My dream vacation to Italy became a reality this past May. It started in Venice and ended in Sorrento. I enjoyed planning my 12-day itinerary and took thoughtful consideration with each location. I decided on two nites in Venice, three nites in Florence, two nites in Rome, and the last four nites in Sorrento. I wanted to end with a bang, and I knew the Amalfi Coast would deliver. This was not only going to be a trip of a lifetime, but I would also be referring clients to my blogpost and wanted to highlight important points of interest, restaurants, and notable tours. Let's begin...
Venice: Day 1
After a long and stressful flight, due to a passenger going into cardiac arrest and followed by an emergency landing in Canada, we made it to Venice. There were two doctors onboard who, luckily, were able to resuscitate, and I do pray the man and his family are alright. It was a terrifying scenario. Once landed, we were met in the airport arrival hall by our driver who was holding a sign with our name on it. All the private drivers are in this area waiting to meet and greet their clients. From there, we were driven to the water taxi port at Piazzale Roma, where our driver guided us to our private water taxi. Our boat, for just the six of us, took us directly to the water door of the Hotel Saturnia. The private meet & great at Venice Airport is something I book for all my clients and strongly encourage, especially as you are in a foreign and unique city that is without cars. This private transfer allows for a stress free arrival and is worth the extra cost. www.hotelsaturnia.it
A Typical Water Taxi at Piazzale Roma that will Take you to Venice
This is the Only Way to Travel in Venice
Venice is Amazing!
Hotel Saturnia - I Highly Recommend!
Hotel concierge met us at the water door and helped with all of our bags. Check in was effortless with smiling faces eager to help. I loved everything about this boutique hotel. I selected it because of its ranking, reviews on Trip Advisor, and location; it did not disappoint as it is steps away from designer shops, dining, and close to all the major landmarks. Dave and I had a double, and the kids had a quadruple room, which was spacious with a sitting area. The restaurant had an extensive hot and cold breakfast buffet. The bar area offers a roomy and cool vibe with ample seating and lite bites. #hotelsaturnia #venicehotels
After a fabulous lunch at Trattoria Al Gazzettino, www.algazzettino.it, we walked around Venice and took in the sights of Doge's Palace, St. Mark's Square, the Rialto Bridge, Sighs Bridge, countless shops, and many bakeries. This city built on water is like no other, and there is so much to see. It's both extraordinary and beautiful. We were lucky to have a clear sky on our arrival and a smooth water taxi ride throughout the canals. That alone was a Venice highlight. #Trattoria #trattoriaalgazzettino #dogespalacevenice #rialtobridge #stmarkssquarevenice #latortadeldoge #venicepastry
Trattoria Al Gazzettino
Dessert after Lunch at La Torta Del Doge - Delicious Bakeries are Everywhere!
Doges Palace - One of the Main Landmarks in Venice
Rialto Bridge
St. Mark's Basilica
The Bridge of Sighs
Piazza St. Marco - Just a Little Bit of Rain...Not Too Bad
Next door to the Hotel Saturnia is La Caravella Restaurant. Recommended by the hotel, we had dinner here on our first nite. The menu is small but creative, which I appreciate, and the atmosphere is sophisticated. This is a gourmet restaurant with the pricetag to match, $$$$. I would save this one for a romantic nite out (not really a family vibe). https://www.restaurantlacaravella.com/
La Caravella - Gourmet Dining
Venice: Day 2
Today was our day to venture over to Murano and Burano. Hotel Saturnia arranged for a private watertaxi over to Murano Island, the glass blowing island, for a tour of the Signoretti glass factory, https://bfsignoretti.com/en/. This was an enjoyable tour that exhibited showrooms filled with the beautiful handmade glass, from large scale chandeliers to small handheld items . This studio is a remarkable tribute to the Signoretti family, craftsmanship, and art that is alive and well in Murano. Glassmarking has been an industry in Murano since 1291 and a glassmakers guild was founded in the late 13th century. Glassmakers held an elevated position in society, but they were EXPECTED to carry on the tradition in their family and stay in Murano, keeping their mastery safely guarded.
Glass Blowing Demonstration and the Handcrafted Murano Glass Chandeliers
Beautiful Glassblown Pieces at the Signoretti glass factory
Our Water Taxi to Murano and Burano Islands
We had amazing weather on our second day in Venice
After Murano, we were lucky to grab the same private water taxi to Burano. Having a strong appreciation for fashion, this was a real treat. Known as the lace making island, Burano is famous for its detailed and intricate lace. Burano's roots go back to the 1500s for its delicate lace making. The highly affluent used the lace during that period as a symbol of wealth; the influence of the lace soon gained popularity and became a staple fabric throughout Europe.
Within the town center, you'll find lace shops, trattorias, colorfully painted houses, and day travelers taking in the beauty of this quiet escape from Venice. We had lunch at Trattoria Da Primo, which I recommend. Our seafood and pasta dishes were delish. https://www.trattoriadaprimo.it/
The Beautiful Houses and Buildings in Burano
The nite ended with a wonderful meal at Trattoria Cherubino back in Venice.The restaurant staff gave us extra attention, extra bruschetta, and extra limoncello shots...they love Americans! The favorite of the nite was the mushroom risotto. This nite was, undoubtedly, the calm before the storm. #trattoriacherubino #italianrestaurantvenice #venicedining #venicetrattoria
Dinner at Trattoria Cherubino
Florence: Day 3
I woke up to Dave telling me to be calm but that three of the four kids were sick with food poisoning. It appears the sushi they had at GACHI HOUSE OF SUSHI, Logan Airport, was the culpit - I do not recommend eating here. With sour stomachs and virtually no sleep the nite before, I requested a later check out which was granted. Concierge at the Saturnia was really understanding and accommodating. Our train to Florence was a challenge, but the kids put their best foot forward. Rail was cancelled and rebooked for a later time, and we made it to Florence....eventually. I'll find out just how good my Allianz Travel Protection really is...stay tuned. #gachihouseofsushi #gachiboston #badsushi #allianztravelprotection
Our Departure from Venice and Onward to Florence (with 3 sick kids in tow)
Last Minute Sightseeing while Ryan, Fiona, and Colby Rested at Hotel Saturnia
Once we made it to our vacation rental in Florence, the sick kids rested. What should have been an afternoon of visiting San Lorenzo Market, Ponte Vecchio Bridge, and Piazzale Michelangelo was put on hold. Instead, Dave, Meg, and I walked around The Duomo and took tons of pics but stayed pretty close by. My three kids were that sick...what a nightmare. We ended up going to a Medical Center with Fiona, who was in a little better shape than Ryan and Colby, and the doctor provided a prescription for the Farmacia that DID get them thru...basically hydration powder and probiotics, and a highly recommended bland diet for the next few days. #sanlorenzomarket #sanlorenzoleather #sanlorenzoflorence #duomoflorence #pontevecchioflorence #piazzalemichelangelo
Walking Around the Duomo
While the sick kids stayed in, Dave, Megan, and I thoroughly enjoyed our surroundings. Our VRBO was in the most perfect location, steps from the Piazza Della Signoria. This piazza is an outdoor museum, filled with statues, trattorias, bakeries, and the Uffizi right next door. Our VRBO was a spacious three bedroom, and even tho it lacked all basic essentials, the location couldn't be beat. #piazzasignoria #piazzasignoriaflorence
Piazza Della Signoria is Filled with Marble Statues
Piazza Della Signoria at Nite
We ended our nite having dinner at a cute trattoria with great reviews called Osteria La Dolce Vita, which had a whimsical decor and offered a small but delicious menu. The staff was overly friendly, bringing us limoncello on the house, and the ambience was wonderful. I ordered the lasagna, and it was excellent. They don't have a website, but you can find them on Instagram #osterialadolcevitafirenze #florencedining
Osteria La Dolce Vita @olsterialadolcevitafirenze
The Lasagna and Wine were Delicious
Florence: Day 4
Our next day was our museum day. I had purchased tickets for both the Uffizi and Accademia together on Viator way ahead. Ryan and Colby were still sick and stayed in the VRBO, and Fiona made her best efforts at joining us. I would honestly say both museums are a DO NOT MISS. The Uffizi was our first stop and is famous for its collections of paintings and sculptures featuring Correggio, Da Vinci, Raffaello, Michelangelo, and Caravaggio to name a few and of course, Botticelli, and the infamous Birth of Venus and The Spring. These paintings alone bring an enormous crowd to the Uffizi. The second half of our tour included our timed/Skip the Line entry to the Accademia, where we stood in wonder viewing Michelangelo's iconic Statue of David, standing over 17 feet tall. This is one of the most famous works of art and statues in the world. If you are in Florence, seeing David should be at the top of your list. #uffiziflorence #accademiaflorence #michelangelosdavid #statueofdavid #birthofvenus #botticellipaintings
The Birth of Venus Spring
Michelangelo's Statue of David
With the first day being a bust, Dave, Meg, Fiona, and I really rushed to get to the San Lorenzo Leather Market in the late afternoon and especially to TikTok sensation Massimo's Leather Shop. Fiona, as sick as she was, had leather jackets on her 'Must buy in Florence List.' She was determined, and my girl got her leather! We all bought leather gifts at San Lorenzo Market to bring home. Today was a busy day, and Fiona was spent at this point. Dave and she headed back to the VRBO, and Meg and I made our way to the Ponte Vecchio Bridge, which is another do not miss when you are in Florence. The Ponte Vecchio is famous for being the oldest bridge in Florence and the only bridge not destroyed during WW2, but it's also a marketplace for gold jewelry. I'm talking shop upon shop of jewelry stores lining the bridge from one end to the other. I had this idea that I was going to buy myself a nice 18k gold keepsake, but it was so crowded and the stores themselves have wait lines. It's pretty overwhelming. Being that it was the end of the day, I was over it. The gold would have to wait. #Italianleather #massimoleather
Ponte Vecchio Bridge in Florence
The Ponte Vecchio is Busy, Busy, Busy and There is GOLD Everywhere!!
San Lorenzo Leather Market
Massimo's Leather Shop @massimoleatherflorence
For dinner, we had reservations at Trattoria ZaZa. Fiona sat out for this one, staying in with the boys eating bland food. Once again, it was just Dave, Meg, and me out on the town. Trattoria ZaZa lived up to the hype. I would definitely put this restaurant on your list. It has a varied menu, and the staff, food, and outdoor dining were fabulous! Reservations are needed as there are long lines to eat here. After dinner, we searched for a wine window close by, which is a definite must do in Florence. https://www.trattoriazaza.it/
Dinner at Trattoria ZaZa and Then We found a Wine Window
Florence: Day 5
This was our Vespa day, and we gained two more family members as Colby and Fiona woke up feeling better. Ryan...was still down for the count. I had booked a Vespa tour in Tuscany that included a stop in Greve, wine and olive oil tasting, and lunch at a vineyard. I booked directly with the tour company, https://townsofitaly.com/en/florence-tuscany/small-group-tuscany-vespa-tour-florence #vespatour #tuscanytours #tuscanywinecountry
Vespa day to Greve and Riding Thru Chianti Road Was a fun day
This was an awesome day in the Tuscan countryside, and we were lucky to have full sun and easy road conditions. Everyone passed their Vespa road test except for Meg and me. Instead, we got to ride in back of our Italian guide's Vespas and enjoy the panoramic views of the Tuscan hills. It all worked out in the end. Our stop in Greve, a quaint Italian village, had an outdoor market filled with local food, shopping, and the craftsmanship of local artisans. Our tour ended with lunch at Relais Villa Olmo, /https://www.relaisvillaolmo.com/. This is a beautiful and romantic 5-star location that is worth spending more than one afternoon. This villa could easily be your Tuscany-stay home base. The 16th century villa boasts a prestigious list of Diadema wines from their cellar, is surrounded by vineyards and olive groves, has a wine and olive oil tasting room, and is home to Ristorante Diadema, a gourmet restaurant that uses organic and locally sourced products. Our small tour group had our tasteful Tuscan lunch in the glass veranda, and it was delicious. The Villa is in a perfect location as it's only about 25 minutes from central Florence. https://www.relaisvillaolmo.com/en/diadema-restaurant/
The Backdrop of the Tuscan Hills Outside of Ristorante Diadema
Very Special Lunch at Ristorante Diadema
Relais Villa Olmo
Taking Pics at Relais Villa Olmo
Returning to Florence from our tour, our first stop was for gelato, naturally. We got in line at Vivoli, which was highly recommended, and it delivered! Great, authentic gelato for all. Fiona had the affogato al pistacchio (cappucino with pistacchio gelato).
Instagram: @vivoli_il_gelato #vivoligelato #vivoligelatoflorence
Vivoli Gelato - Affogato Al Pistacchio
Next, we crossed the bridge on the Arno River, walking by the Porta San Niccolò watchtower, and climbing up the steep steps to Piazzale Michelangelo. Set on top of a hill, this square has replica statues by Michelangelo including his David, gives you panoramic views of Florence, and is the perfect place to see the sunset or take photos of the winding Arno River and the surrounding architecture. When we visited, there was a line of different pizzerias selling pizza right out of their pizza stoves...old school. It was really cool. I was glad we experienced this. Another do not miss stop in Florence. #arnoriver
Panoramic Views of Florence from Piazza Michelangelo
A View to Remember - Piazza Michelangelo
Arno River
Our last nite's dinner in Florence was Dave's pic, and he chose a restaurant highly recommended by a friend, Acqua Al 2, and well known for its filet mignon with blueberry sauce. Ryan was feeling better, and all six of us were FINALLY able to dine together. A few selected their blueberry filet signature dish and others chose more mainstream filet mignon dishes. This was a really nice Italian restaurant where reservations are recommended. Everybody was satisfied with their meals. The interesting thing about Florence and Sorrento...the filet mignon is really affordable. An 8 oz steak will cost you $26. https://www.acquaal2florence.com/ #acquaal2florence #blueberryfilet #nutirestaurant #trattoriadalloste #allanticovinaio #focacciasandwichflorence
Restaurants on my list that we, regretfully, just didn't make it to:
*Nuti Restaurant - https://www.ristorantenuti.com/en/ - The make pasta right in front of you on the street daily. Make reservations ahead. I tried....they were booked solid.
*Trattoria Dall' Oste - https://trattoriadalloste.com/en/ - Boasts as being the best steakhouse in Florence. Clients of mine ate here and RAVED about it.
*All'Antico Vinaio - https://www.allanticovinaio.com/ - Famous for its focaccia sandwiches and right next to the Uffizi.
At Nuti, they make the pasta right in front of you.
Rome: Day 6
Good Morning! Rome...here we come! Our rail tickets to Rome were at 9:30a, and we were there 30 minutes early (as recommended). In hindsight, this is one thing I will keep in mind when booking rail for clients going forward. With all the sightseeing and walking you are doing, sleeping in a little...isn't a bad thing. It's better to rest those feet, eat a good breakfast, have your cappuccino, and then be on your way. #romatermini
Rome Train Station
Arriving at our Rome Vacation Rental
Our VRBO in Rome was magnifico! I cannot say enough about the location or host. With over 230 reviews, I knew I picked a winner. The truth is, our host, Luigi, went out of his way to make sure we had the best Rome experience. He arranged our transfers, met us at his apartment and provided a map with landmarks. He gave us a list of restaurants for our consideration and even provided a bottle of wine for our visit. His house was stocked with all necessities and included a washer & dryer. The apartment has a 24/7 security guard, and the Pantheon is steps away. This was the perfect pick for our Rome stay. I highly recommend this vacation rental! Grazie to Luigi! https://www.vrbo.com/391784ha
Rome Vacation Rental
After dropping off our luggage, we ventured out to check out our surroundings and get a bite to eat at a pizzeria, which are everywhere. They are actually known for their focaccia sandwiches. Afterwards, we returned to our rental to just...rest for a bit. #pantheonrome #colosseumrome #vaticanrome #sistinechapelrome
The Pantheon
We had a 3p tour at the Colosseum, Palatine Hill, and Roman Forum. https://www.viator.com/tours/Rome/Colosseum-and-Ancient-Rome-Tour-with-Roman-Forum-and-Palatine-Hill/d511-3731COLOSSEUM. It's important to book your tours in advance, plan according to your train times, spend the extra $$ with a Skip the Line ticket, and choose a reputable tour company (look at reviews on Trip Advisor). We had a good tour and enjoyed the history of the Forum, and we definitely learned a great deal more about the gladiators. After the tour, we had lunch at Angelino AI Fori, https://www.angelinoaifori.com. This restaurant is across the street from the Colosseum and was a welcome respite from our busy day. The menu was excellent.
The Colosseum
The Roman Forum
We ended our nite having a really late pizza dinner at Emma Pizzeria, https://emmapizzeria.com/. The pizza is fabulous. As much as I wanted to go to Tonnarello's, they don't take reservations, and we didn't want to wait in line. #romepizza #emmapizzeria #tonnarellosrome
Regrets:
Colline Emiliane - Michelin Star that was on my radar but required reservations.
Tonnarello's - known for its carbonara has lines. You must get here early.
Rome: Day 7
Our Vatican tour was at 10a. I did slightly better with scheduling our tour time, but again, our feet were tired from long days of walking. An 11a tour time would have been better. The tour I booked, https://www.viator.com/tours/Rome/Skip-the-Line-Vatican-Museums-and-Sistine-Chapel-Guided-Tour/d511-3731VATICAN, was a thorough 3 hour tour. It included the Vatican Museums, St. Peter's, and the Sistine Chapel. I recommend this tour, but there are many to choose from. You can pick a tour that is 1.5 hours that covers the Vatican Museum and Sistine Chapel. Just make sure you pick one that is highly reviewed. After the tour, we walked around the city, stopping at the Trevi Fountain and Spanish Steps, shopped at the Salumeria for meats and cheese, and ate gelato (a daily occurrence), as we had a little bit of down time before our next Borghese Museum tour at 5:45p. #trevifountainrome #spanishstepsrome #borghesemuseumrome #stpetersrome
Vatican City
Spiral Staircase at Vatican Museum
Saint Peter's Basilica
The Sistine Chapel - Famous for Michelangelo's frescoes
The Pieta by Michelangelo - Saint Peter's Basilica
Shoulders and Knees Must be Covered when visiting the Vatican
The Trevi Fountain
Shopping at the Salumeria for Reggiano Parmesan and Meat
The Borghese Museum was our last tour of the day and a last minute booking that Meg requested. Honestly, one tour a day should be your max. With that said, the Borghese did end up being a family favorite. The tour was about 90 minutes, and the guide was enthusiastic and did a great job explaining the masterpieces by Bernini, Raffaello, and Caravaggio. The Rape of Proserpina, Apollo and Daphne and David, by Bernini, are featured here and are magnificent. It was quite easy to just stand and take in the beauty and life likeness of these statues. The grounds have a breathtaking viewpoint of Rome, perfect for your #Instagram pics. #apolloanddaphne #berninisculptures #berninisculpturesrome
Bernini's Masterpieces:
The Rape of Prosperpina Apollo and Daphne
David
Bernini is remembered as one of the greatest sculptors of the 17th century Baroque period, which was distinguished by lifelikeness, movement, emotion, and dramatized nature. He mastered the use of light, shadow, and texture.
He used his understanding to characterize realism in his subject's hair, clothing, skin, and rope, giving life to his creations.
He had the unique ability to disguise marble as another material entirely.
Outside the Borghese Gardens Overlooking Rome
Viewpoint at the Borghese Museum Grounds
For our last nite in Rome, we dined at Costanza, another recommendation from our host, Luigi. It was great. I finally got my fried artichokes, a roman specialty, and had artichoke ravioli for dinner. Fiona got the Florentine steak that she missed out on in Florence. The other family members had pasta dishes, and everyone was happy with their dinner. It was a relaxing end to a wonderful day spent immersed in the beauty and culture of Rome. www.hostariacostanza.it #costanzarestaurantrome #romanartichokes #florentinesteak
At Costanza - Florentine Steak and Fried Artichokes
*Regrets: Rome should have been 3 nites. I will strongly recommend that to clients going forward.
*Really good gelato in Rome- Fatamorgana
Sorrento: Day 8
We had a 9:30 am train to Naples. I had arranged a private driver pick up from Napole Centrale Train Station with transfer to Sorrento, with included two hour stop in Pompeii and professional guide for our party of six. I have to say, this is the way to do it. By arranging the Pompeii stop en route, I left a free day for our four nite stay in Sorrento. The tour company I used: www.viator.com/tours/Naples/Private-transportation-Naples-to-Sorrento/d508-166338P2 was fabulous. Our driver met us at the train, loaded up our bags in his ginormous van, and proceeded to the Pompeii ruins. When we arrived, we were met by our archeologist guide, Pina, and our Skip the Line entry tickets. It was not only a lesson in history but a fun tour, and we saw a lot of the main points of interest, such as the Basilica, the Forum, the thermal baths, a brothel, fast food shops, some residential homes, and more. The two hours in the hot sun was the perfect amount of time to explore. Our driver and guide were professional, knowledgeable, and had a lot of personality! Their website: https://www.naplesdriverguide.com/ #pompeii #naplestransfer
In the summer of 79 A.D., Mount Vesuvius erupted, and the patrons of nearby Pompeii met their untimely demise. An estimated 10,000 people died. Hidden under several feet of volcanic debris, the entombed city remained at rest until it was discovered in 1748.
Archeologists Continue to Unearth History
Imprint of Penis Indicates Direction of Brothel
Victims found in the remains of Pompeii
Our drive from Pompeii to the Hilton Sorrento Palace was one hour, and by the time we arrived, we were famished. We settled in, relaxed for a bit, and had a few appetizers by the pool before we made our way to Corso Italia, the main road in Sorrento that runs thru Piazza Tasso, the main city square. The 4 Star Hilton property is a great choice. We were able to use Hilton Points and my travel agent rate and save about $2000. If you are a Hilton member, don't overlook this gorgeous hotel. Our superior king with seaview bedroom was comfortable, spacious, and centrally located to Piazza Tasso (10-minute walk). The rooftop terrace overlooks Mount Vesuvius, has a full bar, a pool, and nightly music. We ended most evenings having a nitecap here. The main pool area is very large and has an outdoor dining area that the boys took advantage of. The morning buffet is 5 stars. It was so delicious and enormous. There were numerous choices, including made to order omelets, Italian pastry, cappuccino, American coffee, and more than enough to please any palate. When you make your hotel reservations, get the included breakfast rate. #hiltonsorrentopalace #piazzatassosorrento
Hilton Palace Sorrento
Gorgeous Pool Overlooks Mount Vesuvius and the Bay of Naples
Our Superior King Room with a Sea View
In the late afternoon, we headed down to the small fishing village of Marina Grande, to sit by the water, and eat some excellent seafood at Il Monzazzero Di Teresina. To get to Marina Grande, you'll need to go down a steep walkway/hill. It took us about 20 minutes to get there from the Hilton. There are a lot of fabulous restaurants in the Marina, but I would definitely put this one on your list. After our meal, we made our way to the main center, explored, and had Gelato at Raki, awesome (real) gelato in the Sorrento center. We ended up coming here daily for Gelato, and it's conveniently located on the main walkway.
www.ilmonazzeroditeresina.com #ilmonzazzeroditeresina #marinagrandesorrento #rakigelalto #rakisorrento
Marina Grande
Walking Around the Seaside Cobblestone Walkway at Marine Grande
The Fish Specialty at Il Monzazzero Di Teresina.- Delizioso!
Piazza Tasso
Sorrento: Day 9
Our Amalfi Coast tour was booked today with Rosato Tours, www.rosatoprivatetour.com. Our driver, Guiseppe, met us at the Hilton Sorrento at 9:30 am with a luxury van, and we made our way to Positano, Ravello, and Amalfi. We spent a good amount of time in each location, making stops along the way for pics. Positano was similar to Sorrento, a beautiful coastal village with shopping, trattorias, and a small stretch of beach at Marina Grande (the main beach). To get to the center, which is one central pedestrian walkway, you have to go down a winding road. There's a lot to see and explore in this village, and we did quite a bit of shopping here. If you need a break from shopping, you can relax on the beach. #rosatotours #Rosatoprivatetour
Positano
Our next stop was Ravello, which is a clifftop town, overlooking the seaside villages. It has breathtaking views of the Amalfi Coast. Ravello is just as lovely as Positano and Amalfi, but it is the least crowded. We visited the must-see tourist attractions: The Piazza del Duomo is the main Piazza with shopping and trattorias. Next was Villa Rufolo, which has gorgeous botanical gardens overlooking the Mediterranean. You can reach Villa Rufolo from the main Piazza. Lastly, we walked uphill (10-minute walk from the main Piazza) to Villa Cimbrone to go on the infinity terrace. This is a huge attraction and offers stunning views of the coast. www.hotelvillacimbrone.com/villa-cimbrone-gardens-2/ #amalficoast #villacimbrone
Ravello - Views from Villa Rufolo
Ravello - Villa Rufolo
Ravello - Villa Cimbrone Infinity Terrace
Amalfi was our last stop, and it was just as scenic and lovely as the other villages. We visited the Duomo and, of course, strolled thru the streets and enjoyed the shopping. One of our favorite pizza stops was in Amalfi at Pizza Express. It was eccellente!
Our Amalfi Coast Day (8 hours) was a favorite tour and that is because our private driver, Guiseppe, was knowledgeable, friendly, and made all the important stops for picture taking. The drive throughout the Italian Riviera is on a narrow, winding road with steep cliffside drops overlooking the picturesque Mediterranean. The views will take your breath away. It's an experience that we will never forget and one that I cannot recommend enough.
*Spend the $$ and book your private driver with Rosato Private Tours.
Amalfi
Amalfi Duomo
Sorrento: Day 10
Woohoo...today was our chill day. The boys decided to relax at the hotel for a bit. The rest of us were up for an adventure. We passed on hiking Path of the Gods and instead opted to hike, much milder, Giovanna's Bath, a secluded swimming hole surrounded by ancient ruins. I will say this, walking from our hotel, on the dangerously busy road, to get to the walkway that leads to Giovanna's Bath was not our brightest idea. There is only a sidewalk for about half the distance and then it disappears, and you are walking on the road...with the crazy Italian drivers. So, if this is something you are planning, have concierge get you a taxi. Once at the path entrance, you will still have a decent walk to get to the hidden pool. We enjoyed the hike down (30m from the Hilton Sorrento) to the secluded pool, and it was not overly crowded. Take note, there is nowhere to undress, so wear your bathing suit and BRING WATER SHOES. The rocks are slippery, dangerously so. #pathofthegodshike
This is, undoubtedly, a unique and picturesque swimming hole, but let me say that either locals or tourists had left their trash at the bottom steps by the edge of the water. Bags of litter had been pushed to the side. It was dirty and disappointing. Hopefully the trash has been removed and more care has been put into safeguarding this gem.
Path/Walkway to the Swimming Hole
Refreshing Swim at Giovanna's Bath
After our morning excursion, we explored more of the center. There are so many side streets with shops, food, and people watching. It's hard to look away. I loved the busy vibe. Fiona purchased a knockoff pair of leather Birkenstocks...all leather and priced at $60, and I found a great summer leather handbag for $70 as well. We had dinner at Ristorante O'Schizzariello and enjoyed our scrumptious Italian cuisine.
Ristorante O'Schizzariello pics
Sorrento: Day 11
I wanted to end our vaca with a fabulous excursion, so I planned our small group (12 people max) Capri Day way in advance. I arranged a taxi for pick up, as our departure from Marina Piccola was about a 30-minute walk from the Hilton. Our tour included passing right through the Faraglioni rocks, a three hour stay on Capri, and stops at the white grotto, green grotto, red grotto, and blue grotto with swimming, snacks/Prosecco included. Due to bad elements and choppy seas, the blue grotto was cancelled. This is a common scenario and something to consider when booking this tour, as the blue grotto is extra $$, and there is no guarantee that you will see it. Even with a gray sky and misty weather, Capri was magnificent. Immediately after exiting the boat at Marina Grande, we took an open-air taxi to town, explored, and walked to the Augustus Gardens. This is a MUST STOP on Capri. The botanical gardens are beautiful, and you'll have spectacular views of the Sorrentine Peninsula, the Faraglioni rocks, and the beaches of Marina Piccola in the far distance. Bellisima! #capriitaly #augustusgardenscapri
Augustus Gardens
We found a great, hidden, restaurant called Pulalli Ristorante. It's located in the clock tower of piazzetta umberto. It had a fabulous menu, and the wine and service - 5 stars all the way. I ordered the homemade ravioli and it was deliziosa. Don't miss this one! #pulalliristorante
Ristorante Pulalli's Homemade Ravioli was Devine
Faraglioni Rocks
Despite the iffy weather, we had a wonderful and leisurely afternoon. On our return to Sorrento, we dropped anchor and took some time to swim and drink Prosecco
before returning to the marina. We did head back to the hotel to relax/refresh before walking back to the center. At no point and time did I tire of Piazza Tasso. I loved it. The leather is fantastic here. The linen is beautiful quality. The restaurants are authentic Italian cuisine. The people are friendly. And...I have no words for the vibe. Sorrento was my favorite of the four locations we stayed in. Bellissimo paesaggio!
Capri's Marina Grande
Each of us took a turn making restaurant selections. It was fun to see who would pick what. The kids referred to Yelp and I referred to Trip Advisor. Colby definitely picked a winner with Il Monzazzero Di Teresina at the marina. Meg's pick in Capri, Pullali, was also superb, and Fiona's pick in Venice, Trattoria Al Gazzettino, was phenomenal. Dave picked the Acqua Al 2 in Florence, known for their blueberry sauce filet mignon, and I picked our final nite. Walking by Inn Bufalito the previous day caught my attention, and the reviews were good. This dining experience was superb. The steak and pasta were flavorful, cooked to perfection, and the service was impeccable. Delizioso!
Sorrento: Day 12
After an early morning breakfast and cappuccino, we were on our way home. FYI...the Hilton arranged our transfer to NAP, which was less $$$ than the taxi was going to charge. Naples Airport is a bit chaotic. I was pretty surprised, and I was glad we arrived 2.5 hours early. There were lines and people everywhere and the Aer Lingus counter wasn't even open until two hours before departure time. Messy. All in all, even with Dave being pulled out of line (once again) for a 'random' security check - DAMN HIS NAME - and almost missing the flight - We all made it to our seats for an easy, and uneventful, flight home. Amore e abbracci all'Italia!
Traveling to Italy was a milestone, as it was on my bucket list and will remain a top 10 destination for me. This was a country I was set on visiting with my kids, and I will be forever happy this was achieved. Each city we toured was special and will hold remarkable memories. There is still so much to see, and I cannot wait to book a future trip to either Sicily, Cinque Terre, or possibly Puglia. We'll see.
Tips & Must Haves:
*Euros - you'll need euros for some purchases and tips. If you need more cash, GO TO A BANK ATM...not a random ATM.
*Adapters for phones/flat iron
*For her - Dr. Scholl Time Off sneaker - www.amazon.com/dp/B094C8G2NT - Affordable and COMFORTABLE white sneakers for all occasions
*For him - Olu'kai men's shoes & Hoka sneakers
*Lulu crossover bag - smaller size
*Athleta crossover bag - bigger size
*front pocket money clip - Do not keep your wallet in your back pocket
*Pack staple pieces that you can wear more than once
*Pack a lightweight collapsible duffle bag (for your purchases). You can check in your carry on and take your duffle with you (keeping your precious items close)
*Bring a carry on & backpack - avoid the big suitcase
*Keep photocopy of your passport in your cell and a paper copy as well
*Know address/location of US Embassy
*Favorite purchases: As seen below, Loft sleeveless fitted ribbed top paired with Banana Republic silk skirt, Gap doublebreasted linen jacket and Aerosoles gold flats. I wore my linen jacket daily and got multi day use out of my skirt. Gap's linen Jacket was a lifesaver! My gold flats were very comfortable and perfect for walking around. The girls and I had all purchased Dr. Scholl's Time Off sneakers, and they were our go to's for this trip. Meg is also wearing Old Navy linen pants. Everyone in our party packed linen, which is perfect for sping/summer in Italy. My halter dress, was a great purchase! Thank you @loverlygrey for sharing your fashionfinds! The 100% cotton dress is from Walmart (doesn't look it!) and accessorized with a WHBM elastic straw belt, and Aerosoles black sandals. I wore this dress twice and the sandals multiple times. Fiona's Reef sandals were comfortable and worn frequently, but the velcro came undone midweek. The orange fruit print dress was a perfect pick for our stay in Sorrento, where you will find orange and lemon trees everywhere. The specialty boutiques all carry lemon print linen garments for men and women.
Thank you for reading my post. I love creating memorable itineraries, and if you would like my help planning your next fabulous vacation, you can contact me at thill2@aaanortheast.com, 978-208-3196.
Ciao for now! Tina
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