Sorrento, Positano and the Amalfi Coast
The Sorrento Peninsula stretches along a finger of land on the extreme southern coast of the Gulf of Naples. The peninsula , which owes its name to its main town, Sorrento, is only a short distance from the Amalfi Coast with its gems Positano , Amalfi and Ravello. Just a few kilometers off the Peninsula you will find the island of Capri whose spectacular beauty is well- known all over the world. The entire area is an important tourist destination which offers not only a lot of interesting places to visit but also a variety of leisure activities.
When visiting the Amalfi Coast an absolute must is to see the amazing cliffside village of Positano, the coastal towns of Sorrento , Massalubrense and Amalfi with its dramatic natural setting below steep cliffs. Another fabulous location is the island of Capri, one of the most famous and elegant islands in the world. The blue crystalline sea of the Amalfi coast, the green Mediterranean vegetation and the colourful citrus groves whose vines unwind on green terraces, seem to blend perfectly with the local architecture offering one of the most spectacularl itineraries in Italy: Sorrento and the Amalfi Coast. Enjoy your holiday in one of our holiday homes either in Sorrento or in its surroundings.
You will find yourself holidaying in unique scenery, made up of bays, coves, cliffs and small villages nestling in the mountains. Everything seems to be more intense in Sorrento and along the Amalfi Coast: the pink bougainvillas that cover the houses appear to be pinker, the food is tastier ( here you will find the best pizza in the world, excellent fish dishes and the very best “mozzarella di bufala” you have ever had) . As to the people , they are both friendly and welcoming.
Capri
The island offers a landscape of wild natural beauty, shaped by the wind, the sea, and by the hand of man. It has a jagged coastline which offers staggering views of sheer cliffs, the Faraglioni Rocks and grottos reknowned for the magic of their light and colours.
When sightseeing on the island , the Certosa di San Giacomo is an absolute must. It is a 14th century Carthusian monastery, built by the famous architect Giacomo Arcucci during the period of Queen Giovanna I. Villa Jovis is the most important of the 12 villas built on the island by Emperor Tiberius in 30 b.c. It is situated on the peak of Monte Tiberio offering a spectacular and breathtaking view of the gulf of Naples.
The villa spans over 7000 sq. metres and is made up of several floors. Once there you will notice two huge anphoras placed in the very centre of the entire complex . They were used to provide rainwater for the emperor ‘s baths. To complete the walking tour of Capri, visit the Phoenician steps , which up until 1874, used to be the only connection between Capri and Anacapri. We suggest starting the walk from Anacapri and ending it in Capri so as to be able to admire the breathtaking view along your downhill walk.
Pompei
Pompei is one of the most signifi
cant towns to witness the presence of Roman civilization. It is similar to an open book as it gives us information about art, the lifestyle, the jobs and the everyday life of ancient Rome. The town was rediscovered after being buried for centuries under a thick carpet of volcanic ash, which preserved it to the point of showing us how it must have been before the eruption of Vesuvius in 79 a.d. The thick layer of volcanic ash, mainly made up of ash and lapilli, which covered the whole town, is what has allowed us nowadays to find the town intact.
Not only can we admire the buildings of the time but also what was inside the houses and the shops. So we have a fascinating picture of the daily life of the period. The outer walls of the houses still show messages used during electoral campaigns or” risqué” jokes regarding certain citizens. The signs on shop doors show the type of business conducted or the name of the owner. You will also be able to admire elegant villas which belonged to the nobles and the luxury homes of the middle class, nearby the modest homes where normal families lived.
You can still find furniture, ornaments, gold and silver, workmen’s tools, kitchen tools, bronze lamps, terracotta lamps, food, amphora , millstones, workshops where fabric was woven, blacksmiths’ shops and shops where food, fruit and vegetables were sold. The ruins in Pompei are historical evidence of the Roman civilization: all these remnants are testimony of a past , vivid and tangible, as we can see from the many objects that have been brought back to life. All of this contributes to the ancient city’s incredible charm.