The magic of the "Grand Tour" in Southern Italy comes back to life from Sorrento

Southern Italy offers endless travel opportunities. It is rich in history, art, archeology, landscapes that have become the symbol of the “Bel Paese” Italy all over the world. It joins this the fragrant and appetizing culinary art and the production of wines and spirits that add an unforgettable touch to the trip.

This year I chose Sorrento, in Campania, for a holiday dedicated to relaxation, culture, gastronomy and landscape.

Between sea and mountains, with a location that allows you to easily visit Capri, the Amalfi Coast and the archaeological areas of Pompeii and Herculaneum, the town of Sorrento was also admired by the famous writers and poets who stopped here during the "grand tour" from the end of the 19th century.

The view of the bay is spectacular, steep coast, small fishing villages and Vesuvius volcano in the background make the view wonderful at any time of day. But there is no lack of characteristic streets full of shops, restaurants and bars that make Sorrento a pleasant and lively place.

For accommodations I would recommend two options:

The exclusive Parco dei Principi 5 * hotel, splendid property, designed by architect Gio Ponti in 1961, is surrounded by a wonderful park of 27,000 square meters and offers a private beach with a marina, a beautiful wellness center and a swimming pool.

La Tonnarella, a charming 4 * hotel, where I stayed, perched on the top of the rocks in the magnificent Sorrento peninsula, in one of the most panoramic points of Sorrento, where once there was the ancient and traditional "tonnara" tuna fishing site. A small private beach can be reached by lift from the hotel. The strong point is a wonderful terrace overlooking the bay and Mount Vesuvius.

Dedicating a day to the Amalfi Coast is a must! Drive along the famous and winding road overlooking the sea with breathtaking views of the wonderful coast. You should not miss the stops at its most famous and admired places: Positano, where you can take a walk through the alleys that descend steeply from the road to the beach, with characteristic shops, renowned restaurants and pleasant clubs; Amalfi with its harbor and the famous and ancient cathedral; Ravello, a jewel town, full of historic villas and home to the Music Festival, from the terraces with an incomparable view of the coast.

Another way to visit these locations is by sea, with a private speedboat and stops, plus transfer by car to Ravello.

Another day must be devoted to Capri, which can be reached from Sorrento by hydrofoil or better still by private speedboat, which allows you to add a tour of the island and dive into the deep blue of the sea with an unparalleled view of the cliffs.

The island known since ancient times for its beauty is rich in views and natural spots, such as the characteristic rocks called Faraglioni or the Blue Grotto, but it is also a destination for celebrities and for this reason it offers luxury hotels, bar and shopping.

Vesuvius is the background like a postcard to the panorama that can be seen from Sorrento, but this volcano was also the cause, with the eruption of 79 AD, of the destruction of the ancient and opulent Roman cities of Herculaneum and Pompeii. Today the archaeological areas, which were found under the ashes and lava, can be visited and give the opportunity to relive the life of 2,000 years ago, among cobbled streets, majestic villas and temples, always in the shadow of Vesuvius.

On a clear day the ascent by car, with a short walk, to the caldera of Vesuvius offers a 360 degree view of the Bays of Naples and Sorrento and the islands.

In one week in Sorrento, in addition to naturalistic and cultural excursions, you can combine culinary experiences, cooking classes to learn how to make real Neapolitan pizza, visits with tastings to wine producers and the famous "limoncello", a local liqueur made with fragrant lemons that are grown in the area.

It restores the spirit and the palate!

For info and reservations for your holiday in Southern Italy, do not hesitate to contact me

michela@mikrotour.it