Sorrento, Campania, ItalySeptember 8 – 12
Well we’re here in Sorrento . . . lots to do & see in the next few
days. After checking into our B&B
and finding lunch we headed off in search of tours – note to self, everything
closes between 3 and 5!
Oh well, a
stroll to the port for some spectacular views and our first views of ‘Beach
Clubs’. With all the cliffs, beaches are rare.
Sunday . . . Boat tour ... Amalfi, Positano and snorkelling
A fantastic day on the
water. We were picked up around 8 . . . left the harbour around 10 along
with 10 others to spend the next 8 hours travelling the coast.
We stopped for a swim near Nerano Bay before
continuing in the Gulf of Salerno to Amalfi.
There we had around 2 hours to discover.
Great views of the coast from both boat and land.
Then, another snorkel stop before heading back to Sorrento
Monday . . . Path of the Gods
Another great (and energetic) day.
The Path of the Gods is part of an
ancient path that used to connect Positano to Agerola.
The trail is considered one of the most
beautiful hiking trails in the world. Along
the path there are remains of ancient farmhouses and still local
shepherds.
We started the path in Bomerano
(Praiano) with our guide Rosita and one other intrepid hiker. Rather than doing the route to Nocelle and
walking down to Positano we did a loup, ending up back where we started and the car. An amazing hike and spectacular views that
pictures just don’t do justice. Passing the
Grotta del Biscotto, checking out the centuries-old rock houses wedged in the
rocks.
We stopped at one farmhouse, owned
by Antonio (a friend of our guide). He
made us a snack of bruschette (from his own tomatoes), grilled eggplants from
his garden and goat cheese made by his mother from his goats milk!
Next we reached the Colle Serra hills, where
we chose to follow the lower trail. reaching
the Vallone di Garelle, our turn around point, where we then climbed to the ‘high
route’ back to the Colle Serra and then back along our original trail to a
welcome prosecco &(beer) before
heading back to Sorrento and lunch (and
laundry). About 4 hours in total. Spectacular views of the gulf of Salerno and
of Naples and Priano.
A fun dinner tonight at a Tavern
Allegra . . .great food, a wonderful host, entertainment and, a drum for Gary
to play. Who could ask for more!
Tuesday . . . Herculaneum, Pompeii
and Wine
A day of discovery ... visits to
Herculaneum and Pompeii with a stop for wine and ‘typical’ food.
First stop is the archaeological
park ... Herculaneum was an ancient Roman town destroyed by the eruption of
Mount Vesuvius in AD 79. Amazing
how much was preserved by the lava flows. The Greek influence is very evident.
Next a visit to a local winery, Sorrentino, in
Boscotrecase. We tasted 3 wines and
enjoyed yummy pasta in a sauce made from the tomatoes they grow under the
vines.
Finally, on the Pompeii . . .
another ancient Roman city buried under 4 to 6 meters of volcanic ash and
pumice in the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in AD 79.
Because of the lack of air and moisture, the
city has been mostly preserved. Sadly,
most of the artefacts have been moved the museum in Naples (that we didn’t
visit).
Our last night in Sorrento.
We headed down to the Marina Grande (the
fisherman’s port). A lovely dinner by
the sea at Taverna Azzurra.
Rilla
2018-09-12
You are packing a lot of living into every day Carol. It looks gorgeous and sensual! Thanks for sharing.
Naomie
2018-09-13
It is all so beautiful. Your photos are lovely