Italy - Where Travel Becomes Therapy (Day 1)
When most people think of Italy, chances are that Venice, Rome, the Leaning Tower of Pisa, or the Duomo in Florence are the first to pop up in their mind. However, Sorrento is also one of those destinations that should not be missed in your travel itinerary to Italy.
This dazzling town is an excellent starting point for exploring this unique region of Italy, as it is well connected to the island of Capri, the Amalfi Coast, and the historic ruins of Pompeii.
In Greek mythology, Sorrento was home to the sirens, who used their beautiful songs to entice passing sailors onto the rocks. And this town in Southern Italy still draws visitors with its panoramic views, sunshine, fantastic food, and laid-back atmosphere.
Ferry From Sorrento To Capri :
There are several ways to get to Capri from Sorrento, you can either choose a ferry, a private boat, a hydrofoils or book a trip with a tour company.
Ferries depart Sorrento’s port every 30-45 minutes or so, offering a 30 minute ride to Capri, Ischia, or Naples. Based on your destination to travel. Ferry companies have their ticket offices located in Marina Piccola at the port in Sorrento, which is just a short walk from the town.
The most popular summer ferry route from Sorrento is between Sorrento and Capri, and ferries run frequently from April to October here.
When you arrive at Marina Piccola, head down toward the docks and the cafes to find the ticket office. After descending a few steps, you will find a ticket office waiting to sell you tickets. We were able to get the ferry option that we wanted. To prevent long waiting lines, I recommend purchasing a round-trip ticket and reservation ahead of time, especially during the month of August, which is considered to be the peak month. Sometimes the boats are completely sold out! Ticket costs range between $17 and $25 USD.
After purchasing our ferry tickets, we needed to find our ferry, this is when it got a little tricky as there were so many ferries parked there. After careful evaluation, we approached the dock worker with the ticket; and they were kind enough to direct us to the ferry that we need to be on.
Lunch At Ristorante Da Gemma :
After we reached Capri, we headed to ‘Ristorante Da Gemma’ for lunch.
Da Gemma has a culinary history dating back over 80 years. In 2017, the restaurant relocated to Marina Grande, merging with the Ondine, a historic beach club just a few steps away from the port. The restaurant has one of the most beautiful locations on the island, with crystal clear waters and an enchanting view of the Gulf of Naples. This is the place to go if you’re craving for some fresh fish, homemade pasta, or Amalfi specialties.
Salvatore Milano, a young chef who spent his training years in renowned hotel kitchens such as the “Palace” in Gstaad, “Le Sirenuse” in Positano, and the “Caruso” in Ravello, is in charge of the kitchen here. The lively and open-plan kitchen recalls the freshness and shades of the sea and sky that are the natural frame of the restaurant in its furnishings. Sitting at the blue wooden tables, surrounded by the Mediterranean Sea and with a pleasant sea breeze, you will savor the taste of “Caprese” cuisine, which has been meticulously revised thanks to the collaboration with Peppe Guida, the starred Chef capable of bringing tradition into the modern era.
Some of their must-try dishes :
- The parmigiana, made with blue fish, yellow tomatoes and basil pesto,
- Half-moon ravioli,
- The fried Gemma
- Split linguine with shellfish
Boat Ride Around The Entire Capri Island :
Without a doubt, among all the amazing things to do in Capri, a boat tour around the island is a must-do to experience the serene beauty of this place.
The island of Capri is legendary, and that is not an exaggeration. Capri was mentioned by the Ancient Greeks in the story of Ulysses. Ulysses resisted the Sirens, beautiful mythical creatures who lured sailors to their deaths with their enchanting voices, off the island’s craggy shores.
The island greets you as soon as the boat emerges from the Bay of Naples, its presence will promise to never leave you. The majestic peaks and rocky terrain of the island contrast with the most beautiful blue sea you could ever see. Capri is now the playground of the world’s richest and famous, and it’s easy to see why. The island has a captivating beauty that must be seen with our own eyes., words fall short to explain what me and my husband felt during the boat ride.
The below are the places we saw;
Faraglioni & Punta Carena :
The Faraglioni, or rock formations, are some of Capri’s most iconic sceneries. When our boat turned around the coast, we were able to see these massive monoliths towering in the distance. It was an incredible sight.
People have lived on Capri for thousands of years, including The Roman Emperors. As a result, man-made wonders coexist with natural wonders. I was awestruck by this old stone bridge with the sea glistening beneath it.
The Punta Carena lighthouse, which has stood guard on the island’s south-west coast since 1866, is said to be the best place to watch the sun set on Capri.
Emerald Grotto And White Grotto :
Capri has a White and Green Grotto where the sea changes color reflecting the limestone in the rocky seabed and rock formations overhead.
From here, we headed to one of my favorite places in the entire boat trip, The Blue Grotto.
The Blue Grotto :
Finally, we arrived at the famous Blue Grotto (Grotta Azzurra), the most stunning and spectacular of Capri’s sea caves. There was a big queue of boats waiting to get inside, it took us almost an half hour of waiting, before being let inside.
The one thing I was looking forward to about Capri was going inside the Blue Grotto. It was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, and I could not believe that it was happening today.
I was nervous, because there have been times when my friends visited Capri and the boat could not take them to Blue Grotto due to weather conditions. But since we’ve made it during summer, I was confident that we’ll be let in without a problem.
Despite the fact that we were only in the cave for a few minutes, it was well worth the wait. The rowboat “captains” singing in the cave made the place more romantic and beautiful.
After this magnificent boat tour of Capri, we tried some limoncello and lemon ice before ferrying back to Sorrento.
Exploring Sorrento’s Ancient Alleyways :
Piazza Tasso is Sorrento’s main square. The piazza, as Sorrento’s “life center,” is an excellent place to become acquainted with the city’s vibe.
Piazza Tasso was built in the nineteenth century, it was always bustling and one of my favorite places to grab a cup of coffee while watching the busy street. Exploring the shops and local churches around Piazza Tasso gives you the impression of being transported back in time.
A network of narrow, medieval alleyways and backstreets lead from the main piazza to the beautiful old-fashioned and ancient alleyways of Sorrento. With so many trattorias, bars, and restaurants selling fragrant Italian coffee, local wines, and freshly caught seafood, there’s something for everyone here. Sorrento favours local produce and serves good, simple Mediterranean cuisine. There are numerous souvenir shops selling everything from fridge magnets to local pottery and inlaid wooden trinkets.
Hiking To The Secret Cove Of Bagni Della Regina Giovanna :
Bagni Regina Giovanna, located in the hills a few kilometers west of Sorrento’s bustling town center, is one of the best wild swimming spots on the entire Sorrentine Peninsula.
This stunning cove is a little out of the way from the usual tourist spots and has long remained a secluded paradise for those in the know, despite being unknown and undiscovered by many travelers.
This stunning location has been a popular getaway for over 2000 years! It was once home to a famous 1st Century BC Roman villa (the ruins of which still lie on the rock today).
The crystal-clear turquoise waters are ideal for a swim and also attract kayakers who make their way through the cove and out onto the ocean.
During our tour, we even saw some courageous local children jumping into the natural swimming pool from the top of the cliff, which was scary to see.
Next, we finish our day with the most stunning sunset that I had seen on my vacation till date in Italy. Let me pause here, and let the images speak.
Dinner At TavernAllegra Sorrento & Gelato (Ice Cream) From Gelateria Primavera - Sorrento :
Choosing the TavernAllegra for dinner means choosing the restaurant in Sorrento that best combines the traditions of the ‘Land Of The Sirens’ with the folk culture of their region. The restaurant, located in Via della Pietà, the Historic Center of Sorrento, has quickly become a focus of attraction due to their one-of-a-kind experience that combines good food with musical entertainment.
The restaurant, which has a capacity of 60 seats, serves traditional Italian dishes made up of specialties from a variety of pastas, sea food, and products of the mountains from their highlands. Since its inception in 2010, the TavernAllegra’s philosophy has been built on providing the highest quality food with a touch of local cuisine.
We had ordered for some delicious lobster & octopus. After this, we head to Primavera for some Gelato.
Primavera will undoubtedly be the first gelateria (Ice Cream Shop) you notice in Sorrento! Even during the off season, it is extremely crowded. In the summer, this place is always crowded and slinging cones left and right.
Choosing which flavor gelato to buy is the most fun part. It appears simple, but if you haven’t been to Primavera, you haven’t experienced the struggle. While I don’t know exactly how many flavors they have, the number definitely reaches or exceeds 35 to 40.
The Ice creams were rich and creamy, and there were big hunks of actual cake in it too. This was the best way to end our Day 1 in Italy.
Here are some images from the trip.
