March, 2017.
Naples Airport has two terminals, so isn’t the biggest airport to struggle getting around. Terminal 1 is for scheduled flights and Terminal 2 is for charter flights.
Because there are only 2 terminals, getting in and out of the airport was simple – what you need when you are rushing around. If need be though – near the exit (which is sign posted all the way around) there are customer service and information desks that have multi-lingual staff members, we found them to be very helpful when asking about bus stops, they gave us clear directions and information for what we needed to know.
Getting to Sorrento
There are a few options of getting to Sorrento from Naples, the two most popular ones being the ferry or the metro.
For the sake of time and money, we choose the metro. Walking out of the exit at Naples International Airport, you will see a car hire carpark, taxi ranks and just see a lot going on. If you walk 100 metres straight out of the airport you will see the bus stops – you will need stop 5 called ‘Alibus‘ which is the airport shuttle bus. From this bus you can buy a ticket that is your bus and metro journey. The bus will drop you off in the square outside of Naples station which is where you will get the metro straight to Sorrento. Guess how much the bus and metro cost us…4 euros!
The only warning I would give if you take this option is that Naples, well the area between the bus stops and station, isn’t very nice at all. All i can say is that we didn’t feel very safe at all, especially as we were carrying our bags that had all of our belongings, money and passports in.
When we were researching all things Sorrento, before we arrived, we read some bad reviews about the Circumvesuviana (Metro) and funnily enough Google maps doesn’t pick it up. If you are planning your route to Sorrento it forces you to either get the ferry across (which is a little more expensive and longer – but is more of a scenic route) or involves you getting a bus that forces you all the way down the Amalfi Coast – and as much as that sounds amazing, it take hours and hours to get there.
So with a little more research, we found that Sorrento does have a metro and it works a treat. Also, looking into the reviews a bit more, it’s described like any other metro like in London and New York…so it isn’t all that bad. Especially the price, *cha-ching!*
We stayed at the Tasso Suites in Sorrento, which is based right at Piazza Tasso. Right in the centre of Sorrento. The suites is a short walking distance from the Saint Francis Cloisters and views of the gulf.
The hotel itself is very modern and slick. It has everything that you need for your stay and is very minimal, being the decor is white based. Our room even had a spacious balcony, where we would just look out on to the streets of Sorrento people watching.
Breakfast was included in our hotel stay which was your average continental which included tea, coffee and a selection of fruit juices as well as, cereal, toast, eggs, pancakes, croissants, ham, cheese, biscuits and even Nutella.
The staff where very professional and helpful. When we arrived, we were even directly shown our room. They were happy to help with any questions and recommend anything.
Piazza Tasso
Piazza Tasso is the central square in Sorrento – and about 20 steps from our hotel.
The square itself has plenty of bars, coffee shops and restaurants to choose from and also have a narrow view of the gulf.
During the summer, this square from the sounds of it, is the main part of Sorrento for gatherings, and even when we went in the winter is was relatively busy. It has a lovely hussel and bussel to it, and as far as ‘squares’ go, its a lot smaller than ones that you would find in a city like Venice, however, it still has the energy around it.
Zi Ntonio is located next door to our hotel. It was the first place we visited when arriving at Sorrento because we were so hungry from all of the travelling.
It caught our eye when walking past to our hotel, it looked typically Italian. Rich got lasagna – absolutely loved it and I got Fettuccine Bolognese – again it was yummy. We were both happily satisfied and ready to start exploring Sorrento.
Shopping
Shopping is accessibly from every point in Sorrento. However, there was a street that came off the top of our hotel road called, Via S.Cesareo that was jam-packed with shops, it’s the place to go to when you want to buy souvenirs.
We walked down this street every day at least 5 times -its an attractive street as everything is yellow and lemon-y.
The Horse Shoe pub (AKA Gino’s pub)
On our first day in Sorrento, Liverpool where playing so we thought we would find a pub to watch it in and low and behold, we found an Irish bar. I’m never fussed on Irish bars as it’s normally full of English people (when I would prefer to be hanging with all of the locals) and are generally just tacky.
However, this one was special. The owners, Gino and Maria were beyond welcoming to us especially when they noticed we were scousers so we were getting mocked a little, which was just far too funny.
They made me a drink called ‘Limoncello Spritz’ and its to die for. About 3/4’s of the glass is Limoncello (and for those who don’t know, Limoncello is a strong drink) and the rest is Prosecco. Needless to say, it’s my favourite drink.
We went back to Gino’s pub on our last night, and there was football on, Napoli V Real Madrid, so they atmosphere was great!
All around Gino’s pub are pictures of people who has visited and even celebrities (Like Steven Gerrard) and also messages from visitors – they ask people to right a message on paper money so they can stick it up around there pub. It’s very homely and just goes to show what a welcoming bunch they are due to all the love they receive.
Sorrento Peninsula
The Sorrento peninsula is north of the gulf of Naples – looking out over the peninsula you see; the Gulf of Naples, Vesuvius and Capri, to the west and then you have the Amalfi Coast on the southern side.
Its a picturesque view, that if you catch a clear day you will be able to pin-point and see everything. Not to say you won’t get bad views on a foggy day, all the most haunting and interesting to look at.
If you are wanting to get to the port or beach, it can involve a lot of up/down hill walking. So, in place is a lift that skips all of that out for you.
However, it will cost you 1 euro per person, and if you will use it to return 1 euro 80. It runs from 7.30 am until midnight – so you have plenty of time to use it. the lift is located directly opposite The Cloister – you wont miss it.
It is located adjacent to the San Francesco church, right in the heart of Sorrento, with spectacular views of Sorrento peninsula, Naples, Vesuvius and of course the Mediterranean sea right at the front door of the Cloisters.
This area, is beautiful even during the winter months, so imagine how it will look when all of the trees and flowers have sprouted in the summer months. Entrance is free to get into The Cloisters, you are even able to watching couples wed – as long as you are respectful.
Sorrento Streets
Sorrento streets are typically Italian and more. Cobbley roads, hardly any paths, tight and narrow roads, lemon tree, cars driving in every direction … have I sold it to you now.
Italian streets being lot’s of hussel and bussel and a lot of atmosphere.
Ristorante ‘O Parrucchiano La Favorita
We were recommended this restaurant by a couple we met in the Horse Shoe pub. However, I recognized it from an Italian wedding website, as it can be used as a reception venue – which would be amazing!
The restaurant is right in the centre of Sorrento, a few steps from the Cathedral. The restaurant is essentially an indoor lemon garden, with lemon trees and vines flowing throughout the whole of the restaurant that is deceivingly big, and has plenty of tables.
Being a lemon lover myself – it was a dream. I’m so happy we went here, not only was the restaurants decor amazing, the food was insanely tasty. Literally, the best lasagna. Instead of the usual mince meat – it was full of sausage meat, and it was so so cheesy. Just delicious!
Gelato
Obviously when i’m in Italy, I eat way too much gelato – but that’s expected…isn’t it. The only way I can describe it is that it’s in the middle of normal ice cream and sorbet? … I think.
Gelato is everywhere in Italy as it is their specialty. In Sorrento, there are a few gelato shops such as: Gelateria Primavera and Bar Gelateria Il Duomo to name a few. Then you have the coffee shops such as; We Love Puro – who sell gelato alongside the Italian coffee.
We just wanted a quick bite to eat, when i saw the sign for this restaurant that led you down a few alley ways. Walking up to the restaurant there are fairy lighting zig-zagging from wall to wall.
Didn’t know what to expect at all because of the unusual entrance, however it was that good we went back again.
We ordered a pizza each on our first visit. They were only 5 euros so instead of our usual sharing a pizza, we thought we would get one each as surely for 5 euros it would be small. It was a normal sized pizza…5 euros! So tasty and juicy.
So we went back again on our last night in Sorrento, and just shared one between us, but then had a cheeky Limoncello for desert.
They have live music every night at Tavern Allegra, so it’s definitely worth a visit.
Pizzeria Aurora is one of the restaurants based in Piazza Tasso. It seems to be a very popular place to visit if you want pizza, as they have a massive wood oven where they can make fifty types of pizza, that you can also take away.
You have the option to sit inside (we sat by the toasty pizza oven fire) or outside, so you can people watch it the busy square.
Rich has Spaghetti Bolognese (for once) and i have Spaghetti Pomodoro. Again, i can’t fault the place, everywhere we went everything was just far to delicious is there own ways. All food tasted fresh, even the texture of the food.
Limoncello
For those who don’t know, Limoncello is an Italian liqueur produced from mainly southern Italy – especially the gulf of Naples, Sorrentine Peninsula and the Amalfi coast, but a commonly known drink throughout of Italy – mainly drank after a meal in a small chilled glass, or given as a thank you at a restaurant when paying for the bill.
Sorrento is known as the city of oranges and lemons – and where ever you go there are lemons and that’s no exaggeration, they are everywhere. Whether its fruit, Limoncello itself or lemon themed souvenirs.
You have to make sure you try some when visiting southern Italy – especially Sorrento.
Coffee Shops
We all know that Italians love there coffee – infact they have every excuse to stop for a coffee. It’s great actually.
I’m not a coffee drinker, so I was the pain ordering tea when everyone just wanted a ‘quick’ drink but now and again I might get a hot chocolate! and FYI, Italian hot chocolate is incredible, its just melted chocolate in a mug.
Next to our hotel, is a coffee shop called ‘We Love Puro‘ (mentioned above). It was a great little cafe – it even had three swings in it, so random but querky – which i love.
I got a hot chocolate from there, which like I mentioned above is just melted chocolate in a mug – you’ll be in for a shock if you didn’t know because we you take your mouth away from the mug, your mouth and teeth with look all brown…the sexy look of course.
Views up high
Being driven around by Don Pedro (who I talk about below) we got to see some seriously cool views over Sorrento, which led to seeing Vesuvius, Naples and Capri more.
It’s actually breath-taking, to the point where you can’t unfocused your eyes off what you are seeing, and cant stop yourself from taking so many pictures and videos, because coming from someone who lives mainland with no views, its hard to imagine being able to wake up to these sights all of your life.
The main reason for our trip to Sorrento was in fact to talk about wedding plans because yes…we are getting married in Sorrento! We went to see what Sorrento was like – and it ticked every box and more and to meet the staff at Don Pedro, who will be organising our wedding.
We met with Tony on one of the two days that we spend with them. He was wonderful – he shown us all the possibly locations we can have our ceremony and then on to where we can have food and a dance! The second day we met with Tony again and Marcella, driving us high up into the mountains to explore the different villa and hotel options.
Both days ended in a coffee shop having some Italian coffee…I had tea (I don’t think i could be more English if i tried!)
As well as having an exciting two days discussing our wedding. It was a great way to explore every inch of Sorrento, and experience an Italian lifestyle.
Capri
If you are planning on visiting Capri while you are in Sorrento, you are in luck!
We didn’t end up visiting to Capri due to bad weather – we planned to go on our last day, but instead it decided to be really windy, so all boats where cancelled. So we will be going next year instead!
However, a few things we planned to do, sounded very exciting and I can not wait to do them next year. The main things we had planned where the Blue Grotto, a boat tour around the island – which included a little dip in the sea and the Mount Solaro chair lift.
Day trip to Rome
As you know – we have been to Rome before. So we both jumped at the chance of being able to go back.(We planned on going to Capri for the day, however, due to bad winds there were no boats running).
Getting to Rome from Sorrento, is a lot more straight forward than you think. From Sorrento Circumvesuviana you can jump an hour long trip to Naples station, where you can then jump the train straight to Rome Termini. Depending on the price bracket you pay for your ticket will determine how long your journey will be, from 1 hour to 2 hours. Prices range from 11 euros up to 45 euros.
Like i said, we have been to Rome before, so we had a quick scoot around and saw everything: Colosseum, Trevi Fountain, Spanish Steps, Pantheon, People Quarter etc… It was so much fun to have a quick browse around without being stuck for time. We also did manage to have a quick bit to eat at Hard Rock Cafe Rome…obviously!
Pompeii is a huge part to dark tourism – which is a massive interest for me especially after studying it. Pompeii is far beyond words. Its sad and its fascinating.
Bare in mind that we went to Pompeii in the winter and it was still very busy – so god known what it would be like in the hot summer, even spring time.
We went on the first Sunday of the month – so our entrance fee was free. But it would normally cost you 11 euros and then it is an extra 8 euros if you want an audio tour – which we did.
With regards to the audio tour – i’m not sure I would recommend it – its very interesting and factual. But Pompeii is bigger than you think, and there is so much to stop and listen to that, you just wont take it all in and have time to do it all.
It’s such an incredible place to visit as it’s hard to believe how well kept everything has been. You get to walk around the whole town that has houses half built – but you can still see some of the art work that was left on the wall. You can walk through all the baths and the streets, you see statues that were destroyed. Amphitheaters. There is even a section of pottery and house hold objects that have been preserved from the disaster. But the worse thing is the people. You heard me right, they still have people there who died from the volcanic materials and ash.
The list does go on, there is absolutely so much to me.
Sorrento overall
Sorrento is known as the ‘land of colour’, ‘city of orange and lemon groves’ and the ‘land of mermaids’ and is the hometown of poet, Torquato Tasso – hence why most things have ‘Tasso’ in the name.
Sorrento is an absolutely beautiful place – its authentic, the locals are real and the food is delicious because they use of local produce.
Price-wise I thought Sorrento was relatively cheap. If you want to buy souvenirs for friends and family, nothing was over priced, most things where less than 5 euros. A great example would be that we got some real leather belts for 6 euros and they were cut to your size. Absolute bargain! Food was averagely priced, around 10 euros a dish. The most expensive thing I found was alcoholic drinks – but then again, the drinking atmosphere in Italy isn’t like in England. They like to enjoy there drink so they don’t drink too much.
PS…While in Sorrento, we found out that the first Sunday of each month, anything historical is FREE and that’s for the whole of Italy, so take note!
PPS…Also in Sorrento we noticed that on varied days random places would be shut like there ‘day of rest’ which I though was different. So just take note if you plan on visiting somewhere the next day in case it is closed – as that did happen to us when we wanted to order a pizza.
Your Own Set of Wings 
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