Before heading north to our second booking – La Fusarella Villa Santoro, and experiencing the beauty of the renowned Sorrento, we made a stop in Ravello, high above the Amalfi Coast. The drive wound upward through narrow turns until we reached the hilltop town. It was raining quite hard but we came prepared and made the best out of it. The best part was of course the view. A mix of mountains, coastline, and open water created a scene that was both peaceful and dramatic. It’s the kind of view you keep glancing back at just to take it in one more time.
From there we continued toward our second stop near Vico Equense, not far from Sorrento. Instead of staying right in town, we found ourselves in a rural house set on a hillside. It was managed by two siblings – Andrea & Elisabetta. Andrea (the brother) came to meet us at a local gas station in a white Vespa and from there he escorted us to their house.
Actually, we had to climb a very upward path and it was quite tricky even for a small car. Once we arrived, it was quite the scene. We were surrounded by farm animals like chickens scratching around, dogs trotting about, and a donkey that quickly became part of our daily rhythm. The atmosphere felt both homely and quietly spectacular, much like Sorrento itself. Especially when we looked out over the Bay of Naples. With Vesuvius rising on the horizon, the view was a constant reminder of both beauty and history.
I recall exploring Vico Equense that night but actually there was not much to do there. A few nice restaurants and churches but overall not the best tourist spot. So we went back home to rest a bit. Two full days of exploring some of the most famous spots in the area awaited us. Our room was also quite interesting, it reminded me of a pirate ship. There was a treasure chest inside where we could store whatever we wanted. It had an interesting vibe to it, although the toilet had no lid on it, which was weird but it is quite common in that part of Italy, just like in Sorrento.
Next day we were off to visit the Archaeological Park of Pompeii.
Before entering the ruins, we stopped to eat some vegetable soup and pizza close to the park. It was really good. After buying full price tickets, I believe we spent 4-5 hours exploring every single part of the Park. We left no area or corner unturned.
The preserved walls, mosaics, and amphitheater gave us a sense of how complete the city once was. With Vesuvius looming in the background, it was impossible not to imagine what life must have been like before the eruption.
Also another interesting fact about Pompeii, they had a lot of brothels back then and they were proud of it! Like I said, a lot of fun interesting facts to be learned about the ancient ruins. It is very hard to describe but once you are inside, you definitely don’t want to miss anything. Take as many photos as you can, it is a unique experience!
Saturday was time for visiting the delightful town of Sorrento!
Sorrento is definitely more of “touristy and Americanized.” In a sense that you can tell there are lots of restaurants aimed at foreign tourists from US, UK, Germany, Australia etc. Some are overpriced but not by a lot. I really enjoyed cruising through the streets, climbing down to the seaside and seeing the waves smash against the rocks while eating some nice gelato. Besides this, 3 other things stood out for me while in Sorrento:
- Eating Lemon Cheesecake at the Lemon Farm
- Getting a glimpse of an Italian wedding in full display
- Cruising through the streets while the sun was setting
I forgot to mention that I also placed a small bet on several football matches but luck wasn’t in my favor that day 😀
After eating some pasta, it was time to head home because the next day we would depart towards our final destination, which was Naples.
Looking back on this stretch of the trip, it felt like a balance between quiet rural life and days filled with exploration. The contrast of staying in a simple countryside setting, with its animals and open views, while being just a short drive from historic ruins and lively coastal towns, made this part of the journey something special, exemplifying the charming balance in Sorrento.
After enjoying our last amazing breakfast, we said goodbye to Andrea & Elisabetta and thanked them for their great hospitality and tips.
Off to Part 3 – Naples, Ischia and Procida.
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