Overlooking the sea atop a cliff of olive and lemon groves is the city of Sorrento. The city holds both an old town feel, as well as a more suburban area. Old Town still retains a Roman grid of narrow streets, while the newer part of town hosts Sorrento’s hotels. Those looking for culture and art will find plenty in Sorrento. The city hosts several museums, and many churches, such as the Duomo, a cathedral with a triple-tiered bell tower, majolica clock, and a marble bishop’s throne that dates back to 1573. The elegant churches and cathedrals of Sorrento show large marble columns, ornate masonry, and vibrant paintings that will leave guests basking in its exuberance. The Centro Storico in old town is a hub of restaurants and shops with narrow lanes lined with green-shuttered buildings. Travelers can pick up souvenirs in shops along the cobbled backstreets, including intricately carved woodwork.
Port Hightlights:
Punta del Capo – With Roman ruins to explore near by, this rock beach boasts fewer crowds and crystal clear waters.
Basilica di Sant’Antonino – Dating from the 11th Century, this is the oldest church in Sorrento. Named for the town’s patron saint, there are some Roman artifacts as well as medieval paintings.
Palazzo Correale – This villa, built in the 14th Century, is surrounded by a citrus grove with views to the bay. The villa is now a museum showcasing ceramics and inlaid furniture.
Duomo dei San Filippo e Giacomo – First built in the 11th Century and rebuilt in the 15th Century Romanesque style, this cathedral features 11th Century doors from Constantinople, 16th Century marble pulpit and altar as well as paintings by Nicola Malinconico.
Sorrento is also important for cruise ships as a place to dock for travelers to visit nearby destinations including Capri, Naples and Pompeii. It is also the place to start your drive along the Amalfi Coast which is spectacular! It is a 40 mile drive where you will find secluded beaches, reefs, crystal clear blue water, excellent restaurants and beautiful towns while driving along narrow cliff roads. We recommend stops in Salerno, Positano and Ravello.
This week we have the pleasure of including posts from a guest blogger who is sailing on a 12 day Crystal Cruise from Venice to Barcelona.
Long a favorite summer play ground for the rich and famous, including Emperors Augustus and later Tiberius, they were followed by artists, writers and then us , the tourists. The cobblestone streets lead in every direction to unforgetable views, excellent cuisine and of course, some world class shopping for leather goods, jewelry boxes, fine linens and inlaid wood ornaments and furniture.
But before indulging in all of the above, we hired a car for the famous Amalfi coast drive that offer some incredible views of the area. On other trips we have visited Ravello, Positano and the town of Amalfi, but today we had a date at a restaurant/ farm named Coline di Sorrento– Hills of Sorrento. Here we had mozzarela cheese making demonstration followed by a tasting, some local wines and finishing with Limoncello, both classic flavors ( lemon and creme) and even chocolate, which I didn’ t care for.
Then down the hill, and we lost ourselves in shopping and sight seeing only to realize 8 hours just wasn’t enough and we would want ( need ) to return in the not too distant future !
