Sorrento

Set around a small bay and sheltered by cliffs on both sides, Marina Grande is a picture-postcard pastel-colored fishing village on the waterfront in the western part of Sorrento. Exuding rustic charm and a laidback traditional fishing harbor ambiance, the quaint town is lined with colored houses and family-run tavernas with terraces overlooking the water that serve fresh seafood and handmade pasta dishes. A small beach offers a spot to relax in the sun and have a swim in the crystal-clear waters of the Mediterranean, and the Church of St. Anne celebrates its Feast Day on the 26th of July with impressive firework displays.

Sorrento NA, Italy

Marina Piccola is a bustling port at the mouth of the Valley of the Mills, where ferries and hydrofoils depart for various locations in the Gulf of Naples. The port is a major tourist hub with more than a third of international tourism passing through every year and offers plenty of accommodation and dining options for people wanting to visit the nearby towns of Capri, Positano, and Pompeii. While luxury hotels have replaced most of the quaint buildings that once housed fishermen, a small chapel dedicated to Santa Maria del Soccorso and the Souls of Purgatory remains.

Via Marina Piccola, 43, 80067 Sorrento NA, Italy, Phone: +39-08-18-78-67-60

Marina di Puola is a delightful little fishing village nestled in a secluded cove between Sorrento and Massa Lubrense on the Costa Lubrense. The inlet was once the private hideaway for notable Roman politician Pollio Felice who built a luxurious villa here, which was surrounded by beautifully manicured gardens adorned with beautiful marbles and rolling vineyards. Today, the remains of the villa are still visible in the tiny village, which exudes a timeless charm and has a small population of about 150 people, most of whom are fishermen. The town has several quaint tavernas that serve fresh seafood and local wines against a backdrop of beautiful views.

Sorrento NA, Italy

The Bagni Della Regina Giovann (Baths of Queen Giovanna) is a beautiful natural swimming pool surrounded by steep rock cliffs and separated from the sea by a rock arch. The pool is famous for being the secluded spot where Giovanna II of Durazzo, the Queen of Naples in the late 14th century, used to entertain her lovers. The cove features the ruins of a grand villa (Domus Maritima) that once stood on the cliffs overlooking the sea and had beautiful hanging gardens and pergolas, creating a secluded paradise for the queen. The pool can be reached via a path that leads across the bridge formed by the natural arch where the sea meets the pool or by boat.

Traversa Punta Capo, 14, 80067 Sorrento NA, Italy

The Ulisse Deluxe Hostel Sorrento is a laid-back hotel on a tree-lined street close to the bustling Piazza Tasso that features comfortable guest rooms and an array of modern facilities. Spacious, air-conditioned guest rooms have bright décor and colorful accents, en-suite bathrooms with showers, and modern amenities such as flat-screen televisions, minibars, and complimentary wireless Internet. A breakfast buffet is served in the hotel restaurant in the morning, and an elegant lounge has a full-service bar and stylish wooden décor. Hotel facilities include a fully-equipped fitness center with a swimming pool, a deluxe spa with geothermal pools, hot tubs and a saltwater pool, and a 24-hour reception. The Ulisse Deluxe Hostel is situated under a mile from the Sorrento Train Station and the harbor.

Via del Mare, 22, 80067 Sorrento NA, Italy, Phone: +39-08-18-77-47-53

Surrounded by lush gardens overlooking the Bay of Naples, the Grand Hotel Excelsior Vittoria is a luxurious retreat dating back to 1834 that offers an unforgettable stay. Spread across three historic buildings in a beautiful Mediterranean park with a private lift from the harbor to the property, the hotel features elegantly furnished guest rooms and suites with rich period décor, en-suite bathrooms with showers, and deluxe amenities such as flat-screen televisions, minibars, and private balconies with spectacular views. The hotel has a luxury spa with massage rooms, hot tubs, and an outdoor swimming pool with hydromassage area, a sun terrace with free parasols, sunbeds, and deck chairs. Several highly-acclaimed restaurants serve award-winning cuisine and fine wines, a buffet breakfast is served in a gorgeous room with frescoed ceilings and sea views, and live music and entertainment are offered regularly. Guest services include a pick-up service from Napoli Train Station, and private parking with valet service is available on site.

Piazza Torquato Tasso, 34, 80067 Sorrento NA, Italy, Phone: +39-08-18-77-71-11

Sorrento is surrounded by terraced hills covered in olive trees and is known for its production of award-winning olive oils. Visitors can explore the estates surrounding the town on guided farm tours and sample some of the region’s finest olive oils on guided olive oil tastings. One such estate is Frantoio Gargiulo, which has been producing top-quality olive oil for more than a century, keeping ancient traditions that have been handed down for generations alive. Visitors can learn about the history of olive oil production, the growing, picking and pressing of the olives to produce virgin and extra virgin olive oil.

Olive Oil Tasting - Frantoio Gargiulo, Via Nastro D'Argento, 9, 80065 Sant'Agnello NA, Italy, Phone: +39-08-18-07-23-00

Housed in the magnificent Grand Hotel Excelsior Vittoria, Terrazza Bosquet is an award-winning Michelin-star restaurant with a beautifully appointed and elegantly furnished dining room with a terrace overlooking the Bay of Naples. Michelin-starred Chef Luigi Tramontano creates a menu of refined gourmet cuisine that takes diners on a culinary journey around the globe with sublime dishes like stewed salt cod with smoked black tea, mushrooms mille-feuille with red prawns and chives, violet potato gnocchi with razor clams and caviar, and pan-fried John Dory fillet with lemon confit. The cuisine is accompanied by an impressive list of premium wines from around the world, which are paired with each by professional sommeliers. Terrazza Bosquet is open for dinner only, daily.

Piazza Torquato Tasso, 34, 80067 Sorrento NA, Italy, Phone: +39-08-18-77-71-11

Housed in the cellars of an old monastery in the heart of Sorrento, Ristorante Il Buco is a sophisticated restaurant that serves simple, rustic, and far-from-monastic cuisine and an extensive wine list of more than 1,000 different labels. The unique restaurant boasts an inviting, homely ambiance that takes diners on an enchanting taste experience with an innovative menu of creative dishes using fresh regional ingredients. Signature dishes include seared bass with lentil caviar and artisan seafood pasta in a smoked broth, all of which are paired with an award-winning selection of fine wines from Campania and around the world. Guests can enjoy handcrafted cocktails on a charming terrace near one of the city’s ancient gates.

2ª Rampa Marina Piccola, 5 (Piazza S.Antonino), 80067 Sorrento NA, Italy, Phone: +39-08-18-78-23-54

Nestled in the tranquil village of Sant’Agata just outside of Sorrento, Don Alfonso 1890 is a charming family-owned hotel and restaurant offers a sublime Michelin-starred dining experience. The restaurant offers a gourmet experience in a comfortable and elegant ambiance with Champagne upon arrival and a delectable tasting menu bursting with Mediterranean flavors and paired with award-winning wines from around the world. Signature dishes include red snapper ceviche with chili pepper; duck breast served with a Shirley Temple elixir, prepared using local ingredients like honey, olive oil, lemons, and hand-picked herbs from the nearby family-run farm.

Sant'Agata sui Due Golfi, Corso Sant'Agata, 11/13, 80061 Massa Lubrense NA, Italy, Phone: +39-08-18-78-00-26