotel Bellevue Sirene ( Sorrento )
Hotel Terme Manzi, Ischia
Hotel Quisisana, Capri
Il Riccio Beach Club, Capri
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