Ever heard the phrase ’’See Naples and die?’’ Well who ever first said this must have just landed at Naples airport! The landing was scary! One minute I was looking over the bay of Naples pointing out Capri and Ischia to the old man the next I was practically eye balling a woman in a tower block hanging out her washing!! This was my introduction to Italy, I can truely say this was the only bad thing about the holiday! The old man and I visited Sorrento on an Airtours bargain -£199 half board at a 4 star hotel!!
Sorrento is a magical place, forget the image of it being for pensioners and folk that stop off on their med cruises its actually quite a lively place BUT it has also kept alot of its old charm and hasnt succombed to mass to tourism. Sorrento has a great train link to Naples which stops at Pompeii and Hersulaum ( two roman ruins) it also has an excellent bus link around the Almalfi coast to Positanio, Amalfi and Ravello. A hydro foil and ferry to the island of Capri. Public transport is very cheap, and easy to use. If you are after a beach holiday then this isnt the place for you, but if you want to sight see and galavant around then you couldnt do better then coming here. Sorrento its self is a fairly large town, with several museums, loads of shops - designer label abound here and also some shops for the poor people (ie ME!!). Loads of resturants and bars which are excellent and again very reasonable.
We did the usual touristy things eg visited Pompeii on the train and Hersulaum. This two sites are wonderful! Very easy to get too using the train. Out of the two I prefeered Hersulaum due to the fact that it was smaller and better preserved, we spent the morning there just looking around. The infamous Amalfi drive is as breath taking as it was on film. The road is cut into the cliffs , very winding and a straight drop to the sea!!! It was stunning! Unfortunately we didnt do it in an open top car, but it was still truely amazing by bus!!!
My favourite place we visited had to be Positanio, made famous by the American writer John Steinbeck. Its really in two parts the bit by the beach and if you look up you’ll see the houses cut into the mountains. This is also a great place if you want a little bit of beach holiday in between all the galavanting around! A beautiful place, great pizza as well!! I can say this was one holiday that I’ll never forget, the view from our window was of the bay of Naples and Mount Vessovious in the distance! If you get the chance to go then grab it!! One day I’ll go back too.