Sorrento

Sorrento is a town in Campania, a place where the Mediterranean spirit is apparent in every inch of the deep green hills and azure waves. Lemon terraces adorn the hillsides, and there’s a vibe of relaxation. In Sorrento, it is as though the entire landscape is telling you to take it slow.

 

Located under the brooding presence of the Lattari mountains, Sorrento slopes gently into the sea, a collection of houses and restaurants on a hillside merging almost seamlessly into the small harbor where boats bob lazily on the waves.

 

Close to Naples by train, and therefore also within fairly easy reach of Pompeii, the town destroyed by Mount Vesuvius nearly two thousand years ago. If you wish, this is a region made for day trips. But Sorrento is more than just a jumping-off point for the surrounding area, it’s a town with rich treasures of its own.

 

Here tourists can swim, bike, and, most importantly, relax. There are beaches, and just a short distance away from the island of Capri, complete with its very own special, tranquil ambiance. Sit back and enjoy delicious seafood washed down with a shot of Limoncello.

 

Sorrento’s museums, churches, galleries, and castles rival any others to be found in Italy. The Castello Aragonese is a must-see on the nearby island of Ischia, and the Duomo on Corsa Italia is surrounded by excellent shopping. The Piazza Tasso is home to beautiful architecture and the Church del Carmine in Baroque style. The Marina Grande, part of but somehow distinct from the rest of Sorrento, is a former fishing village rich in a special kind of rustic charm.

 

Still, Sorrento isn’t really a place for packed itineraries and frantic box-ticking. There is no urgency here; stress is a foreign concept. The main order of business is the appreciation of life, the all-important objective of every day is to soak up the culture and enjoy the wine, weather, and conversation.