Though we’ve been to Italy several times over the years (and enjoyed it immensely) – we’ve yet to experience Sorrento. And with the weather being iffy at best here in Berlin right now, we’ve been dreaming of visiting some place warm and sunny that will also dazzle it with its sites. It’s been too long since we were last enjoying the charms of Italy back in 2008 during our RV trip, and the land that invented some of the best art, food and wine in the world certainly always has us pining for more. So this summer, we’re coming up with a bucket list of places to visit and have been doing some dreaming of holidays in Sorrento and the famous Amalfi coast – along with all the volcanoes and paradise islands that go with it.
photo credit: StulainE Studios via photopin cc
It should be a beautiful drive down, and we might even get a chance to revisit our old favorite, Florence, and watch the romantic countryside of Tuscany fly by on the way. We’ve been told the best way to get to Sorrento is via Naples, so maybe we’ll get to stop to give Mackie a few history lessons at the National Museum while we’re at it. In fact, it seems like driving is a sight-seeing opportunity all in itself where we’re headed. This would be good news for the car which hasn’t seen that much action since we’ve arrived in Berlin.
Sorrento is often thought of as a great jumping-off point for the Amalfi Coast, a stretch of shoreline south of Sorrento with such eye-popping views it’s been given World Heritage status. Personally, we’re looking forward to a day or two just coasting along the cliffs, maybe taking in one or two of the little villages like Ravello or Positano, which are both supposed to be great places to take the camera. And I know our fingers will be itching for a few minutes of rock climbing when we see that incredible shore.
Sorrento itself looks worth a day or two’s stroll and I’m certain Mackenzie would enjoy taking a ride on the ‘White Train’ while the adults get a feeling for the town. There will be plenty of old buildings and architecture to marvel at, like the Sedile Dominova and the Duomo, and we’ll definitely make time for some of the best ice-cream in the country (so reports suggest) to cool us all down. Personally I’d really love to get my hands on a few bottles of the local specialty, Limoncello, while we’re there which is not only delicious but also will help us reminisce about all those fragrant citrus groves once we’re home.
Of course, we’re not planning on ignoring the big names around these parts: apparently you can spot the peak of Vesuvius from Sorrento Bay so it’ll be hard to forget. Pompeii is one of those “must do” trips for anyone who visits that area and the seeing the amazing ruins first-hand is not something you want to miss out on. And while Mack might be a little young to fully appreciate the historic sights, Capri is set to be a treat for all of us. You can get a ferry out from Sorrento to the famous island and even a row-boat right into the Blue Grotto, a magical sea cave half-submerged in water. Then there’s all the nature trails and swimming among those impossibly blue waves, on the look-out for the legendary mermaids.
It’s no wonder we’re already dreaming we’re there! The beautiful coastline of Punta Sabbioni near Venice certainly whet our appetites for some more Italian seaside adventures, and holidays in Sorrento and the Amalfi Coast regularly pop up on those ‘20 sights to see before you die’ type lists. So if we’re lucky it will be gnocchi, gelato and the warm waters of the Mediterranean ahead for us this year. We can’t wait.
Are you planning your summer vacation already? Where will you be heading? Or where are you dreaming of going?
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